Front rest for benchrest (maybe Caldwell?).

[Grey Kiwi]

As a newcomer to the sport of indoor smallbore benchrest I am gathering my gear and 'stuff'!
I use the local club's front rest which is a Caldwell 'The Rock' BR.
It's OK, and way better than a scissor jack welded on to a front disc rotor from some unknown Japanese car wreck.
Truly hard (impossible?) to get 'anything' in from USA.
Now, we Kiwi's get monumentally screwed re prices.
That Caldwell is $NZD499 plus shipping. Seems to be the only front rest available new in NZ that doesn't cost more than $NZ1000.
Can't afford a SEB. Can't get a basic honest front rest such as a Protektor, or a Bald Eagle.
Can find a Bald Eagle alloy in Australia but that's quite spendy plus the shipping from Australia to NZ ($700-$800).
Is the Bald Eagle alloy model OK, and better than the Caldwell? I do want a windage model.
No use looking at 2nd hand in NZ, as you can be waiting a very long time for something to come up on sale.
Is that Caldwell really bad? Is the Bald Eagle any better?
All the other lovely rests you can just go and buy in the US are no use to me...as they are deemed US sales only.
Do I really have to stick with the car scissor jack welded on to that front disc rotor?

 

[mikeinct]

Grey, until a bargain real non wind adjustable rest comes along. You can do much worse than that scissors jack on a homemade stand. The leather pad [sand filled brace] is the most important part. Learn to make a couple that fit your fore-end correctly. The jack takes care of the height. I've made front pads w just scrap leather, filler & duct tape. Get creative & save a few bucks. mikeinct

 

[Nowhere Man]

What about good old fashion sand bags?

 

[std7mag]

My budget allowed me the Caldwell Rock. Next step down from the BR.
I've been shooting factory rifles, outdoors.
With building a designated BR rifle, i've been looking at other rests. But the budget is still limited.
Found a Protecktor 3" wide bag that fits the Caldwell Rock, on Amazon for $26.

With you shooting indoors, i'm not too sure how worried i'd be about getting a windage model.

 

[Grey Kiwi]

Club only likes 'proper' metal front rests.
I find the windage adjustment useful as once settled behind the rifle and I need a tad more left/right I can easily twist the adjuster and bring the scope on target. That's better than just 'leaning' against the rifle to move it over that gnat's whisker, and way easier than breaking the cheek weld to push the rear bag over the exactly required amount.
I like the look of the Protektor gear, and have emailed them about shipping one of their front rests to NZ.

 

[Grey Kiwi]

Just to show that I don't have a closed mind...I bought a Smartreloaders SR300.
Cast iron frame, elevation adjustment only.
What changed my mind was shooting 2 cards a couple of nights ago.
Used the club's Caldwell The Rock BR rest.
It's fine for what it is.
But instead of playing with the windage I just gently moved the rear bag left/right as needed.
I found that a lot better (for me). Yet previously I didn't like moving the rear bag around. This time I used a friends Protektor bag and it's miles ahead of the usual scruffy looking bags at the club. Shot a 100.5, and a 100.6 so I figure I'm on the right track.
Now...I just need to get a good rear bag as the club's bags are a tad seedy.
But a rear bag is another whole new story isn't it?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Id rather have the alloy rests than the cast iron. Protektor are great people they should be able to fix you up without sticking it to you. Is it that much money to ship from the US to NZ? I used to ship quite a few things to Aus but never noticed it being outrageous. Your dollar is only 66% of a usd so its not like thats it. Which stock are you using- can you post a pic?

 

[Grey Kiwi]

Outrageous would be the only way to describe some US to NZ postage.
A Protektor rear bag (empty)...$140 - $150 postage! The bag itself was only $66.
I have found (now) somewhat cheaper suppliers, but still the costs were up near the same price as the bag.
But...then found an Aussie business with the Protektor rear bag I wanted, and only $95 all up (bag and postage). It's in the mail on it's way to me now.
Yeah, the front rest is my first ever...and will do for now while I get my act together.
I have the Boyds 'At-One' stock. In this photo I have wrapped some foam around the cheek riser.
As supplied it's too hard for my benchrest use. Be OK for hunting, but for target work it's too sharp and hard.
After shooting a 10 shot card my right cheek was sore as. Had a good cheek weld, but it did hurt!
I have emailed Boyds and said I like the stock but please sort out that hard plastic riser.
They actually replied nicely...but I won't hold my breath waiting to see if the riser is ever altered.
I have now made a nicely contoured wooden (American Oak) cheek riser which is busy drying from it's coat of Tru-Oil as I type.
'Looks sick' as my GKids say!
Anyway...here 'tis in all it's glory with Leupold 45x45 Competition scope attached. It shoots sweetly.

https://imgur.com/OKC3TFg

 

[harro]

Outrageous would be the only way to describe some US to NZ postage.
A Protektor rear bag (empty)...$140 - $150 postage! The bag itself was only $66.
I have found (now) somewhat cheaper suppliers, but still the costs were up near the same price as the bag.
But...then found an Aussie business with the Protektor rear bag I wanted, and only $95 all up (bag and postage). It's in the mail on it's way to me now.
Yeah, the front rest is my first ever...and will do for now while I get my act together.
I have the Boyds 'At-One' stock. In this photo I have wrapped some foam around the cheek riser.
As supplied it's too hard for my benchrest use. Be OK for hunting, but for target work it's too sharp and hard.
After shooting a 10 shot card my right cheek was sore as. Had a good cheek weld, but it did hurt!
I have emailed Boyds and said I like the stock but please sort out that hard plastic riser.
They actually replied nicely...but I won't hold my breath waiting to see if the riser is ever altered.
I have now made a nicely contoured wooden (American Oak) cheek riser which is busy drying from it's coat of Tru-Oil as I type.
'Looks sick' as my GKids say!
Anyway...here 'tis in all it's glory with Leupold 45x45 Competition scope attached. It shoots sweetly.

https://imgur.com/OKC3TFg

G’day

I have seen your posts over on an Australian forum in regards to your trigger dilemma and trying to acquire one from OZ .
If I can be a help either by finding parts/components ( within the boundaries of the law obviously) then let me know .
I’m in Queensland , Australia.
Your Profile on the other forum says your location is Richmond .
I was born and raised in Nelson/ Motueka area before moving to Australia 17 years ago .
Us “ Top of the South “ guys need to stick together.

Regards
Ken

 

[Grey Kiwi]

G’day

I have seen your posts over on an Australian forum in regards to your trigger dilemma and trying to acquire one from OZ .
If I can be a help either by finding parts/components ( within the boundaries of the law obviously) then let me know .
I’m in Queensland , Australia.
Your Profile on the other forum says your location is Richmond .
I was born and raised in Nelson/ Motueka area before moving to Australia 17 years ago .
Us “ Top of the South “ guys need to stick together.

Regards
Ken

Hi Ken,
Hey, nice offer fellow 'Top of the South' man.
However, I'm finally sorted. After a swag of emails I finally found an NZ dealer who was just indenting an order to Timney.
He has added on my trigger request, and it should be here in 2 or 3 months (if WW3 doesn't start in Ukraine).
For now I have just added the lower weight trigger spring and polished the sear.
It's OK, and quite a low TPW now...but I've read that the Timney is still a better trigger anyway.
I lived in Mot for about 4 years (Thorpe Street). Now in a wee 'lifestyle village' complex in Richmond.
Been to Oz, and love the climate and people.
Brother lives in Bundy. He's worked/lived in Oz for years now. Gets a tad 'warm' up that way though.
Cheers,
Kelvin.

 

[Leeman]

You should get a price from Hart for a pedestal base, they will ship that internationally and then price up a Shadetree top with co ax operation, Butch also ships internationally. They work well together, I use that combination for F class from 200 yards to 1000 yards. Not sure if Stuart Elliot (BRT shooters supply) stocks Shadetree tops but may be cheaper than shipping from the US.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

You should get a price from Hart for a pedestal base, they will ship that internationally and then price up a Shadetree top with co ax operation, Butch also ships internationally. They work well together, I use that combination for F class from 200 yards to 1000 yards. Not sure if Stuart Elliot (BRT shooters supply) stocks Shadetree tops but may be cheaper than shipping from the US.

Thats a great combo for sure

 

[Grey Kiwi]

You should get a price from Hart for a pedestal base, they will ship that internationally and then price up a Shadetree top with co ax operation, Butch also ships internationally. They work well together, I use that combination for F class from 200 yards to 1000 yards. Not sure if Stuart Elliot (BRT shooters supply) stocks Shadetree tops but may be cheaper than shipping from the US.

"You should get a price from Hart for a pedestal base, they will ship that internationally...."

Sadly no, they won't.
I can put one in my 'Cart', but that's all that happens.
I emailed them and asked, and they said no...we can't ship internationally.

 

[butchlambert]

You should get a price from Hart for a pedestal base, they will ship that internationally and then price up a Shadetree top with co ax operation, Butch also ships internationally. They work well together, I use that combination for F class from 200 yards to 1000 yards. Not sure if Stuart Elliot (BRT shooters supply) stocks Shadetree tops but may be cheaper than shipping from the US.

Stuart and Annie at BRT sell a lot of my rest tops and have Bald Eagle available also.

 

[Grey Kiwi]

OK...finally made a decision.
I'm retired, so as much as I would like a SEB or a Sinclair that's not possible. The NZ pension is not particularly generous!
Went to BRT (Oz) and bought the Bald Eagle alloy slingshot with windage, plus a Protektor bag for Bald Eagle.
I figured that as I only shoot rimfire now that the alloy model is fine, and easier for an old guy with a crook neck/back to handle.
Thanks for all the comments/thoughts.
You are really an invaluable source of information.

 

[butchlambert]

OK...finally made a decision.
I'm retired, so as much as I would like a SEB or a Sinclair that's not possible. The NZ pension is not particularly generous!
Went to BRT (Oz) and bought the Bald Eagle alloy slingshot with windage, plus a Protektor bag for Bald Eagle.
I figured that as I only shoot rimfire now that the alloy model is fine, and easier for an old guy with a crook neck/back to handle.
Thanks for all the comments/thoughts.
You are really an invaluable source of information.

I just built a 1" aluminum plate for a Bald Eagle aluminum rest like yours. I gave it to a friend and built the base for him. Another of our RF buddies had an aluminum Bald Eagle and I did a base for him from 1/2" mild steel plate.

 

[Grey Kiwi]

I just built a 1" aluminum plate for a Bald Eagle aluminum rest like yours. I gave it to a friend and built the base for him. Another of our RF buddies had an aluminum Bald Eagle and I did a base for him from 1/2" mild steel plate.

Hi Butch.
So you made an alloy plate (and a steel plate too) to sit under the actual front rest?
To add weight and or stability?
Would I need that for .22 rimfire anyway?
I would have liked one of your tops but had to 'cut my coat according to my cloth' sort of thing.
One day!! I do have a ticket in tonight's Oz Lotto though.
Who knows? The shooting Gods may smile on me.
It's only $120,000,000 AUD, but I'm sure I can eke it out.

 

[butchlambert]

Hi Butch.
So you made an alloy plate (and a steel plate too) to sit under the actual front rest?
To add weight and or stability?
Would I need that for .22 rimfire anyway?
I would have liked one of your tops but had to 'cut my coat according to my cloth' sort of thing.
One day!! I do have a ticket in tonight's Oz Lotto though.
Who knows? The shooting Gods may smile on me.
It's only $120,000,000 AUD, but I'm sure I can eke it out.

Both of those were for rimfire. Money will come as time goes by. Good luck with your shooting.