Considering a Bald Eagle as my first rest.

[Sieg]

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

LOL! Fact, though I'm guessing my fellow competitors really like my $270 bipod with the rolling legs.

Do you happen to know the distance between feet on the Cowan? I'm concerned the triangle base may be too tight to the edge of our benches. The front side to rear side recess is only 5.5" which may create setup issues.

I really do like the style and appreciate the Cowan cause being a machining/fabricating hobbyist. I worked for 40+ years directly with a crew of 12-20 craftsmen and watching those skills be pushed to the wayside is very disappointing.

 

[JFrank]

LOL! Fact, though I'm guessing my fellow competitors really like my $270 bipod with the rolling legs.

Do you happen to know the distance between feet on the Cowan? I'm concerned the triangle base may be too tight to the edge of our benches. The front side to rear side recess is only 5.5" which may create setup issues.

I really do like the style and appreciate the Cowan cause being a machining/fabricating hobbyist. I worked for 40+ years directly with a crew of 12-20 craftsmen and watching those skills be pushed to the wayside is very disappointing.

I was quoted 13 inch

 

[Sieg]

I was quoted 13 inch

Just checked the 13" width and centerline on my bench template, centerline of buttstock is 1' from the edge. That's a rear bag issue and probably why more shooters are using slingshot bases at our range. Nuts!

EDIT: Just re-read this - I was obviously sleep deprived (brain dead) from being up all night with my four legged surgery patient when I typed it. I re-checked my benchtop template and it looks like the Cowan "Craftsman" Rest will work.

 

[Sieg]

Ordered a Cowan rest with speed screw yesterday.

Appreciate the everyone's input.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Your friend’s triangle base is backwards. It will unload the front foot every shot if the front bag is tight enough to shoot.

 

[Sieg]

Your friend’s triangle base is backwards. It will unload the front foot every shot if the front bag is tight enough to shoot.

Dusty, I would tend to agree however Chauncey typically kicks our butt every time he shows up. Only shoots in the warmer season (7 months +/-) thankfully.

We had tough wind conditions last match and he hadn't shot yet this year so you'd think he had to be a bit rusty. He shot 979 23x, 2nd was 973 19x, I was 3rd at 958 18x.

I guess "old age and treachery shall overcome youth and skill" still rules in this case. LOL

 

[Sieg]

My Cowan rest arrived last week, very well made and a good cause. Thank you all for the input.

 

[Sieg]

First training session with the rest today, decent results though the basic Protektor rear bag may have be causing some vertical stringing. Swirling winds at this range will drive you crazy shooting rimfire.

100 at 100 w/ SK Rifle Match.

I'm very pleased with the function of the Cowan rest.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Looks like you got way too much sand in that rear bag. Thats the purpose in a donut bag under there is to take that rock away but you gotta get some sand gone from there first before itll get solid on the bench. That causes all kinds of vertical as you can see

 

[Sieg]

Looks like you got way too much sand in that rear bag. Thats the purpose in a donut bag under there is to take that rock away but you gotta get some sand gone from there first before itll get solid on the bench. That causes all kinds of vertical as you can see

Dusty, thanks for the input.

It's my understanding the $32 basic bunny ear bag like I have doesn't have the donut or thicker leather sides that their Deluxe Bumble Bee bag has. My plan is to get the Deluxe Bumble Bee flat top with Cordura bunny ears with .5" spacing.

This is my first venture into benchrest shooting equipment and techniques, so I have a lot of learning and experimenting ahead of me. What I did notice was the elevation was increasing .75"-1" every shot. Minor readjustments every shot and major readjustments every 4-5 shots is a real PITA when the wind conditions are favorable. Hopefully the new bag minimizes those issues.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Dusty, thanks for the input.

It's my understanding the $32 basic bunny ear bag like I have doesn't have the donut or thicker leather sides that their Deluxe Bumble Bee bag has. My plan is to get the Deluxe Bumble Bee flat top with Cordura bunny ears with .5" spacing.

This is my first venture into benchrest shooting equipment and techniques, so I have a lot of learning and experimenting ahead of me. What I did notice was the elevation was increasing .75"-1" every shot. Minor readjustments every shot and major readjustments every 4-5 shots is a real PITA when the wind conditions are favorable. Hopefully the new bag minimizes those issues.

It will help but still needs to be flat and solid- you can overfill them. One of those skip otto donuts from sinclair would get you by