Stonecreek The Model 4 rest does have a recoil spring that the upper slide pushes against when the rifle is fired. A 460 will compress the spring 7/8 of an inch and then return the slide to its original position. No one has reported to me that there stock has split because the rest failed to operate properly. Like you implied, you get what you pay for. Jim Owens, National Match Rifle Supports

Although it is unclear from the pictures, I assumed that there must be a recoil spring housed in the frame, otherwise, if the rest were anchored to a concrete bench, then there would surely be stock damage.

Your rest is clearly a work of art, and I'm sure your price for it is fair, considering its complexity. I don't doubt that it's at least as expensive to build as a Leupold 3.5-10 VARI-XIII, which sells for about the same price.

What sort of accuracy have people been getting from this rest when used with a big bore?

I considered buying one of the Lahti rests, but heard from a person who owned one that he was not getting good groups when the rest was used.

Any input will be appreciated, as I am interested in owning a rest suitable for developing groups for big bores.

500 grains The Model 4 rest adsorbs the recoil and allows you to concentrate on accuracy. The rest is up to you, your rifle, and your load. I know I'm going to take some heat for this remark from the ladies. Rifle barrels are like women. They like certain things and you have to live with that. Just because you like boat tails, doesn't mean your rifle will shoot them well. I have a 300 Win that the best I can get out of it with boat tails is a 1 1/2" group at 100 yds. With spitzers it drops to 5/8" You should be able to get 1 to 1 1/2" groups with the proper load from your rifle Jim

quote:

---

Originally posted by 500grains:
What sort of accuracy have people been getting from this rest when used with a big bore?

I considered buying one of the Lahti rests, but heard from a person who owned one that he was not getting good groups when the rest was used.

Any input will be appreciated, as I am interested in owning a rest suitable for developing groups for big bores.

---

I got my model 4 today and it sure is a piece of precision equipment and beatifully made....I'll be reporting on it soon as I'll shoot some of the big stuff off it...

------------------
Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

Shoot Ray, shoot! "D"

Ray,
Jim sent me out my rest the same day he sent yours. Like you said it is a beautifully made piece of equipment and amazingly it performs just as promised.

Even though the instructions tell you otherwise, I would not suggest using the rest without the front clamp arrangement, as recoil with the big bores is still pretty violent and the whole thing could come back at you. With the front of the rest clamped down to the bench and with the spring recoil buffer that's built into the unit, shooting my 416 Rigby was more liken to shooting a .223.

Pay heed to the instructions when they say to put your shoulder up "lightly" against the rest, as I made the mistake of pulling the gun in tight for just one shot and got one hell of a bruise as a result. Make sure the bench you use has some substance to it as well. The one I used weighed over 200 lbs and each shot moved the bench rearwards slightly causing it to climb up the leveling wedge under one of the legs. At first I just couldn't figure out why I had to adjust the elevation for each shot,,Duhhh...

Also, because it is a 30 minute drive to the range I shoot at, which is pretty much out in the middle of nowhere. I picked up a 2 foot length of 1/2" threaded rod to take with me along with my hacksaw just in case that short piece that comes with the front clamp wasn't long enough and I'm sure glad I did. I ended up retrofitting the rest with 18" of that 2 ft rod to fit the bench I was using.

If I were to offer any suggestion for improvement to the designer, I would like to see 1/2 inch threaded rod, leveling legs instead of the 5/16 to 3/8 that are on it now. When I first set the rest up at the range, I had the front feet set quite high in order to level the unit and the rods bent slightly during the first few shots. I think 1/2" rods would prevent that from happening and also make the whole unit more solid.

So far, I'm very impressed! Sure makes load development with the big boomers easier.

Tony

------------------
www.miltsparks.com
holster@ix.netcom.com

Jim,

A follow up question.

If I get 1/2 inch groups from sandbags, with the same gun and loads should I still get 1/2 inch groups from the Model 4?

500 grains You should get the same groups or better. Most shooters get a improvement on the first try. It all depends on how good a shot you are. I know some shooters that couldn't hit the side of a barn, shooting from the inside of it. jim

quote:

---

Originally posted by 500grains:
Jim,

A follow up question.

If I get 1/2 inch groups from sandbags, with the same gun and loads should I still get 1/2 inch groups from the Model 4?

---

Jim,

Where can we have a look at Model 4 Rest ?

Bobby,
Go to: http://www.nationalmatchriflerests.com/

Below is a picture of my #4 with my Anschutz.

------------------
www.miltsparks.com
holster@ix.netcom.com

Thank you

I thinks I wants to buy one.

Ray

How did you like it?