Author Topic: BOWER PISTOL PLANS  (Read 1054 times)

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Offline WayneS

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BOWER PISTOL PLANS
« on: July 13, 2009, 10:34:49 AM »
Does anyone know where I can find plans to make a Bower Pistol rest, I can kinds eyeball it from pictures, but plans would make life REALLY EASY

Offline skarke

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Re: BOWER PISTOL PLANS
« Reply #1 on: July 13, 2009, 10:37:30 AM »
Hey man, they are pretty cheap straight from the manufacturer.  He uses quality wood, quality components, and they work great.  You might save 50 bucks for 10 hours work and not do any better.

http://bowersp.com/rests.aspx
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children what it was once like in the United States when men were free.  Ronaldus Maximus

Offline WayneS

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Re: BOWER PISTOL PLANS
« Reply #2 on: July 13, 2009, 11:45:14 AM »
Thanks, I've got an E mail into him for the cost of a complete set up , do you know what a comlete set up costs, ??

Offline skarke

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Re: BOWER PISTOL PLANS
« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2009, 12:17:25 PM »
I think that I gave about 135 to 150 for the whole sheebang, but, hardware alone is about 30 bucks, and mine was on a nice piece of walnut, probably another 25 bucks.  There are some pretty easy cuts, but you're looking at several hours to get it right. On the grooves for the elevation, they are pretty tricky, because you want no slop at all, but the part needs to be removable.

Bottom line, I'm sure that you could do it, but it sure was nice to get mine in all stained, varnished, and ready to go ;).
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children what it was once like in the United States when men were free.  Ronaldus Maximus

Offline skarke

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Re: BOWER PISTOL PLANS
« Reply #4 on: July 13, 2009, 12:44:31 PM »
PS, the front rest is sand paper.  It'll of course, mark your forend.  My solution is a dedicated forend, flat, 3 inches, and oil stained.  That way, when you want to sell it, you just knock the bottom smooth with some 240, then 320, a little tru oil, and you are good to go.

With lapua brass, berger target bullets, 332, match primers, etc. and a totally stock .223 TC barrel, I get REAL 6s to an occasional 4.

The most important part of an accuracy rig, beyond a good rest, it a SUPER trigger.  Mine breaks crisp at 10 oz like a thin glass rod.  Don't hump the grip, easy does it on the handwork aligning the shot, and with practice and a top notch barrel, 3s and 4s are routine for a competitor, and a journeyman like me can produce 1/2 inch groups most of the time.

One last thing, if you are shooting easy recoiling cartridges, consider a longer eye relief high power rifle scope at >4 inches.  If you really want to go all out, compensate a .223 or some similar round with a high power rifle scope (side compensation only! so you don't ruin your scope!!!)  Virtually no recoil, and WOW can you shoot tiny groups like that.

FWIW, hope this helps.
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children what it was once like in the United States when men were free.  Ronaldus Maximus

Offline WayneS

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Re: BOWER PISTOL PLANS
« Reply #5 on: July 13, 2009, 03:12:40 PM »
Skarke,
Thanks for all the info, I found a T/C bbl maker  that is also selling the rests , he has a few 30 Cal wild cats named after him. I'm not sure it the forearm cones with his set up or not
My interest in the rest is for 200 Meter plinking, I've got a 7-R and a 30-30 with JP breaks, a 7-30 with an unknown break and a 14" .223 Hunter
Thanks again
 PS ;that fish in your Pic. looks like a  South La. red fish ??

Offline skarke

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Re: BOWER PISTOL PLANS
« Reply #6 on: July 14, 2009, 02:02:41 PM »
Yea, there is a few folks selling the rests now.  Mr. Bower had become ill, and a friend is now selling them.

The red fish was caught on a day that we cleaned up using cut mullet off of the North Galveston Jetty.  Unfortunately, they were all oversized.  This was, interestingly, one of the smaller ones.  We caught a 54, two 52s, one 47, and a bunch of 30 to 40s until the bait ran out.

You'll love your rest.  Grip consistency is critical, as is trigger consistency.  A few folks make aftermarket springs for the Encore/G2 (really helps a bunch), and a good old bic pen spring, cut to length, does great on a flat side contender.
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children what it was once like in the United States when men were free.  Ronaldus Maximus

Offline David D.

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Re: BOWER PISTOL PLANS
« Reply #7 on: July 16, 2009, 02:57:09 AM »
I like the idea of doing it myself. If you have the proper tools and are a do-it-yourself type I'd go for it. Even if you dont have quality walnut to work with there are still options to go with. Your local Lowes or Home Depot should have everthing you need. To keep cost down go with a good grade pine stained whatever shade you like or pay a little more for poplar or even oak. Apply a quailty finish and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Dave D.

Offline skarke

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Re: BOWER PISTOL PLANS
« Reply #8 on: July 16, 2009, 05:14:56 PM »
Just got an Email from Marc Sheehan, who now makes and sells these things.  They are 120 plus 20 shipping.  They're a bargain at that price for sure.  I love mine, TINY holes.
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children what it was once like in the United States when men were free.  Ronaldus Maximus

Offline contendernut

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Re: BOWER PISTOL PLANS
« Reply #9 on: July 16, 2009, 05:45:09 PM »
I hate to change the subject, but does anyone have any info on Don?  I use to talk to him every couple of months but I haven't in 4 or 5 years.  Last I heard about 2 years ago, his health had really failed.  A lot of credit is really due him that he never recieved.
-----------
Gary

Offline skarke

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Re: BOWER PISTOL PLANS
« Reply #10 on: July 17, 2009, 04:17:19 AM »
Great question.  I'll email Marc and find out, then let you guys know.

Dan
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children what it was once like in the United States when men were free.  Ronaldus Maximus

Offline skarke

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Re: BOWER PISTOL PLANS
« Reply #11 on: July 17, 2009, 03:40:00 PM »
This is Marc's reply

"I have had a little bit of email traffic from Pete, a gentleman that lives in Aroura, and he said that Don was in the hospital at the moment. Said that he had pneumonia. They think he will be home in a day or two.  He is a tough old goat, so I'm sure he will come out of it."

Ditto, I'll be thinking about him, and praying too :(
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children what it was once like in the United States when men were free.  Ronaldus Maximus