Which rest top should I upgrade too?

[CZ550]

I am looking to upgrade my Sinclair rest top, I currently have the AP model. Which tops are you guys using for benchrest comp.


Thanks Corey

 

[artbosco]

Which tops are you guys using for benchrest comp.

For Benchrest competition, I upgraded to the best for knob turners: http://www.sinclairintl.com/.aspx/pid=33651/Product/JJ_Industries_Ultra_Front_Rest

If you prefer a Coaxial, as many that I compete with do, you might take a look at the Seb: http://www.sebcoax.com/

 

[CZ550]

I am really only looking for the rest top I have a Sinclair base.

 

[fdshuster]

CZ550: I upgraded to the Sinclair Generation 11 windage top, #04-5600 ( $154.95) and also bought the cordura front bag # BAG28 ( $17.95), and am very pleased with both. Had been using the smooth black leather front bag and always had to use various types of "lube" for the forend to ride smoothly, but with the cordura, it rides like it's on roller bearings without using any lube. Have another windage top #04-5500, also with the cordura bag that I use for the 2 1/4" and narrower forends, each with their own post and wheels, so can change over in seconds for whichever size forend I'm using.

 

[DCRYDER]

If you want a joystick top get a Shadetree. The owner (Butch Lambert) is a member here. Fits right onto your base.

The Gen II Sinclair BR tops are very nice too, although I would go NON windage. Nice top for nice $$$ at only $70 or so.

I will agree 100% with fdshuster on the cordura, superslick especially with a glossy finished stock.

 

[Bluto65]

Best rest for Bench Rest Competition is the Randolph Machining [Fulghum]. It is very well designed and super steady rest in both Elevation and Windage [azimuth].
I use mine in F Class and it is very stable. Just my opinion.

 

[hawghunter]

If you can find a Bald Eagle windage top they work smooth with no free play if not then +1 for the Gen II BR windage top if you don't have a cordura bag try a dryer sheet between the stock and the bag they slide real smooth hope this help Mark

 

[CZ550]

Do most of you guys run a windage top? I am worried about backlash in windage adjustment.


Thanks for the great info
Corey

 

[DCRYDER]

I'm far from a seasoned pro. But my preference is a coaxial rest or squeeze the rear bag. Windage knobs and elevation screws are too slow for me.

 

[artbosco]

Do most of you guys run a windage top? I am worried about backlash in windage adjustment.

Yes, all the serious competitors use one.

If your going to COMPETE in Benchrest, GET A WINDAGE TOP. If you don't, you'll be at a disadvantage.

If it's a good one, there will be no backlash in the adjustment.

The Coaxial's windage adjustment is integrated in the design.

 

[Baron]

No you DO NOT have to have a Windage Top to be competitive. Some use windage tops, some use Joy Stick tops and some of us just squeeze the rear bag! But defiantly get Cordura Bags. I use Cordura with Spray Teflon. Slick does not come close to describing it. But don’t take my word for it. I won the IBS 1000 yard LG Group Championship, 3rd in Score and the LG Overall Grand Championship at Harris in Sept. 2010. I use a Gen I Sinclair Non-Windage Top.
Baron Graham

 

[LHSmith]

IMHO windage tops are falling out of favor in my limited world of BR here in NE PA. Go to the IBS website and peruse through the photos taken at recent matches and you'll get a sense of what equipment today's competitors prefer.
I started with a Bald Eagle windage top, and progressed to Coaxials. The main reason......you need to get those shots downrange FAST while YOUR condition(s) presents itself....because they tend to be very fleeting.

 

[deadlyswift]

I have the same rest as you. It works ok with my 2" 1/4 stocks. Trying to put my Shehane Tracker 3" Forearm stock in this set up is useless. The bag that comes on the AP rest is not junk, but I agree with others the cordura bag is much better!! Within a week I'm upgrading to the BR Gen II top and the Edgewood 3" and 2" 1/4 Reinforced bag. IMO the windage top is just not what I expected! It's useless to me! I can do a much better job squeezing the rear bag. Joy stick might help, but I'm just not ready to dump that kinda money into a new front rest, but only becuase my attention is on a different discpline than BR right now! I like the sinclair rest, but not the windage adjustment. Like I said I can do a better job squeezing the bag, and adjust my POA much quicker in switching conditions rather than fooling with the windage adjustment. It's not precise enough or I just don't feel confident about its movements enough to trust taking shots in a BR match. I trust my bag squeezing more than I do the wind adjustment on the top.

 

[Stanley]

Another vote for Butch Lambert's and Thom Reed's joystick model. Their company is called ShadeTree Engineering.
http://www.shadetreeea.com/
Butch and Thom are both super nice people and easy to work with. If you have any questions - give them a call.

Stanley