Bipod Mount Location

[Lee Q. Loader]

I've always shot off a Lead sled when shooting groups and testing loads. I'm planning on getting a Magpul Bipod for my Grendel AR.
I've watched a couple of videos on mounting an M-Lok bipod.
First Question: Why did one guy mount his bipod about midway down the hand guard? Seems to me the most stable position would be close to the muzzle.
Second Question: What would you predict will happen to my groups and point of impact as I shoot from a bipod for the first time?

 

[nettlle]

A lot of bipods mount on the front sling stud. That's what I am accustomed to and has always worked well. When I bought my M1A I found it shot a lot better with the rest right in front of the magazine rather far out than on the forend. You might want to consider shooting your gun off a rest to determine the best mounting position for a bipod.

 

[Varminterror]

First Question: Why did one guy mount his bipod about midway down the hand guard? Seems to me the most stable position would be close to the muzzle.

Considering the source was a youtube video, then the most likely answer is that he doesn't actually know what he's doing. MAYBE he had some silly idea of being able to use the bipod as a handstop or vertical grip, or MAYBE he had some idea that he could reach the bipod to stow and deploy more easily, but when it comes to precise, supported shooting, the longer the footprint, the more stable the rifle (straighter recoil tracking when we get the balance point of the rifle farther behind the wide forward support).

Second Question: What would you predict will happen to my groups and point of impact as I shoot from a bipod for the first time?

If you're used to shooting from a more rigid support, other than being able to more properly address the rifle, then you might not see any difference in group size, or maybe even slightly worse until you get sufficient practice with a bipod and rear bag.

If point of impact moves with your change from Lead Sled to bipod, then you have something broken in your system.

 

[Walkalong]

On a good rifle you likely won't see any difference in accuracy or point of impact. Having the bipod farther out front theoretically gives better stability because the points of support are farther apart, assuming all points of attachment are equally sturdy. That said, it will be hard to shoot the difference between way out front or several inches or more back. On some barricades it's possible to get two points of contact (always better), with a bipod much farther back than usual (The reason for full length Arca rails), and it's very steady. Naturally, farther apart should be steadier, thus better.

 

[jmorris]

Why did one guy mount his bipod about midway down the hand guard?

The only reason I can think of is to have a greater range of vertical movement. It would amplify movement on the butt end though.

The further from the butt the support is the more butt movement is attenuated.

 

[Hookeye]

Seen on Texas Plinking guys extending their bipods a fair bit fwd.
I have run Harris leg notch for prone and bench since '76.
LOL

 

[LiveLife]

watched a couple of videos on mounting an M-Lok bipod.

Why did one guy mount his bipod about midway down the hand guard? Seems to me the most stable position would be close to the muzzle.

Perhaps because his bipod folded forward and didn't want bipod "dangling" forward of muzzle?

I prefer to mount bipods furthest forward towards muzzle end as it allows greater stability of muzzle and control.

 

[Hillbilly Hydrographics]

I have 6" to 9" adjustable type bipods on several of my rifles. I have played around with mounting them closer or further out. What works best for me is closer to muzzle for better stability and more precise plinking. I mount them where when folded up the legs are about flush with end of muzzle. Of course this is just the sweet spot that works best for me. I say move it around and find what works best for you.
Edit to add on my regular stocked type rifles that don't have extended rails like my AR bipods are mounted with the forward sling stud. I use the sling studs with lock nuts on inside. And I recess it into the stock as to not have any issues with barrel laying on post. Specially on poly stocks I've had regular sling studs pull out with bipod mounted to them

 

[Varminterror]

Other than some blast carbon which needs wiped away occasionally, there’s really no downside to having a bipod mounted forward of the muzzle. We have much bigger issues to manage if a bullet jumps over an inch off course, right out of the muzzle, to strike a bipod foot.

It’s a little self defeating to shoot a 10.5” SBR with a 10” handguard and then have 4” of bipod sticking out front like a bayonet, might as well be shooting a 14” barrel, but I’m also quite certain it’s MORE self defeating to have a bipod cramped to the rear of a short handguard on an SBR and eating up hand space.

 

[CapnMac]

In the abstract, the most stable is the longest span between point-of-grasp and point-of-support.

Now, that's without considering issues like just "what" is doing the support. Using the barrel is going to impose some imputs into the barrel. How much will start all manner of arguments both in person and online (especially online).

This is also the least flexible location for coping with multiple targets. This is why the Swiss had two mounting points for the bipod on the STG. It's also an argument for using a mid-point mounting on a floating tube AR.

 

[Bwana John]

double tap

 

[LoonWulf]

On some barricades it's possible to get two points of contact (always better), with a bipod much farther back than usual (The reason for full length Arca rails)

That's kind of the reason the bipod on my target rifle is mounted back about 8 in on the forend (I have 8-32 holes drilled and tapped the entire length so I can put it out right on the tip if I want to also).
We spend a lot of time shooting off plastic tables and with the bipod mounted back like that I can get them on a table crosswise as opposed to having to turn it.

 

[Bwana John]

HK does both

View attachment IMG_0183.webp

 

[Bwana John]

 

[jmorris]

This is also the least flexible location for coping with multiple targets. This is why the Swiss had two mounting points for the bipod on the STG.

The 1919, lets you pick all up and down the shroud.