Front rest advice

[butchlambert]

Been briefly shooting in ARA factory class and are progressing nicely. I recently bought a B14R/s as a dedicated ARA rifle. Been really trying to grind it out and develop my bench form and how best to shoot a card and have thus far put almost 1k rounds down my B14R/s barrel doing so. Now that the real cold winter temps have set in to my area we have suspended the 50 yard outdoor shoots in favor of indoor 23 yard fun shoots till warmer temps return.

One thing that keeps on giving me fits is my front rest. I was advised to practice like I am competing so I do just that. My rest is a Bald eagle windage top rest with an aluminum tripod base. I did do the mod that changes out the cable to a knob for adjusting the wind. Works great for shooting groups but not very well shooting 25 separate bulls when shooting a card at 50 yards. No matter how dead level I get it, it just doesn't transition in the vertical or horizontal from bulls eye to bulls eye with any degree of fluidness consistency or repeatability ESPECIALLY when trying to transition horizontally from bulls eye to bulls eye it really stinks.
I constantly have to make all kinds of micro adjustments to get my TD on target. This is very problematic when ever I shoot.

I have multiple Protector rear bags (#13 rabbit ear & deluxe bumble bee) , Protector, bald eagle and Caldwell front bags I use and none seamed to help.

I am looking to either buy a new rest or a new windage adjustable top to put on my Bald eagle base and am looking for some advice what anyone here has had experience with in a front rest that moves smoothly both in the vertical and horizontal but especially while transition in the vertical left to right and back right to left.
I was seriously considering buying a Shadetree joystick top until I read it doesn't have enough horizontal travel at 50 yards to cover a ASA factory class card.
Rests like the Seb, T-rex and NATO are waaaaaay out of my price range.

So anyone have any rest suggestions?

I am trying to stay within a <$500 budget closer to $400 the better.
Included a pic of my B14R/s in it's current bench set up if that will help with suggestions.

I shoot 50yd RF Benchrest with my Shadetree top. We have plenty time to make 1 vertical adjustment to be able to cover the full target.

 

[butchlambert]

You can use a speedscrew if you use a tall rear bag on the Shadetree rest top.

 

[linekin]

You can use a speedscrew if you use a tall rear bag on the Shadetree rest top.

Never dawned on me Butch but I’ll often use a spacer & hitting the speed screw becomes less of an issue.
Sending you a pm with a question
Keith

 

[Hozzie]

Did they change the rifle rules? The B14R wasn’t allowed in factory class last I knew. Or are you just planning to use the rest for fun shoots?

Edit: I see they upped the rifle cost to $1250 for 2023. So should be fine.

 

[Mike Montgomery]

Thanks to all for your reply's so far.
Does the Greenlaw windage top have enough horizontal movement to cover a 25 bull card at 50 yards?

I also use a DR Greenlaw top and prefer it to a Joy stick top. I have no trouble covering the target at 50 yards. Just make sure that it's level though. For me it seems easier and faster and more precise to move from bull to bull than with a joy stick top. Maybe I need to practice more with the joy stick??

 

[Rem72043722]

I also use a DR Greenlaw top and prefer it to a Joy stick top. I have no trouble covering the target at 50 yards. Just make sure that it's level though. For me it seems easier and faster and more precise to move from bull to bull than with a joy stick top. Maybe I need to practice more with the joy stick??

I have used a Greenlaw top on a Caldwell Rock BR base in conjunction with a speed screw. Works pretty well once you get comfortable with the adjustments. Not as good as my Randolph, but serviceable considering the cost differential between the two rests.

 

[doclu60]

I have used a Greenlaw top on a Caldwell Rock BR base in conjunction with a speed screw. Works pretty well once you get comfortable with the adjustments. Not as good as my Randolph, but serviceable considering the cost differential between the two rests.

To the OP, the above quote speaks volumes! To be specific "Not as good as my Randolph, but serviceable considering the cost differential between the two rests." More on this later.

I have had several front rests, and I do shoot competition, (don't anyone flame me here!) at a higher level than ARA Factory class. Before shooting sanctioned I shot a Caldwell Rock BR, and did the common DIY upgrades to it. Also before shooting sanctioned, I bought a Sinclair Competition BR with windage. I shot that rest in my first year of shooting ARA Unlimited and did okay on a state level. Next year, had the proper rest for that class going with a major brand one piece. Year after that, I also started shooting IR50/50 3-Gun, which requires a two piece rest with sand bags front and rear. I bought an adjustable Greenlaw top for the Sinclair and shot it for for about a season and a half. Moved on to the rest that was basically the copied rest for the Randolph, a Loggins rest with the original bags. Last two years I have been shooting a new Randolph with two tops for the heavy and Sporter classes in IR 3-Gun and enjoyed improved scores.

Fiddling around with lesser quality rests when competing can cost you money, and less than desirable results. So money and time spent and still not winning or placing high. ARA Factory Class is very competitive. If you are 'married' to your budget, you most likely will be 'married to your results.' If you want Corvette performance, it is doubtful you will get it by spending Malibu money. Thus the statement I made in the opening of this post.

My best recommendation in light of your budget, drop your current front bags and buy a properly fitted (width) Edgewood standard bag (leather with Cordura) and try it in your current setup. Note, standard, not reinforced. Fiddle around with the fill of the bag and your side pressure on the top ears, tuning the bag to the forearm. Take a piece of wood and make a filler that fits the width and curvature of the bottom of your forearm and keep it in the bag when not shooting. This will keep the bag in the proper shape for your forearm. I do this for both of my tops in IR and it does help.

If this doesn't help, I see a lot of Factory shooters using a bipod that shoot very competitive cards. Neither of my hunting rifles shoot good out of a front rest with rear bag. Both shoot exceptional off a bipod and rear bag.

Scott

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I'm loving my new Raptor front rest so far. There are some little things that I'm doing and playing with but overall, it's very impressive. I made a post in another thread a few days ago. Took a digital trigger pull gauge and measured how much it takes to move the handle horizontally on the new Raptor vs my SEN Neo...both well adjusted. It's daylight and dark. The Raptor took 3.2 ounces where the Neo 1.8 LBS. You can snug the Raptor up but no reason that I see. It works there.

 

[doclu60]

Mike,
I don't think, reading the thread opener, the OP is willing to part with funds to obtain a Raptor.

Scott

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Mike,
I don't think, reading the thread opener, the OP is willing to part with funds to obtain a Raptor.

Scott

Lol! Hell, I wasn't either. You're probably right though, without going back. There have been several rest threads recently. I guess because of people looking to upgrade or just looking for info on the newest models.
For a coax on a budget, the Shadetree isn't bad at all. One piece is a different story of course. Sorry If I got this post mixed up with others. Merry Christmas!

 

[doclu60]

Lol! Hell, I wasn't either. You're probably right though, without going back. There have been several rest threads recently. I guess because of people looking to upgrade or just looking for info on the newest models.
For a coax on a budget, the Shadetree isn't bad at all. One piece is a different story of course. Sorry If I got this post mixed up with others. Merry Christmas!

Honest mistake my friend. Merry Christmas to you as well Mike!

Scott

 

[sw282]

ART, I would suggest getting rid of the sling swivel studs on the rifle in your pictures. At the suggestion of a fellow FORUM member l tossed/removed the ones on my varmint rifles. My groups SHRUNK immidiately with no other changes!!