Old Age, New Trident Rest

[ReedG]

Over the past couple of years, having just clicked off birthday No. 82, I have felt like a nuisance at matches. My hearing is down to like 40%, the hearing aids don't respond well with ear protection, and that damned rest is so heavy I hate to move it. Having to clear the bench between relays, then set up the equipment on my relay with a front rest that tickles 42 lbs. is more than I care contend with. Recently I have addressed that problem. I went searching for a lighter rest, while it seems most shooters are looking for heavier rests. I've shot with a variety of rests over the last 20 years, some light and some heavy, and I've never had a rest move because it was too light. What I found in my search was SEB's new AR250 which was designed for rimfire shooting. From his site, I found his son's site and he actually makes the AR250 plus a new upgrade to it called the Trident.

The minute I saw the Trident (https://lionworksengineering.com/products/trident), I knew it was my answer since I don't believe God is going to take away the years. The Trident is an adaptation of the AR250 with a redesigned front crosspiece. The rest has an unusual adjustment arrangement, but once I used it I found it to be ingenious and well thought out. Above all, for me, it weighs 9-lbs. 5-oz. ready to shoot. The steadiness is there, the tracking is fabulous, and everything does what it's supposed to. The 3-pc. top is adjustable from 4" down to about a thumb's width and very solid. The joystick and counterweight are feather-light and adjustable to the nth degree.

I'm attaching a few pictures for your edification.

 

[Mike Kohout]

Great looking setup, what was wait time?
Mikey

 

[ReedG]

Great looking setup, what was wait time?
Mikey

Very short. Originally they gave me an Oct. 14 availability date but they shipped on Oct. 3 and it arrived on the 8th. The web site now says they are available. They don't ask for money until it's ready to ship.

 

[swd]

What's the price of admission?

 

[K22]

Most of us have to make adjustments in order stay in the game as we grow older. Due to an advanced spinal condition, I had to give up shooting anything over 223. It was painful to sale my 243's and 308's but I am still active albeit just a "paper puncher" since I also have to give up hunting.

In anticipation that this day was coming, in 2023, I returned to 22 LR rifle shooting after a very long hiatus. I purchased a Tikka 22 LR and have been enjoying shooting it.

Certainly, good to see that you are staying active by making the necessary adjustments.

Best wishes on good shooting with your new set up.

 

[ronsatspokane]

I hear you on weight. I shoot a Rodzilla for F Class in F Open but for rimfire, I milled the stock on my Anschutz 54.30 BR to accept a rail section. I run a light weight FTR bipod rather than packing that heavy front rest. The rest you bought looks like a good option but when you can't find the price it tells me what I need to know. At least what it is telling me is that it is more money than I am willing to pay.

 

[ReedG]

I hear you on weight. I shoot a Rodzilla for F Class in F Open but for rimfire, I milled the stock on my Anschutz 54.30 BR to accept a rail section. I run a light weight FTR bipod rather than packing that heavy front rest. The rest you bought looks like a good option but when you can't find the price it tells me what I need to know. At least what it is telling me is that it is more money than I am willing to pay.

There's a button on the web site that says "Request for Quote". If you click it they will give you the pricing info. The price of the rest is $840 and shipping varies by location.

 

[ronsatspokane]

There's a button on the web site that says "Request for Quote". If you click it they will give you the pricing info. The price of the rest is $840 and shipping varies by location.

As I said, more than I'm willing to pay for a dedicated rimfire rest. Nice rest though but I've got over 3 grand tied up in F Class rests and bipods that I can use if I so choose. If someone doesn't have those options and they only shoot rimfire or they don't mind tying up another grand, it looks like a good choice. I like the design of it.

 

[ChrisLionel]

Thank you very much Reed for your trust in trying out the Trident. I hope the rest will serve you well from now on.

AR250 is a front rest I created a couple of years ago specifically for benchrest rimfire and air rifle.
Trident is the big brother version which is meant to handle benchrest centerfire shooting.

Both rests are made based on the belief that if you put weight where it matter mosts, you can still get a light and portable rest without sacrificing stability or accuracy.

 

[ReedG]

Thank you very much Reed for your trust in trying out the Trident. I hope the rest will serve you well from now on.

AR250 is a front rest I created a couple of years ago specifically for benchrest rimfire and air rifle.
Trident is the big brother version which is meant to handle benchrest centerfire shooting.

Both rests are made based on the belief that if you put weight where it matter mosts, you can still get a light and portable rest without sacrificing stability or accuracy.

Thank you, Christopher. Your belief seems to be correct. This Trident is as solid and steady as anything I've seen and setting on the bench, ready to shoot, it weighs just under 10-lbs. And your unique method of adjusting is great for people with arthritic hands. The cam-lock capture nuts (because I don't know what else to call them) are unique, easy to use and no problem to my hands.

 

[Maximus1840]

Looks like an awesome rest

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Really Slick.

 

[boltfluter]

Looks like a very nice rest with some great features.
Paul

 

[jobhopper66]

The workmanship looks very impressive. I am glad you found a way to keep your hobby doable,

 

[seb]

Chris makes great rests with some very good details and designs by his own. I am a proud father.
Been in the business for about two decades now, have seen many other rests and to hear various feedback in the range when I shoot overseas... Imho his rest is probably the best bang in its class & price range. It costs less than $ 1K including shipping. You may compare the smoothness (etc) of his rest to other joystick rests that cost $ 2.3K+, side by side. As a father I might be biased however I am telling you what I feel it is true. I have inspected/tried the Trident myself, the joystick action is extra smooth, very compact in the transport mode, lightweight but solid, large footprint, adjustable top/bag, what else. I wouldn't hesitate to use his Trident rest for centerfire BR comps, or even for FClass.
Like my rests, his rests would be sought after.

www.lionworksengineering.com/products/trident

Chris also makes foldable leg extensions for his AR250 for ones who need more stability and weight.
And BTW, Chris has its own business and teamwork.
seb

 

[F Class John]

I'll have some video soon but it handles my standard F Class gun beautifully so far.

 

[ReedG]

I'll have some video soon but it handles my standard F Class gun beautifully so far.

That's a good report because that F-Class is a big piece. I've been to the range with my HV 30BR and two LV 6PPCs and a Cooper Model 22 and all have worked flawlessly and I'm amazed every time I lift the rest that it can be so light and yet so stable.

 

[F Class John]

So here's how the Trident handled my 21.5lb F Class gun today (but I don't know how much heavier it can handle). I can honestly tell you it felt really stable and you can see that in the video. Not to put father against son but if I closed my eyes I'd swear I was shooting off my Mini or Neo. I really like the bottom single bag that he made for this. It shoots really well and of course I'm used to the side bags that a the same as the Neo-X.

 

[HTSmith]

I am having the same issues. I was considering the MiniX but I'm concerned about how much space it would take up on some of the narrow benches I shoot from. This could be the answer. Thanks for posting.

 

[gkgeiger]

I have owned an AR250 and a Mini X. I think this is the perfect compromise. Nuff said.