Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Bench Rifle Rests

Thinking about upgrading and getting a real rest for load development and sighting in guns on the bench. Not looking to spend a fortune as I don’t see BR competition in my future, but want something of decent quality. I’ve been looking at Sinclair Benchrest. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

I've used a Hart pedestal rest for thirty years or more. Good quality, heavy, won't move around on the bench, and you won't outgrow it or wish for a better rest. Far better than a lead sled or a Bull-Bag type rest. I use a Protektor leather sand bag on the Hart rest with a Protektor bunny ear rear leather bag. I assume all this stuff is still made. I bought the Hart rest from Sinclair.

Here's a clue:

Untitled by Sharps Man, on Flickr

The Caldwell Rock BR is not bad at all for $109 shipped from Amazon. Of course it's made in other than the US, but it still ain't bad. The coaxial is of course more money, but it's just faster, not better. Also, a good rabbit ear bag for the rear definitely compliments a front rest.

FWIW, I've used stacked boards, carpet rolls, wadded up jackets, shot bags full of sand, etc etc etc etc. But my testing/shooting got better when I took the time fore a good setup with suitable equipment. I even had a Farley coaxial at one time, but I don't compete & when it became worth more than the gun that was riding on it, I let it go.

If money wasn't a concern, & I felt the need for the best, I'd have another Farley or a SEB.

Yeah..I’m trying to upgrade a bit from the wadded up jackets, carpet, etc. The Hart and Sinclair are in my budget and might be my ideal choice. Thanks for the suggestions

Here you go - Caldwell Rock BR Competition Rest - $84.99 and a free shipping code.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/348661/caldwell-rock-br-competition-rifle-front-shooting-rest

I have used one of these for over 10 years while not quite the quality of the $500 rests I have managed to win some matches using them.

drover

When you want to upgrade you can install one of my coaxial tops on it.

Two words.
Lead Sled.
7mm

Ditto.

I've been using this same rest for several years now and have been very satisfied with it. It's heavy and stays in place. The windage adjustable portion has been of limited use to me but the elevation adjustment is used all the time as various rifles are switched out and their stock shape makes them point higher or lower than the previous one. That forend locator is also very useful to get the rifle repositioned to the same place for each shot. As drover notes it's not top of the line quality but it gets the job done quite well without breaking the bank.

Butch,

Love the rifle the rifle. Is it a wrap or paint job on it?

drover

That would be the last piece of crap I would subject my rifle to.

Same set up for me......except I bought mine from Hart in Pennsylvania

That is a helluva deal, if I didn't already have one I would jump right on that. Protector bags for it make it a darn good rest, should work very well for your needs.

Hart rest all the way. Although I do have a SEB NEO with joystick for my BR rifles, I use the Hart with three interchangeable tops for my other rifles. Kind of like my 31 year old RCBS Rockchucker reloading press, it will not need upgrading.

Weight is your friend. First, the best rest and bags in the world isn’t worth much of the bench itself is wobbly. Make a sturdy bench and use a separate stool. The front rest has to be stable, there are many that will do OK, the bag in the rest needs enough adjustment to fit the forearm of the stock. You don’t want to squeeze the stock, just stabilize the gun. You need a rear bag, the height of the ears are personal choice, but the stock needs to sit in it well. If you can’t position to gun where the sling studs are clear of the front and rear bag, remove them. If you are shooting a hunting gun, the gun should recoil life ke it does it in the field, against your shoulder. If you are doing load development, then determine how to hold the gun that you can do the same each time. Consistantcy.

No free shipping on this deal. Free shipping only applies to regular price items.



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I found the Caldwell Rock BR too high for my needs, it wouldn't adjust low enough for most bench work. I got the Caldwell Rock Deluxe and it works much better for hunting rifles.

Also remember if your bench is steel or concrete, you'll need the Caldwell rubber feet too....about $10 at Midway.

Grizzly sells a pretty god copy of the old bald Eagle rest and if you want to get serious a Shadetree co-axial rest top will be a good addition.

The Hart is a solid rest for what you are looking for. I have been very happy with mine. My friends are constantly borrowing mine so I guess they like it too.

Amazon has the Cadwell for the same price, with free shipping.