I'm new to this so I've been doing a lot of reading about centerfire rifle shooting, etc. And I keep running across "Bench" shooting. While I'm not sure what this is, I've imagined someone sitting on a picnic table with the rifle rested on top or something? Anyway, my first rifle was a .22 and I had a bipod on it. Is this not a popular way to shoot centerfire rifles? Because I'd actually like to get a bipod for my M1A but have not seen them for sale at any of the websites I checked. Do any of you use bipods?
Bipods & Bench
- Thread starter A.Rex
- Start date
Well A.Rex, you're right behind me, so to speak. Here is an earlier post of mine about scope mounts and bipods:
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=62521
I just bought a Harris bipod and installed it on my M1A using the Harris #5 mount (the one that was made for the AR15). Unfortunately, I didn't mount it as straight as I would have liked, but I'm planning on replacing that stock anyway, and I learned something in the process. The good thing about the #5 mount is that I can take it out and put it in my AR15 when I feel like it.
If you thumb through your M14 manual, you will see a USGI M2 bipod. The M14 was supposed to fulfill the role of a SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon, a roll that had been filled earlier by the BAR-Browning Automatic Rifle) as well as replace the M1 Garand as an infantry rifle. The bipod was supposed to allow the M14 greater stability in fully automatic fire. Therefore, it was build like a frickin’ brick and is quite heavy and sturdy. The M2 bipod attaches to the Gas Cylinder and barrel and therefore negatively affects accuracy for aimed semiautomatic fire. The best place to mount a bipod is on the stock.
The role of the SAW is now being fulfilled by the Fabrique National M249 – http://www.fnmfg.com/products/m249/M249.htm
At many high quality rifle shooting ranges, such as the one I am a member of, there are nice shooting benches set up. Below is a picture showing a couple of benches at the range I go to. (The picture was taken from their web page http://www.tcgc.org)
A shooting bench is usually not a picnic table, but rather an extremely steady (concrete in my case) platform with special cutouts near the rear to allow you to snuggle up with your rifle. (I love to snuggle up with my M1A, but don't tell my AR15, they get jealous of each other
I really need to get out more. )
Benchrest shooting is typically for people who want to get a rifle as accurate as possible or compete with others with such rifles. The shooting bench allows the shooter to use a shooting position that will allow the shooter's body to minimally affect the aim of the rifle. This shooting is not very practical, except maybe for varmint hunters. Bolt-action rifles are usually used because they give the greatest accuracy. Also, quick follow up shots and timed fire are not usually required when pursing pure accuracy, so there is no real reason to use a semi-auto if accuracy is your only goal.
Shooting Benches are also very useful when sighting in a rifle (or sometimes a handgun for that matter). Sandbags should be employed to provide the greatest amount of stability and therefore accuracy. Many people use a special rifle rest instead and my range provides cheapo wooden U shaped cradles that work in a pinch. A bipod usually works pretty well, especially if you plan to go out into the field, but nothing is as good as the sandbags.
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=62521
I just bought a Harris bipod and installed it on my M1A using the Harris #5 mount (the one that was made for the AR15). Unfortunately, I didn't mount it as straight as I would have liked, but I'm planning on replacing that stock anyway, and I learned something in the process. The good thing about the #5 mount is that I can take it out and put it in my AR15 when I feel like it.
If you thumb through your M14 manual, you will see a USGI M2 bipod. The M14 was supposed to fulfill the role of a SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon, a roll that had been filled earlier by the BAR-Browning Automatic Rifle) as well as replace the M1 Garand as an infantry rifle. The bipod was supposed to allow the M14 greater stability in fully automatic fire. Therefore, it was build like a frickin’ brick and is quite heavy and sturdy. The M2 bipod attaches to the Gas Cylinder and barrel and therefore negatively affects accuracy for aimed semiautomatic fire. The best place to mount a bipod is on the stock.
The role of the SAW is now being fulfilled by the Fabrique National M249 – http://www.fnmfg.com/products/m249/M249.htm
At many high quality rifle shooting ranges, such as the one I am a member of, there are nice shooting benches set up. Below is a picture showing a couple of benches at the range I go to. (The picture was taken from their web page http://www.tcgc.org)
A shooting bench is usually not a picnic table, but rather an extremely steady (concrete in my case) platform with special cutouts near the rear to allow you to snuggle up with your rifle. (I love to snuggle up with my M1A, but don't tell my AR15, they get jealous of each other
I really need to get out more. )Benchrest shooting is typically for people who want to get a rifle as accurate as possible or compete with others with such rifles. The shooting bench allows the shooter to use a shooting position that will allow the shooter's body to minimally affect the aim of the rifle. This shooting is not very practical, except maybe for varmint hunters. Bolt-action rifles are usually used because they give the greatest accuracy. Also, quick follow up shots and timed fire are not usually required when pursing pure accuracy, so there is no real reason to use a semi-auto if accuracy is your only goal.
Shooting Benches are also very useful when sighting in a rifle (or sometimes a handgun for that matter). Sandbags should be employed to provide the greatest amount of stability and therefore accuracy. Many people use a special rifle rest instead and my range provides cheapo wooden U shaped cradles that work in a pinch. A bipod usually works pretty well, especially if you plan to go out into the field, but nothing is as good as the sandbags.
I should add that the M14 was a very poor fully automatic rifle, as it doesn’t weigh enough to be stable in fully automatic fire. If it were made to weigh more, it wouldn’t be of any use to a rifleman.
One of my goals in life is to shoot a fully automatic M14 rifle.... I have a feeling after the first two or three rounds, the muzzle climb would make it into an antiaircraft gun. In fact, the military disabled the full-auto selector on many of the M14s.
One of my goals in life is to shoot a fully automatic M14 rifle.... I have a feeling after the first two or three rounds, the muzzle climb would make it into an antiaircraft gun. In fact, the military disabled the full-auto selector on many of the M14s.