It’s said that the most ingenious products are often the simple ones that you look at and say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Such is the case with the Birchwood Casey Nest Rest.
The Nest Rest is a pair of hollow molded blocks made of rigid rubber. They have very grippy, non-marring surfaces, similar in feel to an inner tube. As the name indicates, they nest together into a very compact package that’s about 6” x 5” x 6” and weighs a smidge over 20 oz.
You can stack the smaller block atop the larger one to create a taller front rest (e.g., for shooting an AR or AK with a 30-round mag or for handgun testing). Each block is topped with a buckhorn-shaped divot that will accommodate just about any shape of handguard or stock.
In simplest use, the Nest Rest provides a stable, hands-free way to hold your long gun at the shooting bench (e.g., during cease-fires or to adjust your scope) or at the workbench (for cleaning or minor work).
For basic bench shooting – say, sighting in a scope or teaching a new shooter – they provide a nicely stable rest with a modicum of elevation adjustment available by moving one or both rests in or out.
Is it as solid as a dedicated gun vise? As recoil-absorbing as a Lead Sled? As easily adjustable and precise as a rear squeeze bag or monopod? Able to be “loaded” like a bipod for quicker followup shots? As cheap as homemade sand bags?
Nope. But for a lightweight, portable, compact, practically indestructible, functional unit with a street price under $25, the Nest Rest is well worth having on hand.
Specifications: Birchwood Casey Nest Rest
Large Rest: 6.6″Hx6″Wx5″D
Small Rest: 4.7″Hx5.5″Wx4.5″D
Pieces nest and lock together to save space.
Soft, non-marring surface.
Small Rest stacks on large rest for additional height adjustment.
Made in USA
MSRP: $30 ($24.54 shipped on Amazon)
Ratings (out of five stars):
Overall rating: * * * *
A simple but clever design that works.