Bench rest, which one?

[Wingzero]

Planning to buy a front rest for casual bench shooting.
Which of these two would you recommend? Price is about the same.
Thank you.


Sinclair Heavy Varmint BR rest


or Bald Eagle 1130

 

[JRS]

The Sinclair is very well made, quality USA manufacture. The newer Bald Eagle is lower quality chi com stuff. You decide.

 

[jghoghunter]

Old Bald Eagles all the way. The new ones that I tried I think you should leave it sit and get the Sinclair also because it's made in the USA.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Personally, I prefer the joystick rests over either. A lot of that is based on the type of shooting you do. If lots of movement around the target, ie score shooting, is required, the choice is a simple one....get a joystick type of rest. The joystick rests work well for group or score, where the rests like you have pictured are not nearly as good for shooting score matches where you must navigate a whole target rapidly. JMHO, and both styles have their own following. Regardless of one's preference, the joysticks are much faster.

 

[BoydAllen]

Which ever one you decide on, I would consider opting for a windage top. Even if you are shooting hunting stocked rifles, and are going to be doing your final aiming by squeezing the rear bag, I think that you will like the convenience of having the adjustment.

 

[LHSmith]

R.W Hart & Sons of Nescopeck, PA offers a solid basic rest. This rest was seen in use in the very early days of Benchrest and is still in use today by some of the oldtimers in the game. A used Bald Eagle made in Lock Haven, PA would also be a wise choice.

 

[krktractor]

get a JJ rest. work of art. makes Sinclair feel like like loose china made rest and I own a Sinclair. I have a buddy that has one and it is a smooth as silk. Sinclair is half the money though. I have no problem with mine but if I was buying again it would be a JJ

 

[Wingzero]

Based on the responses, I think I will go with Sinclair.

The other brands that were suggested are way beyond my budget.

Again, thank you.

 

[Chopper818]

A few years ago I bought the top of the line rest from Greenlaw Machine. I love it. Wouldn't dream of changing.
The very top of the line is about 450 and I find it to be an outstanding value.
When I first got it...my shooting buddies were like, "What's with the fancy rest? Within a year...they ALL got them.
Dan Greenlaw is a great guy who makes every rest- by himself- one at a time. But he turns them around
in a few weeks and always delivers when he says he will...or a few days earlier.
Check him out.

http://drgreenlawmachining.com/home

 

[blvedere]

Agree that Greenlaw rest is very good. Since I brought my first one to the range, 5 more of the guys I shoot with bought one. I now have two, a windage top and an adjustable windage top.

 

[snert]

Old Bald eagle, love it. If I had to chose now, between new BE and Sinclair, I would go Sinclair.

 

[Lesloan]

The Greenlaw is a fine rest. I believe that for the price you can't do better. Be sure to look at the adjustable windage top, which lets you adjust the top to fit any rifle, no bag needed. I should add that Dan Greenlaw is a great guy to do business with, too.

 

[guidom]

you will not go wrong with the sinclair rest.

 

[LawrenceHanson]

The Sinclair rest is a good choice. I use one of the older Sinclair models. It may not be the fastest, smoothest, most stable or fashionable rest; but I cannot think of a more versatile front rest out there. It offers a lot of good features at a reasonable price. What I like most about it is that it can easily be converted to fill a number of roles. With a choice of several different tops you can set it up for most any rifle.

Here it is with a narrow front bag for sporting rifles. Notice how high the top can be raised to accommodate different rifles or ranges.


The windage adjustable all-purpose top works great with varmint style rifles.


It can be set up for Benchrest competition.


There are many aftermarket accessories available that can be added to the rest to fill specific niches.


And it can easily be taken down for transport and storage in a hard carry case.


You can spend a lot more money and get a better rest for specialized disciplines, but the Sinclair is a good general purpose rest to start out with in the pursuit of precision shooting.

 

[Mick Sloan]

Based on the responses, I think I will go with Sinclair.

The other brands that were suggested are way beyond my budget.

Again, thank you.

Wingzero: I have a Sinclair Bench Rest that I plan on selling. I purchased it from Brownell's in 2018 when I started shooting in a bench rest league. I have modified it slightly using a well made after market spring assembly to provide more left and right rigidly (windage) to each adjustment. I also modified purchase a
"Shadetree joystick upgrade, that replaces the top front rest and windage for expanding the windage (left and right) settings. So the rest can either be used as a straight Sinclair rest, or you can add the Shadetree
joy stick option for greater windage positioning. I have yet to put a price on this package. Originally
the Sinclair rest new in 2018 was $660.00. And the Shadetree adaptation in 2020 was $395.00.
I would sell both together for $550.00 plus shipping.
I can send pictures and tell you more if you call my cell. 815-341-9318. Mike Sloan

 

[Sandstorm]

Shadetree joystick upgrade, that replaces the top front rest

Butch makes a great product. go with the Shade tree top , you will love it.

 

[jghoghunter]

This thread is 8 years old he's probably got it figured out by now. Lol

 

[k80skeet]

Planning to buy a front rest for casual bench shooting.
Which of these two would you recommend? Price is about the same.
Thank you.


Sinclair Heavy Varmint BR rest


or Bald Eagle 1130

I personally Love my Randolph Rest. It is a great rest and the service at Randolph is top shelf and super fast.

 

[LuvDog]

I’d go with a Cowan rest before the bald eagle.