I received a new rest top from Rod Brakhage to try out for my Seb Max and I must say that I am very impressed with it. I've been using it for a couple months and was reluctant to try it out at first as I'm one of those people that does not like tinkering with something that works so changing something up like my rest top is big for me. Rod makes a couple of different products such as the Mirage Rx spotting scope stand that I have used and really like so I figured I would give his top a try, he also makes carbon fiber mirage shields, rest handle extensions.
The top is intended for F-Class and some of the key features is that it rotates and pivots with the rifle allowing the base not to have to be in line with the target making set up easier. Upon receiving the top and unboxing it I first noticed that it was well boxed. In the box was the top, instructions, allen wrenches, screws, and an additional sandbag. This unit is still a prototype and production models will have a couple of refinements such as the locking knobs are more streamlined and the whole unit will be anodized black. Rod had told me it was simple to install but to be careful and that he was going to offer an installation and rebuild service of the rest as well to smooth them up again. He warned me that some of the screws were bad about sticking when removing the old rest top but since I have had mine apart before I didn’t have any issues and my old rest top came off no problem and the new top installed with no problems. Once I got the top installed I noticed it is solid with no play. The top is made to use the factory front rest stop but I am using a front stop of my own making since that is what I am used to. The installation instructions were very detailed, and the same top will fit the Max, Neo or mini. The top is machined very well and incorporates four rollers, two on each side and two pivoting sandbags one on each side. I am shooting a McMillan Kestros ZR and the top seems to be well suited for railed stocks but would work with anything. Previously I was using the Seb bag with slick material and a dryer sheet. My initial breakaway resistance with that set up was very minimum but with Rods top I have no breakaway resistance or stickiness at all. Rods top also repositions the level where it is easy to see with the rifle in the rest. Overall the rifle handles better, is easier/quicker to set up and you don’t have to worry about any sinking or unevenness as with thicker sand bags. Even with the sides of the top pressed firmly against the stock rails the stock still lifts out easily and should help reduce any torque. Tracking is perfect, I have been easily able to watch my trace all the way to the target and return to my previous holding point has been excellent. Overall I would highly recommend this top.
The top is intended for F-Class and some of the key features is that it rotates and pivots with the rifle allowing the base not to have to be in line with the target making set up easier. Upon receiving the top and unboxing it I first noticed that it was well boxed. In the box was the top, instructions, allen wrenches, screws, and an additional sandbag. This unit is still a prototype and production models will have a couple of refinements such as the locking knobs are more streamlined and the whole unit will be anodized black. Rod had told me it was simple to install but to be careful and that he was going to offer an installation and rebuild service of the rest as well to smooth them up again. He warned me that some of the screws were bad about sticking when removing the old rest top but since I have had mine apart before I didn’t have any issues and my old rest top came off no problem and the new top installed with no problems. Once I got the top installed I noticed it is solid with no play. The top is made to use the factory front rest stop but I am using a front stop of my own making since that is what I am used to. The installation instructions were very detailed, and the same top will fit the Max, Neo or mini. The top is machined very well and incorporates four rollers, two on each side and two pivoting sandbags one on each side. I am shooting a McMillan Kestros ZR and the top seems to be well suited for railed stocks but would work with anything. Previously I was using the Seb bag with slick material and a dryer sheet. My initial breakaway resistance with that set up was very minimum but with Rods top I have no breakaway resistance or stickiness at all. Rods top also repositions the level where it is easy to see with the rifle in the rest. Overall the rifle handles better, is easier/quicker to set up and you don’t have to worry about any sinking or unevenness as with thicker sand bags. Even with the sides of the top pressed firmly against the stock rails the stock still lifts out easily and should help reduce any torque. Tracking is perfect, I have been easily able to watch my trace all the way to the target and return to my previous holding point has been excellent. Overall I would highly recommend this top.
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