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BARGAIN! Shooting Rest!

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BeemanR7

Member
Jan 25, 2017
571
32
IA
Hey fellas,

Anybody looking for a bargain on a real decent shooting rest?

Here's one: 
http://bullets.com/search?q=(brand:%22Bald+Eagle%22)%20AND%20(category:%22Shooting+Rests%22)

I just now received mine and I'm impressed! Now if you're one of those who shoots $3000 rifles in elite competition, only the best will do. But for the masses, this thing is a BARGAIN! Regularly priced at $475 for the BE1006 (which I got), I only paid $200 plus shipping. I've just now unboxed it and, for the money, this thing is a class act!

Don't forget to get a top bag for it, sold separately.

Just thought I'd pass this along for those like me who've never had a good shooting rest and can't pay the price demanded for top brand names.

BeemanR7
 
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Brian10956

Threaded leg screws wobbly? There are knurled metal jam nuts on each of those threaded legs. Even if the threads were loose, the jam nuts would stop any wobble. I suspect that those who are complaining about wobbly legs need to learn how to use their rests.

I got the heavy cast iron slingshot version. Sometimes it is difficult to make nice clean threads in cast iron because cast iron is very hard and brittle and it chips a little during the threading/tapping process. But none of that matters when one is provided with jam nuts on each leg. When the jam nut is turned down snugly, it takes up any slack or sloppiness in the cast iron threads and there's virtually no relative movement between the parts. It's as if it were one solid piece of metal. In this case, there's no justification for a complaint about wobbly legs.

Neither is this reason to settle for a lighter aluminum rest. It is true that aluminum is softer and easier to cut clean threads. But you still have to use the jam nuts to insure no relative movement between the legs and the frame. If lighter is better, then get an aluminum rest. But if heavier is better, there's no reason not to get cast iron.

At any rate, I have not yet had an opportunity to actually use this rest to determine its weaknesses or its strengths. I'll be sure to inform you all if indeed I find any real issues with this rest. In any event, I don't expect it to compare with a Seb Neo. But it sure beats the tar out of many of the most popular rests purchased by the huddled masses.

I first heard of this rest from a seller on AA. I called him to purchase it from him but it had already been sold. I asked him, "now that it is sold and you no longer own it, would you give me an honest evaluation of it?" He said "Yes" and then began to laud its quality. He said that it blows away "the most popular brand (you fill in the blank)" and that even at its full price it was a bargain. But for the sale price of $200 it is theft." So, I ordered it on his recommendation alone. My initial impressions are that the man, if anything, understated it. I didn't expect a Seb Neo. But I am thrilled with the build for the money. And if it were no better than the "most popular rest", I'd have never recommended it here.

One thing is certain: If anyone here orders this thing on my recommendation of it and finds it to be unsuitable for their needs, most certainly they could get their money back and then some. According to the seller on AA, he got LOTS of calls about it after he sold it. I was by far not the first and certainly not the last who called him to buy it. And I know that if and when I ever wish to upgrade to a Seb Neo, this one will sell like hotcakes for what I gave for it.

Is there anyone on this forum who has one of these rests that thinks I've overstated it?

Sound off, please.

BeemanR7

 
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"bouddha"It's what I use, too. I quickly cut that windage cable, flipped the top around and used that nice knob as a direct connection to the top. TIP #1: Get the LEFT hand version and you won't have to turn the top around and you can still use the stock stop on the rest.

FWIW, the legs can be tightened via the knobs provided.
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From what I see on the site there is no left handed version but the right handed one can be converted by user.
 
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I owned a Bald Eagle and it was a solid rest. I replaced the rear leg with a Sinclair quick adjust leg and could do most of my elevation adjustments from it. I had to re-thread the rear leg for the Sinclair but it was worth the time and effort. I think it costs about $70.00.
If I ever own one again, I would get ride of the cable.
I am using a Randolph now.



 
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I like the Sinclair adjusting leg screw. It’s thread is the same in the aluminum model the cast iron is larger thread. From what I’ve discovered the use of the Sinclair eliminated the need for the lock nut speeding up adjustments. And if it didn’t work out Brownells has the best return policy in the firearms supply business. 
 
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"Grandfather"I have one of the heavy ones and it is solid. I have only used it for 22 rim fire. It is very heavy.
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Grandfather

The Aluminum model is 12# vs 22# for the cast iron. Since I’m only planning on shooting nothing larger than rimfire Do you think I’ll be OK . I understand the more weight the steadier the rest. 
 
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Brian10956,

While you're waiting for Grandfather's response to your question, I'd like to weigh in. For light weight weapons of rimfire calibers, I can't think there would be a great advantage with a heavy cast iron rest. However, I shoot only light weight air guns, but I purchased the heavy cast iron rest anyway since they are the more stable of the two and also because I still have the option to use heavy weapons and magnum calibers if my likes ever change. And if I never use heavy and powerful guns again, this cast iron rest can be passed down to anyone, whereas a light weight aluminum rest would be useful to fewer people. It all boils down to your needs. If stability is important, get the heavier rest. If lighter weight (portability) is the issue, get the aluminum rest. It's your call.

BeemanR7
 
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I have the Aluminum slingshot rest and found it heavy enough to shoot any of my powder burners or air rifles on it. I removed the cable first thing and used the knob on the cable to attach back to the rest, to adjust movement side to side movement. I have several different rests and find this to be as good as the others. I think it's a bargain for what you get.
 
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"Brian10956"
"Grandfather"I have one of the heavy ones and it is solid. I have only used it for 22 rim fire. It is very heavy.
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Grandfather

The Aluminum model is 12# vs 22# for the cast iron. Since I’m only planning on shooting nothing larger than rimfire Do you think I’ll be OK . I understand the more weight the steadier the rest. 

Brian, I think you would be fine with the lighter one. The legs have very sharp pins that stick into what ever you are sitting it on. Put a piece of rubber back carpet on the bench. It won’t move.
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"Salticon"Through a decent entry-level rest but will quickly Out grow if you’re a competitive shooter. I started with one of these
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I think that's a fair assessment, Salticon. Though I'd have loved to own a competition quality rest, I'm too long in the tooth to ever seriously consider competition shooting enough to justify the cost of a really good rest. But to get this particular "entry level" rest for a mere $200 was a no brainer for me. It's all metal (much of it stainless steel). It's heavy. It's stable. It looks nice. Had there been such a rest like this available at this price (1975 dollars) when I was younger, I'd have snatched it up in a heartbeat. I'm going to enjoy the hell out of this thing. So will my wife who is shooting with me now. Considering what little can be had for $200 these days, I consider this rest to be a real bargain.
 
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If you are pretty sure you're not going to be doing competition shooting, then this rest is fantastic. It was my first rest. Still have it. Still shoot off it (plinking). As others have said, take the cable off and move the carraige dirrectly with the knob that's on the end of the cable. Will need a small metal rod with one threading on one end and a different threading on the other end to connect the knob with the carriage. Believe I got mine at McMaster-Carr.

BTW, the first Bench Rest match I ever shot was with this rest and shot a 750.... (that's Kudos for the rest, not me)
 
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