Traditional front rests

[Kevin1990]

I've been seeing a lot of threads here lately on front rests, but the vast majority seem to be for joy stick rests.

I've been researching a few rests and have come up with 3, but have questions and uncertainty on them, and was looking for input from those that have or have tried them. Any other input or other rest options is appreciated. Currently using a cast iron triangle bald eagle with a windage top and a stud directly threaded into the top. Will I notice a drastic difference with any of these as opposed to what I have?

Randolph rest: Looks awesome, but I'm unsure of the belt drive. Does it have back lash? Pros/Cons? Also seeing a lot of people using an extra base plate for weight.

Sinclair competition: (What I'd like the most) Are they even making these anymore? I'm seeing conflicting reports in threads. Pros/Cons?

JJ Loh rest: The Cadillac from what I'm seeing. Not made anymore, and people taking them to their grave that do have them, but can be had perhaps with a wanted ad. Pros/cons?

Thanks fellas!

 

[gkgeiger]

I have owned many front rests. I started with a cheap Caldwell but soon went to a Randolph. Sold it some time later and went with a Seb Neo. To make a long story short, I currently have another Randolph. Never liked a joystick. I can’t understand why anyone would add extra weight. Never an issue with the belt, adjustment is smooth and accurate.

 

[AlNyhus]

My favorite in non-joystick rest is the Sinclair Competition with the addition of the heavy duty windage kit. They are on and off for availability through Brownells. There is one for sale here....with two tops, no less.

Hope this helps. -Al

SELLING Post in thread 'Sinclair Competition Rest'

Sunday at 2:28 PM

My T-Rex only came with one red knob bolt adjuster.

• steelshooter

 

[Liven The Dream]

Grizzly Cast iron , then add a Shade Tree top.
Get the Wind-age Top on the Grizzly you can sell it after you get the Shade Tree Top !
Win Win.

Buy once Cry Once.............

 

[LCazador]

The joy stick rest offers quick and accurate adjustment of moving from "sighter to record target". In "score" shooting this can be a huge factor in avoiding wind change and moving from the bottom of the target to the top of the target.

 

[LHSmith]

If what you now have is an original Bill Gebhart non-cabled drive rest made in Lock Haven I'd stick with it. I have the slingshot, the triangle cast iron, and the triangle aluminum versions. I favor the latter the best -easiest to move from bench to bench. I do prefer to use a speed=screw with these rests. For competition a good coaxial rest is a no-brainer however.

 

[DaWhit]

Had a Randolph, no backlash, very smooth operation. I like a rest with more heft to it, to each his own. Reason I sold it-scores were no better than shooting off a Bald Eagle.

Couple friends have Sinclairs, nice rests, another friend just bought one of the blems from Brownells within the last two months, steal at the price they sell them for, especially when the blemish was just cosmetic.
One friend doesn’t care for the Sinclair for UBR rimfire matches, large target face at 50yds, and he feels the gun binds up when you travel to the edges of the target. Excellent rest for SRBR for the cost.

The Target Shooting .Com rests are very nice also. No backlash and very smooth operation, my personal favorite for that type of rest, but his prices are competitive with joysticks now.

As mentioned earlier, the joystick has a nice advantage for moving around the target quickly in changing conditions. The guys who have moved off their knob twisters to joystick rests at our club have stayed with the joystick. The Lionworks Engineering Trident joystick looks to be an economical option in the joystick market. Waiting to see more reviews before I buy one.

 

[rjs1230]

PMA tool has a new joy stick rest out .Sure does look nice !!!!

 

[jackieschmidt]

I never liked a joy stick rest. Had a Seb and a Farley, sold them both.

You are correct in saying the JJ LOH is the Cadillac of non joy stick rest.

But any good cast iron unit with a good windage top will do the trick.

This is what I use. It’s an old Hart with an adjustable dovetail top I made from the compound off a little lathe we scrapped 30 years ago.
Pretty arcane huh.

 

[LRPV]

I like the Randolph. Normally, there is no backlash but it can develop over time if the set screw keeping the main stem from rotating is set too tight. It's an easy fix once you figure out what the problem is. The extra plate in my opinion isn't for weight as much as it is for footprint. The rest is meant for rimfire and when used with a 17#+ rifle, the rest can be tippy especially if you shove the gun back forward too hard. Amazing what a set of screws set 2" farther forward can do for balance. Randolph sells a larger plate but in my opinion, as is, it only adds weight and height and very little stability. I have a JJ as well and you can't go wrong with either one. The rotating top on the Randolph gives it the edge for me.

 

[JFrank]

Front rest serves a pretty basic function but dang ‘ you can sure drop a bundle on one and still shoot the same as with a Bald Eagle cast iron.
Dusty built mine in 1998, I talked him out of it in about six years ago and had Dan Greenlaw make a top.
I’m a cheap ass hillbilly but I don’t mind a little bling now and then. lol

 

[houligan]

JFrank - I have the same exact set-up as you do, Bald Eagle and Greenlaw. Works beautifully, and it helped me obtain some marvelous 22LR groups.