Shadetree Product Evaluation Requested

[dixieppc]

I have a heavy cast Hart Pedestal with Sinclair Speed Screw and Sinclair Generation II Windage Top with Protektor #3C Wide Cordura Owl Ear Front Bag. Any Pros/Cons on spending $392.50 (product + shipping) to change out the existing Sinclair Gen II Windage Top for the Shadetree Joy-Stick Adjustable Top, ie. would I be gaining $392.50 worth of advantage over what I have now besides not having to jump between the speed screw and windage knob?

Secondly, Anyone have any first hand evaluations on the Shadetree top?

Thanks in Advance,
Thomas

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I have one. Great product made by a great guy. I have mine on one of his f class bases and my dad uses it a few times a month. Works just like my farley does!

 

[CJ6]

Can't comment on the Sinclaire unit, But Butches top works great for me.

 

[jonbearman]

I have the Sinclair and its only ok. Do the shadetree and don't look back.

 

[Tim Singleton]

I have a shadetree top. Excellent product I was glad I made the change to a joy stick type rest

Butch is a great guy

 

[LHSmith]

I had one as well as a shooting buddy which we both used for 5 years in Score competition. They performed well, giving you quick target acquisition as conditions change. The Farley and Seb are an upgrade from the Shadetree. IMHO the Shadetree is an excellent entry level rest, with super resale value. FWIW, I consider the Caldwell Coaxial a P.O.S.

 

[Big Mc]

Butch,s rest is first rate . Been using mine for three years, with No problems. And yes made in Texas !!

 

[AndyTaber]

I primarily shoot short range Benchrest Score matches. A joystick rest is the only way to go because it allows you to move quickly around the target when trying to shoot a condition. I've had my Shadetree rest for several years and would buy another if I had to.

I just built a light Benchrest gun for 600 yard matches (weighs just under 17 pounds). A slight adjustment of the tension screws and the Shadetree handles the weight with ease.

 

[dixieppc]

Thanks to everyone for the swift replies. I noticed a couple of replies were suggesting that their move to a joystick top was because of the same reason that I am looking at this type of top.

I have been a point blank group shooter since the late eighties. Only in the past two years have I decided to journey outside of my comfort zone. Besides building a rifle and journeying into the world of 600 yard shooting I am also starting to shoot point blank score, 100, 200 and 300 yards.

I have had no problems being competitive in point blank group shooting with my PPCs but I'm having a bit of a problem using them for score at the same distances that they are successfully used in group shooting.

The problem is when going from one target to the other my POI changes. It has been suggested that the problem stems from the type of top on my rest. IOW's the Sinclair Generation II Windage Top is suited perfectly to group shooting but not score shooting. I don't know if this is the case but I do know that these two PPCs are bug hole Group shooting machines but something's going wrong in score shooting.

This is the reason that I'm thinking about a joystick top. However I hate spending that much money and the top is not where the problem lies.

Further analysis and discussion of the problem is welcome.

Best Regards,
Thomas

 

[Dusty Stevens]

That is a problem that has plagued br shooters since the beginning. Try to slide your gun a few times once you go to the record target. The angle change needs to settle in. If your first shot isnt where its supposed to be you wont like your second shot.

 

[lrgoodger]

Varmint for score is all I do, and believe me, the problem you describe is simply a part of the game when you have to move from target to target. I use both a Sinclair with a windage top and a SEB NEO. The issue is there with either one. It is impossible to predict when moving a slight bit to another target is going to move the POI. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't.

 

[Tim Singleton]

Varmint for score is all I do, and believe me, the problem you describe is simply a part of the game when you have to move from target to target. I use both a Sinclair with a windage top and a SEB NEO. The issue is there with either one. It is impossible to predict when moving a slight bit to another target is going to move the POI. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't.

As I said above I have a shadetree. I also have a new Farley Coax.
I see the same thing these guys are saying about poi changing as you go around the target. Just another thing to learn

 

[LHSmith]

IMHO, after competing in VFS for 12 years it's the sudden death aspect of the Score game that makes it harder to place well. Granted early on, newbies may be confronted with rest /bag issues which usually can be sorted out by equipment mods and careful attention to technique ( bench manners). In group shooting a shot can "go out" 4 tenth's and you can potentially "make up" for it on the agg, especially if it was the first shot on a record target. In Score, that errant shot will guarantee you're finishing at or near the bottom.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Score is a tough game...Even if the same problem exists after going co-ax, which I think is a setup issue and something you'll learn to deal with...the co-ax is so much faster that it's worth it for that reason alone, IMHO.


That said, I shot off of a Shadetree top for several years before buying a Farley. IMO, it was an expensive way to look better...not shoot any better, vs the Shadetree.


The Shadetree top is very good and Butch is a top notch guy to deal with.--Mike

 

[butchlambert]

Mike,
I've been told I had a big head already.
Thanks for all the compliments!

 

[Hammer0419]

As I said above I have a shadetree. I also have a new Farley Coax.
I see the same thing these guys are saying about poi changing as you go around the target. Just another thing to learn

 

[Old Navy]

I for one learned something reading this thread. Really like my Shadetree.

 

[linekin]

Mike,
I've been told I had a big head already.
Thanks for all the compliments!

Well, here's another. I've owned an early Seb & shot off Neo's several times. Also used a mentors Shadetree. Its the only joystick I would consider buying.
I prefer a manual rest, & I shoot a little IBS score. 10 minutes is an eternity to get off 5 shots to those use to shooting 25 in 20 minutes in rimfire.
To the OP, try allowing the rest top to swivel. I believe a locked top traversing a target put the rifle in a bind.

Keith

 

[urbanrifleman]

Here is my Shadetree. I love it.

Truth be known, adding the 15 lbs half inch plate to rest is what really made it work. All the rests are way too light.

 

[joshb]

I bought one. Loved it so much I bought another used rest with one on it for my friends to use. I felt guilty using one while they struggled. Great product!