Caldwell Rock BR, make it heavier?

[Murray Brook]

@Rocketvapor
I see in the picture you posted that your wife's Caldwell is blue. Was it painted or just the picture. Looks good.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Metalic Blue rattle can, Green looked like crap with the blue stock

 

[Murray Brook]

Done a great job

 

[LuvDog]

Just another option, but you could sell the Caldwell and put that money towards a cast iron Bald Eagle.

In my case, it ends up being cheaper in the long run. LOL. I'll start out with something "low cost" and then put money in to it to make it what I want, then end up selling it for a loss and buying what I should have bought to solve my problem from the start.

You have the Shadetree top so just order a cast iron slingshot base for $127.65. Sell the Caldwell for $100

CAST IRON SLINGSHOT BASE - Grizzly Industrial

Grizzly PBE1006037 - CAST IRON SLINGSHOT BASE

www.grizzly.com

 

[butchlambert]

My only complaint is the Caldwell is tall. Some ranges the target is a little lower than the firing line. You would need a 2x4 riser under your rear bag. My go to is my Bald Eagle.

 

[Murray Brook]

My only complaint is the Caldwell is tall. Some ranges the target is a little lower than the firing line. You would need a 2x4 riser under your rear bag. My go to is my Bald Eagle.

Experienced the same with mine. Needed a taller rear bag.

 

[Fern]

My only complaint is the Caldwell is tall. Some ranges the target is a little lower than the firing line. You would need a 2x4 riser under your rear bag. My go to is my Bald Eagle.

Same I have a piece of a 2x4. I got a rest that was missing a bag been using one that doesn’t feel right for it. I am looking for a replacement for it

 

[Luisyamaha]

Caldwell used to make the Rock BR in two sizes. I used to have the bigger size. I think the OP has the smaller version. Somebody got it right, sell the Caldwell and get a Bald Eagle. I did, and although smaller and lighter than the Caldwell, it is an order of magnitude better. Difficult to pin down exactly why. Better, more precise machining? All controls smoother and with less play on them? It just feels tons better. And it still weighs less than the large Caldwell I used to have. Weight isn't everything.

YMMV

LuisYamaha

 

[Rocketvapor]

I'm gonna work this new Caldwell rest and will try things that seem to work on the wife's blue rest.
Will use larger washers and anti-skid pads under the feet. Ordered 3" 2" diameter swivel feet.

The lower post to base has a lot of slop. Cranking down the lock screw pushes the smaller diameter post into the bore on a contact line opposite the screw. I found that some brass shim strips can take up most of the slop. Will probably need slightly different thicknesses for the Blue rest. Will use a little JB to hold them in place.

You can see marks in the aluminum post from the ball bearing thrust washer in this New rest.
Ordered a radial thrust washer that might be a little smoother.

The balls are 3mm in diameter. This bearing is 2mm + 1mm for each washer.
New legs, waiting on pretty knobs.

 

[Chris Edmondson]

I filled mine with birdshot and epoxy. Hot lead not a good idea. Tommy Mc

PM sent re: epoxy.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Here is the $99 Caldwell Rest with ShadeTree top.
A little shimming, Radial Trust Bearing, New knobs and 2" Feet.
Have not added weight yet, @13.3 pounds.

How much weight do you gain with lead shot in the leg cavities?
If you do all three is that about a pound or maybe a little more?

Will try a couple different configurations for next range trip.

 

[Chris Edmondson]

Here is the $99 Caldwell Rest with ShadeTree top.
A little shimming, Radial Trust Bearing, New knobs and 2" Feet.
Have not added weight yet, @13.3 pounds.
View attachment 1614287
How much weight do you gain with lead shot in the leg cavities?
If you do all three is that about a pound or maybe a little more?

I decided to give the lead fill a try, found 2lb bags of shot on Amazon. After looking at how much density is achievable with lead shot and epoxy versus solid lead, I went with solid. I heated each leg over a camping stove to get it warmed up, then used a MAPP torch to melt the lead. I predrilled 1/4" diameter short holes on the ends so the ingots won't fall out. Got a bit over 2lbs added weight total for all three legs.



I wire-wheeled off the green paint and rattle canned it gunmetal grey.

 

[JB10]

I poored melted lead into mine with no issues, except it does not want to stick. I was in a time crunch so i just hot glued the lead in. Its worked for 2 years now.

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

I used 5-lb cast iron dumb bell weights from Walmart the hole for the bar that holds the weight in place fits right over the front adjusters. very portable and adds 10-15 lbs. easily.

Lee

 

[Chris Edmondson]

I'm gonna work this new Caldwell rest and will try things that seem to work on the wife's blue rest.
Will use larger washers and anti-skid pads under the feet. Ordered 3" 2" diameter swivel feet.

The lower post to base has a lot of slop. Cranking down the lock screw pushes the smaller diameter post into the bore on a contact line opposite the screw. I found that some brass shim strips can take up most of the slop. Will probably need slightly different thicknesses for the Blue rest. Will use a little JB to hold them in place.
View attachment 1610943

I used a roll of UHMW slippery self-adhesive 3/4" wide plastic tape I'd bought for another project, it worked perfectly to take up the slop in my coarse elevation sleeve. I can't find the order anywhere but I can tell you it mics out at 0.0075" thick without the peel-away non-stick. If interested I'll dig around for what the heck it was I bought.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Vertical strips might be less likely to nicks from the cast bore but I like what you did.