Shooting Mat
A padded mat that keeps the prone shooter off rough or wet ground for a steadier, more comfortable firing position.
A shooting mat is a roll-out pad that separates the shooter from cold, wet, rocky, or abrasive ground while firing from the prone position. By cushioning the elbows, hips, and torso, it lets the shooter relax fully into the rifle rather than tensing against discomfort, and that relaxation is what makes a prone position genuinely steady over a long string of fire.
Beyond comfort, a good mat gives the bipod feet a consistent, grippy surface to plant on, which aids loading-the-bipod and keeps the rifle from skating under recoil. Many mats include a non-slip backing and a textured top, both of which contribute to repeatable position-building by anchoring the shooter and the gun in the same place shot after shot.