Front Rest. Best Bang for the Buck

[WANTASHOOT]

So I am building my first custom. 6Dasher on a dual port savage PTA. I am putting an F class stock on it all parts are at the smith getting built. So my next investment is going to be a front rest. What rest will give me the most bang for the buck. I would love to start with one of those nice joystick models but I am on a pretty tight budget. So what do you all think. I tried a search and found mostly people suggesting to pay once cry once. Not wanting to pay that much right now as it would take away the money for load development for quite a while. My main intention right now is to learn how to develop some good accurate loads with small ES and SD that group well. Once I have that down I would like to then think about doing some F class.

I know you all have some great advice can't wait to hear it.

 

[Immike]

Caldwell BR works. With a little ingenuity you can put a protector front bag on it. Good rig!

 

[tiny68]

I started with a Caldwell BR. I got the list an got a Cowan rest from Joe. I used it the next year. Much tighter feel and returns to zero easier. I switched to a ShadeTree joystick top but haven't shot a match with it yet. I put the ShadeTree top on my Caldwell base.

Luck, Tim

 

[dave7mm]

http://www.benchrest.com/magnummetal/toggle.html

dave

 

[Judd]

I posted just over a year ago asking for advice on a rest. I got a DR Greenlaw B Style rest and I am very happy with the rest. Daniel was great to work with and even changed out the mariner wheel to a solid wheel. His machining is awesome and he did a great job and I got it a week before he initially said it would be done.

http://drgreenlawmachining.com/home

Good luck...I started with a CaldwellBR and graduated from it to a shortrange SEB and then to the Greenlaw rest. I am very happy with my decision to go with a Greenlaw.

 

[gaboon]

Caldwell BR works. With a little ingenuity you can put a protector front bag on it. Good rig!

+1 PROTEKOR custom with the 3m slick material

 

[Leaddog]

Best bang for the buck is finding a used, older style Sinclair rest with windage top and Edgewood bag. The unit is heavy, solid, and will last a lifetime. If you buy the Caldwell, you'll probably buy something better later.

 

[Raythemanroe]

Hart or Sinclair:

http://www.sinclairintl.com/shooting-rests-bipods/shooting-rests-tops/shooting-rests/sinclair-heavy-varmint-rests-prod57001.aspx



http://www.sinclairintl.com/shooting-rests-bipods/shooting-rests-tops/shooting-rest-accessories/sinclair-competition-shooting-rest-prod39322.aspx



Cheaper to buy once then invest in a cheaper rest

 

[normmatzen]

Charlie Watson is right!

6 years ago I and my Australian friend/mentor both bought Coldwell BR rests. Very soon the slop and friction got the best of us so we took them apart.
Cut a piece of cabinet makers scraper with a hole cut into it and glued it to the side of the interior of the rest that the friction screws rubbed against. Then my friend took some set screws, drilled holes in them and machined some brass mushroom bearing blocks to fit in the drilled set screws with springs inside to spring load the bearing. did some calculating on spring tension and bought 2-3 sizes and settled on one.
Now the joy stick operates smoothly, but the top will still settle after a while. And the up-down course adjustment is not as smooth as one would like. But, I never thought the rest detracted from my scores, that's all me!
Finally, my wife "gave" me a Sinclair for Christmas a couple weeks ago and I will try it next Monday! After playing with it at home, I think I should have done this long ago!

Saying that, I really can't fault the Coldwell BR. It may be a bit crude and sloppy, but it does get the job done and will not limit your shooting! And, you can't beat the price and value.

By the way, I put a SEB front bag on the BR which was an improvement.

 

[johnmyers]

I posted just over a year ago asking for advice on a rest. I got a DR Greenlaw B Style rest and I am very happy with the rest. Daniel was great to work with and even changed out the mariner wheel to a solid wheel. His machining is awesome and he did a great job and I got it a week before he initially said it would be done.

http://drgreenlawmachining.com/home

Good luck...I started with a CaldwellBR and graduated from it to a shortrange SEB and then to the Greenlaw rest. I am very happy with my decision to go with a Greenlaw.

Same here with the Greenlaw, quality rest, affordable and Dan is a great guy to deal with

 

[Lesloan]

I posted just over a year ago asking for advice on a rest. I got a DR Greenlaw B Style rest and I am very happy with the rest. Daniel was great to work with and even changed out the mariner wheel to a solid wheel. His machining is awesome and he did a great job and I got it a week before he initially said it would be done.

http://drgreenlawmachining.com/home

Good luck...I started with a CaldwellBR and graduated from it to a shortrange SEB and then to the Greenlaw rest. I am very happy with my decision to go with a Greenlaw.

Add me to the list of Greenlaw fans. For just occasional use (sighting in. etc.) just about any solid rest will do. But for serious benchrest (or F-class, maybe?) you'll want something better. I, too started with a Caldwell BR and then graduated to a Greenlaw. It'll compete with other rests that cost twice as much.

Same here with the Greenlaw, quality rest, affordable and Dan is a great guy to deal with

 

[DBailey]

The fancy rests are worth the money. But they are not absolutely necessary to shoot well. Several National Championships have been won with shooters using stock or slightly modified Caldwell Rock rests.

 

[jkohler]

I have a couple of Dr Greenlaw tops on older Sinclair bases. They work great

 

[johnnyi]

I use a Caldwell Rock myself with windage and elevation adjustments.

Here is a rest from one of the site sponsors that looks really well made with all of the nice adjustments! I would have liked to have seen this one before ordering the Rock I bought about a year ago.

Here is the link:

http://www.bullets.com/products/Rest-Slingshot-Aluminum/BE1005

$325 in aluminum or $25 more for the heavy steel one.

 

[jred 2002]

I like my HART rest with Sinclair fclass legs. Remember spend the money now. I got a good deal on mine 265$ shipped. My uncle got his in the 90s 100$. They last forever so buy the best you can afford. Don't get the Caldwell. You will want something better.

 

[WANTASHOOT]

All Great Input. Just what I was hoping for. I have also kicked around building one but I don't currently have the equipment to build a few of the parts. So some day maybe I will build a super fancy one with an aftermarket joystick top. But for now I will save another month or two and will get one of the recommended units. Thanks for all the input. Hope to see you all at the range some day.