Need a new bench rest

[jimhs]

I’ve got an old Hoppe’s bench rest that I bought probably 40 yard ago. It’s pretty crude and made of aluminum to boot. I’ve been wanting to get a nice bench rest for several years now and have been looking lately at some on youtube. I thought I might buy one of those Caldwell Rock BR bench rests, but when I looked at some reviews about them on Amazon, I decided against it. Some of the things I read were “The coarse adjustment lock would not hold the collar in a raised position”, or “The wheel lock assembly could not be tightened to lock the fine adjustment wheel” “The top of the rest where the bag sits wobbles front to back and side to side”, “This is ridiculously loose and wobbly for the money” and so on. So after reading some of these comments, and there were a lot more of them, I decided not to waste my money on something I would not be happy with.

So I thought, what better place to ask advice about purchasing a quality bench rest (hopefully made in the U. S. A.) than this place with hundreds and hundreds of shooters, who use bench rests of all different kinds? I would sure be interested in hearing some suggestions and maybe even where to buy a good bench rest.




Thanks for any suggestions or information.




Jim

 

[Cartman]

I'm in the same boat. I can only provide the fruits of my research. Hope that helps a little. If hundred dollar bills regularly fall out of your pockets when you cough, these are reputed to be some of the best.

http://www.sebrests.com/

This is more than I can spend, and likely beyond what I need.

Many suggest the Sinclair:

http://www.sinclairintl.com/shootin...lair-competition-shooting-rest-prod39322.aspx

Were I to spend that much I think I might take a chance on this instead:

http://targetshooting.spectramx.com/products/rifle-rests/product-3

In reality, given my uses, this will likely suffice:

http://bullets.com/products/Rest-Slingshot-Cast-Iron/BE1006

A lot of people make some inexpensive mods to improve its usability.

If you don't use one of their front bags, many seem to favour a custom made Protektor bag to fit that rest with a very slick silver reflective material. About $60.

Hope this helps.

 

[Thud]

Look on Accurateshooter.com also for more info on rests.

 

[_Windrider_]

CTK precision makes some nice ones as well as high skore

 

[Pvt.Donut]

Similar to what Cartman wrote and keeping somewhat closer to your Rock BR budget, check out the Sinclair Heavy Varmint Rest. Super solid rest, priced around $300, lifetime guaranteed, made in the US. Should cover you for benchrest or f-class shooting, or just testing at the range.

 

[Clearlight]

The only things I ever use are bipods , or a sling or sometimes just a TAB straightlaced bag up front .
If you really must use a bench rest , Farley make a very good unit . If you want to look like you have
a lathe on your bench check out Seb rests , but you will need some Sherpas to carry it ....

 

[vinconco]

This guy has the best rifle rest I've seen so far.

http://www.shootingbenches.com/

 

[rd_kng]

I also recommend the Bald Eagle BE1130 - Plain Rest Slingshot Cast Iron for the dollar. $165 from bullets.com. Hard to beat for the dollar. Very heavy and stable for shooting.

 

[Sendit6.5]

I also recommend the Bald Eagle BE1130 - Plain Rest Slingshot Cast Iron for the dollar. $165 from bullets.com. Hard to beat for the dollar. Very heavy and stable for shooting.

Yep, they make some great stuff for the price!

 

[doninreno]

Take a look at any of the pictures on the internet of the firing line at a shooting match like, for example, the BERGER Southwest Nationals and take note of what kind of rests you see that are in the majority on the line. Likely will be the SEB NEO, which is a GREAT rest, gorgeous, very easy to make minor sighting adjustments, but has a pretty long waiting period to get one and is STUPID expensive, not to mention that it doesn't meet your "MADE IN THE USA" criteria. BUT it is one of the very best around, not to mention that if you should get one and then decide for some reason that you want to sell it to get your money back out you paid for the purchase , it will be gone likely the same day (if not within MOMENTS!) when you put it up for sale. The guy that designed it and oversees its production, Sebastian La,bang, may not be one of the very top shooters in the world, but you can possibly see him on the results list of a lot of BIG matches and he is a SUPER nice guy who is very willing to help you out with any problems that might crop up with your rest. The attached picture is one I took of one so you can see what one looks like. The small Velcro straps were added to secure the "joystick" in its rubber protection to the unit when being transported, as it is removable from the rest so you don't have it getting in the way when not in use.

 

[Mr.Kirk]

Mine’s aluminum also. If I were to get a new one and didn’t want to shell out for a Farley, I’d look at what Sinclair international has.

 

[fx77]

If you are shooting a standard stocked gun the SEB MINI may fit your needs
It can accommodate easily a rounded forestock

MINI Rest

MINI-X on the left and the Standard MINI on the right

sebrests-usa.com

If you have a deep pocket the Lenzi Rest is great

Lenzi Front Rest

The highest quality, most innovative reloading tools and shooting supplies for precision riflemen. Unparalleled customer service. Shop Now - PMA Tool

www.pmatool.com

 

[Mr.Kirk]

That grip handle in the Lenzi is worth $100 when you have to walk from 600 to 1000.