Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Front rifle rest?

What is a good inexpensive front rifle rest? is there anything better than the Caldwell Rock BR competition rest without going to the $700 Sinclair rest? I've saw videos of the Caldwell rest and it was wobbling pretty bad on the threads.
http://www.opticsplanet.com/caldwell-rock-br-competition-front-shooting-rest-440907.html

Way out of my price range
http://www.sinclairintl.com/shootin...competition-shooting-rest-prod39322.aspx

Is the $180 light weight Sinclair any better than the Caldwell?
http://www.sinclairintl.com/shootin...st-style-lightweight-rest-prod38097.aspx

Sinclair also sell an all purpose heavy varmint model for $300. Is this the best option or is there something else on the market just as good for less?
http://www.sinclairintl.com/shootin...clair-heavy-varmint-rests-prod57001.aspx


I usually use sandbags and have for years but was thinking about trying a better rest if I can find something quality that doesn't cost as much as a good rifle.From what I've seen of the Caldwell on videos,I might as well stick to bags.


Sorry,I tried to do a search but when you put gun or rifle in front of rest you get every thread about a gun or rifle.

look at the bald eagle rest they have at bullets.com for two hundred I dont think you will find anything any better

+1 The Slingshot Cast Iron for $165 is excellent.

http://www.bullets.com/products/Plain-Rest-Slingshot-Cast-Iron/BE1130

I mainly shoot sporter rifles and have been happy with the Protektor #1 Owl Ear Front Bag with this rest

+1

In hindsight I'd not bother with the windage top which took some mods to get functional. Nonetheless, it's good gear. I've not seen anything Caldwell I'd be proud to own. YMMV

Hart pedestal rest, if they're still made. Around 17 lbs., they don't move around on the bench.

That is a beauty for sure. My only concern would be on a heavy recoiling rifle that likes to jump out of the front bag. My 338wm is notorious for doing this. That aluminum that cradles the bag, kind of sticks out like a sore thumb. I'd be worried about stock damage...




I don't know who makes mine, but it's solid as hell and fairly heavy. My old one was very light. I think it is made from cast aluminum. Sold by Hoppe's. You can also find these (under a different manufacture name) at big 5 sporting goods for about $40.00:



I've shot some pretty decent groups from this old rest....

The Sinclair rests are made in the USA. That would do it for me.

I use a Ransom Rifle Master with qc bag plate and windage adjustment plate. I picked it up several years ago, like new on Ebay.

There happens to be one on there now. It looks to have all the bells and whistles.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/282416982563

I have no use for a "rifle rest" by Caldwell or anyone else. Too much baggage for a range trip. I have always used sand bags, but I am going with kitty litter to reduce weight. I will add that bench shooting for me is only to sight in or check sights.

As to adjustable front mounts, one of the best that I ever saw was made by another old fart. A scissors car jack from a wrecking yard with a small wheel attached to adjust height, and a shallow metal tray on top to hold the leather eared bag. Sand bags under the back.

Best,

Jack

Here's one that doesn't get much press but seems it'd work, sans clamping. Pretty light though.

http://protektormodel.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=32

Who the fugg you calling an old fart?......grin

Thats what I use Boomer.. Simplicity at it's finest.. Made in USA!

Shoots tiny groups too.

G

Caldwell Rock for $75 works just fine. Replace the nylon POS bag with leather.

Laugh if you want, but I'm a simple man that really likes simple designs that just plain work.

This is the handiest thing I've made in a while. Completed in 15 minutes and it cost me zero dollars. A rock solid front rest that works really well for me on the bench.

Scrap piece of 2x6 cut into three 12" long pieces. Cut the top piece in half, cut the end of each half at a 45. Screwed the boards together and glued a scrap piece of carpet on the bottom, and glued carpet where the gun rests in the V.

I can grab it by one hand and toss it wherever I want in the truck, and when I pick it up it's ready to serve it's purpose.

That one would work just fine. Kind of similar to one I posted, made by hoppe's... I've used sand bags too, but prefer the front rest and rear bag.. To each their own...

Ingenious. Kind of like huntsman's rest. Should work great, but would look funny during those hunting rifle centerfire competitions. However, I've seen many cool set-ups in that respect. One of the coolest rests was actually home made from one of the guys at the club. I've actually been thinking about building myself one..

You could use two pieces of all thread and epoxy a couple of nuts into the bottom board so you could adjust height and level. Weld a T handle to the top of the bolts.

As seen at the Portland Expo. So you can use your rear as your front Portlandia style.

Never seen the jitters with a Caldwell and sandbag set up, however there is always a first time.

My bench shooting consists of testing out reloads for groups at 100 yds with the target slightly higher than level off the bench, so with a little adjustment of sandbags on the rear, and/or sliding the gun slightly front or back in this rest, it's never difficult to get the cross hairs on target. Once locked on target this thing is solid as you could ask for up front.

I like your idea though......pack it in solid on the stock and adjust it up front. Long as those feet wouldn't take away from the overall stability of the rest, I'd be all for it.

Don't know how I missed this before. Other than probably a weight difference with mine, I like it. Adjustable, cost effective, and simple enough to do. Well done sir.