Diamond Series Rifle Rest Manual

Rifle Rest Manual - Introduction

Ransom Rest has been serving the worldwide shooting industry since 1968.
The company’s principal product, the Ransom “Master Series” Rest, has become
the worldwide standard for developing handgun accuracy.

The United States government agencies have used it for years to test and develop handguns. We are justifiably proud of the reputation our product has developed internationally over the years. We pledge to you, our customers, that we will continue to develop and produce products of high quality and precision.

We believe the Diamond Rifle Rest continues with this quality you have grown to expect from Ransom Rest.

Made in USA

Special Features:

Why a Diamond Series?

Seeing so many copies, clones, or similar rests being made from our patented rifle Master bench rest and noting that most of these are lightweight and inexpensive, we realized that not everyone needs a heavy competition Rifle Master Bench Rest. Many want something lightweight and portable to sight in the rifle or test various loads or accuracy. If you are not a bench rest shooter, you may desire something a little more lightweight, something easy to move and take to the range. Something that won’t break the bank. But has some shiny bling, all the while having top quality and precision.

Ransom Rest Quality

Consider the large amount of time and money you
have invested in creating your custom hunting or match rifles. Additionally, consider how much work it took to develop the ammunition and load you are shooting.
Now, two important questions arise:

Certainly, a rest that would feedback vibration into the rifle would adversely affect its accuracy. You must have a stable rest that does not induce adverse effects. We believe we achieved all this with our invention and patent of the tri-leg Rifle Master.

Perfection in Shooting

In our efforts to obtain lighter weight and perfection in accurate shooting, Ransom International studied and evaluated many rifle rest options or styles. We measured whether or how well these various designs or styles achieved the result of a reliable, stable and accurate shooting platform—diligently working to achieve convenience, friendly, “portable” and easy to transport to the bench. The result of our studies is the Diamond Series Rifle Rest. We feel this rest not only presents the shiny new age bling of the twenty-first century, but this rest will stand the test of time and by handling even the largest or heaviest of calibers available. While maintaining stability and minimizing vibration, all while obtaining repeatability.

Not Your Typical LOOKING Rest

The diamond rest looks nice compared to our world famous bench rest record-holding black Rifle Master.
Although looks do not readily reveal extraordinary elements in design and manufacturing that produce exceptional results, the Ransom Diamond series not only has excellent design and care in manufacturing but also gives the look that modern-day range shooters seek.

Ransom Rest Quality

Ransom Diamond Series is manufactured of top grade material specifically chosen for durability and style. The central elevating mechanism consists of an Acme threaded column fitted to a tolerance better than .001 of an inch. The elevating thread is Acme form because it offers a better quality of fit and function than V threads. The weight of the minor column, handwheel, bag plate, bag, and the front of the rifle is supported by a needle bearing, providing a solid contact surface that allows for easy, precise height adjustment.

Adaptable

Many different bag plates are offered and easily interchanged. The Diamond Rest ships with our standard 3×6 ” bag plate, but we also offer Quick Change adapters, Windage bag plates, and a 3×7”, 3×8”, and 3×8.5” bag plate. Larger sizes are 5×7, 5×8, and 5×8.5” bag plates. All plates can be fitted with pivoting end plates, which permit adjustable clamping of the front bag.
A forend stop is available that allows up and down adjustment as well as fore and aft adjustment. We also have various competition forend stop rod lengths available, including an extended forend stop.

Quality Precision

Only the cap screws and foot pads of the Ransom Diamond Rest are common hardware parts. All other components are specially designed with carefully selected materials and machined in-house to close tolerances. In short, each part has been designed and manufactured to be superior in quality for its purpose. The Ransom Diamond Series is equal in quality to that of any rifle you will ever fire from it.
Everything is designed to give the rifle enthusiast a
safe, accurate, portable, dependable and trusted tool.

Trusted

This product is proudly made in the United States for use here and abroad. We back it with instruction manuals, online video, and phone support. Our goal is to meet or exceed our customers’ needs and expectations.
Check our website for adapters, upgrades, and options for this product. This machine was designed to be as adaptable and adjustable as possible to support the broadest range of firearms. If you have an idea for improvements or changes, please get in touch with us.

Home Run Front Rest Components

What's Included:

Brass knurled Base Leveling Screws (3) three and Leveling screw pads (3) three;
For precise leveling and stability with rubberized foot pads to prevent the Rest from shifting on the bench.
Knurled Leveling Screw Lock Rings (3);
For locking the position of Leveling Screw Pads.
Major Elevation Column Mounted to the Base;
Various lengths are available.
Elevation Locking Handle and Lock Knob;
Locks and retains Minor (threaded) Elevation Column.
Threaded Minor Elevation Column;
Allows up to 2.5″ of elevation adjustment.
Caspian Handwheel Acme machine screw
thread; Works in conjunction with the Minor (threaded) Column for fine-tuning elevation adjustment.
Bag Plate;
Retains front bag and can hold rifle forends up to 6″ wide. In the standard Model Diamond Series, the Bag Plate mounts directly to the Minor Column.
Bag Rails;
Positions End Plates and allows Front Bag to be permanently attached to Bag plate.
End Plates;
Mounted between the Side Rails of the Bag Plate to tighten the Front Bag against the rifle forend.

Proper Care & Cleaning

Disassembly is not necessary for normal service.
You can wipe off and clean most dirt or debris.
Do NOT expose your Ransom Rest to moisture or excessive dirt. Wipe off any contaminants using a soft, dry towel.
Periodically spray exposed steel metal with gun lube or similar water-displacing oil. Fully extend central Elevation Columns and apply a few drops of medium machine oil or light film of grease. Treat all blued metal components as you would on a quality rifle. Lubricate regularly to protect the f inish and prevent the steel from rusting.

The needle elevation bearing is greased from the factory. Normal care and use should not require reapplication. If the bearing is dry, remove red elevation locking knob. Slide the minor column up out of the major column. Remove the bearing and washers. Clean bearing and repack with light grease. Re-install bearing and washer in order on minor column, aligning them so they clear threads. Install minor column in major column. Install red locking knob.
Wipe excess oil from the rest and store in a dry atmosphere.

Notes and Tips

Bags

The Ransom Diamond Rest can be used while shouldering the rifle, with a sandbag at the rear or our matching Diamond Series Rear Rifle Rest.
The Diamond Rest will accommodate most typical hunting rifles. If your Rifle is designed for bench-rest shooting and requires a much larger stock, we have a variety of bag plate sizes available for the Rear Rifle Rest, even for BMG Rifles. Visit our website or contact us for more info. Custom bag plates can also be made.
Most rifles will use a number one, two, or three bag for the front rest. If your rifle does not fit these, you may contact us for special bags for a different style or a custom style.
The Diamond Rest is shipped from the factory to support all sporting rifles, target rifles, and other different-style rifles. If you are accuracy shooting or competition shooting and desire a custom-made bag for your rifle to get the most out of your Diamond Series Rest, contact us.
The bag plates, bags, and forend stops can be swapped to allow for different shapes, sizes, and special needs. Please contact us with any questions or for any custom Diamond Series parts.
The Diamond Series Rest does not have an adjustable Major Column. To have a shorter or longer Major column. Contact us. They are available.
To adjust the minor columns, loosen the Red round knurled knob on the left side. Turn the handwheel clockwise to lower the bag plate. Turn the handwheel counterclockwise to raise the bag plate. When the height is correct, tighten the Red round knurled knob on the left side. Turn the handwheel clockwise slightly to preload the needle bearing and remove any slack.

Forend Stop

The Competition Forend Stop allows a much greater adjustment for various rifle forends. This adjustability allows the variable length and height positions of the Forend Stop to return most any rifle forend to the same position in the Rest.
To adjust the Competition Forend Stop, loosen the large Red cap and push in to loosen the locking clamp. Move the Stop to the desired location and tighten the large Red cap. To adjust
the height, loosen the screw between ‘legs’ and slide stop up and down as desired. Tighten screw.
Gripping the rifle securely, ensure the bag firmly cradles the rife forend. Any movement to the side will cause inaccuracy. Rifle should be cupped so all movement is limited to fore-aft recoil only.
End plates are equipped with nylon-tipped screws to hold position. Do not use screws to adjust end plates. End plates should be moved by hand to squeeze bag and cradle rifle forend. Once end plates are in proper location, snug screws to prevent end plates from relaxing outward. Please note if screws are used to tension end plates, the tips can possibly be damaged or destroyed.
We recognize that some modern rifle rests have a hand lever for easy adjustment in multiple directions, possibly for quickly acquiring multiple targets or for target practice. We have not
adopted such a feature. We feel our main goal is for repeatability and accuracy. Adopting such a feature can introduce variations when returning to battery and would require wasting time
reacquiring the target each time.
Our main goal is to provide a steady rest platform, ensuring your rifle can be returned to the same battery position each time.
This rest was designed for competition shooting and staying within the competition guidelines.

Special Instructions

Note about Nylon Screws:

The bag ears/end plates have nylon tipped adjuster screws, one on each bag ear. Do not use these to tighten the ear. Just cradle and squeeze the rifle forend. Only use the nylon screws to keep tightness on the ear. Squeeze the ears by hand and adjust the red thumb screw to keep tension on the bag and cradle rifle appropriately. If you use the screws to add tension, this can compromise the nylon tips, and scar your bagplate in time. The screws are only used to keep tension

Note about Bag Leather:

The leather bag is like a pitching glove. You need to work and shape the bag to fit your rifle. This is similar to how a pitcher may fit his glove to his hand. The bags may need to be broken in and worked in, to fit to suit you. Manipulate and work in the bag, adding or removing sand to your liking.

Note about Trimming Tabs:

When the bag is set to approval, some shooters cut off the leather tabs that are exposed under the rails. This is normal and preferred by some. But please note, if you remove and remount the bag without the excess leather tabs, this can be more challenging. So, make sure you have the bag filled, and set to your preference before removing or cutting off the excess leather tabs exposed under the rails. If the excess leather tabs have been cut off, the bag can still be removed and replaced. Or leave the tabs if you desire.

Diamond Series Set Up

How to Mount a Bag on Your Rifle Master

You will need:

A 5 /32” Allen wrench
Small funnel and good-grade sand
A block of wood, or wood handle hammer to help shape the bag
A small hammer to help shape the bag

Attaching BAG PLATE to Diamond Series Rifle Rest

The Diamond Seres Rest comes complete with a bag plate. But you can remove and attach another size plate to the diamond rest.
We sell many sizes including Quick-Change (QC) Plate. A QC plate allows you to use many-size bag plates. The bag plates attach with two (2) screws in the center of the bag Plate to the Minor Column. Use a 5/32” hex key to attach the bag plate to the Minor Column.
Best to tighten the ¼” 28 fine thread flat head screw firmly so it does not vibrate loose during recoil. Do not ever use Loctite. Just a firm, snug, tight will do. Once the bag is mounted, you cannot reach these 2 screws unless you remove the bag.

Filling Bag to be Mounted

Each Ransom Diamond Series Rifle Rest requires a bag attached to the bag plate. We recommend filling the bag with fine-grain sand. Black sand is most preferred. Black sand is the heaviest in nature and is known for its excellent vibration-deadening properties.
You want the bag to be relatively firm, but a firm bag is difficult to mount. For the first time, it is best to slightly underfill the bag for mounting. Then, shape the bag, remove it, and refill it so it is relatively firm for use. This can take a couple of times to shape and
break in your bag.

The bag has a fill flap located under the bag. Flip the bag upside down, and on one end underneath, you should see the fill flap. Using the small 5/32 Allen wrench, you can untuck the fill flap. Then, to fill the bag, a large rifle cartridge with the head cut off works well to open the orifice and fill the bag. Put the case all the way into the fill flap and, using a small funnel, fill the bag compartment. Once the compartment is filled, remove the cartridge case and tuck the flap back in. Tucking the fap can be made easier by wetting it or applying a little die wax to the
leather if needed.

Mounting the Front Bag on the BAG PLATE:

The Front Bag mounts in the same manner as all bag plates offered by Ransom Rest.

Instructions to Disassemble Bag Ears/End Plates:

Loosen bag ears/end plates on the machine. You should not need to remove the ears, but you do need them loosened.
Back off the red thumb adjuster screw on the bag ear/end plate. No need to remove this screw but back it off completely so not to damage the soft tip screws.
If the bag ear adjuster screw is removed, please note it goes in the bag ear/end plate at an angle. Do not cross thread when starting this screw.
Once the ear has been loosened slightly, remove the 8-bag rail screws located on both sides of the top bag plate.
There are four 10-32 SHCS (socket head cap screws) located through each bag rail. Remove all 8 screws and remove rails and end plates as a unit. This step can save time.

Filling Bags with Sand

Fill the bag with good grade sand. Most prefer a high-density small grain black sand. You can use a fine grade brown sand or a good fine grade aquarium sand. Most competition and bench rest shooters prefer and require the black sand and find it the best vibration-deadening sand.
There is a tab located under the bag at one end. The tab will be tucked into a pocket. Remove tab from the pocket and a Phillips head screwdriver will help remove the tab and open the hole in the tab to accept funnel.
Untuck tab use a small funnel and fill bag to your preferred consistency. Please note an overfull bag will be very difficult or impossible to mount.
Once the bag is full, tuck back in the fill tab and place it on the flat bag plate, in the center.

Mounting Full Bag

Verify the 4 tangs or tabs on the bag will be in between the bag rail screws. These 4 tabs run under the rails to hold the bag in place.
Gently lower the rail and end plate assembly over the bag into position. with the 4 leather tabs under the rails. An overfilled bag is difficult to mount, so it’s best to have the bag under full for the first time mounting.
If the bag is filled properly, it will require a bit of effort to move the sand in the bag to fit between the Side Rails and align the screws. Like a baseball glove, you are trying to get a nice, tight, even fit. Tighten the screws until snug.
Gently start all 8 SHCS (socket head cap screws). Start all threads.
Once all screws have been installed loosely, slowly tighten all 8 screws in a star pattern or a crisscross pattern. To evenly snug rails and not bind the end plates. Make sure soft tip screws on the end plate are clear and do not interfere as this will ruin the tips or bend the screws during tightening.

Gently work all screws down equally as not to cant or twist the assembly or bag end plates.
Once bag rails are fully snug and torqued down equally, you can use the wood block or wood handled hammer and start to form your bag into shape preferred for the forend of your rifle.
Using a wood block and hammer to beat the bag, a #3 bag can be manipulated to a flat bottom 2.75 to 3″ width.
You can also shape the bottom of the bag if your rifle is not flat bottom. You can use an appropriate size round wood block or wood dowel to do this. Sometimes, a round wood-handled hammer can also work.
If you need to soften or weather proof the leather, we can recommend Obenauf’s conditioner
In some cases, you may need to remove or add sand until the bag is the shape you require so the end plates/bag ears function properly.

Bags

Available Front Bags

Front Bag Available in Regular #1, Medium #2, or Wide #3.
All standard bag base size is 2 1/4″ W x 5 3/4″ L x 1″ H

#1 bag measures approximately 1-1/2″ – 1-3/4″ in between the ears

#2 bag measures approximately 2″ – 2-1/2″ in between the ears

#3 bag measures approximately 2-3/4″ – 3″ in between the ears.

5″ bags are custom made from Protektor Model to fit your rifle we do not stock the 5″ bags they are specific to each rifle stock. Contact Protektor Model for custom bags.

Available Rear Bags

Rear Bag Available in Bunny or Rabbit-Ear Styles.

Rear bags for Rifle Master Rear Rest are available from
Protektor Model bags

– www.protektormodel.com

Competition Forend Stop Rods

All Rifle Masters now come with the Competition forend stop. Various length forend stop rods and upright forks are available. Standard forend stop is also available.

Set Up at the Range

How to Mount a Bag on Your Rifle Master

1. Set your Ransom Diamond Series Rest on the shooting bench with the two leveling feet forward. And one leveling foot pad towards you. The major column knurled red lock knob should be towards you and on the left side of the rest. This positions the knob so it is easy to get to and unlock when sitting on the bench.

2. Loosen the base leveling screw lock rings. To level the feet or align the base in plain if needed.

3. Turn the brass knurled knob base leveling screws until the base is level or in the plain of the target or table as needed. Then, tighten the base leveling screw lock rings for rigidity.

4. If you have the optional forend stop, you can adjust the Forend Stop, once rifle is in rest, until it just touches the forend of the rifle. This ensures the rifle’s forend returns to the same point of contact with the rest each time after the rifle is fired.

5. Adjust the Forend Stop so it is centered on the front of the rifle forend.

6. Adjust End Plates, to firmly grip the rifle forend. Best not to use the soft tip screws to add tension to the end plates. It is best for you to squeeze the end plates to add tension on the bag then adjust the screw to keep that tension.

7. You can adjust elevation using the handwheel on the Minor Column. You must unlock the red knurled lock knob, and then the hand wheel will allow up-down adjustment. Once adjusted into the elevation position, you can then lock elevation for rigidity by using the same knurled red lock knob.

8. Fine-tuning of the elevation is done with the same Minor Column handwheel and lock knob.

a. Loosen the left red round knurled knob; use the Handwheel to move the Minor Column up or down.
b. Lock the Minor Column with the left red round knurled knob when the desired elevation is reached.
c. Tighten the handwheel lightly to preload the bearing and take up any slop.
9. Make sure all screws and knobs are tight before firing.

NOTE: The Handwheel rides on a needle bearing on the top surface of the Major Column.

10. If you have a Windage bag plate option, Adjust the windage by the large knob on the end of the Windage Plate. This knob moves the adjustable bag plate left or right. Adjustable bag plate can be rotated to either side for left or right-hand adjustment.

11. Once the Diamond Rest is fully adjusted and fits the rifle snugly, fire a few settling rounds and recheck all tightened adjustments. Ensure the rifle is on target. Pay attention to returning the rifle to the same position each time.

Accessories

Quick change adapter and plate

Any of the Diamond Series and bag plate choices can be fitted with the optional Quick-Change adapter. The optional Quick-Change Plate mounted on the Diamond Series allows a quick change for those who need to change the bag plate sizes or the bags often for different rifles.
With the optional Quick-Change Plate mounted on the Diamond Series this allows a quick change for those who need to often change the bag plate sizes or the bags, for different rifles.
This will allow you to change out your bag plates in just minutes,
without affecting your bag adjustments or fit for your rifle.

Windage Quick Change Adapter and Rails

If you have a windage upgrade on your Diamond Series, The QC adapter and rails will allow you to quickly change between rifle bag plates on top of your windage.
This QC will allow you to change out your bag plates on your windage in just minutes, without affecting your bag adjustments or fit for your rifle or removing your windage.

Various Bag Plate Options

The different bag-plate options are available for the Ransom Diamond Series, and with a Quick-Change option they can be quickly and easily interchanged depending on shooting requirements.
The Standard Bag Plate 3 x 6 represents a sure and steady rest for the rifle’s forend, suitable for the most demanding shooting. And for wider fire arms we offer a 3 x 7, 3 x 8.
Other bag plates include 5 x 6, 5 x 7 , 5 x 8, 5 x 8 1/2 representing more surface area front to back allowing a little more sure and steady rest for the heavy gun and rifle’s forend, suitable for the most demanding shooting of heaver, larger or bigger forends

Optional Windage Base

The optional windage base will mount to any of our Diamond Series front rests with a QC adapter.
The windage base comes stock on the Rear Diamond Series. When the Diamond Series was designed, the fine left-right-up-down adjustments needed between shots were done at the rear.
These fine adjustments were done either with a rear bag or a Rear Diamond Series. The windage will hold securely between shots, as well as aid in easy left right adjustments.
The windage can be added to the front and has clear graduation lines to scale your movement. It is fully ambidextrous.
A total of 1″ adjustment is available. This is 1/2″ left and 1/2″ right at the bench.
There are two set screws on the windage. This adds tension to a Teflon slide for ease of adjustment and to avoid wiggle in the left-right adjustment.
These set screws are not to be tightened; they are only to be snug and add drag on the Teflon slide.

Over-tightening will cause the windage to lock.
The windage is its own bag plate, but a Windage QC adapter and rails can be added to allow many bag plates options on the windage.
A rear Diamond Series windage will mount to your Front Rifle Rest, but a QC adapter would be needed for your front rest to accomplish this.

For any questions regarding windages add on or input feel free to contact us directly.

Rear Diamond Series Rests are Also Available

SAFETY WITH FIREARMS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

Be Careful!

We guarantee the exercise of reasonable care in manufacturing, but assume no further responsibility.

Be sure to check our website frequently for sales and new products. All Ransom products can be purchased direct from Ransom International.

RANSOM MASTER SERIES WARRANTY

Ransom Master Series are warranted against defective parts and or defective craftsmanship for a period of One (1) year. After one year Ransom Rest is still fully backed and supported just email or call us for any questions or support needed.