Benchrest Popularity and Growth

[Fast14riot]

I would love to hear about mods to standard rests if there is a thread somewhere with that info. I can fuddle my way through about anything metal wise as long as it doesn't need lathe work.

Regarding rests, I'm kind of the same. I wish there was a selection of <$1K or even <$800 dollar rests that weren't just a new head on a cheap base (nothing wrong with a Shade Tree top, but then I'm left with an extra top). My F/open gun is a 700 in a revolution stock, jewel trigger, sightron 8-32 scope and a kreiger barrel. I shoot from a Cowan rest. Ive finally broken into HM at long range this year, but its taken me a couple barrels and years to get there. I'd really like a joystick rest that is smaller and stable, but doesn't cost $1300 used. Hell, even a windage top with a rotating bag like Rodzilla would be nice.

 

[DHuffman]

I would love to hear about mods to standard rests if there is a thread somewhere with that info. I can fuddle my way through about anything metal wise as long as it doesn't need lathe work.

Search bald eagle windage rest mods should be plenty of reading

 

[DHuffman]

Search results for query: Bald eagle rest mods

 

[Jud96]

On the topic of rests. Yes, most serious competitors are using Farley, SEB, JJ Loh, etc high end rests. But there’s still several high level shooters, such as Jack Neary, that shoot off a simple 3 leg non-joystick front rests that you can get for $300 or less. There’s lots of used equipment out there that can be had for a great price.

 

[Dimner]

So assuming that's true in the real world, what is it about your current rest setup that gets in the way of that happening and stops you from competing?

I honestly do not know what is wrong with my setup that is causing it not to track well. I have never used a good tracking rest. But I sure can tell that mine is not good.

 

[jnr88]

You might be interested in and inexpensI’ve base with a replacement top.
Shadetree or Dan Greenlaw. I’ve owned the Greenlaw and it is superb.

Adjustable Bag Windage Top — drgreenlawmachining.com<br/>

www.drgreenlawmachining.com

 

[JFrank]

I honestly do not know what is wrong with my setup that is causing it not to track well. I have never used a good tracking rest. But I sure can tell that mine is not good.

Likely nothing to do with the front rest.

 

[jackieschmidt]

So assuming that's true in the real world, what is it about your current rest setup that gets in the way of that happening and stops you from competing?

Al, it might be a good time to show this, which is my Bench Set-up and Loading at the Range Set-up.

This is almost the Antithesis to the way most shooters approach, or are told to approach, Short Range Group and Score Benchrest.

 

[Evan]

Is Benchrest dying off? Should it grow larger? I have been hearing this story since I was little yet somehow Benchrest is still here and attended roughly the same over the decades from what I can tell. I think it’s a unique pursuit that will never appeal to a broad audience due to its pedantic singular focus.

Maybe this is off topic but I also believe restrictions on rifles hurt the competition. Is it, or is it not the pinnacle of group and score shooting? If a giant rail contraption some guy builds and tunes to perfection can outshoot the current “best”, then I want to see it.

 

[quest450]

Evan, SR BR might be dying off, as you can see in this thread there are a lot of old miserable coots that will post nonsense if you spend your hard earned money NOT THEIRS trying to make yourself a better shooter, IMO mid and long range benchrest is doing just just fine and growing.

 

[DShortt]

Some folks still aren't getting the point I was trying to make, either.

I'm not intimidated by the level of competition. No better way to judge your performance than to see how you stack up against great shooters. But I'll be dipped in shit before I'll go through a whole bunch of expense and trouble to be around guys who strut around like Banty Roosters.

Never cared for that behavior, never exhibited myself, won't subject myself to it.

 

[Bill Norris]

Regarding rests, I'm kind of the same. I wish there was a selection of <$1K or even <$800 dollar rests that weren't just a new head on a cheap base (nothing wrong with a Shade Tree top, but then I'm left with an extra top). My F/open gun is a 700 in a revolution stock, jewel trigger, sightron 8-32 scope and a kreiger barrel. I shoot from a Cowan rest. Ive finally broken into HM at long range this year, but its taken me a couple barrels and years to get there. I'd really like a joystick rest that is smaller and stable, but doesn't cost $1300 used. Hell, even a windage top with a rotating bag like Rodzilla would be nice.

I too was hung up on the cost of the joystick front rest and at one time since I have never done much competing except in our little group here locally had decided I would just stay with my modified windage adjustable Bald Eagle. But, as I thought more about possibly shooting some matches with Gene here @ Rattlesnake I figured I'd go for the Shade Tree top (about $420.00) and see just how much difference there is within the two. To my surprise it is very clear now why the joystick is favored more by most shooters. The biggest difference I saw right off is the return to position is much quicker and I find my set-up (much like yours mentioned above) stays much closer to alignment with the Shade Tree. Granted I did get the Protektor Front Rest Bag that Butch recommended for his top but I still feel the top has a lot to do with what I'm seeing on the bench.

EDIT: Now, to get these cataracts removed so I can see better is next. Yep, sucks to get old but that's part of life.

 

[rhovee]

I have shot a few matches with the deep creek crowd. Great guys and everyone was very helpful. Alex kept winking at me but that’s a different story. I did learn a ton about tuning and shooting. I have also shot prs/NRL Hunter matches. What attracts more shooters to PRS is the practical shooting aspect. Your shooting 10 rounds every 15 minutes at a new target, range distance, wind etc. You’re not winning from having the smallest shooting rifle. Your winning from your ability to read wind, shooting position, time management, target acquisition etc.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Some folks still aren't getting the point I was trying to make, either.

I'm not intimidated by the level of competition. No better way to judge your performance than to see how you stack up against great shooters. But I'll be dipped in shit before I'll go through a whole bunch of expense and trouble to be around guys who strut around like Banty Roosters.

Never cared for that behavior, never exhibited myself, won't subject myself to it.

I have not been to every range or match around, but I can only remember seeing that one time. I was at a service rifle match about 15 years ago. I just thought it was funny. I just have not seen it in LR BR, and I cant say I have any customers that come off that way on the phone either. Pretty much everyone is just trying to get better in some way. Now, I do know what does happen at matches sometimes or at public ranges that I have had to explain to people. During a match guys are busy and focused on what they need to be doing. Not the best time to try to talk to them. They just dont have the time at some matches that move fast. Also at public ranges its real common for those type rifles to get a lot of attention. Especially in LR BR, we need to get the testing done in that window of conditions. Sometimes you just have to say your cant talk right now you need to shoot. I can see how that can come off as rude when its not meant to be.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Is Benchrest dying off? Should it grow larger? I have been hearing this story since I was little yet somehow Benchrest is still here and attended roughly the same over the decades from what I can tell. I think it’s a unique pursuit that will never appeal to a broad audience due to its pedantic singular focus.

Maybe this is off topic but I also believe restrictions on rifles hurt the competition. Is it, or is it not the pinnacle of group and score shooting? If a giant rail contraption some guy builds and tunes to perfection can outshoot the current “best”, then I want to see it.

I agree, BR stays steady for the reasons you stated. SR has an unlimited class. LR does not. There was some talk about it a couple years ago. I would love to see an unlimited class in LR. You cant just drop all the current classes and rules though. That obsoletes what guys have accomplished in the past.

 

[Evan]

I agree, BR stays steady for the reasons you stated. SR has an unlimited class. LR does not. There was some talk about it a couple years ago. I would love to see an unlimited class in LR. You cant just drop all the current classes and rules though. That obsoletes what guys have accomplished in the past.

I agree; I was advocating for an unlimited class. I remember that talk, around rail guns in specific, but then it seemed to dry up. Personally I don’t think a rail will outshoot a traditional rifle in bags all else equal, but Id love to see what guys would try. I would probably experiment a lot with unconventional stock designs in an unlimited class.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I agree; I was advocating for an unlimited class. I remember that talk, around rail guns in specific, but then it seemed to dry up. Personally I don’t think a rail will outshoot a traditional rifle in bags all else equal, but Id love to see what guys would try. I would probably experiment a lot with unconventional stock designs in an unlimited class.

I would at least have to try a rail!

 

[Jud96]

Rail LR BR would be sweet

 

[J.J. Coe]

Some folks still aren't getting the point I was trying to make, either.

I'm not intimidated by the level of competition. No better way to judge your performance than to see how you stack up against great shooters. But I'll be dipped in shit before I'll go through a whole bunch of expense and trouble to be around guys who strut around like Banty Roosters.

Never cared for that behavior, never exhibited myself, won't subject myself to it.

Have you ever been to a match?

 

[maym1]

Coming from an avid hunter and who started reloading in 2007 timeframe, but got out of it for a bit with college/kids I got introduced to 600 yard BR in March by a simple invitation. That is step one for new guys/gals and then the second part is the intimidation of "buying everything." I had a unique opportunity where I was able to borrow a rest, bag, scope etc for some shoots and let me test the water before hand. All of which worked because BR is super addicting once you get started! The 3rd part is there has to be a class that is "less intimidating" to new people as well. When heavy guns were brought out I thought "thats not me at all" and then light class I thought "well we are getting closer" and then tac class was "guns just like I had." The shooting off BIPOD in tac class is the easiest way to get more people in the class because the cost to start up is much less. I am a huge advocate of that because I personally lived it in 2024.

The last part is the commoditrary that is around these shoots. When I started coming to Vapor Trail in March 2024 they treated me like I had been there for years and everyone was willing to help. Cant put a price on that!

my $0.02.