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Newbi on Bench on front Bench Rest

andrews1958

I would like to buy a real nice front bench rest but have some questions that I hope someone can help me with also what you would recommend for a rest (real nice but not a Cadillac) for hunting rifles. $150 to $200 range

The rests I have looked at have the large 3" forearm rest. Can you put and secure a smaller type Protector bag made for hunting rifles? I think they are the number one type model.

How are any type of bag secured to the top of the rest? Are they tied on?? Cannot tell by all of the pictures I have looked at

Do the top sides screw/ move in closer for a tight fit?

I have tried Caldwell products but do not like the quality of their work.
 
andrews1958 said:
I would like to buy a real nice front bench rest but have some questions that I hope someone can help me with also what you would recommend for a rest (real nice but not a Cadillac) for hunting rifles. $150 to $200 range

The rests I have looked at have the large 3" forearm rest. Can you put and secure a smaller type Protector bag made for hunting rifles? I think they are the number one type model.

How are any type of bag secured to the top of the rest? Are they tied on?? Cannot tell by all of the pictures I have looked at

Do the top sides screw/ move in closer for a tight fit?

I have tried Caldwell products but do not like the quality of their work.
Click to expand...

andrews1958, - Sinclair International & R.W. Hart & Son both make some decent rests that are somewhat closer in price that you mentioned, but a bit more expensive. - Yes these rests are set up for the Number 1, 2 & 3 size bags. - There are a couple ways that the bags can be fitted & secured to the rest top as the bags come with leather tabs that can be pinched in between the bag-plate and the bag-holders that run laterally on the rest top. - I don't bother with that, I fill the bags with a mix of heavy-sand and play-sand to where they are "right" then I but Velcro on the bottom of the bag (the cloth fuzzy side) and on the bag-plate (the prickly side) and that holds the bag to the bag-plate. - Yes the ends are adjustable via a thumb-screw to tighten / loosen tension on the right & left hand sides of the bag(s) so that a proper fit-up to the rifles forend can be achieved.
- For a decent Sinclair or Hart Rest with a couple of bags & the sand your looking at around $300.00. - And you get what you pay for. - Not trying to "flame" Caldwell, I just know that it's not for me and the expectations I have.

- Regards, - Ron -
 
Don't hesitate to buy a better rest for a few extra dollars. Your rest will make every trip to the range even if you have more than a few rifles. In addition it will save you a lot of components and ammo. Your rest will instantly make all your rifles shoot better. You will automatically become a better handloader and your benchrest IQ will appear to double.
 
ireload2 said:
Don't hesitate to buy a better rest for a few extra dollars. Your rest will make every trip to the range even if you have more than a few rifles. In addition it will save you a lot of components and ammo. Your rest will instantly make all your rifles shoot better. You will automatically become a better handloader and your benchrest IQ will appear to double.
Click to expand...

+1!!

i spent a lot of money in my evolution of front rest.

save your money and buy a SEB mini when you can afford it.

as for front bags many choices to pick from. for a sportsters stock....

http://protektormodel.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=1
 
I bought the "top end" caldwell BR out of the classifieds, its great for hunting rifles and beyond. I had planned on a cast iron slingshot Bald Eagle, lots of good reports with it and a Shadetree top.
 
Dusty Stevens said:
Do a search on the cowan rest just posted some in stock yesterday
Click to expand...
Cowan rests are very nice and simple plus is the windage top. Not sure of the price.
Protector is offering a front rest as well for a decent price $165.00 I believe.
 
The Bald Eagle Slingshot, (cast iron model) has served me very well. It is heavy, doesn't move under recoil. You can buy more expensive makes but, for the use you describe you wouldn't need too.
 
nmkid said:
The Bald Eagle Slingshot, (cast iron model) has served me very well. It is heavy, doesn't move under recoil. You can buy more expensive makes but, for the use you describe you wouldn't need too.
Click to expand...

+1. For the money, you cannot beat the Bald Eagle Slingshot. I have the Rock/Caldwell (for a long time) that I used to shoot on and then got into Benchrest and spent $600+ to get into the more accurate rests. But a former friend bought a Bald Eagle that I did a bit of customizing (to better control the windage adjustment cable) and I found that rest was as good as the more expensive Sinclair cast iron rests and all for $200..can't beat that!

Alex
 
Still looking for a good used one. Sinclair's and other look really nice!


I was told the bald eagle model is no longer available??

Does anyone know or have experience with the Protector

I have a call into Cowen
 
Many ppl have a Randolph. Alot better rest than bald eagle and rock. I've been through the low end rest. They won't measure up with the others, imo.
Weakest link of the chain ....
I see Sinclair's, Randolph's and the joy sticks as being top of the lines.
But hey I'm just a mid level shooter, what do I know ....
 
haveme1 said:
Many ppl have a Randolph. Alot better rest than bald eagle and rock. I've been through the low end rest. They won't measure up with the others, imo.
Weakest link of the chain ....
I see Sinclair's, Randolph's and the joy sticks as being top of the lines.
But hey I'm just a mid level shooter, what do I know ....
Click to expand...


I think you will find that a cast iron base is a cast iron base.What you need is any of the aforementioned cast iron bases with a good top.
 
For the past 15 years or so, I've been using a Sinclair All-Purpose Front Rest with Protektor No. 13B rear bag with the desired results; steady, repeatable front rest stability. After all these years it still looks new, being powder coated and stainless steel. I store it in a padded Pelican case with the rear bag when not in use. Used for load workup and colony rodent shooting, it does everything I need.



The top is adjustable for forearm width, so it works with my hunting rifles and wide fore end varmint rigs too. Not cheap, but definitely out of the Caldwell (ChiCom) category. Buy once, cry once. :)
 
butchlambert said:
I think you will find that a cast iron base is a cast iron base.What you need is any of the aforementioned cast iron bases with a good top.
Click to expand...
Butch is to modest to say it but, buy you some kind of cast iron base. Call Butch and tell him what you have and get him to send you one of his shade tree tops. You will have a front rest that won't hold you back and if later you want to upgrade you can sell it for more than you paid.
 
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