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- \n
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- Caldwell Rock Deluxe Shooting Rest<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Caldwell Rear Shooting Bag<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Caldwell Rear Medium High Bag<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Caldwell Brass Trap<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_8526-600.jpg\")
On the range at the West End Gun Club with my .308 Ruger GSR, the Caldwell Rock Deluxe Shooting Rest<\/a>, and the Caldwell Rear Medium High Bag<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Caldwell Rock Deluxe Shooting Rest<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
Caldwell makes several different models of forward rifle rests.\u00a0 The one that makes the most sense to me is the Caldwell Rock Deluxe Shooting Rest<\/a>.\u00a0 It has what I want in a rifle rest and at $102 it is reasonably priced (as much as anything can be considered reasonably priced in our inflationary times).\u00a0 It includes the forward rifle pad and it is adjustable for height, tilt, and squeeze on the pad.\u00a0 The features are explained in the photos below.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/61LSzDB86L._AC_SX679_6-.jpg\")
Rifle height off the bench is adjustable by the large black adjusting collar on the center shaft.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_8530-600.jpg\")
The top right arrow points to the height adjustment. Once the height is set, it should be locked in place with the locking screw denoted by the arrow on the lower right. The arrow on the center right points to one of three height and tilt adjustments on each leg of the rifle rest tripod mount. These are also capable of being locked in place. The arrow on the left points to one of two knobs that adjust squeeze on the padded forearm rest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_8532-600.jpg\")
Another view of the Caldwell Rock Deluxe Shooting Rest<\/a>. The upper arrow points to one of the two rest cushion squeeze knobs; the lower arrow points to the height adjustment lock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n About the only thing I don’t like about the Caldwell Rock Deluxe Shooting Rest<\/a> is that the cushion lining will peel off with continuous use.\u00a0 \u00a0It’s not a big deal and Caldwell sells replacement cushions.\u00a0 Or, you could just cover the worn area with duct tape, which is what I will probably do at some point.\u00a0 The amount of wear you see on mine (in the photos above) has remained relatively stable for a couple of years now, so maybe it won’t wear anymore.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_8555-600-1.jpg\")
The Mini 14 resting on the Caldwell Rock Deluxe Shooting Rest<\/a>. This photo also shows the Garmin chronograph, which I’ll review in a future blog.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n If you purchase the Caldwell Rock Deluxe Shooting Rest<\/a> on Amazon, be careful to make sure that you order what you see here.\u00a0 When writing this blog, I noticed that Amazon has an error in their ad for The Rock Junior, which is a smaller and less expensive model.\u00a0 In the Amazon ad, they show the Caldwell Rock Deluxe Shooting Rest<\/a>, but what they describe (and what they have for the price) is actually the lower tier Rock Junior.<\/p>\n
Caldwell Rear Shooting Bag<\/a><\/p>\n
I’ll write about two Caldwell rear rifle rests here.\u00a0 The first is the Caldwell Rear Shooting Bag<\/a>, which is the lower of the two rear rests I’ll describe here.\u00a0 I’ve mostly used this one until recently, when I bought the other model (and I’ll get to that in a second).<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/61AWrEnCpUL._AC_SX679_-600.jpg\")
The lower profile Caldwell Rear Shooting Bag<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The problem with this version of the Caldwell Rear Shooting Bag<\/a> is that it is too low.\u00a0 One option is to lower the Caldwell Rock Deluxe to bring the rifle back on target, but that means you have to get all scrunched up leaning down on the bench (something that adversely affects accuracy for my shooting).\u00a0 \u00a0The other approach is to put a block under the Caldwell Rear Shooting Bag<\/a> (I use an empty 100-round MTM .45 ACP ammo container).\u00a0 That gets the Caldwell Rear Shooting Bag<\/a> to just the right height for me and it makes for a more comfortable bench rest shooting position.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_8535-600.jpg\")
The Caldwell Rear Medium High Bag<\/a> and the Caldwell Rear Shooting Bag<\/a> side by side. The C is taller than the Caldwell Rear Shooting Bag<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The other rear rest I’ll describe is the Caldwell Rear Medium High Bag<\/a>.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/81dtlDTvVqL._AC_SX679_6-.jpg\")
The Caldwell Rear Medium High Bag <\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_8525-900-600.jpg\")
The Ruger GSR resting on the Caldwell Rear Medium High Bag<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_8554-600.jpg\")
Same shot, different rifle. This is the Mini 14.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The\u00a0Caldwell Rear Medium High Bag <\/a> gets the rifle up to a comfortable level for bench rest shooting.\u00a0 In fact, the height is about the same as the Caldwll with a block beneath it, as I described above.\u00a0 I ordered it because I saw some of my bench rest buddies using it at the West End Club and I thought it would be more stable than the Caldwell Rear Shooting Bag<\/a> with an empty ammo container underneath.\u00a0 But the jury is still out.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_8533-600.jpg\")
The Caldwell Rear Medium High Bag<\/a> and the Caldwell Rear Shooting Bag<\/a> with an empty ammo container beneath it. Both elevate the rear of the rifle to about the same height. I think the Caldwell Rear Shooting Bag<\/a> with the empty ammo box is more stable.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n So far, I found I can shoot tighter groups using the Caldwell Rear Shooting Bag<\/a> with an empty ammo box than I can using the Caldwell Rear Medium High Bag<\/a>.\u00a0 I think there’s two reasons for that.\u00a0 The first is that the Caldwell Rear Medium High Bag<\/a>, as delivered, is (in my opinion) overstuffed with filler beads.\u00a0 Its bottom is not flat, and I found my rifle wants to roll either left or right, requiring me to hold it where I want it (which induces a bit of unsteadiness.\u00a0 I suppose I could let some of the Caldwell Rear Medium High Bag<\/a> filler material out to get it sit flat on the bench, but I haven’t gotten around to doing that yet.\u00a0 The other thing I don’t like is that the Caldwell Rear Medium High Bag<\/a> has a larger footprint than the Caldwell.\u00a0 When I shoot off the bench, I wrap my left arm around the base of the rear rest.\u00a0 I find that it’s easier to to that with the Caldwell Rear Shooting Bag<\/a> and an empty ammo box than it is with the Caldwell Rear Medium High Bag<\/a>.\u00a0 That’s just me; your mileage may vary.<\/p>\n
Caldwell Brass Trap<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
If you own a Mini 14 (or any semi-automatic rifle) and you go to the range, you need a Caldwell Brass Trap<\/a>.\u00a0 Especially with a Mini 14; they throw brass far enough and hard enough to dent cars.\u00a0 Don’t ask me how I know.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_8547-600.jpg\")
The Caldwell Brass Trap<\/a> on duty with my Mini 14<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_8548-600.jpg\")
<\/p>\nYou’ll need to have some kind of a clamp to secure the Caldwell Brass Trap<\/a> to the shooting bench.\u00a0 I bought the one you see here on Amazon.\u00a0 \u00a0They were three to a pack.\u00a0 I’ve only ever used one.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_8542-600.jpg\")
A couple of mags’ worth of .223 in the Caldwell Brass Trap<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n There are two things I don’t like about the Caldwell Brass Trap<\/a>.\u00a0 Sometimes the brass being ejected bounces off the heat resistant netting and gets flung forward of the firing line.\u00a0 This happens maybe 5 percent of the time.\u00a0 It’s not a big deal; I just wait for the next line break to retrieve my spent brass.\u00a0 The other thing I didn’t like is those clamps make it easy to store the Caldwell Brass Trap out of sight and out of mind.\u00a0 I clamped my first Caldwell Brass Trap to one of the 2x8s that run across the ceiling of my ammo factory (i.e., my garage).\u00a0 One day when I was going to the range with my Mini 14, I looked all over for the Brass Trap and couldn’t find it.\u00a0 Now I have two.\u00a0 Wouldn’t you know it?\u00a0 The day the second Caldwell Brass Trap<\/a> arrived from Amazon, I looked up in my little ammo factory and saw the first one.<\/p>\n
So how did I do with the GSR and the Mini 14 the day before I wrote this blog?\u00a0 Just so so. Some days you get the bear and some days the bear gets you.\u00a0 \u00a0But I still had fun.\u00a0 \u00a0Every day on the range is a good day for me, and if you’re reading this, it probably is for you, too.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_85576-.jpg\")
100 yards with the GSR and its open sights. The load is one that was tailored for the M1A; it shoots a scosh low in the GSR. I could adjust for it, but the GSR shoots better with a different load, and my GSR sights are adjusted for it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_8556-600.jpg\")
A 100-yard Mini 14 group with 62-grain Hornady bullets and ARComp powder. I’ve done better and I’ve done worse. Even though it’s not a great group, it’s good enough for minute-of-bad-guy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\nDo you have a copy yet?<\/p>\n
- Caldwell Rear Shooting Bag<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Caldwell Rock Deluxe Shooting Rest<\/a>.<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cup-O-Joes-6x9-Front-400-x-72.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n