PQP mechanical rear rest vs Protektor rear bag.

[1911nut]

This morning I shot 5 shot groups at 50 yds with my 40-XR comparing a PQP mechanical rear rest and a Protecktor bunny ear rear bag using a Sinclair heavy Varmint front rest.

 

[1Merlin]

In my mind it is apparent that a mechanical rest has to be more consistent than a bag....

 

[1911nut]

In my mind it is apparent that a mechanical rest has to be more consistent than a bag....

Yep. That’s what I thought.

 

[cavedweller60]

I just started using one in the last couple weeks. I like it far better than a bag.

 

[PWNolan]

In my mind it is apparent that a mechanical rest has to be more consistent than a bag....

You'd think but not necessarily

When I was considering going to a mechanical rear rest (right before Dan/PQP started making under the PQP name) I asked Stiller about the Holeshot version at one of our matches. He said he liked how a rear bag (like I was using) dampened vibrations and that it would be hard to improve how I was shooting (why change?). About a year later, out of curiosity I ended up ordering a PQP rear from Dan. It's a really nice piece of equipment but I don't think it changed my scores any. I do like how it makes it easier to traverse the target when shooting from a bipod. Last time I used it I noticed the horizontal adjustment was causing it to track across the target funny. Target was level, bench is level, and the rest was level. Not sure what was going on there. Since then I've had two other ARA factory class shooters tell me they stopped using theirs for the same reason. I still haven't taken the time to really look at mine and see what the issue is. I still like mine and plan on using it for casual shooting. If I was to do it all over again I probably wouldn't spend the money on one

 

[buckeye68]

You'd think but not necessarily

When I was considering going to a mechanical rear rest (right before Dan/PQP started making under the PQP name) I asked Stiller about the Holeshot version at one of our matches. He said he liked how a rear bag (like I was using) dampened vibrations and that it would be hard to improve how I was shooting (why change?). About a year later, out of curiosity I ended up ordering a PQP rear from Dan. It's a really nice piece of equipment but I don't think it changed my scores any. I do like how it makes it easier to traverse the target when shooting from a bipod. Last time I used it I noticed the horizontal adjustment was causing it to track across the target funny. Target was level, bench is level, and the rest was level. Not sure what was going on there. Since then I've had two other ARA factory class shooters tell me they stopped using theirs for the same reason. I still haven't taken the time to really look at mine and see what the issue is. I still like mine and plan on using it for casual shooting. If I was to do it all over again I probably wouldn't spend the money on one

Kind of fun you have some issues with the tracking across the target with Dan’s PQP rest. Dan is so proud of his rest he put his logo on both side of the mount. His logo rides overtop of the adjustment ball causing the issue on my rest. Of course he’s never had any problems with anybody complaining about the issue when I called him about mine. Need less to say it was put back in the box till I make time to put it on the surface grinder to make it smooth like it should have come from the manufacturer.

 

[grauhanen]

I have a PQP mechanical rear rest and I use it with rifles with stocks that are inline, with no cast off. It works well.

I have a good shooting rifle with a BR-style stock that has cast off (it's designed so that it can be held when if the shooter desires). I use a Protektor rear bag with it. It shoots as well as the other rifles. It is shown at bottom with a front rest no longer in use.

In my experience neither rear rest deters good results.

 

[1911nut]

Last time I used it I noticed the horizontal adjustment was causing it to track across the target funny. Target was level, bench is level, and the rest was level. Not sure what was going on there. Since then I've had two other ARA factory class shooters tell me they stopped using theirs for the same reason. I

Please explain the “ the horizontal adjustment was causing it to track across the target funny.”

 

[TRSR8]

FWIW, using a proper bag, with proper fill, and proper technique, if used with, a good front rest you give up absolutely zero. This pretty much proven with disciplines where that setup is mandated.
It is also, as Stiller mentioned, more forgiving than many other options.

 

[PWNolan]

Kind of fun you have some issues with the tracking across the target with Dan’s PQP rest. Dan is so proud of his rest he put his logo on both side of the mount. His logo rides overtop of the adjustment ball causing the issue on my rest. Of course he’s never had any problems with anybody complaining about the issue when I called him about mine. Need less to say it was put back in the box till I make time to put it on the surface grinder to make it smooth like it should have come from the manufacturer.

I noticed that previously but I don't think that's the issue I was seeing. IIRC I was seeing the elevation rise a little. I even started holding the elevation wheel just in case that was moving when it was supposed to.

I don't necessarily like that there's lettering where the "ball" rides but it hasn't caused a problem for me. While I was thinking about it, I decided to get my PQP rest out and take a look. Everything seems to work well. So leveled the rest and set a small Mitutoyo gauge block on top and then set a dial indicator on it. The needle on the indicator didn't budge as I adjusted the windage right and left. So I'm not sure what my issue was that day. The rest seems fine. The needle didn't dance around at all. Which leads me to believe that the lettering isn't an issue on my rest

 

[NZ_Fclass]

I'm strictly a bag guy - owing to the disciplines that I shoot, but a shout out for the Adjustable Bag Rider, which I use with a rear bag in matches where it is "legal" I was using a SEB standard, but recently changed to the Bigfoot.

 

[Mt.Boy]

I bought one just out of curiosity to try. Worked good just wasn’t for me. Went back to a bag. I do feel if the pqp rest had a wider foot print it would be better. Just didn’t feel as stable to me as a bag.

 

[gkgeiger]

I bought one just out of curiosity to try. Worked good just wasn’t for me. Went back to a bag. I do feel if the pqp rest had a wider foot print it would be better. Just didn’t feel as stable to me as a bag.

I’ve owned two and my feeling was the same. It felt tippy. Although our best Factory shooter here uses one. He gets pissed when he doesn’t shoot all 2500’s.

 

[Mt.Boy]

I’ve owned two and my feeling was the same. It felt tippy. Although our best Factory shooter here uses one. He gets pissed when he doesn’t shoot all 2500’s.

Yes sir. Totally agree

 

[PWNolan]

Hmmm....I haven't experience the tippy feeling with any of the rifles I've tried on mine. Thinking about it, I think I've always used mine with the front pretty stable (bipod or front rest and flat forend)

 

[grauhanen]

There can be a tipping problem -- but only if one of the three screws that are the "feet or legs" of the rest become loose. Make sure the threaded collar is kept tight on each of the three legs. It becomes like a three-legged stool that can't wobble.

 

[Appalachian]

I found that when using in conjunction with a locked down front rest it would try to tip on its side when getting near the horizontal edges of a card. That wasn’t an issue when the front was looser or when using a bipod.