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Best front rest for under $300?

Currently am using a Wichita front rest sold by Brownells. It has been ok but never liked the idea of the sides not being adjustable to help hold the forearm in place. The height adjustment can best be described as coarse.
So, I am looking for either a new rest since we really need another seeing my wife or son will accompany me to the range. I have a couple on order from a guy in Pa who makes them as a project for his school shooting team but they are not expected to built until April 2011.
The Caldwell Rock BR sold by Miday looks to be a good choice:
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=348661

Would appreciate some feed back as to good choices. I do not shoot in competition.
 
Snow, I am new to the benchrest game. I mostly shoot informal stuff with friends. I bought a Caldwell fire controll and its alright for the money, I see them on ebay , and here once in a while for around $150 used. I am also about ready to upgrade to a higher level rest because at two Bridgeville 600 yrd events, some of the more experienced shooters have, on both occasions, invited me to shoot off their equiptment.It seems to me that there isnt too much in between low end, and high end rest's.. Have you looked at the Sinclair stuff, its right around $370 for the gen II bench.Or you could buy Sinclair's basic rest and put a different top on it.There is a guy on ebay from Maine selling custom tops for right around $125.He also makes complete rest's for approx $400. I think his web is drgreenlawmachining.com????? Hope this sorta helps, good shooting!
 
Nothing wrong with a Witchita base. Start looking for a new top for it. Forget the Caldwell.
You do realize the screw on the rear leg is the fine tune elevation adjustment right?
If you want finer than that you need a "speed screw" for it.
 
The Caldwell is kinda "get what you pay for"...Although Ill say I dont know of another joystick rest for that price range so for me it was an economical way to check it out. If at all possible go to a busy range and see what the guys are using...Ask a few questions and more than likely they may let you give it a go. Ive met some really personable shooters at a couple IBS shoots.They let me use their gear instead of clearing the bench for my cheesy setup. :o :o But be forwarned the bug will bite once you shoot off a good rest.
 
I know it's not under $300.00, but for a littl more I would recommend the ShadeTree. Good product at a very good price. Well worth a few extra bucks.
 
TheBlueEyedBear said:
I know it's not under $300.00, but for a littl more I would recommend the ShadeTree. Good product at a very good price. Well worth a few extra bucks.

Nice rig, but with 2 Cowans on order (delivery Apr 11) have to keep the price low because whatever I buy now will just have to be resold Apr 11.
 
Snowwolfe

I have a Cowan. Put a good top on top of that Wichita and you can sell the Cowans when they arrive. ;)
The Cowan is not a bad rest at all. Very nice top on it. Mucho better than anything Caldwell has ever made. I wish the Cowan base was much heavier.

I agree with Butch somewhat. The Caldwell base is servicable. If you already have a Witchita base I'm not sure why you would'nt want to use that. Should have a larger footprint than a Caldwell, plenty of weight and not so high.

I'm only familiar with the Witchitas I've used and seen at the range. Very good bases.
 
Get a Sinclair base and call Joe Cowan. I certainly don't want to speak for him but I imagine you could buy one of his tops and put it on your Sinclair base. Just be sure to let him know thats what you plan on doing because the center post on the sinclair is just a little smaller. Joe has made a couple of them fit for me. Then next year all you'll need from Joe is one complete rest and one without a top and a new center post. Joe's top's are better quality than Sinclair's and priced much nicer too.
 
Appreciate the info guys, but as I said in my post I need a second rest (that is why I ordered two Cowans). No intentions to get rid of the Wichita until the Cowans arrive a year from now so do not want to invest any more money into it because it will be sold.
Think I will try the Caldwell BR rock as Cabelas is having $5 shipping special which ends today. For $175 shipped it has to be better than the Wichita.
 
The Caldwell came in and to say I am impressed is an understatement. It has both a quick and fine vertical adjustments as well as a smooth traveling horizontal adjustment that can be reversed to benefit a left hander (like me). There may be better rests on the market but I doubt there are any for the same price that are made better. If you are on a budget check one of these out.
 
I bought the Caldwell rest on the advise of a friend. Works just fine with two exceptions.

1. The top and bag needs help. Bought an SEB front bag, now I want to build a replacement top.

2. The joy stick mechanism needs help. It is 4 screw loaded ball bearings rolling on the interior surface of the rest. Mine developed traces that took the edge off the smooth motion.

So, my friend designed an improvement that included hardened plate for the friction surface as well as spring loaded friction pads. It is a new rest !!

Just for grins, would anyone be interested in buying a kit to duplicate this mod? What do you all think it would be worth?
 
Snow,

I have a couple of the Caldwell BR rests. I too bought them because they were less expensive. If you want repeatability and ease of use, throw away the tops, and buy a good custom top. If you like the joystick, the shadetree Butch Lambert sells is tough to beat for the price he charges. If you like the knobs, I bought a top from a guy on this forum (xpfuzz) and his tops are awesome.

The bad thing about the Caldwell’s is the bases are so darn high. If you get a custom top, you have to get a tall bag to sit your stock on. Look at my setup. I always take 2 set ups in case something happens or there are new shooters that want to compete, but so not have all the stuff they need. I have the same rest, top, front bag, rear bag, stock, and action on both of my set ups.

There is nothing wrong with the Caldwell BR base if you know what you are getting into. The top if junk. but remember that the post is 1" and it's tough to find a top with a 1" post. You have to make sure you tell the top maker this little tidbit.

dad_bench.jpg
 
I also use a Wichita base with a Fudd windage adjustable top - adjustable for forearm width also. I really like the top however I'm looking for a heavier base - any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
shot410 said:
The caldwell rock is a piece of crap. I've got one, and I will be dumping shortly.
I am talking about the Caldwell Rock "BR" model, not the Rock model.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=348661
 

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