Considering a Bald Eagle as my first rest.

[Damfino]

I've spent a couple hours reading in search and decided to cut to the chase.

I'm new to benchrest shooting - started in May of last year. I mostly shoot 100/200yd rimfire with a Vudoo V-22 18" in a KRG chassis that weighs in at over 13lbs, though I may also use it to shoot a similar format match with smallbore (.223) centerfire.

I've been shooting off an Atlas V8 bipod vs all my competitors are using rests of some type, 4 use the Bald Eagle Slingshot cast, a couple Caldwell Rock BR's, and a couple older basic triangles.

I know my bipod and technique is costing me points and I'm going to make some changes to my setup and technique to hopefully eliminate some of the random flyers. Fiddling with "major" repositions every shot is a pain when that time would be better spent on reading wind conditions.

So I'm considering getting a Bald Eagle windage top rest to eliminate a couple of the numerous rimfire variables.

Here's my thinking, please tell me where it's potentially flawed.

I'm leaning towards the slingshot base primarily due to it's almost 3lbs heavier than the triangle base model.

The windage top cable adjustment function appears to be an issue, though if it can't be tweaked, the top components can be reversed and the windage cable knob can be installed via a stud on the left side of the base.

The 3" BE front bag looks to be adequate and I plan on making a 3"x6" forearm plate for the KRG Chassis out of UHMW.

I have a Protektor rear eared bag that should work with a proper height base plate and possibly a custom Delrin or UHMW bag rider rail on the KRG buttstock.

I have a small home metal shop and enjoy tinkering, so if there's simple modifications to improve the basic platform performance I don't mind the challenge.

I appreciate in advance your time, input, and advice.

Sieg

Some years ago I got one of those bargain priced Bald Eagle aluminum slingshots without the windage option because I'm cheap and lazy and had cleverly sold my Sinclair rest. Its relative lightweight and narrowness appealed to me because it would fit in a cheap plastic toolbox I had and not be too difficult for a tired old man to drag around.

I had tried a friend's windage version but felt it was too vague and squishy to work for me. I got the rest to do load development and was shooting F-TR at the time, late last year I switched to F-Open and made High Master in 2 matches with that modest little rest. I also shot rimfire F-class with it. Once properly setup it performed very well, I also used the Bald Eagle front bag and F-class feet. I have now gone to a SEB-Mini because of its convenience and ease of use, however my scores remain pretty close to how I was doing with the Bald Eagle. But, damn just looking at that Mini improves my self-esteem, as well as my status on the firing line. I also sold the Bald Eagle for about 80% of what I paid for it. I did keep the original packaging which made that easier. Of course, I now regret selling it as well.

 

[Sieg]

Thank you all for the input, very much appreciated.

I'm somewhat leaning toward the Cowan rest.

1 - I appreciate the cause as we are losing more craftsman than we're creating.
2 - I like hand machined "stuff" it's becoming a lost art.
3 - I like the simplistic functional nature of the design

I'm thinking a Shadetree top would be future upgrade option if desired.

A SEB mini or NEO would be a nice luxury...… but I'm spending that money at the Vet Friday for another surgery on my best friend.

He's only 9 with tons of energy, but malignant melanoma is trying to take him away.

 

[topclass2017]

I have several friends who bought the Bald Eagle with the cable function and they have all removed it and replaced it with a direct drive windage adjuster. It doesn't seem right to buy something knowing you might have to modify it.

I agree. I bought mine used and it already had the conversion...

 

[topclass2017]

Thank you all for the input, very much appreciated.

I'm somewhat leaning toward the Cowan rest.

1 - I appreciate the cause as we are losing more craftsman than we're creating.
2 - I like hand machined "stuff" it's becoming a lost art.
3 - I like the simplistic functional nature of the design

I'm thinking a Shadetree top would be future upgrade option if desired.

A SEB mini or NEO would be a nice luxury...… but I'm spending that money at the Vet Friday for another surgery on my best friend.

He's only 9 with tons of energy, but malignant melanoma is trying to take him away.

I'll be praying for your BF. there's not much that beats the companionship of a faithful dog.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Get the cheap cast iron base triangle and get a SHADETREE TOP!!! Best combo you can buy at that price range.

 

[divingin]

I guess I'm in the minority. I use the Bald eagle rest with the cable windage. Works OK for me (non-competition CF benchrest, for the most part.) I did pull the top apart and dust everything that slid with graphite. The windage is not perfect, but I can still shoot .2's with regularity (and occasional forays into the 0's, but not often.) I do not have a need for quick adjustment though.

You're right on pricing being all over the place. Got mine from Grizzly before they shopped them to Bullets.com, paid something like $229. Bullets had them listed for over $400, then dropped them to about $250 just before they folded. Grizzly got them back and had them listed everywhere from $189 to $349 (that I saw, anyway.)

I was considering replacing the top if I ever have any disposable income. Good to hear the Shadetree top works with the Bald Eagle.

 

[kzin]

My sinclair is easier to operate and inherently more stable than the BE slingshot I had but I don't think I've gained even a fraction of a point in performance.

 

[Sieg]

I'll be praying for your BF. there's not much that beats the companionship of a faithful dog.

Fact!

Thank you

 

[Sieg]

SIEG: I am a casual/club level competitor at 100-300 yards. I was using a Caldwell Rock and switched to a cast iron base Bald Eagle with the cable function removed and the windage feature now controlled directly from the top. Couldn't be happier with the change. It was a low cost solution to generate increased stability.

Top,

Did you go with the triangle or slingshot base?

The three guys at my range that have them all use the slingshot style. I wasn't impressed with the feel of the cable system, I could see where improving the system components to eliminate the cable bind could provide a competitive advantage..... or just go direct drive.

I see the extra weight of the slingshot base as a bonus, lateral stability isn't a huge concern for me as my primary concern is rimfire.

The Cowan or BE appear decent beginner choices and could be upgraded in the future with a Shade Tree top.

 

[Termite I]

Not meaning to hyjack this post but figured it is related so I thought I'd ask. For those that have the Bald Eagle Rest what rear bag are you using? I bought a BE rest from a member here and want to get a suitable rear bag to use for working up loads on factory stocked rifles and some AR's. I've looked at Edgewood and Protektor brands and seen ones that are flat while others are angled. I'm also wondering what height to get. Thanks!

 

[JFrank]

Protector Bumblebee has a very slight slope, maybe a 1/4
With heavy sand it’s more than decent
4 inch tall seems to be normal

 

[Uthink Uknow]

I can’t speak to the bag that is best suited for an AR but for the factory rifle a Protektor that is not packed too tight or hard is well suited for the factory rifle. Also for a factory I would think the bag with only one seam between the ears is best.

 

[kzin]

That's because (with all else being equal), your performance is determined by you skill set, not the equipment. An upgrade does not automatically translate to an increase in performance. If that upgrade exceeds the ability of its owner to utilize it, it is just a waste of money.

Chris Mitchell

I think it's because the BE works just as well as long as the user puts in a little extra work.

I might have made it sound like I suck with both. I made smallbore master with the BE then kept shooting at the same level with the Sinclair with less effort devoted to the rest itself. At 600 cf I suck but that's mostly sucking at reading wind at 600.

The BE worked but made me work. The Sinclair works exactly as I want it to.

 

[joshb]

Thank you all for the input, very much appreciated.

I'm somewhat leaning toward the Cowan rest.

1 - I appreciate the cause as we are losing more craftsman than we're creating.
2 - I like hand machined "stuff" it's becoming a lost art.
3 - I like the simplistic functional nature of the design

I'm thinking a Shadetree top would be future upgrade option if desired.

A SEB mini or NEO would be a nice luxury...… but I'm spending that money at the Vet Friday for another surgery on my best friend.

He's only 9 with tons of energy, but malignant melanoma is trying to take him away.

Sorry to to hear about your buddy. Fight the good fight for him. I lost my Jill a few months ago to bone cancer. She was 8.

 

[butchlambert]

The Edgewood bags are very well made, but seem a little stiff. I believe it gives a little vertical. The Protektor with slippery cloth suits me best.

 

[Termite I]

Sieg, I hope the surgery goes well for your Best Friend! I'm sorry for your loss joshb. I know how you feel, I lost my Best Friend ten years ago. She was a yellow lab and lived to the age of 15. Biggest lap dog I've ever had . Thanks guys for your advice on a rear bag. There are so many models out there it's hard to choose.

 

[Sieg]

He's being a real trooper considering the amount of suturing.

This excavation was a cyst that became infected a few days after the tumor resurfaced two weeks ago. He has a larger incision on the inside of that of thigh at the groin junction. Surprisingly he's walking fine and only shows a little discomfort when jumping up on his sofa or navigating steps. A squirrel was on the fence this morning and he was pissed!

Hopefully we get a few more months of good quality squirrel chasing in before the cancer wins. I've had him on a daily dosage of THC and CBD oil and will continue to do so, I may up the dosage to twice daily. Studies are finally being done with K-9's and the THC is proven to hinder cancer cells growth. The dosage levels need to be carefully measured based on the percentage of THC in the oil as dogs are roughly 10 times more sensitive to the effects. Rev gets 1/200th of a 1g syringe that's 71.2% THC.

The companionship and unconditional love of a dog that's been treated as an equal to all family members is a wonderful and rewarding experience.

 

[Sieg]

Anyway back on topic...….

The Cowan rest is still very appealing, though the Bald Eagle offers a lot for the dollar, as this is my first rest (and probably not the last) it may end up being my starter choice. I like tinkering and have numerous ideas that should improve on the cable adjustment sensitivity, if not switching the tray orientation and mounting the knob on a stud appears to resolve it.

Our concrete benchtops are 30"W x 48"L with ambidextrous recesses that makes the rear width 17.5", the slingshot style appears to allow a closer positioning option. Here's one of my primary competitors set up using a slingshot:​

And another's using a triangle:

And my basic set up:

I still want to try and improve my bipod and bag setup and refine my techniques as I like the challenge of being an underdog. Pretty sure I'm giving up valuable points against the top shooters with my current set up, so I'd like to test myself and rifle with a formal rest.​

 

[JFrank]

If your not the lead dog the view never changes.
Order a Joe Cowan quickly!
J

 

[JFrank]

For comparison; Here’s a Dan Greenlaw Precision top on a Bald Eagle.
IMO a Triangle base is superior to this slingshot design.
To finish my thought, I would have been better served and dollars ahead to have just ordered a Joe Cowan in the first place.