Caldwell "Rock" front rest~opinions?

.22LRGUY

.22LRGUY

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Ok, I know this forum is the land of big spenders and serious precision rifles...but stick with me for a moment. The only bench/target shooting I do is about 1-2 times a year when load testing...so...I'm not looking to break the bank. All I've used up until now is an even CHEAPER "Hoppes" one and it's served the purpose...just barely. The Caldwell Rock looks like a decent unit for what I need it for, and for how little it'll be used. Any opinions here? Open to new/used...or ideas on alternatives around the same price point. I'm in the GTA if you can recommend a dealer who might stock one.

I'm only shooting .223 and .204R with it.

thanks!
 
I just recent purchased one. I have only used it once so far, but I am impressed. Until now I have used a set of cheap bean bags and a few wooden blocks and was reluctant to increase the weight and bulk of gear to take to the range. The difference in stability and ease of use is significant. I probably would not bother taking it to the range for plinking, but for serious target shooting and sighting in scopes it seems like a great piece of gear to me. I bought a Protektor front and rear bag at the same time.
I bought mine from site sponsor Mystic Precision:
http://www.mysticprecision.com/wp/category/accessories/rests-bags/
 
If you're looking to use the Caldwell Rock make sure you get fore end bags that will firmly support your rifle stock. Load development results can be useless if your fore end is loose.

P.S. For load development I like sand bags the best. They're cheap to fill and really work well.
 
I used to use the Rock Jr with a rear bag from Caldwell too.
Typically, I keep the front rest fastened solid and slide the rear rest to achieve the windage/elevation.

But recently I noticed my crosshairs are steadier when using sandbags and I have no clue why that is.
 
For a bit of a wait, and a few bucks more you can get a Cowan shooting rest from Joe Cowan. It has been a few years, but if I recall correctly they are around $300-ish, and are a heck of a lot more rest than the Rock.

Thanks,
Cal.
 
When you guys are using sand bags, what exactly ARE you filling with sand? (and don't say "bags", lol) I think I've seen photos of ones made for this purpose, what dealers in Canada would have them? Any photos you could post (with info. on where you got them) would be greatly appreciated!
 
.22LRGUY said:
When you guys are using sand bags, what exactly ARE you filling with sand? (and don't say "bags", lol) I think I've seen photos of ones made for this purpose, what dealers in Canada would have them? Any photos you could post (with info. on where you got them) would be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...

Most of the ones I have are old shotgun shot bags. 25lbs/bag of lead shot originally now filled with nice soft sand.
Find yourself a shooter that reloads his shotgun shells and he will have lots of old bags.
 
take a old pair of jeans and cut the legs off, sew the ends shut after filling with either rice or airsoft pellets or a combination of the 2, cheap and easy not to mention light and easy to carry and store. There was a lighter smaller front pedestal rest listed under the midway name, if your just using it once and a while it is far cheaper then the Caldwell, lighter and easier to transport.
 
I have and use the Rock for some bench work but I am more satisfied with the tack driver shooting bag for rifles with standard fore-ends.
It works better for load development for me.
I did see the Rock at Sail and Bass Pro this past week.
I have bought most of my Caldwell equipment at Epps. I also have the short and medium rear bags as well.
I did have old shot bags filled with a number of fillers but once I tried the tack driver bag the old shot bags stay at home.

David

David
 
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