Better for new long range shooter. Rest with joy stick or not ?

[NDAR15MAN]

Just getting started into long range shooting. 600 to 1000 plus yards.
No matches yet. Maybe next year. Just getting started. Shoot a sightron
10-50x60 scopes on 6.5 creedmoor guns. Question which would be better for older guy that is just getting started in long range shooting and will shoot long range targets and gongs 12 weekends a year till he retires in a few years and will then maybe get more serious...... ? Nice Rest ( used under $600.00 with a joy stick ) or a $350.00 to $500.00 Sinclair or bullets rest with the cable or even a cheaper Rock BR rest with good rear bag ? Is it just personal preference ? I was wondering if I could use these for long range prairie dog hunting also ?
I have always just shot off of front bags. So whole deal for me in a nice shooting rest. Thanks. Marty

 

[retired]

shoot off bags for a while and save up some money.
buy the best once and never worry about it again.
you got time , use it

 

[NDAR15MAN]

Retired..... so which is better by you .... joy stick rest or no joy stick rest ? Personal Preference ? Marty

 

[Bob L.]

I prefer a joystick, having used a Farley and currently using a SEB NEO. However, I started with a Sinclair Competition and really could have continued with it. A shooting buddy uses one and does very well in F Class.

Unless the joystick rest is a Farley or a NEO (in which case snap it up now!), I would go with the Sinclair. You can sell it later and recoup most of your money if you decide to change.

 

[retired]

i bought in steps, as i did not know i was going to like long range as much as i do.
so learn from me, save and buy the seb.
i have the sinclair with a 20 lb plate added.
it is rest number 4 educations cost money,
learn from me

 

[JohnKielly]

Why start the game one way then have to teach yourself a new skill?

Look around, decide whether you want to commit to the game, talk to the ones who see most skilled, then buy your preferred rest, one with a stick or not once.

 

[50bmg1979]

I started shooting f class 2 years ago and started with a shadetree joystick top on a heart base. It was great, until I got my neo in after a 9 month wait. It's the best purchase i've made in regards to shooting. My advice is get on the wait list for the neo and start saving up your $. It's usually around 6-9 month wait so you have plenty of time to save the $

 

[rardoin]

I prefer a joystick, having used a Farley and currently using a SEB NEO. However, I started with a Sinclair Competition and really could have continued with it. A shooting buddy uses one and does very well in F Class.

Unless the joystick rest is a Farley or a NEO (in which case snap it up now!), I would go with the Sinclair. You can sell it later and recoup most of your money if you decide to change.

I started with a Sinclair Comp also and shot off off that until I was able to get a SEB Neo. I prefer a joystick but the Sinclair is perfectly capable of producing the same result on target.

 

[kzin]

I understand the 'cry once' logic but the Rock BR is cheap enough that using it as a stepping stone is not a big loss. When you figure out what you want, keep it as an emergency spare or pass it on.

Seems to me you have little idea what you want and little opportunity to try other peoples stuff?

I think the rock BR is a usable simple rest. The Fire Control on the other hand seems to me a junky attempt at a joystick rest. (I have both in my shed)

 

[Nellej12]

I started with a Bald Eagle front rest and upgraded to a Farley a year later. I would recommend saving to buy a good rest (Farley or Neo),
Buy Once, Cry once. I wish I would have listened to that.
Nothing against the Bald Eagle but it didn't even compare to the Farley. Buying a "cheaper" rest and selling months to a year later you will loose a lot more money vs. buying a Farley or Neo and selling if you stop shooting.

 

[rardoin]

I started with a Bald Eagle front rest and upgraded to a Farley a year later. I would recommend saving to buy a good rest (Farley or Neo),
Buy Once, Cry once. I wish I would have listened to that.
Nothing against the Bald Eagle but it didn't even compare to the Farley. Buying a "cheaper" rest and selling months to a year later you will loose a lot more money vs. buying a Farley or Neo and selling if you stop shooting.

Very true...however...not all shooters have the budget for a high end joystick. If that be the case then a high quality conventional adjusting rest (like the Sinclair) can enable one to have competitive equipment with a smaller investment..... particularly if found used.

 

[Kyle Schultz]

Just getting started into long range shooting. 600 to 1000 plus yards.
No matches yet. Maybe next year. Just getting started. Shoot a sightron
10-50x60 scopes on 6.5 creedmoor guns. Question which would be better for older guy that is just getting started in long range shooting and will shoot long range targets and gongs 12 weekends a year till he retires in a few years and will then maybe get more serious...... ? Nice Rest ( used under $600.00 with a joy stick ) or a $350.00 to $500.00 Sinclair or bullets rest with the cable or even a cheaper Rock BR rest with good rear bag ? Is it just personal preference ? I was wondering if I could use these for long range prairie dog hunting also ?
I have always just shot off of front bags. So whole deal for me in a nice shooting rest. Thanks. Marty

Depends on what you are wanting to do. If you plan to shoot F-Class, then a Neo is the ticket. Typically, but not always, you're shooting off uneven ground with the target at various relative elevations to your firing position. The large range of adjustment offered by the Neo will become extreme handy. Also, typically in F-Class you hold off for wind. A coaxial rest like the Neo will allow you to swing from 1 side of the target to the other much more quickly.

Now, if you're planning to shoot benchrest-styled matches off a bench, then I would recommend something like a Sinclair Competition. Similar but higher-priced alternatives include Loh and Randolph rests. IMO, especially at short range, these rests offer more precise control over your POA since you're only adjusting 1 axis at a time. Frequently on sale, the Sinclair can be had new for about $600 and they are often offered for sale used in great condition for $100 to $150 less.

If you want complete flexibility, I would recommend you pony up for the Neo. I feel you would have a harder time using the Sinclair in F-Class competition than you would using a Neo in Benchrest. All of these rests are high-quality and are always in demand. So if you buy something and don't feel it is meeting your needs, you can sell it and get most, if not all, of your investment back. Good luck!

 

[Liven The Dream]

Started with a Gen. 2 Sinclair. Moved up to a SEB Joy-Pod and Pad. Good move for me . ( good resale value ).
It's a fun sport but can get $$$$$$$

 

[perry42]

I use a Farley joystick top on a Bald Eagle "y" configuration cast iron base. $169 for the base and $400 for the joystick top, both items bought using this site.

perry42

 

[lawman29]

Joystick FClass
SEB Mini worth a look for your price point

 

[butchlambert]

I use a Farley joystick top on a Bald Eagle "y" configuration cast iron base. $169 for the base and $400 for the joystick top, both items bought using this site.

perry42

Where in the World did you find the backward operating Farley top? They haven't been produced in over 10 years. Jim always made real quality products, but wonder why his top worked in reverse on windage and vertical.