Good Cheap Front Rest Taller than Caldwell Rock Jr.?

[Buck Wilde]

Sometimes I like to shoot seated at a bench, but I don't have a good front rest. Of course I have a bag, and a long time ago, I bought a Rock Jr., but the Rock Jr. tops out at 7.5", so you really have to get down on your belly to use it while seated.

Is there anything cheap anyone here could recommend? I can make something from wood, but I really don't want to. I would like something that goes at least two inches higher.

I don't want to carry a board around and put it under the Rock Jr.

 

[Megalodong]

I've seen a few of these around and some advertised. They say they're the best thing since stacking 2x4s under your fore end, but I've never actually tried one, they look too complicated. I think I heard some guys calling them bye-pogs or something.

 

[Buck Wilde]

 

[Buck Wilde]

Is this it? BOG tripod? Looks perfect.

BOG Rapid Shooting Rest

 

[Rocketvapor]

$99 Caldwell with better feet? This one has the ShadeTree top. but the Midway top works for narrow stocks.

 

[Buck Wilde]

I can't find that one on the Caldwell site. I must be looking in the wrong place. Weird.

I think the BOG would be handy for most stuff. It folds up to the size of a flashlight.

Right now I'm thinking of rimfire, but supposedly the BOG will work with heavier stuff. Doesn't have spikes, however, so maybe best to save it for the .22's.

I don't know why anyone would make a really short rest. I must be out of the loop.

 

[Buck Wilde]

Users say BOG will not sell parts, so there's a negative. I have a cheap BOG hunting tripod, and I can't get one leg to tighten in place.

Still might be worth a gamble. Or I could just grab a giant couch pillow and tell everyone it's normal for a front bag to have a floral print.

 

[Rocketvapor]

I painted the Caldwell I have to match the wife's blue stock.
The feet are 10mm but could be drilled to 1/2 and heavier threaded rod used.
The 10mm seems to be stable when the jam nuts are locked down.
This rest doesn't seem to be available now.
I bought one in 2023 and another in 2024 from Midway, "One time Run".

 

[Buck Wilde]

I contacted Armageddon to see if they have any really big front bags. I have a Game Changer, but it's slightly too low for this.

They have a "big ass" size, so I am hopeful.

 

[Buck Wilde]

Crosstac made my shooting mat. It seems pretty good. They sell a big front bag called the BFB. It comes in regular and ultra light. I emailed to see if it would get me where I want to be.

 

[Nik H]

Do you not like bipods?

 

[Buck Wilde]

Well, what if I'm shooting several .22 rifles? I'm not keeping bipods on my squirrel rifles. Put bipod on one rifle. Take it off. Put it on another rifle. You can see what a pain it would be.

 

[Nik H]

Well, what if I'm shooting several .22 rifles? I'm not keeping bipods on my squirrel rifles. Put bipod on one rifle. Take it off. Put it on another rifle. You can see what a pain it would be.

No, it takes less than a minute to move it to another rifle. I also prefer shooting off a bipod than a bag. I never bring more than two rifles to the range, and 80% of the time it is one.

But, that is me and you are you so carry on.

 

[Aftermath]

Users say BOG will not sell parts, so there's a negative. I have a cheap BOG hunting tripod, and I can't get one leg to tighten in place.

Still might be worth a gamble. Or I could just grab a giant couch pillow and tell everyone it's normal for a front bag to have a floral print.

That's just cammo for when you have to set up in the flower box.

 

[Megalodong]

Do you not like bipods?

BIPOD!!! That’s the word I was looking for.

 

[6.5SH]

Sometimes I like to shoot seated at a bench, but I don't have a good front rest. Of course I have a bag, and a long time ago, I bought a Rock Jr., but the Rock Jr. tops out at 7.5", so you really have to get down on your belly to use it while seated.

Is there anything cheap anyone here could recommend? I can make something from wood, but I really don't want to. I would like something that goes at least two inches higher.

I don't want to carry a board around and put it under the Rock Jr.

It sounds like a shorter/adjustable stool is what you need to use that rest. A drummer's throne or a short mechanics stool are common sights at benchrest matches.

 

[Buck Wilde]

That's just cammo for when you have to set up in the flower box.

What I really hate is setting up in the compost heap.

 

[Buck Wilde]

Neither Crosstac nor Armageddon Gear has made any effort to respond to my inquiries, so maybe they're better at making products than helping customers. I dealt with Armageddon Gear over the phone once, and they were great. Maybe they are not yet at home in the 21st century.

No, it takes less than a minute to move it to another rifle.

That's a hassle. Several guns. Moving every time you pick a different one up.

 

[Caba]

Put some boards under curretn rest to raise it

 

[steve123]

Natchez

www.natchezss.com

A friend has one and we just put a sand bag on top of it. It's great for guns that I don't normally have bipods on them.

 

[carbonbased]

OP, how much do you want to spend?

I know of a number of front bags. The one I have I adjust the height by use of hard-ish foam garden kneel boards (light).

For example, I use a medium Dog Gone Good bag (no longer made). Armageddon now makes it:

https://armageddongear.com/product/armageddon-gear-bench-rest-bag/

I can’t find the bag via their navigation lol.

It is heavy and good. Not cheap…I suggest it be filled by the factory as it’s a pain to do it yourself (I’ve heard).

 

[Buck Wilde]

I appreciate all the help.

As for price, I was hoping to keep it fairly cheap, like under $75. I have bipods on the guns I'm really serious about. I just want something handy for the others so I can toss it in the cart when I shoot in my pasture.

I ended up ordering a Crosstac BFB. We'll see how it works.

The Rock also looks good. Maybe I'll get one later.

The Armageddon Gear bag looks nice. Not sure it's tall enough. Maybe I would know, if Armageddon Gear had answered my question.

I wonder why these companies put contact forms on their websites when they obviously have no intention of responding.

 

[USMC 308]

Buddy has this one....it's nice and definitely higher than my Rock.

 

[Buck Wilde]

Thanks. I saw that before, but I was afraid to buy it until I heard from someone who had seen it. Maybe I'll pick one up.

 

[hangunnr]

Make yourself a simple platform to set your rest on to raise it to a comfortable level.

I made this for use on the benches at the local public range. The sharpened pins at the corners keep it sitting still. Also made a riser block for my rear bag.
Can be made as simple or complex as your heart desires.

 

[Buck Wilde]

That looks great.

 

[carbonbased]

The Armageddon Gear bag looks nice. Not sure it's tall enough. Maybe I would know, if Armageddon Gear had answered my question.

It's not high enough by itself (or, it's probably not for you). As mentioned, I use lightweight 3/4" thick firm foam kneelers to adjust it's height, as the height I need varies depending upon the bench height, seat height, and the gun construction. Sometimes I use 3 pads, sometimes 4 or 5. I sort of doubt someone makes a bag that high.

See below.

Previously, I had used 3/4" maple stair treads for spacers and man, that was a pain. Heavy and hard to transport.

 

[carbonbased]

I ended up ordering a Crosstac BFB. We'll see how it works.

I had forgotten about that one. I think the BFB might be the only prefilled bag I'd buy besides the Armageddon as it's high and filled with a non-absorbent media (coarse ground walnut media). It's 9" high to the bottom of the saddle, which is roughly the distance I need when I use a bipod like a Harris.

I think it'll work pretty good. The only thing is that may be a problem is how secure the gun rests in the saddle, as it looks both narrow and the "ears" aren't that tall.

It's has good price. Let us know how that one works out!