Front Rest Recommendations for Load Development

[Freezebomb]

I have been shooting off of a bipod and bag at the bench for a lot of my shooting and load development both (all I have gear wise). Noticing how much I am the problem when working up loads since I have to squeeze and hold the rear bag inconsistently. Any thoughts on a front rest to help here and maybe see if I like this type of shooting. Not wanting to spend seb money yet but budget is around $600. Hate to buy the wrong thing and be turned off of benchrest shooting before I even start. Was looking at a bald eagle and Sinclair comp rest (non wind age is all that’s in stock) to start with.

Thanks and appreciate the experience / lesson learned sharing.

 

[wkdickinson]

A used Bald Eagle would be a good start. I would suggest you then either remove the remote adjusting cable (there are "how-to's" on the internet) and put a bag made for the forend of your rifle (Protektor). Or buy a Shadetree Engineering "Joystick" top for it and again, put the correct bag on it. Then buy a correctly configured (style & height) rear bag from Protektor and you will be pleased with the setup and probably stay reasonably close to you budget.

 

[Freezebomb]

Perfect. Appreciate the advice. I was leaning this way to get a feel for a joystick top and knobs to see what one I like and sell the one I don’t. Luckily got a good rear bag from protektor. Thanks for the assist

 

[joshb]

I have a Sinclair and it’s nice. Before that, I used a Caldwell. It was OK for the money. I started with a couple big sand bags up front and a small one in the back.

 

[Rick Richard]

If I was only going to use it just for load development up to 200 yards, then no need to go with a high dollar front rest. A Caldwell that is setup stable with a stable rear bag/rest can work well.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

So you’re looking to take you, the shooter, out of the equation, except for the reloading and wind reading?

 

[J.d. Popkes]

Noticing how much I am the problem when working up loads since I have to squeeze and hold the rear bag inconsistently.

Then why not embrace the journey, fix what’s wrong, and when you improve, know that it was you that was an integral part of those consistent little groups? Instead of a mechanical fixture. And then you can shoot from anywhere. Dirt, hood of a pickup, bench, wherever. Don’t just punt, you’re gonna miss out on the payoff!!

 

[David Conder]

Buy the best rest you can afford because if you decide to sale later you can most of your money back

 

[Freezebomb]

Then why not embrace the journey, fix what’s wrong, and when you improve, know that it was you that was an integral part of those consistent little groups? Instead of a mechanical fixture. And then you can shoot from anywhere. Dirt, hood of a pickup, bench, wherever. Don’t just punt, you’re gonna miss out on the payoff!!

My thought process was to have a stable and repeatable system during load development to nail that part of the process. Once I settle on that, then I switch back over to my normal bipod and protektor rear bag that I normally shoot off of. Side curiosity was to play around shooting off a front rest to see if I like it cause I’ve only really shot off a bipod before.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

My thought process was to have a stable and repeatable system during load development to nail that part of the process. Once I settle on that, then I switch back over to my normal bipod and protektor rear bag that I normally shoot off of. Side curiosity was to play around shooting off a front rest to see if I like it cause I’ve only really shot off a bipod before.

I’ve been where you are at. My opinion is worth what you paid.

develop your ammo how you’re going to shoot it.

 

[Fuj]

I have two older Bald Eagles and a Rodzilla. They shoot the same. One
Bald Eagle has Butch Lamberts Joy stick top, and will do it's job. An above
post mentions Protektor Bags which most use alot. They also have rests similar
to the older Bald Eagles. Dropping in a Shade Tree top is pretty easy along
with adjustments......Here's an earlier aluminum BE I finished just 2 days ago
in the shop using Butch's top......Look at the Protektor rest before a Caldwell,
although the Caldwell Rock is not that bad on the budget.....

 

[coldboreshot]

I have been shooting off of a bipod and bag at the bench for a lot of my shooting and load development both (all I have gear wise). Noticing how much I am the problem when working up loads since I have to squeeze and hold the rear bag inconsistently. Any thoughts on a front rest to help here and maybe see if I like this type of shooting. Not wanting to spend seb money yet but budget is around $600. Hate to buy the wrong thing and be turned off of benchrest shooting before I even start. Was looking at a bald eagle and Sinclair comp rest (non wind age is all that’s in stock) to start with.

Thanks and appreciate the experience / lesson learned sharing.

If your not certain on benchrest shooting, you may want to start with the Caldwell Rock BR. Its a good $$$sense start. You can always ugrade later. To me, the Protecktor is just a sexier version of the Caldwell at about twice the price. Look at them side by side. I began my quest with the Caldwell and later moved up but during that time, the Caldwell worked great. Just saying...

 

[Linko]

order a Seb mini-x rest and you will have one of the best rests for all around use.

 

[Linko]

 

[lotech]

Is the Hart pedestal rest still available? Simple, heavy, and works well. Probably not expensive. I've used one for years without complaint.

 

[CharlieNC]

By your description, are you sure its not primarily the rear bag? You say squeezing it is an issue but want to replace the bipod, so you may be no better off.

 

[MDT6BRA]

I have a real fancy set of sandbags I use. They made from blue old work pants, play sand, and duct tape that covers the leak spot, old and zip ties around the end where I filled them up.

 

[M-61]

I used a Wichita Engineering rest for decades. No problems.
For no reason other than I wanted to I bought a Protektor rest and their steel plate. Groups get smaller? No. Do I like it? Big yes. I painted the plate and the rest. So it sure looks better than that 50 year old Wichita. Also bought the Protektor rear bag. Really nice. Nicer still was speaking and dealing with the owner. Great guy.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I am not a competition shooter. I only use a front rest for load development and zeroing. I bought a Caldwell front rest. Nothin fancy but works for what I do. In the rear I do have a pretty good bag made by that company that makes the nice leather sand filled bags with ears. I also had the woman sew me up an elbow pad, cuz my elbow gets sore on the concrete benchs we have here.
I have used this combo like forever. I had to replace the pad on the Caldwell as I wore it out. Also had to replace the leather on the bottom of the rear bag.

 

[charlie b]

I used the Caldwell Rock Jr, then got the BR. It works ok, but, isn't great. The windage has a lot of slop in it that I haven't bothered to mess with. They have a new version coming out.

If I knew I was going to be serious, or compete, I'd pony up for one of the better ones right off the bat. If not sure about the joystick just get one without. You can always add it later (at least on some rests). After messing with knobs for all these years I'd just go with the joystick.