David Nickerson Shooting Mat

Many shooting disciplines require the participant to get ‘down and dirty’, so to speak, but lying on the ground and adopting the ‘prone’ position doesn’t have to be an awkward experience. It’s all about being prepared and having the right kit for the job.
I’ve shot Hunter Field Target for a good few years now, and this has compulsory standing and kneeling shots, but the majority of shots can be taken from the incredibly stable, prone position. The trouble is that our outdoor locations, often in farmland or woods, can feature wet, boggy, or rough terrain. For that reason, shooters now carry shooting mats, to bring some comfort to the proceedings. I’ve often ribbed a friend who would get out a super-lightweight roll-up affair, only for it to attempt to blow away in a slight breeze. The mat needs to have some density, and the benefits are obvious.

Respected
On show here is the Shooting Mat from David Nickerson, marketed by John Rothery Wholesale. Made from 100% cotton, with a green canvas finish, this mat is ‘water-resistant’ and features heavy-duty stitching and a non-slip rubber pad at one end. Thick 10mm padding and a pleasing level of density mean this mat is sufficiently weighty to sit firmly on the ground and not try to take off, yet the intrinsic weight overall is about right, making the mat easily portable over a lengthy session around a target course.

Functional
I’ve seen a few designs over the years that are a bit weedy, falling short, and rather defeating the object of a protective mat in the first place. This Nickerson spec is a good size at 29”x76” fully extended, and with proper width, the user has plenty of space to manoeuvre. Those reinforced carry handles are robust and comfortable and along with the rest of the mat, look like they are made to last the course. However, if that grippy rubber area is to be the top of the mat, then having the handles fixed to the reverse does mean they will get a bit muddy occasionally in the field. That said, the grip area is deliberately quite abrasive, so maybe ‘the reverse side’ is a matter of opinion. Use the mat on a covered/indoor range for .22 rimfire shooting and it wouldn’t be an issue in any case. Either way, plenty of versatility, and it all feels well up to the job.

Value
Shooting mats are a vital piece of kit for many, and this one’s specification is very substantial, seriously comfortable, and ideal to properly protect the user when shooting in a variety of disciplines over an extended period. With a sub £50 RRP, I reckon it’s great value for money too, undercutting several rivals.
In short, for those who love shooting and take the sport seriously, this product is an easy investment that should give years of service at the sharp end.

• Dimensions

  29”x76” Extended, 29”x19” Folded

• Price

  £49.95

• Contact

  John Rothery Wholesale - www.bisley-uk.com