Sinclair Heavy Varmint vs. Protektor front bench rest

[NCIowan]

I am considering a front bench rest and have narrowed it down to these two, with the windage option. I do not shoot competitively but enjoy working up new loads and seeing how small a group I / my rifle will shoot. Any comments, suggestions, experiences are welcomed to help me make this selection. Thanks in advance.
(The target range will be 100 to 200 yards.)

 

[dogdude]

Competitive..Sinclair..non competitive Protektor.

 

[golong]

Heavy Varmint is the shooting rest itself. Benchrest, All-Purpose, and Basic (Protektor) are the main sub categories (different upper rest), then it it goes to adjustment type. I have the All-Purprose LH Windage, and frequently question if I should have purchased the Benchrest. I would stay away from the Basic.

 

[NCIowan]

Thanks for the responses. Was looking at the Sinclair Heavy Varmint All-Purpose RH Windage.
Thanks dogdude. It appears the cost are about equal between the Sinclair and Protektor. The Sinclair is definitely a heavier rest.
Thanks golong. Why are you questioning if you should have purchased the Benchrest vs. the all-Purpose you bought?
Appreciate your comments guys.
Duane

 

[longtrapshootn]

I put a "Pre-Order" in today for the Sinclair Heavy Varmint BR Windage Rest Left Hand today. They are saying a few weeks til they get the first ones in, something to wait for... hope it is as good as it looks in the photos!

 

[golong]

The bag for the All-Purpose is not really all-purpose. If you pull out a hunting stock the sides don't adjust in far enough to make any reasonable contact, and if you use a chassis with a rail or mlock holes on the bottom they grab the bag material when you are both moving the rifle forward to the stop, and during recoil. I have to use a towel in both cases (take up more room on hunting stock, and keep the chassis from digging in). The bag is also not very tall on the bottom so your options are over-fill it so you don't drag your rifle on the frame below the bag yet potentially leave the rifle unstable (rocks side to side), or use less filling to allow the rifle to actually rest but risk dragging it on the frame. Several of my rifles now have wear marks from hitting the frame as I chose stability.

 

[1911nut]

I’ve got the Sinclair HV with windage top. I mostly shoot heavy bench guns with 3” forends and one antique rifle with a 3 1/2” forend. The Protektor front bags with the ears change out fast. I have two for narrow hunting rifles also.
The windage top is a must for shooting Rimfire benchrest score targets.
Easy adjustments, the back leg is the fine elevation adjustment.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

The bag for the All-Purpose is not really all-purpose. If you pull out a hunting stock the sides don't adjust in far enough to make any reasonable contact, and if you use a chassis with a rail or mlock holes on the bottom they grab the bag material when you are both moving the rifle forward to the stop, and during recoil. I have to use a towel in both cases (take up more room on hunting stock, and keep the chassis from digging in). The bag is also not very tall on the bottom so your options are over-fill it so you don't drag your rifle on the frame below the bag yet potentially leave the rifle unstable (rocks side to side), or use less filling to allow the rifle to actually rest but risk dragging it on the frame. Several of my rifles now have wear marks from hitting the frame as I chose stability.

I would also like to thank-you and 1911nut for your reviews of the heavy Varmint Shooting Rests. I’ve been interested in these for a while and didn’t know which model to choose.

 

[dolek]

I have no experience with the Protektor,but I own a Sinclair HV Benchrest . Great rest,runs smoothly and has good heft to it . For the money I think it's a great rest.

 

[NCIowan]

Excellent comments. The Sinclair Heavy Varmint Rest with the benchrest, windage top looks like a good fit for my needs. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences and expertise.
Duane

 

[golong]

What is non competitive about the Protektor?

I lookied at them at the GBA-1000 Benchrest National's and thought they looked like pretty sweet setups for the money.
Especially for someone who doesn't want to lift around heavier rests.

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There may be some confusion regard what 'Protektor' everyone is talking about. With the Sinclair, the Basic comes with a Protektor front rest. It does not have much in the way of adjustment and the bag is not supported by the sides. "Protektor" also has their own 3-legged front rest. It is similar to the Sinclair Benchrest except it is all aluminum and about 10 lbs lighter. I have seen guys that are serious bolt the Protektor to heavy plates, or to a board with the board held to the bench with C clamps. Probably comes down to if what you are shooting is going to move the rest or not.

 

[JFrank]

I’ve got the Sinclair HV with windage top. I mostly shoot heavy bench guns with 3” forends and one antique rifle with a 3 1/2” forend. The Protektor front bags with the ears change out fast. I have two for narrow hunting rifles also.
The windage top is a must for shooting Rimfire benchrest score targets.
Easy adjustments, the back leg is the fine elevation adjustment.


View attachment 1128678

Sir
That's a great looking setup right there, is that stock a product of Kevin Rayhill ?

 

[MOTORSPORTS55]

Protektor has a steal plate that bolts to the bottom of there rests also.

 

[1911nut]

Sir
That's a great looking setup right there, is that stock a product of Kevin Rayhill ?

Good eye SPJ, yup Stockade Gun’s benchrest stock. Three pillars for the Savage target action. A 222 with Shilen barrel. My first Savage build, I’m surprised by how it shoots.

These are 5 shot groups @ 100 yds.

I’ve posted this target here several times but I’m constantly amazed I could screw a barrel into an action and put that into a stock and it shoots like that!

 

[JFrank]

Cool Rifle...
I ordered a LRB from Kevin last year, I really liked that stock man”
I would have kept it but a buddy needed it more than I did.

 

[JFrank]

Good eye SPJ, yup Stockade Gun’s benchrest stock. Three pillars for the Savage target action. A 222 with Shilen barrel. My first Savage build, I’m surprised by how it shoots.

These are 5 shot groups @ 100 yds.

I’ve posted this target here several times but I’m constantly amazed I could screw a barrel into an action and put that into a stock and it shoots like that!
View attachment 1129222

That’s crazy good, shootin

 

[butchlambert]

• Why has the Bald Eagle not mentioned. They have cast iron available and has the desirable rough vertical adjustment that is rack and pinion instead of lifting with your hand.

Nothing better and especially price wise.
https://www.grizzly.com/products/Bald-Eagle-Triangle-Rest-Cast-Iron/BE1152

 

[terrace]

Following

 

[butchlambert]

After looking at it and the specs, I believe the Protektor base is a Caldwell Rock BR in aluminum with their name on it. It looks to use a 7/8"X6tpi acme threaded post. The hardware looks much better though.

 

[Iowa Fox]

That's one heck of a nice shooting shed 1911nut.