You know what, I'm 5'6" officially but seem to be shrinking every year with vertebrae compacting. That said, I do agree that the first RSM's were not balanced right but the new ones are very nice. On all my new RSM's, I've had gorgeous wood on each one and all had triggers that broke at 3 1/4# except one and that one broke at 4#. I find the benchrest method that helps out the most is to steal(appropriate) all the sandbags in sight when you get to the range. Set up as many as needed to get your body in the upright position when shooting 416's and bigger. I don't have problems shooting from the bench as long as the rifle is heavy enough and I get to shoot with my body upright.