Windage Top vs Joystick

[Whip_McCord]

I'm pretty new to this stuff. I have been shooting some local matches at 50 yards in the summer and 50 feet indoors in the winter. At 50 yards the target is the green monster, scored a little easier than normal. At 50 feet, very small targets made by the match directors. I am using a 1971 Anschutz Match 54 w/ 3” block on forend for these matches. I do pretty decent (perfect score once on the green monster w/ our scoring system), but I notice the occasional flier for no reason. It seems like when I go from left to right, the rifle might be put into a bind in the rest and may be the cause. Is this a known thing? I was wondering if a windage top or joystick top would help with moving left to right.

First, would a top with adjustable windage added to my Bald Eagle slingshot (aluminum) rest help with moving horizontally from target to target? Without windage adjustments, are there ways to keep the rifle from pushing too much on the sides of the rest?

Second, which is better for this type of shooting; a windage adjustable top (like Greenlaw) or a joystick top (like Shadetree)? Those are the two I am thinking about. I know there are others out there, but these are in the price range I would spend.

I may add a new top to my rest if it makes sense. If it does, I would like to know what type (windage adjustable or joystick) is better for the type of shooting I am doing. So far I have not been able to find a good comparison anywhere. I appreciate your input.


Thanks,
Whip

 

[10XSHOOTER]

Get the shade tree, if you cannot get a SEB!

 

[tmwinds]

Get Butch Lambert to send you a top for your Bald Eagle. If you miss a shot with it you will have to find something else to blame it on.

 

[jpx2rk]

You could also consider a rear mechanical rest by Killough's, when in stock. Check the local rules about rests as well.

 

[PNW Skipper]

The bad news first... in my experience, the problem you note starting this gear topic is more often shooter technique than gear related. But hey, I'm doing my part to support the shooting sports industry in search of instant improvement, so I feel your pain!

Seriously, my first recommendation is to borrow and shoot with rests
like you are considering. The experience will inform you about your personal preferences. I started out with a Rock BR Competition that I tuned up and it worked "well enough" though still with some slop in the windage. I wondered about the joystick steering being used by F Class friends and purchased a SE&A joystick top. It is a fine piece of kit, but I found I preferred the original X-Y windage adjustment. I found it much more efficient for me, especially when needing fine adjustments. I was always hunting/bumping with the joystick. So I started looking for a Sinclair Competition, and instead ended up with an older custom windage rest by Ken Watrous. It's my "forever" rest.

I shoot club smallbore matches over the USBR (50 yds), Dewar (50/100 yds), Mini Palma (100 yds), and ARA (50yds) courses of fire and a vintage smallbore match on the A-23 50 yard target.

As noted elsewhere, an adjustable rear rest could also be an alternative.

And FWIW, I thought all Bald Eagle rests have windage tops. Their cable adjustment is often remarked to be frustratingly sloppy, but there's lots of info out there about how to remove the cable drive and convert it to conventional windage adjustment inexpensively. Maybe worth considering, along with trying borrowed gear, before a major outlay.

I don't think there is a single objective answer as to which type is "best." Only which is best for you!

Good luck with your search.

 

[JMayo]

I found in 22 shooting allot of times i can't actually see the movement that i make but i turned the knob ever so little so i know it moved.
Sometimes it's halving or quartering the dot. Only knob movement will do that for me .

 

[Dkk37058]

Get the shade tree you won’t regret it

 

[gkgeiger]

I’ve owned a Neo, and other joystick rests. I find that my Randolph works much better for me. The first time I tried one I couldn’t believe the control. JMO

 

[linekin]

Good suggestion above to try as many as you can before purchasing. If that isn't an option, get a Randolph.
I've had a couple Sinclairs, a complete Greenlaw, a Greenlaw topped Sinclair, Pappas 1pc, Randolph 1 pc, original Seb, & shot of several Neo's, & now have a Shadetree & really liking it but, my Randolph 2 pc. is & always will be the go to rest, barr none. The ergonomics are 2nd to none imo.

 

[pascalp66]

After a Rock BR, 3 kind of top from Sinclair (went to Sinclair to lighten equipment)
I've put a Shadetree on a lightweight Sinclair base. Light and convenient, works well even for bigger caliber.

 

[butchlambert]

The only advantage to a joystick rest is speed getting back on target. Most FClass shooters really need a joystick in order to adjust your rest while looking through the scope.

 

[TrxR]

I like the idea of a joystick for getting up to sighters and back quickly if there is a wind change or to verify if you have a shot you can't really explain.

 

[boltman13]

I have a Bald Eagle aluminum rest with a Sinclair speed screw on the back leg and one of Butch Lambert's tops on it and also with the original top with the lateral adjustment moved to the left side of the front top. I prefer the former at 100 yards BR as the latter doesn't quite cover everything on our targets but at 50 yards on the IBS BR-50 target you refer to I find I prefer the original top modified and speed screw better and it covers the whole sheet, sighters included. Either way works for me, however.