This is the third iteration of the SmartRest Roll Bar Rest, a gun mount that you can bolt to pretty much anything. It holds your rifle during transport and pops up to become a steady support when you’re shooting.
The major change for this version is the switch from the familiar single-piece Gun Cradle to a two-part cradle, with the rear part fixed and unmoving. When you unhook the butt of your rifle, pull the locking pin and lift the rifle into its shooting position, only the fore-end is held by the cradle.
It’s a much more flexible and comfortable way to shoot because it increases the range of movement and your speed onto target by a considerable margin. With the rifle’s movement no longer fixed to a central pivot point, your arc of fire increases. With pivot points here and here, you can shift quickly and easily. Elevation adjustments are similarly more wide-ranging.
The trade-off is you don’t have quite the same level of support for accuracy that the other cradle gives you, but with both available, you’ve got the choice.
When you fold it all down and strap in the rifle, it’s more firmly held than with the older models — a definite improvement.
The folding motion of the rest is controlled by a gas strut that pushes open to bring the rifle into action and is strong enough to hold it up with ease, but you can compress it to fine-tune your shooting position. A gentle pull brings everything back down for storage and the pin locks it there. The pin is new: strong and very secure thanks to its own spring-loaded release.
I had to improvise a little to get it attached to this 50mm round bar, adding spacers to balance the large U-bolts with the thin bar, and I drilled and tapped a hole for a pin to anchor it. All simple enough, and not always necessary on fatter round bars or square ones.
I’ve had it out shooting a few times now and so it’s going well so far. It’s convenient, rugged and good to shoot with.
It’s available in gun shops and through the Eagleye Hunting Gear website, where you can find more details, specs and current prices.
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