Caldwell BR base or Bald Eagle Base with Shadetree top?

[7stubby]

Hello All,
I am looking at getting a Shadetree joystick top and was wondering what base would be better to use with it? I have a caldwell BR base laying around right now. Just wondering what your thoughts are.

 

[Big Mc]

When you call Butch, just tell him you want a 3/4 or 7/8 shaft. Works great. Not a SEB but yoy will be happy.. Tommy Mc..

 

[7stubby]

When you call Butch, just tell him you want a 3/4 or 7/8 shaft. Works great. Not a SEB but yoy will be happy.. Tommy Mc..

Sad thing is I had a NEO and sold it last month. I hated having such a nice rest I used 2 times in the last 1-1/2 year. Just couldnt justify having a nice rest sit around collecting dust.

 

[Leeman]

I had a shadetree on a Caldwell base but found with a 284win that the front legs weren't wide enough apart to be resistant to the torque of the bullet in the barrel, with smaller cartridges it was fine. I've now gone to a Hart pedestal with wider set legs and don't have the same issues. The Hart came with a post which the Shadetree just bolted onto and is far better made and finished than the Caldwell.

 

[Ringostar]

I haven't looked close at the new Bald Eagle rests yet. I consider the Caldwell to narrow and loose threaded. I would look for a Sinclair base, or possibly the wider Bald Eagle. I found a Shadetree top mounted on a Hart base at a gun show, all for the price of the top alone. I picked it up for a fellow shooter.

 

[CSM19Z5M]

I bought a Bald Eagle and found it to be a great rest. It's solid and well made. I don't shoot competition but could with this base I think. I use it for varmints and paper. Just depends on how much you are willing to spend.

 

[Gina1]

I have a shadetree on a Caldwell BR rest. Not really too good a combination. There is too much play in the main screw (vertical) very course threads, lots of wiggle room until the holding screw is really torqued down hard. If I had to do it all over, I would go with the Bald Eagle.
To make it all work for me. I've mounted the Caldwell on a steel plate 3/4" (5/16 bolts)(drilled and taped) and moved the level adjustment knobs to the steel plate (drilled and 10mm taped).
It works but heavy. The Shadetree works just great.
Gina