Talk to me about front rest

[SVT_Tactical]

Trying to decide if I need a better front rest. Currently using a Y bald eagle with some minor modifications. I want to get into more matches now that kids are getting older and I can get away for a weekend here or there and enjoy. Shot in a benchrest match at red white and blue earlier this year and regularly shoot with friends. One thing I notice listening and watching competitive shooters all use Seb or similar "top teir" rest. I've seen the shade tree tops for the bald eagle but not sure that it's near the class of those others when the base is still the bald eagle. I listened recently to a podcast that said go look at what folks who are winning are using and copy it.... seems wise. I plan to shoot on both f class and benchrest. Seems most all have a joy sticks and are vastly more advanced than the bald eagle. Am I missing out?

Advise appreciated.

 

[Raydee]

I can’t imagine not having a joystick rest after owning one….or 4 . I recently bought a Rodzilla Raptor and has by far became my favorite rest. I have a couple Sebs too and they are great.

 

[skeeljc]

I put a Shadetree joystick top on my highly modified Bald Eagle. Sold it wend went back to the Bald Eagle top.

Here is what I did to my Bald Eagle: Bald Eagle Modification

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Yeah you gotta have a good rest. Same with anything else on or around the rifle if you want to compete at that level.

Check out the new Raptor rest from Rodzilla

Raptor Front Rest | Rodzilla

The RAPTOR project began shortly after introducing my original T-Rex. Customers commented on how they loved the original rest but for air travel and easier ...

therodzilla.com

 

[MasterYoda]

Love Lenzi

 

[Mulligan]

That look cool and are very nice, but I can honestly say that my scores/groups did not improve because I had a joystick rest.
I bought one of each (3) of the SEBs, and a Farley. I still use the Farley.
I sold the Max, and wish I hadn’t.

BUT

I shoot just as well of my JJ……. Until I had Mark Johnson rebuild the Farley.

You need a solid rest that doesen’t wobble
You need to make sure every jam nut and lock screw is TIGHT

I get my arse beat regularly by guys shooting old hart rests or JJ rests

CW

Edit
What I should have said is this, my old JJ was not holding me back. Took a few years a several grand to learn that, but it is what it is.
CW

 

[Ranger188]

If you can afford it, buy a Seb Neo ( or similar ). Even if you can't, buy one.
You'll find them for sale here once in awhile, cheaper than a Rodzilla.
Best money spent.
I also started with a "big fifty" front rest and did the modifications to it.
Not even in the same universe as a Seb or Rodzilla.
Never regretted buying it after using it.

 

[DumpHollow]

I bought a used NEO and put a Lenzi top on it. I’m really pleased with that configuration.

I also have a Shadetree but put a Sinclair Benchrest base under it. I haven’t shot over that rest enough to offer an opinion other than I had a Bald Eagle and preferred a standard Sinclair BR over it.

 

[jnr88]

I had a Seb and it didn’t work well for my style shooting benchrest. I have a hand tremor. My Sinclair competition works very well and does everything I need to compete.

 

[DaWhit]

See no difference in group/score size between a joystick and knobs.

I had a Shadetree and shot off of a couple Neo’s. I never cared for either when trying to get the dot to move vertically a smidge more, and the dot would settle back in the same place. I was going to buy a Raptor until I tried the Neo’s even though the feedback I read said the Raptor is considerably easier to move. Without trying one I wasn’t plopping down a couple grand to find I didn’t like it anymore than the other joysticks I tried.

The joystick is considerably faster to move between sighters and the actual target for score when battling conditions and trying to get shots off with the same wind conditions. I never shot a rest from the prone position but have to believe a joystick would be easier to reach from behind the gun?

I prefer turning knobs and the fine tuning ease of a speed screw for fine elevation adjustment, over the Shadetree and Neos I have tried but I never had the opportunity to get behind a Raptor, my opinion may be different if I had.

My advise, get behind as many different rests as possible before you invest. JMO

 

[CharlieNC]

I am a BR novice, starting with a BE a little over a year ago for my 22LR. Being a Ftr shooter I thought this would be a piece of cake, WRONG. Being an experimenter it became apparent that the fit of the front bag on both the bottom and sides is the key for consistency and maintaining poi when changing targets. I continue to try options and making progress.

 

[JFrank]

I’ll tell you what a guy told me a few years ago that proved to be true.
Quote ..Donavan Moran [You don’t need the latest and greatest just get decent equipment and learn how to use it ]

Food for thought
Jim

 

[Grey Kiwi]

I only shoot indoor rimfire benchrest so your requirements may not be the same as mine.
But...I started with a Bald Eagle, did the various mods and it was OK. But moving my hand from the windage knob to the elevation screw induced a slight shift in the aiming point. OK...adjust rear screw for elevation and shift hand back to the windage and the point of aim shifted slightly again. It's a small battle but eventually everything lines up...but it takes time which you may not have in a normal timed shoot.
Step 2 was buy a Farley. Nice rest, 2nd hand (or maybe 3rd hand). Stripped, cleaned, lubed, did the mods recommended by Butch and it was a lovely rest (and my introduction to a joystick control). Wow...this thing is slick and quick. Loved it...but man it's a heavy beast.
Our range has a mezzanine floor above the firing line and low head room. Had to bend my old back as I carried the Farley to the bench. No way...too hard, too painful. After about a year I sold the Farley simply because of the weight.
Bought the new SEB AR250. Wow again! It's a light and lovely rest.
Very quick and smooth to use. I'm keeping this one. No more need to change now.
At a recent double card shoot I had finished and sat back watching the shooter on either side of me...both with Bald Eagle rests. They both took another (approx) 5 minutes to finish their cards simply from the time involved to line up the Bald Eagle (doing the hand dance from windage to elevation to windage to elevation, etc.).
I have done a couple of mods that make the rest suit me, and Chris (SEB's son) is sorting out some small changes from owner feedback.
For the $$ involved the AR250 suits me just fine. A Lenzi would be great too...but $4500+ over here (we get shafted on price for most things).

 

[Lbart]

I have shot & won F-Class & BR matches for 25 years using a variety of rests. I honestly can’t remember when I started using Seb Rests, but I have shot and won matches off SEB Neo, Neo-X, Mini, Joypod and AR250’s for many years. Everyone has been a joy to use! Sebastian Lambang who makes the rests in Indonesia shoots around the world in major matches, including here in the US quite often. Seb is the friendliest person I have ever met bar none. He is a joy to talk with and will check your rest out without being asked, to make sure it is performing up to his high standards. You can’t go wrong with a SEB!

 

[majohnson]

There are definitely differences in the top level joystick rest. In benchrest shooting Farley offer the ability to hold position without holding the joystick. While Farley is no longer manufactured, I offer full service for them, and reproduce any part needed.

I see you are in North Carolina, if you were closer to the Denver / Boulder area I would let you try a newer modified Farley. With surface ground internal parts that combined with my tensioners create an extremely smooth joystick rest. That offer the ability to make micro movements to keep up with wind changes. I have a limited number of plates and bodies available. Please PM if you have any questions.