Recommend a rifle rest......please!!!!!

[msinc]

I am in need of a good rifle rest/benchrest. Hesitant to call it a "bench" rest because I am not competing, but would like to be able to shoot the best group possible with my rifles. Rifles vary from heavy barrel varmint/tactical type to light weight hunting rifles to rimfires and slug guns.
Nothing formal going on, just would like a nice functional rest. Not really worried about the cost, but don't want to pay for bells and whistles I wont need/use. I realize it wont turn me into a fantastic shot, but for sight in and some Sunday afternoon fun/work at the range what is the best rest??? There are probably others out there that have this same question. There doesn't seem to be a lot of info on the hows and whys of bench/rifle rests. Interested in the rear bag as well. Also, please take a minute to tell us why you chose the gear you are recommending. Thanks a million for any info, it is greatly appreciated!!!!!

 

[LHSmith]

The best bargain in rifle rests is the Bald Eagle from Bullets.com. It is half the price of what I paid for my last one 10 years ago. The flex drive models do have issues....I would avoid these models. I would then call Protektor Model company and tell them what rifle and rest you have and order one from them that fits your set-up.....they will be around the same $ as those sold by Bald Eagle.
I have gone through numerous rests starting with a simple Hoppe's years ago up to my current rest that costs >$1000. The Bald Eagle is the first quality rest that allowed me to shoot small groups, and that same rest is still used by some of the best competitors in Benchrest to this day.

 

[hogpatrol]

The best bargain in rifle rests is the Bald Eagle from Bullets.com. It is half the price of what I paid for my last one 10 years ago. The flex drive models do have issues....I would avoid these models. I would then call Protektor Model company and tell them what rifle and rest you have and order one from them that fits your set-up.....they will be around the same $ as those sold by Bald Eagle.
I have gone through numerous rests starting with a simple Hoppe's years ago up to my current rest that costs >$1000. The Bald Eagle is the first quality rest that allowed me to shoot small groups, and that same rest is still used by some of the best competitors in Benchrest to this day.

Agree. Would add get the triangle and not the slingshot style.

 

[dkhunt14]

RWHart also makes a good one. Different tops for different guns and ranging from sport shooting to Competition. Pretty good prices on them also. Matt

 

[CaptainMal]

Looking at your wide variety of rifles and shotguns tells me, you don't need anything special at all.

Since all the froends will be different in both size and style, any kind of generic front rest bag will will. You would probably do best with a simple "U" style bad for all those "shooting-irons" to just sit in.

I would not waste time, money and effort on anything of benchrest quality. A simple Caldwell rest in the price range you desire, will work fine. Get a decent rear rest and learn how to pinch the ears. That would be my one tip to make shooting all those different types of guns the most acceptable.

 

[butchlambert]

Looking at your wide variety of rifles and shotguns tells me, you don't need anything special at all.

Since all the froends will be different in both size and style, any kind of generic front rest bag will will. You would probably do best with a simple "U" style bad for all those "shooting-irons" to just sit in.

I would not waste time, money and effort on anything of benchrest quality. A simple Caldwell rest in the price range you desire, will work fine. Get a decent rear rest and learn how to pinch the ears. That would be my one tip to make shooting all those different types of guns the most acceptable.

Have you compared the Caldwell price to the Bald Eagle from Bullets.com? A generic frt. bag will will not do what he is striving for.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Like most others here, I've been through a few rests over the years, finally ending up with a Sinclair All-Purpose Front Rest. I don't compete either, just enjoy what I refer to as "BR Varmint Shooting" for ground squirrels and PD's.

This rest has an adjustable front bag with "squeeze plates" to adjust the forearm width from a light sporter rifle to a heavy BR rig with a 3" forend. The thing is all powder coated cast iron and stainless steel fittings/adjustments.

Bald Eagle is tip-top too and has the same features. Either one should last far beyond our own expiration dates. Personally I'd avoid the Caldwell unit. Two friends purchased them, got rid of them soon thereafter....typical Chi-Com materials and workmanship.

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[expiper]

I would get the Bald Eagle from Bullets dot com and then one of Butches "Shadetree" tops ,,,good for anything and every type of shooting (at home on the range or any form of organized comps,,,).,,Roger

 

[madmixerman]

Sinclair has their varmint rest on sale. Good sturdy rest.
749-013-861WS
Sinclair Heavy Varmint BR Windage Rest Righ-Hand $269.99

 

[LHSmith]

Bald Eagle rest from Bullets.com -$165....and you get rack and pinion coarse elevation adjustment vs. the trial and error T-handle lock adjustment method.

 

[Shynloco]

Might want to take a look at a Greenlaw Rest. Dan Greenlaw builds custom rests with a very reasonable price and comes in variations of your choice. They are pictured at his website www.drgreenlawmachining.com . I've had/have three of his rests (and I don't compete anymore) and know of several Benchrest shooters around the US who have his rests. If nothing else, worth the look for comparison. IN case you have questions, you can call Dan on the phone as he's a super good guy to talk to.

Alex

 

[msinc]

Thanks a million for all the info guys!!!! Wow, I have to pull these up and take a look to decide. Is the squeeze plate type top to actually grip the forend and stop/minimize unwanted movement??? Or does it do something else??? Thanks again for all the info so far!!!

 

[86alaskan]

If your budget is tight or you just don't want to spend a whole lot, check out the Caldwell "the Rock". Straight forward, simple and relatively inexpensive. I have a Hart with windage top, they're nice but more.

 

[Caleb85]

+1 for the bald eagle
I bought one of the cast iron sling shot models and I like it! The stock stop is a little cheap but...

 

[JimPag]

For what u are going to do and the types of firearms that u have your better off buying a Bald Eagle. I've owned 12 front rests in the last 3 years including a Greenlaw and while they are nice, even Dan's cheap rest is over twice the cost of a Bald Eagle.

 

[LHSmith]

Thanks a million for all the info guys!!!! Wow, I have to pull these up and take a look to decide. Is the squeeze plate type top to actually grip the forend and stop/minimize unwanted movement??? Or does it do something else??? Thanks again for all the info so far!!!

Yes, those tops/bags are adjustable from the narrow featherweight style hunting stocks all the way to 3" BR style fore-ends. However, you must set-up both front and rear rests to avoid any swivel studs from hitting the bags on recoil......I usually just remove my studs.

 

[msinc]

Thanks again fellas!!! Not really worried too much about a couple, three hundred dollars, but I don't want to pay double if half that will do it effectively either. Can someone expand on the slingshot type vs. standard??? I see the difference, but not sure the purpose...I am gonna guess that the slingshot will go on a narrower bench??? The standard appears to spread out more for possible better support??? The sensible answer isn't usually the real one in regards to shooting though...it's probably that the one will set up a harmonic and open the group up by .003" or cancel it with different rifles.

 

[JimPag]

Yes, those tops/bags are adjustable from the narrow featherweight style hunting stocks all the way to 3" BR style fore-ends. However, you must set-up both front and rear rests to avoid any swivel studs from hitting the bags on recoil......I usually just remove my studs.

You can always buy a Sinclair Forend Benchrest adapter for your hunting rifles. They are cheap money ($40.00) and they work well.

 

[ratbuster]

After reading this post i am interested in a bald eagle rest for informal varmint matches and ground squirrel/PD shooting. Would one expect more accuracy with the heavier cast iron model? Or might I be happier with the lighter aluminum one?

 

[Rick in Oregon]

After reading this post i am interested in a bald eagle rest for informal varmint matches and ground squirrel/PD shooting. Would one expect more accuracy with the heavier cast iron model? Or might I be happier with the lighter aluminum one?

Go with the heavier unit. One of my rat shooting buddies got the Sinclair L/W unit, used it for one rat shoot, sold it and got the All-Purpose rest w/adjustable front bag setup. He said the L/W unit was just too light, it even moved about when he opened up his bolt.