Front Rest - Co-Axial or ???

[mks]

Farley and Caldwell

Lynn,

You mean the Sinclair can hold weight up to 18 lbs only? Is that actual weight on the rest, or rifle weight? If the rest can hold 18 lbs, and half the weight of the gun is on it, that means the gun could weigh 36 lbs, a gun I am not likely to own. I think I prefer the joystick, and if that is the case, then it looks there is not other quality choice except for Farley.

- Phil

Phil,
I have both the Caldwell and Farley. Both have advantages and disadvantages. The action on the Caldwell is stiff and glitchy compared to the smooth-as-silk Farley. The Caldwell has steel bolts and lock nuts for its feet, while the Farley has plastic-topped T-bolts and plastic wheels. The plastic parts are larger and handier to use, but I worry about breaking them during loading/unloading from the car, getting everything to the bench, etc. The Farley has screws that tighten the bag to the sides of the rifle that are threaded through glued-on T nuts, which glue joints are easily broken, while the screws on the Caldwell are threaded through a casting. The plates on the Farley that press against the sides of the bag are loose and easily lost if you don't carry the rest upright. The plates on the Caldwell are captured. These latter two problems seem to have been addressed in the newer model Farley. They also added an integral level, which is a nice touch that the Caldwell doesn't have. The base on the Caldwell is shaped so that it is easier to pick up and carry with one hand than the Farley. The vertical post is much thicker on the Farley.

I use the Farley for competition and the Caldwell for informal shooting and prairie dogs, and don't worry if the Caldwell gets knocked around a bit in the back of the truck. You would never confuse the Caldwell with a BMW, but at about a quarter the price of the Farley, it's a good value for a VW.

Cheers,
Keith