Coaxial Front Rest for shooting Skippy

[dan97526]

Friends,

I seem to be missing a lot of potential shots due to slow elevation adjustment on my Cowan rest. My shooting style tends to be to scan for targets through my scope by rotating my bench, and then once one is spotted dial elevation using the mariner wheel and/or speed screw. Any fine windage adjustments are made by sliding the rear of the rifle rather than adjusting the top.

The problem is that the rats sometimes don't stand still long enough for me to change elevation and therefore I miss a lot of shot opportunities. Windage is less of a problem.

I was hoping that a coaxial rest such as the Farley, SEB, or ShadeTree would allow me the make the elevation changes via the joystick adjustment, therefore getting on target quicker.

So has any tried using a coaxial rest for varmint shooting?

Thanks,
Dan

[Rick in Oregon]

Dan, I've been shooting Skippy 'seriously' since 1968 (meaning not just with a .22LR), and use a Sinclair All-Purpose Front Rest and a Protektor rear bag (along with everyone in my crew). I've found that once you set the rough/primary elevation on the front rest, all minor elevation changes can be made easily just by moving the rear bag slightly forward or rearward, and minor windage changes by just slightly scooting the rear bag left or right as needed. This system is fast, works for intermediate ranges, out past 500 yards and has worked for many years without the high cost and intricate nature of something like a Farley coaxial unit.

"Wicked Wanda", my Cooper MTV in 204R on the bench with the Sinclair Front Rest with Protektor No. 13B rear bag. Tens of thousands of squirrels have been launched with this setup:



You may find that by using something complicated like a coaxial unit, you'll spend too much time fiddling and dinking about with the adjustments, and still miss that shot on those very anxious squirrels. The method described above not only works, but works very well indeed, especially with a rotating bench. Keep in mind that the coaxial rests are used by serious BR shooters to make finite adjustments at a slow pace. Squirrel shooting is anything BUT slow paced, so choose wisely and buy once. Also keep in mind the "KISS" principal......in this case, less is better.

[dan97526]

Thanks again, Rick. I am feeling a bit sheepish right now - It never occurred to me to control elevation by sliding the rear bag up and down the stock. I'll try that before I drop a bunch of money on a coaxial top.

[huntsman22]

Heck with those fancy-smancy rests in the killing fields. Make one outta an old car scissor jack. Way faster vertical, way more adjustment range for slope shooting. Mine will go to 16" ....... Go ahead. Laugh all ya want, but I'll be shooting, while you guys are fiddle-fugging with those wheelie deallies....

[skipper]

You know, if you chucked up a reversible drill on that thing you could get a deal on Shark Tank. You might even be the next millionaire.

[futuretrades]

My choice for shooting skippy is whats called a Varminter Rest. Don't know if this particular model is still available or not, but I still see a few different variations of my rest on the market. Been using this rest for maybe 45 years now. Really fast, and fine adjustments for elevation. The stock is supported very well, as is the forearm of your rifle. I can not and will not disagree with RIO's setup, but for my shooting style, probably in my own mind , is too slow for me. I do find myself shooting way too fast in a target rich environment, and have to switch out my rifles very often, to keep my barrels from over heating!