Which Rest???

TheSmallFella

Hi,

I'm about to buy a rest for benchrest shooting (.22LR @ 50m & 100m), and I'm looking for some advice!

What would you recommend I get? Also, what are some of the more popular brands so I can check them out?

Thanks

clivej

Look at the Caldwell range of rests. I have the BR 1000m rest for 22lr @50m and 100m and will use it for my next gun as well a .223 out to 300m (if I can see that far)

TheSmallFella

Thanks for the reply Clive.

I appreciate it|

Vegeta

Anyone know a tool maker or fitter who could make a few custom ones?

I'm betting you'd get a better job for the money. In fact I know someone who might do this for me.

I've seen a guy in the midlands who has a custom built one and it looks the business

TheSmallFella

Vegeta wrote: »

Anyone know a tool maker or fitter who could make a few custom ones?

I'm betting you'd get a better job for the money. In fact I know someone who might do this for me.

I've seen a guy in the midlands who has a custom built one and it looks the business

Interesting idea!!!

My only problem is that I know absolutely nothing about the rests themselves so I wouldn't be able to spec it....I'm only using Bi-pods at the moment, and they don't really cut it for benchrest shooting.

Must look into this! If you hear of anyone let me know!

bullets

Vegeta wrote: »

Anyone know a tool maker or fitter who could make a few custom ones?

I'm betting you'd get a better job for the money. In fact I know someone who might do this for me.

I've seen a guy in the midlands who has a custom built one and it looks the business

Seen a few people at midlands with really heavy looking yokes made from
stainless steel or the likes. One lad has a rest that look like he took the
turn wheel from the door of a submarine and used that as a base for it!

I've got the Caldwell Rock I think its called. but its the cheap version not the
heavier more expensive one. It also looks like its cast iron that would be
very brittle, and it does not come across as something very sturdy.

Lots of people have told me I wont get great groups if using a Bi-pod and
if I wanted better groups to use a bench rest.

I still only get 1/2" or 3/4" groups at 50m using a Bi-pod and my groups get inconsistent
at 100m.

I still have not used the rest properly, I've only tried a few times,
I'm still using my Bi-Pod when doing shooting
from the seated position. I dont have those bunny ears things yet. When I tried
using a bench rest I found I did not like it.

I like being able to pull the butt of a rifle right into my shoulder
and those bunny ear things or bags get in the way. I see people shoot from
rests and the butt of the rifle is barely if at all touching their shoulder. I just find
this wrong and cant do it.

~B

Vegeta

TheSmallFella wrote: »

Interesting idea!!!

My only problem is that I know absolutely nothing about the rests themselves so I wouldn't be able to spec it....I'm only using Bi-pods at the moment, and they don't really cut it for benchrest shooting.

Must look into this! If you hear of anyone let me know!

Generally the idea is to get a stable, level and repeatable set up (there are plenty of lands shooting pretty accurately with bi-pods too)

My advice here would be have a look at them in a few in magazines/sites or go to the range and look at what lads are using and have a chat.

Wouldn't mind one myself and my friend knows someone handy with metal. He is currently building a martial arts training room and getting various things made in metal. I will have a chat with him and see what he can come up with.

Anyone else know a competent tool maker who could do this.

clivej

I was going to make a rest myself but got a good price on the Cadwell BR 1000m rest. I have seen one (and used that one) made using a car jack that worked well. Screwed/welded down to a tri-leg base and a rest made and welded to the top. I got a car jack from the breakers yard €15 but didn't go any further with it.

Croppy Boy

The best commercially built rest used by the more serious benchrest shooters here is the Cicognani. The Caldwell is a good rest but a problem it has is its latteral adjustment of the rest top which pivots on a forward screw, this causes the bag to slightly twist on the stock, affecting recoil and throwing off the POI. The Cicognani head moves latterly eliminating this problem.

Try this link and scroll down to the rests.

www.varidecicognani.com/prodotti.php?sez=8

TheSmallFella

Croppy Boy wrote: »

The best commercially built rest used by the more serious benchrest shooters here is the Cicognani. The Caldwell is a good rest but a problem it has is its latteral adjustment of the rest top which pivots on a forward screw, this causes the bag to slightly twist on the stock, affecting recoil and throwing off the POI. The Cicognani head moves latterly eliminating this problem.

Try this link and scroll down to the rests.

www.varidecicognani.com/prodotti.php?sez=8

I had heard that Cicognani were the business alright! They are pricey though....but I suppose it's worth it for the quality you're getting.

Do they only deal directly, or would any dealers stock them?

Rovi

Also well regarded are rests from Farley Manufacturing and Shadetree Engineering & Accuracy.

Croppy Boy

TheSmallFella wrote: »

I had heard that Cicognani were the business alright! They are pricey though....but I suppose it's worth it for the quality you're getting.

Do they only deal directly, or would any dealers stock them?

Like everything else you get what you pay for. Cicognani will deal direct, I don't know of anyone here carrying their stock, you can give them a ring and they will e-mail you details for payment.

Another item you may like to loot at, is the Protektor back bag, it is very strong and sturdy.

www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=RIBBRBRB&item=BAG40&type=store

With a Cicognani rest and a Protektor back bag, you won't go far wrong.