Sinclair heavy varmint or bald eagle cast iron slingshot rest

[Marfaprecision]

I'm looking at getting one of the two mentioned rests and wanted some feedback from some of you that may have experience with them. They are both right at $300 and look to have about the same features. For the bald eagle rest you have to buy one of there bags and was wondering what you think about them. I won't need the windage tops really. This will be mainly for short range benchrest out to 300 yards. I'm rather new to this site and look forward to all the knowledge and experience it has to offer.

Thank you,
Cody R.

 

[Marfaprecision]

One more question I forgot too add. What do you think about the all-purpose top from sinclair? Do you like the bag and does it work well for both sporter and 3" flat bottomed Br stocks? I planned on buying a sinclair benchrest forend adapter for my sporter stocks and just running a 3" bag. But was wondering about the all-purpose top. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Cody R.

 

[fdshuster]

CodyR: Three Sinclair tops pictured. The first is for the narrow, rounded sporter stocks, which I never use anymore. I get better results (groups) using my Harris Bi-Pod with these types of stocks. The top does little or nothing to keep the rifle from torqueing/twisting during firing.

The second is for the 2 1/4" wide hunter benchrest stocks. Only have one or two of these stocks now, but it does a very good job in keeping the rifles stable during firing. I keep the stocks waxed (Birchwood Casey stock wax) and with the cordura bag, the rifles slide smoothly, straight back and to the rear, as if they were on roller bearings. No need for stock tape, powder, etc. This top is also windage adjustable.

The third top, mounted on the Sinclair is for the full width 3" benchrest stocks, the majority of my stocks now. Properly adjusting the side plates is a little easier and faster than those on top # 2. This is also windage adjustable, with a cordura bag, of course. Stock wax used on these stocks also. The windage tops suit me fine, my only wish is that the adjustment range were greater. Note the wooden blocks with #2 & 3. #2 is exactly 2 1/4" wide and #3 is 3". These blocks are kept tightly in place when the tops are not being used. They do a great job in keeping the bags properly formed.

I tried the Sinclair 3" adaptor on my narrow width stocks and did not like it. I could not keep it from shifting and moving around from recoil.

 

[fdshuster]

CodyR: My solution to the forend adapter problem. A piece of 1/2" thick ( 1/4" or 3/8" would have also worked, but all I had available) aluminum, 3" wide, 6" long, attached to the stock using the 2 threaded screw holes from the sling & bi-pod studs. 2 screws are necessary, otherwise the stock will want to twist left and right on the adapter. A very solid mount.

This adapter was used on another stock with different center to center screw locations, so filled in those holes with JB Weld & drilled 2 new ones to fit this B&C Medalist stock. It works fine, like a 3" benchrest stock now. Better than any "one-size-fits-all" adapter on the market.

 

[Marfaprecision]

Thank you for the time that you took to answer some of my questions. I use a Harris bipod and rear bag for the sporter stocks right now as well. I was hoping to find a way to make them more stable shooting off the rest. On your aluminum adapter does it stay put (not roll) on a sporter stock that has a slight radius to it? And I think it's safe to say that your pretty happy with the sinclair rests? Thanks again.

Cody R.

 

[fdshuster]

Cody R.: The pictured stock is the only one I have with an adapter, but see no reason why it would not be just as stable if attached to the smaller, rounded sporter forend. The important thing is 2 screws to attach. The stocks that have 2 studs in the forend are ideal. The couple of sporter stocks I still have only have one stud, another reason I've not attached an adapter. They do so well off the Harris bi-pod, for me the adapter is not needed.

The sides of the bag are soft enough that they partially cover the top edges of the adapter to hold it down, at the same time the cordura material is slippery enough that the rifle is still free to slide without lifting.

 

[ChuckMiller]

I've owned Hart, Sinclair, Wichita, and Cowan rests, I currently use the Bald Eagle Slingshot with a Hohn windage top and frankly there is nothing better in that price range. I keep an assortment of front bags and can simple pop one out and swap in seconds.

 

[butchlambert]

I have 2 Bald Eagles. Of course I use my own Shadetree Engineering rest top. I like the rack and pinion quick vertical on the Bal;d Eagle.

 

[Marfaprecision]

Guys I greatly appreciate the advice. I went with the sinclair heavy varmint rest with a Edgewood 3" front bag. Or should I say x-mas present from the misses. So far I'm very happy with the quality after today and getting some time to do some shooting. Everything is solid and locks down tight. And I ordered some aluminum flat bar today 1/2"x3"x6" so I can use the same front bag for my sporter stocks. Thanks fdshuster for the advice. The aluminum was cheaper than the sinclair forend adapter and I bet this will be much more solid. All of my sporter stocks have dual swivel studs up front. So it should be an easy solution, and after hearing your opinion about the sinclair adapter it answered my concerns. Thanks for the advice and happy holidays.

Cody R.