Front Rest Design

J

JOSHinIA

Guest
Hello all,
Since it's getting colder around here, I am going to start on the design and building of my own front rest (been using a friends). I have the machine shop and the ability to do anything that I need. My question is: what do you look for in a good rest? I want to build the rest to basically be the "ultimate rest" and I figured since I have the means to build it, why buy it? I've looked around both here on benchrest central and 6mmbr and find people who suggest a certain rest, but don't explain why they like it. Why do you like the rest that you use? Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Josh.
 
I think that the best rest design depends on one's shooting style. For instance, a windage top, base, or joy stick might not mean much to a bag squeezer.

One thing that I have seen missing from some fancy designs, is the range of possible hight adjustments that is available in rests that have a dual height adjustment, like the Hart or Bald Eagle. We have two ranges in this area that make this feature desirable, one where you shoot quite a bit up hill, and the other where you are shooting down hill.

Stock design also gets into the mix. It is common for benchrest stocks to have butt stocks that are quite narrow from top to bottom. This can require that the rear bag be taller or the front rest be shorter, to get on target, if a range has you shooting down hill. Visalia is that way.

The other thing that you might want to make is a matching set of discs to go under the points. These have become common place, and have been available for sale from a couple of sources.

Another feature that I would like to see, on a standard windage configuration type rest, is the windage control on the back leg, right in front of the vertical adjustment screw. In the past, this has been done using hydraulics, as well as a flexible shaft. I think that the hydraulic method would be my preference.

I am sure that there are many other refinements that could be listed, but right now, I am off the the kitchen for my second cup of coffee. Good luck with your project. Be sure and report back from time to time.
 
The weight factor

If your shooting style includes "pinning" the gun against the front stop then you need more mass. If you are a free recoil shooter you won't have to lug that extra weight around.
 
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