Caldwell rock rest?

[Axis II]

Anyone use the Caldwell rock rifle rest or a nick off? I'm looking for something a little better then the Caldwell bags I have now.

Are they worth the $75? Very steady? any cheaper good rifle rests?

 

[Varminterror]

I have a Rock BR, which is a significant upgrade over the Rock Deluxe or Jr. After owning all 3 of these listed, the BR version is the only one I can say is worth owning, and even then, it's not a rest I would recommend. I can say the Rock tests are better than a sandbag or bipod, but barely so. The bald eagle and Sinclair varmint rests are a much better value. The Bald Eagle is probably the best value in a budget front rest, coming in under $200 regularly, and often around $175.

The downside to the Rock is the slop in the elevation threads. It just induces too much movement. Even with the BR version, the elevation slop is too much to really allow use of the windage head, and the BR has far less slop in the head elevator than the lesser models.

 

[I6turbo]

I haven't used other rests enough to know how they compare, but for the money I am very happy with my so-called Cowan rest. It's a little more $ than the Rock BR, (about $250 or so, IIRC), but it's generally rated a bit higher and I'm happy that the proceeds from the sales go to a very good cause. Here's some older info:
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...really-shoot-best-groups.512028/#post-6363322

Regarding rests vs. bags, I can shoot significantly tighter groups with noticeably fewer flyers with the Cowan rest and a rear bag than I can with front and rear bags. NOTE though, I don't have any really nice front bags such as Edgewood, or even Protektor, so I might do better with some nicer bags. Still, I'd highly recommend a decent rest if you don't have one. I don't even like to go shooting without mine if I plan to shoot for accuracy or groups.

 

[MCMXI]

I've had the BR version for 8 years or so and like Varminterror I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Poor design and poor execution, particularly the front legs that aren't spaced wide enough for optimal stability. I still use it but it's not worth the $140 or so I paid for it so I doubt that the cheaper models are worth it either.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I have a Rock. It is OK, but hardly a precision piece.

Caldwell bags are OK until you use something that is better like a Protektor or Edgewood.

 

[jhansman]

Funny, I use the Caldwell Rock Jr. and have come home with excellent results. Luck, perhaps, but it seems steady enough to me with the right bag. I've come close to replacing it with something more expensive, but not yet. I would like to shoot off a $300 front rest, just to see if the difference is noticeable. I imagine it would be, but since there's only one way to find out, I've held off. BTW, the Protektor Rabbit (NOT the Bunny-ears are too small) rear rest is excellent.

 

[someguy2800]

I have 2 rock jr rests and they work great for what they are. I have one I leave out on my shooting bench and I bought another to give to my father in law for when we shoot at his place just so I don't have to carry mine around. They are well worth the $30 if you don't have any other adjustable front rest.

 

[Proinsias]

Don't know about this product but my Caldwell bipod lost a screw and contacting customer service they basically said "I dunno where to get a replacement" so I'm not enthused. I'll check Home Depot tomorrow but it's kind of a weird set screw so I'll also send them pics if that doesn't work.

 

[Offfhand]

The bald eagle and Sinclair varmint rests are a much better value. The Bald Eagle is probably the best value in a budget front rest, coming in under $200 regularly, and often around $175.

The Bald Eagle is a much greater value than anything that says Caldwell, both in terms of what you get for the money and how it performs.

 

[Walkalong]

It's good for playing around, but not serious work.

 

[JohnB-40]

I use a Rock Jr. Not what I would call a real precision piece of kit,but with a Protektor owl ear rest,It suits my needs just fine

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

I use the steel rest made by Protektor built like a tank

 

[cdb1]

I have the Caldwell Full Length Fire Control Rest. Pretty pricey but I'm happy with it. Of course it's strictly for sighting in.

 

[jmorris]

I built one using an car jack that holds the rifle stable.



Let you get a rifle in the bullseye with one shot.