f open rest recommendations

[pressedRat]

OK. i have sent my parts off the a smith to build an f open 6mm dasher/284 winchester switch barrel.

I have started ordering reloading components and parts.

but its time to figure out the rest situation. seb neo tops, two year wait (havent called yet but thats what i hear). farley, widely used but at least a year wait, 'the viper's rest', less info on this one but it appears to come with high marks, then from there its various middle level units, from brownell's and so forth, often with a separate top, like from shadetree. and finally, bald eagle rests.

so what's the way to approach this? if i could order a seb neo and it would be here by the time i get my rifle in the spring, then that's what i would do. but that doesnt seem possible. so it appears i start with something like a bald eagle and wait on a seb, or farley (or viper .. dont know the wait on that one as i have not called the builder).

any info appreciated.

 

[Killshot]

I use a Farley so I am partial...

As you have some time, you might find a nice used SEB or Farley come November after the Nationals are shot.
A WTB ad here might find someone who is selling out or upgrading.

I found my rest doing exactly this.

 

[Ringostar]

Joystick or standard rest? That's the first decision. Have you tried a joystick rest? Do you have a local range where you can talk with other shooters, and try different types of rests? Lots of people will say, get a SEB. However if you want to get shooting sooner, look for a used rest of some kind. Or pick up an inexpensive Bald Eagle to get started with. Then you have something to use while waiting for a SEB or Farley.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I have a new farley im gonna sell in about 2 weeks. Ron hoehn has farleys in stock at all times too. I also have a JJ im gonna sell- very premium rest, and a shadetree top on a shadetree F class base with matching blue edgewood bags in it front and rear. Theyre out there if you just wait for a bit when everybody stops shooting and starts hunting

 

[expiper]

OP,,,,have you ever shot F-class or ever shot a bolt gun laying on the ground,,,is your action eject (or not) on the same side as the bolt ,,or is it dual port,,,just because the joystick rests co$t a lot doesnt mean that they are the best for you,,,some of the fastest and smoothest shooters are bag squeezers,,,,Roger

 

[pressedRat]

OP,,,,have you ever shot F-class or ever shot a bolt gun laying on the ground,,,is your action eject (or not) on the same side as the bolt ,,or is it dual port,,,just because the joystick rests co$t a lot doesnt mean that they are the best for you,,,some of the fastest and smoothest shooters are bag squeezers,,,,Roger

yes i have two 'tactical' bolt action rifles, 308 rem 5r and a 260 custom in an AI chasis. both with harris bipods. new f open is a bat mb action right port right eject. i guess you would say i am a 'bag squeezer'. i prefer shooting from a bench though instead of prone but i always use a harris bipod and do fairly well with it. nothing i have read indicates a bag squeezer can be competitive against f open shooters with dedicated rests. i know there are probably exceptions to this but i most like aint one of them especially at extended distances.

i would assume an f open type rest with a rear bag (the new rifle is a f open type stock) is the way to go. the joy stick question is another issue as i assume you hold onto while shooting and maybe another variable in holding the rifle on point. i've seen farleys where i shoot but its the bench rest guys that use them. i have yet to see a f open shooter use a high end rest where i shoot. probably because its not something a lot of folks do where i am. there are quite a number of f t/r shooters but very few f open shooters. the t/r guys all use the moon lander bipods.

to the guy that responded with the farley for sale... is it the f open version? on their site there are various versions. the 'newest' f open is 'coaxial II'.

 

[Killshot]

to the guy that responded with the farley for sale... is it the f open version? on their site there are various versions. the 'newest' f open is 'coaxial II'.

The only difference between them is the type of feet they have. The F-class has large discs with points to be secure in gravel and dirt.

If you buy a used one, these feet are easy to make or buy a set from Bob Pastor. They look like this.

 

[nhm16]

The NEO is worth the wait. In the meantime, get something like a Shadetree joystick top paired with a Caldwell or Sinclair base. Once you get your NEO, do as I did, and sell off the Shadetree and base, or keep it as a spare. The Shadetree works well, the biggest advantage of the NEO for me was the sheer amount of gross vertical adjustment, which is important when you're shooting off of firing lines that are not completely flat and level. Sometimes with my old Shadetree/Caldwell combo, I couldn't get the rest low enough, and had to compensate by putting spacers under my rear bag.

Edit: also, there's no downside to getting on the waiting list for a NEO ASAP. You're not out any money, and it's not like Ernie would have any trouble selling one allocated to you if you didn't want it.

 

[shootnjunky]

i bought a new farley coaxial ii joystick rest with the newly designed magnum base and use it for the first time a few weeks ago and subseqently shot consecutive high master scores in f-class mid range. Not that the rest has much to do with it, but I can tell you it was not holding me back any.

They are a great company and helped me out tremendously, and got it to me in less than a week.

Give them a chance you won't regret it

 

[Alex Wheeler]

In the prone position reaching for knobs SUCKS!. I used a Farley with a handle extension I made and was happy with it. Most seem to prefer the Seb, but either will do the job.