Caldwell FR Rest Issue!

[ReedG]

I have been very impressed with the features and construction of the new Caldwell Benchrest front rest and have made supportive comments on a couple of forums. Therefore I feel compelled to report on a disturbing new finding.

The Caldwell BR front rest has a windage adjustable top tray on it, which pivots at the front and moves at the rear with a horizontal adjustment screw which pushes on a vertical stud connected to the tray and then against an opposing horizontal spring-loaded rod. The spring is supposed to keep tension against the adjustment screw so there is no play in the setting.

With a rifle in the rest, when the windage adjustment screw is turned clockwise, to move the tray to the right, everything works fine. However, when the windage adjustment knob is rotated counterclockwise, to move the tray to the left, the tension on the spring is not enough to move the tray with the weight of a rifle in it and it just sits there while the adjustment screw freewheels.

My brother also has one and had the same results. Between us we have tried stiffer springs and graphite lube on the tray contact points and there is no immediate solution to the problem.

In my opinion, the design of the windage adjustment is flawed and needs to be corrected by Caldwell. Some type of positive engagement between the screw and the stud needs to be made to make the tray follow the screw. Until that happens I cannot recommend this front rest to anyone.

I sent Midway an email explaining what I observed and what I thought needed to be done and they sent me a Return Authorization No., which I will take advantage of as a last resort. Other than this windage flaw, this is a beautiful, functional rest and very well made. But if you are looking for benchrest-quality windage adjustments, it will not currently do that.

ReedG

 

[ReedG]

FURTHER UPDATE:

Here is the text of an email from Battenfeld Technologies, the parent company of Caldwell:

"We thank you for your detailed and informative suggestions. Your observations about the Rock BR are accurate and there are modifications being performed to improve the windage adjustment. We will gladly replace your cradle with the newly designed unit when it becomes available. Please check back with us in a months time. Again, we thank you for your input, we rely on customers such as yourself to ensure that we produce quality products.

Battenfeld Technologies"

 

[Forum Boss]

Reed--

Well done sir. Score one for the customer. I have one of the older Midway rests. The metal top rocks and wobbles on the ram because the recess where the ram attaches is too large. I contacted Midway some time ago. They asked me to measure the ram diameter and the ram-entry socket diameter on the head. It was clear that they weren't even close, but Midway said they were "within spec", so no replacement. Basically they said anything they'd replace it with might be just as bad. I resorted to putting a piece of leather between the ram and the top to eliminate the wobble and free-play. It sort of works but you can still rotate the head a little side to side, even when the ram is locked.

At least Midway is making the fix this time...

 

[paul]

Do Midway sell Sinclair rests? did you contact Sinclair about this Problem

[Moderator--Oops, meant to write Midway Sinclair-style rests. The blue one. I have no complaints about Sinclair BRAND rests. Sorry for the confusion.]

 

[James EPS]

ANymore reports on the new Caldwell BR rests? I was thinking about buying one. Any info would be great.

James

 

[waterdog]

My brother got one of the first four Midway sold...It had a weak spring in the windage adjustment. He called Midway and the Caldwell company. In about two weeks the Caldwell sent him a new and stronger spring. It works very well now and moves with his 17 pound light 1000yd gun setting on it. By the way, you can make it a left of right windage adjustment just by reversing the adjustment screw and the spring..Seems to me well worth the price.

 

[James EPS]

Anybody using the BR1000 model?

 

[PatL]

I got one of the first ones also. Battenfield sent me a nice letter and a stronger spring and all is fine. For an informal benchrest shooter like me, it's a great deal. Very satisfied.