Front Rest Recommendations?

[Gary C]

I am looking at front rests and they run from Cauldwell @ $163 on Amazon to Protektor around $220, Bauld Eagle @ 300+ with
Bag to the very big $ rests for competition which i'm not interested in.
Any first hand knowledge will be great in helping me decide which way to go.
The rest will be used for my own load development and club shoots so the big $ would be a waste of $ in my opinion.
Thanks for your help!

 

[JFrank]

Google Joe Cowan shooting rest

 

[Fuj]

Check Grizzly.com for the Bald Eagles. The Caldwell Rock
is pretty good for an entry level rest. They are $145 on the
Caldwell sight, and I've seen them for under $100 bucks.
Check Mid South Shooters Supply or Natchez. They run
good deals on the Rock BR.

 

[FeMan]

I have a Bald Eagle and as Fug says, the place to get them is Grizzly. If you get one, this upgrade is a cheap and easy and makes a big difference in usability. https://www.precisiontargetshooters.com/2018/03/modifying-bald-eagle-rest-windage.html

If you ever want to upgrade the front of a Caldwell or other rest to a joystick, the Shadetree is excellent! https://shadetreeea.com/products/shadetree-adjustable-bench-shooting-rest/

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

If I ere you, I would buy the best rest I can afford. Otherwise like most of us you will be upgrading it as times goes by. Starting out with the Shadetree is a good place to be. Make sure you get one that is joystick operated. Getting them on target is the easiest way to go. You don't have to fiddle with a lot of knobs and wheels at the bench.

Good luck

 

[Gary C]

I found a lightly used Protektor with windage and the front and rear bags on E-Bay for $190
With shipping.
The front bag looks to be the correct radius for the varmint stock on my Savage.
I looked at one at my range and thought it looked fine for my use.
Seemed like a good deal in my desired price range so I bought it.

 

[rkittine]

I started off with the Bald Eagle. Was fine for an entry level. Convert the goose neck horizontal adjustment to a direct drive and it was even better. Then as you progress at a heavier machined base to it. You see a lot of those at Williamsport. Look at Andy's and he is a winner. (For some reason the picture will not uplad)

Bob

 

[Gary C]

rkittine,
I live in MASS and bench rest competition in New England seems to be in Maine only.
I don't see me traveling for that so, club informal shooting 100-300 yards is what I expect to be shooting and the Protektor Will be fine.

 

[jepp2]

I am looking at front rests and they run from Cauldwell @ $163 on Amazon to Protektor around $220, Bauld Eagle @ 300+ with

When I was considering a Bald Eagle, a shooting friend told me to get the cast iron, not the aluminum. He had a Caldwell aluminum and wound up adding weight to it.

I still consider that advice kept me from buying an aluminum Bald Eagle and being unhappy with it.

 

[rjtfroggy]

rkittine,
I live in MASS and bench rest competition in New England seems to be in Maine only.
I don't see me traveling for that so, club informal shooting 100-300 yards is what I expect to be shooting and the Protektor Will be fine.

I don't know where in Mass. you live but we shoot IBS score 100-200 yard in Southington Ct., about 1 mile off of I84.

 

[LuvDog]

rkittine,
I live in MASS and bench rest competition in New England seems to be in Maine only.
I don't see me traveling for that so, club informal shooting 100-300 yards is what I expect to be shooting and the Protektor Will be fine.

Where in MA? I have. New in box Caldwell Rock BR Comp Rest that I’m looking to sell. I’m in metro west.

 

[rkittine]

I have one of the aluminum ones as well as a cast iron one and they both work. Have upgraded to a SEB NEO though so they are back ups.

 

[lotech]

If they're still made, a Hart pedestal works very well. Reasonable in price, simple, and heavy, the Hart won't move around on the bench. Get some leather Protektor bags to go with it.

 

[Gary C]

Froggy,
I did see Southington as a possibility.
When do your matches start?
Does the website list dates?
thanks, G

 

[rjtfroggy]

Matches start in May and are listed on IBS site and the Bell City site, look on the calendar.

Bell City Rifle Club, Inc. – Southington, CT – A private rifle/handgun competitive sportsman club with indoor/outdoor range facilities