Master Series Rifle Master - Front Rest

Introduction

Ransom International Corporation has been serving the worldwide shooting
industry since 1968. The company’s principal product, the Ransom “Master
Series” Rest, has literally become the worldwide standard for handgun accuracy development. It has been used by the United States government agencies 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.

Made in USA

What's So Special About The Ransom Rifle Master?

Although the Ransom Rifle Master looks like other rests, with three-legged base, a central elevating column, bag plate, etc., all similarity ends there.

If you are an accuracy enthusiast-benchrest shooter, varmint shooter, or just fascinated by rifles that deliver extreme accuracy, you know that certain things must be done to produce accurate rifles and ammunition.

Accurate

There are many factors which are detrimental to accuracy! One of those factors is vibration. From the very beginning of the ignition sequence to the exit of the bullet from the barrel, there is vibration.

(Generally, these forms of vibration are understood by those of you who have studied the subject.) As you are aware, vibration cannot be completely eliminated, so it must be controlled

Optimize Your Firearm

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

1. Does it make sense to shoot that rifle and load in conditions that are not as optimal as the rifle’s capabilities?

2. Are you using a rifle rest that is not the quality equivalent of the rifle load?

Certainly, a rest which would feedback vibration into the rifle would adversely affect its accuracy. You must have a rest which remains stable and does not induce adverse effects.

Adjustable

The rest’s base includes an instrument-grade bubble level so that the Ransom Rifle Master can be leveled precisely to compensate for bench variations. Six different bag plates are offered and easily interchanged. Our standard bag plate is 3×6”. We also offer 3×7”, 3×8” and 3×8.5” bag plates, along with 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.

Two forend stops can be used with any bag plate. There is the simpler, nonadjustable standard version forend stop or the competition style forend stop a deluxe version which allows up and down as well as aft adjustment. We have various competition forend stop lengths available including an extended forend stop.

Perfection in Shooting

In our search for perfection in accurate shooting, Ransom International studied and evaluated all rifle rests available when we were designing our Rifle Master.

We measured whether or how well these rests achieved the result of a reliable, stable, and accurate shooting platform. The result of our studies is the Ransom Rifle Master. We feel that it has stood the test of time and is still the standard of the industry today.

Not Your Typical Lightweight Rest

Its “typical” look does not readily reveal that some extraordinary elements of design and manufacture are used to produce results which are exceptional.

Other rifle rests that are available on today’s market you may have used (or seen) were probably convenient, nice, “portable,” and easy to transport to the bench. They may incorporate a similar shape or style of our time-tested Master Series Rest.

However, the Ransom Rifle Master is heavy, approximately 23-30 lbs. (10.4-13.6 kg), depending on selected options because this rest is meant to be shot from. Weight and mass are important factors of stability, resistance to vibration, and/or movement on the bench.

Machined to Close Tolerances

Only the cap screws of the Ransom Rifle Master are common hardware parts. All other components are specially designed, carefully selected materials machined to close tolerances. In short, no part has been designed or manufactured to be merely adequate for its purposes. The quality of the Ransom Rifle Master is equal to that of any rifle you will ever fire from it.
Everything is designed to bring the rifle enthusiast a tool that is safe, accurate, dependable, and trusted.

Made in the USA

This product is proudly made in the United States for use here and abroad. We back this product with instruction manuals, online video, and phone support.

It is our goal to have our customer’s needs and expectations met or exceeded.

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 widest range of firearms. If you have an idea for improvements or changes, please contact us.

Rifle Master Components

What's Included:

Instrument-Grade Bubble Level
Allows the shooter to precisely level Rifle Master on any shooting bench, compensating for bench variations.
Base Leveling Screws (3)
For precise leveling of the Rifle Master, with hardened tips so the rest doesn’t shift on bench.
Leveling Screw Lock Rings (3)
For securing position of Leveling Screws.
Major Column Locking Handle (to the right side of level)
Locks and retains Major Elevation Column.
Major Elevation Column
Allows up to 1 1/2″ of elevation adjustment to top of Rifle Master base.
Minor Column Locking Handle (to the left side of level)
Locks and retains Minor (threaded) Elevation Column.
Minor (Threaded) Elevation Column
Allows up to 2″ of elevation adjustment to top of Major Column.
Handwheel
Works in conjunction with Minor (threaded) Column for fine-tuning elevation adjustment.
Bag Plate
Retains front bag and can hold rifles with up to 6″ wide forend. In the standard Model Rifle Master the Bag Plate mounts directly to Minor Column.
Bag Plate Side Rails
Positions End Plates and allows Front Bag to be permanently attached to Bag plate.
End Plates (Optional) Mount between Side Rails of Bag Plate to tighten Front Bag against rifle forend

Proper Care & Cleaning

Disassembly is not necessary for normal service.
Do NOT expose your Rifle Master to moisture or excessive dirt. Wipe off any contaminants using soft, dry towel.
Periodically spray exposed metal with WD-40 or similar water displacing oil. Fully extend central Elevation Columns and apply a few drops of medium machine oil. Treat all blued metal components as you would on a quality rifle. Lubricate regularly to protect finish and prevent rust.
One at a time, remove Leveling Screws and apply a few drops of oil to threads on the Rifle Master base, replace screw and work oil into threads. Lightly wipe raised lettering on base to prevent rusting.

Notes and Tips

The standard Rifle Master will accommodate most typical hunting rifles. If your Rifle is designed for benchrest shooting and is accommodated with a much larger stock we have a variety of bag plate sizes available even up to the BMG Rifles visit our website or contact us for more info. Custom bag plates can also be made.
The standard Rifle Master comes with a number one, two, or three bag for the front rest. If your rifle does not fit these you may contact Protector Model for a different style or a custom style.
The standard Rifle Master is shipped from the factory to support sporting rifle, target rifle or other different style rifles; if you are accuracy shooting or competition shooting we recommend
possibly a custom-made bag for your rifle to get the most out of your Master Series Rest.
The standard Rifle Master 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
Rifle Master parts.
To adjust major column, loosen Red round knurled knob on right side. While grabbing the left side locking knob and under right side of bag plate, lift major column up from rest base. When height is correct, tighten Red round knurled knob on right side. Do not put angled stress on left locking knob.
To adjust minor column, loosen Red round knurled knob on left side. Turn handwheel clockwise to lower bag plate. Turn handwheel counter-clockwise to raise bag plate. When height is correct, tighten Red round knurled knob on left side. Turn handwheel clockwise slightly to preload needle bearing and remove slop.
Adjust elevation using the Major and Minor Columns equally. Lock the Major and Minor Columns in position using the Red round knurled knobs. Splitting the height adjustment between the major and minor columns provides the most stable and accurate results. Extending either single column to full travel while the other column is fully retracted can induce harmonics and slop.

The Competition Forend Stop allows a much greater adjustment for various rifle forends. This allows the ability to adjust the length and height to put the forend stop to the desired position on the stock forend.
To adjust Competition Forend Stop, loosen the large Red cap and push in to loosen locking clamp. Move Stop to desired location, and tighten large Red cap. To adjust height, loosen screw between ‘legs’ and slide Stop up and down as desired.
Tighten screw.
Gripping 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 adapted such a device. We feel our main goal is for repeatability and accuracy. Adapting such a feature can introduce variations when returning to battery and requires reacquiring target each time.
Our main goal is to provide a steady rest platform, assuring that your rifle can be returned to the same position (battery) each time.
This rest was designed for competition shooting and to stay within the competition guidelines.
While this rest was designed to test for repeatability and accuracy in addition to its competition roots and still is capable of this type of testing, we have recently released a new Mega2
Rest that is specifically for testing repeatability and accuracy.

Ransom Rifle Master Warranty

Ransom Master Series Rifle Rest is warrantied against defective parts and or defective craftsmanship for a period of One (1) year.

A Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number is required in order to send any products back for any reason. If you should have a problem with your unit, or any other products, please call Ransom International at (928) 778-7899 or via email.

Please keep your receipt or invoice. Proof of purchase will be required for any warranty work to be performed. Warranty work will be void without proof of purchase.

Thank You

Ransom International Corporation

CAUTION:

SAFETY WITH FIREARMS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY—BE CAREFUL

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

IMPORTANT!

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

Bags

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 phillips screwdriver
A hammer

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 loosen.
Back off the red thumb adjuster screw on the bag ear/end plate. No need to remove this screw but back it off.
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 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 dead sand. How to Mount a Bag on Your Rifle Master
For Protektor model bags. 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 to Mount

Verify the 4 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.
Gently start all 8 SHCS ( socket head cap screws)
Once all screws have been installed loosely, slowly tighten all 8 screws in a star pattern or a crisscross pattern.
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 shape your bag into shape preferred for the forestock 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 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.

Mounting Full Bag to Mount

Verify the 4 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.
Gently start all 8 SHCS ( socket head cap screws)
Once all screws have been installed loosely, slowly tighten all 8 screws in a star pattern or a crisscross pattern.
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 shape your bag into shape preferred for the forestock 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 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.

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 bag plate 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.

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

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

Rifle Master Information and Complete Assembly Video Go to

www.ransomrest.com/rmvideo
or scan QR Code

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.

The older rotating Omni Series® Bag Plate was phased out. This item is special order only.

Optional Pad Feet

The Rifle Master has turned and hardened elevation leveling screws. Sometimes there may be a need to cap the sharp point on the elevation leveling screws. Ransom offers leveling pad knobs to cap the points if needed.

They are the same knobs on top of the leveling screws. You can purchase these knobs to protect the sharp point or protect the table surface were you place your rest. This can be handy for transport or to not damage or indent a shooting bench or table.

Knobs can also be fitted with a piece of felt or a piece of leather, so they will not scratch the table.

Optional Windage Base

The optional windage base will mount to any of our Rifle Master front rests with a QC adapter.

The windage base comes stock on the Rear Rifle Master. When the Rifle Master 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 Rifle Master. The windage will hold securely between shots, as well as aid in easy leftright 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 Rifle Master 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.