I'm curious of accuracy between what I use at bench which is Uncle Buds Bull Bag and shooting from bi pod with rear bag. Depending on burr at range I am either having bull bag on bench or putting 2x2's under it. Never seems level. I have taken a deer at 515 yards with 257 weatherby off a bi pod but have always been advised not to use one off the bench. Lead sled is in dumpster. Can't feel the rifle. Have front and rear bags also but rear bag always too short or in my face. Have been thinking about front rear rest with adjustments but am curious about the bi pod. I only use it at the range with AR just to keep magazine off the bench. Not shooting it for precision though. Just silloutes. What's your take?
Got a question about bench shooting
- Thread starter Wendyj
- Start date
4runnerman
New member
I can tell you just my expirence. I shot one year FTR Class. That was all I needed to admit to myself that those that can shoot that accurate from a bi pod are some very talented people. I do not have the knack for it at all. To tell the truth-I suc-ed at it. I use a sinclair front rest and a rear bag now for F Class. When I am just messing around at the range with my other rifles I use a bull bag.
I can tell you, when you use a bull bag, You do need to find where in the bag your rifle likes to rest. It is similar to front and rear rests. Try some with the rifle pushed way forward in the bag and keep moving rifle back till you find where it wants to be. I do also agree with you on the lead sled. They have their place it is just not on my table at all.
I can tell you, when you use a bull bag, You do need to find where in the bag your rifle likes to rest. It is similar to front and rear rests. Try some with the rifle pushed way forward in the bag and keep moving rifle back till you find where it wants to be. I do also agree with you on the lead sled. They have their place it is just not on my table at all.
Last edited:
I agree on the bull bag. Accuracy if you can get it set right is wonderful. I had some problems with Rem sps with the bag closing too tight on for end and squeezing one side or the other on the free floated barrel. Filled a little sand in an old sock and lighted gun a tad and was ok. Led sled might be for some fools but not me. I'm not recoil shy but thought the adjustments would be nice. Can't get a good feel for the gun with extra piece of steel between the stock. Seen guy at range swear by his and his new Sako. 338 broke his new stock strapped down. Our benches are set up pretty level for 75 yards but you have to get higher on a burr to get out to max I've ranged at 98. Otherwise bull bag would be all I would ever use. I do use bi pod hunting power right of ways. In the hills and mountains I take 2 3/4 inch dowels and sharpen the end with knife. Take wet leather shoe string and wrap about four inches from top. Spread and stick in the ground. Fairly versatile and rock steady. Helps as a walking assist also. I have some fold up shooting sticks but they are really flimsy in design.
WVMountaineer
New member
I have experienced good accuracy off a bipod while n the field. Nothing that would win on a bench but, it killed what I shot. As far as on the bench, I have used them and while it is killing shots, just like the field shooting, it wasn't going to be the best example of precision.
I don't know of the bags you speak of but, I use just plain ole sandbags. And, I have 10 sets made from the pants legs of old jeans. Any gun, can be seated to be precise with either the bags or the home made bags. Sand bag shooting is great off a bench and I'd highly recommend giving it a try. God Bless
I don't know of the bags you speak of but, I use just plain ole sandbags. And, I have 10 sets made from the pants legs of old jeans. Any gun, can be seated to be precise with either the bags or the home made bags. Sand bag shooting is great off a bench and I'd highly recommend giving it a try. God Bless
"Lead sled is in dumpster. Can't feel the rifle."
That is EXACTLY what it's designed to do.
If you have found a bipod comfortable and bags not so, most likely your bench or seat is not the right height.
A bipod can be fairly accurate but it will never be as consistently accurate as sand bags on a solid bench. Here's why:
Inconsistent contact with the bench.
No firm support for the butt.
Lack of control of cant.
Variability of rifle movement during recoil.
Do I need to go further?
That is EXACTLY what it's designed to do.
If you have found a bipod comfortable and bags not so, most likely your bench or seat is not the right height.
A bipod can be fairly accurate but it will never be as consistently accurate as sand bags on a solid bench. Here's why:
Inconsistent contact with the bench.
No firm support for the butt.
Lack of control of cant.
Variability of rifle movement during recoil.
Do I need to go further?
Generally, a vertically-adjustable front rest with sandbag and rear sandbag are considered very accurate ways to shoot off a bench. The picture shows my left-handed friend using a good front rest and my vacant bench shows a good rear bag and a competition front top (please disregard my windage-top on the front rest).
I normally take a light, Hoppe's front rest, only adjustable for vertical height when sighting in hunting rifles. (Sorry, but I don't have a picture of that rest, which is modified for easier adjustment.)
For those duties, I prefer a front sandbag that is relatively soft, to minimize the difference between game and bench shots. I sometimes put my left hand between the bag and forend to further check the hunting zero. (There usually isn't much difference.)
I normally take a light, Hoppe's front rest, only adjustable for vertical height when sighting in hunting rifles. (Sorry, but I don't have a picture of that rest, which is modified for easier adjustment.)
For those duties, I prefer a front sandbag that is relatively soft, to minimize the difference between game and bench shots. I sometimes put my left hand between the bag and forend to further check the hunting zero. (There usually isn't much difference.)
Attachments
Last edited:
Mobuck. Sand bags are what I use. Recoil no issue so led sled is junk. Who wants longer pull or gun strapped in vise. Going with Calwells adjustable front rest with extra wide bag and already have 4 rear bags. By dumpster I mean it's in building and will never use again. Son likes it but he has his own vices I guess. I hate it. Old Varmiteer rest works pretty decent with 22 calibers. Too much jump with anything above. I assume you are correct on the bi pod. Just a question. As I stated I've only used it on AR as it's just fun plinking. No precision involved. Holo sight doesn't see quarter size targets at 100 yards. If I thought the AR had the accuracy I'd reload for it and get front sight off replace gas block and use it on some coyotes. Instead I practice out to 200 with silloutes and smaller targets close in with sights or laser. It is being used for what it was designed for. Maybe one of these days I'll see if 110 gr will stabilize in Tikka for varmints. Haven't read anything about 11 twist shooting bullets that small. Seems to handle 165-168 gr best.
4runnerman
New member
Erno86-That is correct and It is also the proper way to use one. It is called (Loading the bipod).
" Recoil no issue so led sled is junk. Who wants longer pull or gun strapped in vise."
Lead Sleds are for those who don't want to be beaten up by recoil. If that's not a problem for you, just don't use it. It's not fair to call the contraption "junk" simply because you don't like it. Using a "rifle clamp" device takes a lot of human error out of ammo testing and gives the shooter a baseline for his rifle's accuracy. I don't use them but I don't denigrate them either.
Lead Sleds are for those who don't want to be beaten up by recoil. If that's not a problem for you, just don't use it. It's not fair to call the contraption "junk" simply because you don't like it. Using a "rifle clamp" device takes a lot of human error out of ammo testing and gives the shooter a baseline for his rifle's accuracy. I don't use them but I don't denigrate them either.
As others have already stated, a bipod must be loaded correctly for best form. It's the only way I shoot, unless using a surplus rifle not equipped with a bipod.
Far as variations shooting from different postions, and using different "devices" (for lack of a better term at the moment)- this is exactly the point Frank Galli makes in this video, simply calling it the "Human Factor".
http://snipershide.scout.com/story/1542558-the-disconnect-between-you-and-your-dope?s=541
Far as variations shooting from different postions, and using different "devices" (for lack of a better term at the moment)- this is exactly the point Frank Galli makes in this video, simply calling it the "Human Factor".
http://snipershide.scout.com/story/1542558-the-disconnect-between-you-and-your-dope?s=541
Thanks Picher. I was looking at them on Midway last night. Seems to be a good rest. Been to range today and fought with bull bag all day. 2 x 2 under front and back. Higher on burr of hill both 2x2's under the front. Very unstable. Seems Caldwell is the way to go. Thank you all for your replies. 