Shooting Rest Advice

[cbhester]

Hi Ive been posting on this forum a few topics about getting started in bench rest shooting. Among other things I am looking closely at shooting rests and do not want to just go buy one, but I would like to have a good rest. Considering I have never shot from a bench and rest much I do not know the pros and cons of different brands and makes and would really like to get some insight from you people that have used a wide variety of rests and know what you like the best. I don't want to break the bank on this rest considering I am soon to buy a new rifle that is at the very top of my price range, however, I would like to find a good compromise between quality & comfort, and price. Any ideas?

Thanks, Brandon

 

[lightman]

My advice is go to a few matches and watch the other shooters.Most are friendly and helpful.You will probably have several shooters offer for you to sit behind their set-up.As far as rest go,there are several good ones.I would try a few before spending the kind of money that a top of the line one will cost. Lightman

 

[bdale]

I agree with lightman, i personally have a Farley chose it over the seb simply cause it was American made and if it ever did need repair which i don't think it ever will wouldn't have to ship halfway around the world also it is a extremely smooth rest

 

[Cort]

Brandon,

I tried the "low" end approach by buying an upper end Caldwell rest. The tolerances are just too loose for my expectations. I then upgraded the top on my Caldwell rest with a Shadetree coaxial top. That arrangement works very well for me and it didn't break the bank. The Caldwell base is sturdy and allows good gross vertical adjustment with the Shadetree top providing the final adjustment. If I were starting over, I would probably opt for a base from one of the vendors above a Caldwell and a good windage top or the Shadetree top. You would not be at the top of the line but you would have a rest that would give you the adjustability that you need. I am using Edgewood bags for both front and rear. It is better to spend too much than too little on your rest and bags.

Cort

 

[ronsroom1]

Sold my Caldwell the day after I got it. Sold a SEB also.

Settled on a JJ LOH, and a Shadetree top for my HART.

Take everyones advise and try as many as you can.

Buy once, Cry once.

Good Luck, Ron

 

[artbosco]

I would like to find a good compromise between quality & comfort, and price. Any ideas?

The Cowan rest: http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek039.html

It doesn't come in Red. Just Brass, Silver and Black throughout.

Contact: Joe Cowan: cowanhaus@verizon.net . About $220

 

[in2deep]

First decision is do you want a joystick-type rest like a Farley or Shadetree that you aim by moving one handle or do you want a conventional rest with a speedscrew in the rear for elevation and windage adjustment built into the top more like the Cowan shown in the link above.
With some exceptions this depends primarily on what disciplines you will be shooting. The short-range benchrest guys almost invariably choose the former and rimfire guys almost always twist the knobs on the latter and some disciplines are mixed but many people I know that tried to go to a stick could not convert over and it's a personal thing.
Like mentioned since it's a big investment you should try to shoot off a few first.

 

[bozo699]

Brandon,
Welcome to the forum and to the shooting world, I have been in the Market for a front rest for a couple weeks, I am down to two choices JJ and Fulghum but there $900 rests, I personally think for the money and for just starting off a hart or Caldwell base and a shadetree coaxial or Sinclair windage top, I don't know about the cowan windage top but if outdoorsman is suggesting it I would not doubt him. As mentioned already I would go to a match and ask to look at them, I bet you get offers to actually shoot there gun on there rest for free in the match and you should take them up on it, I have only met a small hand full of shooters that were less then nice. here is a thread I started and got a lot of good help, there are some sites and mentions of a lot of good rests and I have multiple good rests saved to my favorites if you need more info, go through this thread I think you will enjoy it. http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php/topic,3778762.0.html And one last thing you need to decide if you want to twist knobs or run a stick, I'll tell you about the nicest guy you will ever want to talk to is butchlambert, owner of www.shadetreeea.com and he will talk to you about his rest but if it isn't what your looking for he will stear you to one that will work for you, when I talked to him he had nothing but good to say about his competition, he sells some screws to make the Farley rest work correctly yet he had nothing but good to say about his competitor, Mr.Farley that type of person goes a long ways in my book, I personally think Butch is a good person and I think you would benefit in calling him, take care and let us know what you chose I am buying both the Fulgham and JJ and will make my decision after using them in several matches.
Wayne.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

For any type of score shooting, you'll almost certainly want a co-axial(joystick) type of rest. For group...Ford vs. Chevy.--Mike Ezell

 

[timeout]

For any type of score shooting, you'll almost certainly want a co-axial(joystick) type of rest. For group...Ford vs. Chevy.--Mike Ezell

Greetings! Can you please expound a bit on the co-axial (joystick) type of rest? I have zero experience to this point with high dollar rests of any type. I would like to make a somewhat informed decision as to what would be my best option. I am not looking to competition BR shoot at this time. I have my own range to 300 yards and want to shoot as accurately as possible @ 300 yards. I will be working up loads in several rifles, but mainly 6PPC and .223 right now. I want a rest that will allow me to tune my loads for each rifle with a minimum of "shooter error", so a quality rest will be essential. I believe that a good rest/rear bag combination would save me $ spent in ammunition components used while tuning.

 

[dave7mm]

HRB woodchuck gun.

and

17 pound 1000 yard light rifle.

http://www.benchrest.com/magnummetal/toggle.html