Free hand placement on rifle when bench shooting

[Bayourambler]

I just wanted to get a few ideas of how people here use their free hand when shooting off of sandbags. I understand most folks use it to adjust the rear bag/rest under the rear stock. I shoot magnums often and like to rest my left hand on top of the front scope ring to manage the rifle from kicking up. It works pretty good for me. How many of you use something similar? We talk so much about the equipment here when many of our weakest links are OURSELVES. I speak for myself, knowing there is way more room for improvement in my shooting, and not my equipment.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I do the same thing.
Left hand is on the top of the scope. I hunt from a box stand, so I have a solid rest in real world conditions as well, so I do the same when really shooting at game.
It works for me.

 

[MtnCreek]

Adjusting a rear bag or cupping the stock at my shoulder unless I'm shooting a hunting weight mag, then it's on the fore end behind the front bag.

 

[kBob]

I generally place my off hand at the end of my off arm.......

sorry had to let that out.

Depends. Generally if I only have a support bag I try to put the back of my hand on the bag and the rifle in my hand......just as I likely would in the field if using a rest of chance. Occassionally I will use my fist under the toe of the butt to aid in vertical adjustment, or to adjust a rear bag to do the same or squeeze a "beer can" bag rest if one is available.

On occasion if I am shooting from a bipod, some long dormaint -60 gunner part of my brain forces me to rest my off hand on the top of the butt of the rifle.

-kBob

 

[MCMXI]

Many light rifles don't shoot well in free recoil and if you put your hand on top of the scope while shooting you can force the barrel to make contact with the barrel channel either intentionally or unintentionally. I hold a hunting type rifle on the bench as close as possible to the way I hold it when not on the bench (i.e. field use) so my freehand is on the forend. Muscle memory can be a good thing so I try to shoot rifles the same way all the time. I use one technique for all hunting rifles so it doesn't matter if it weighs 5lb or 10lb, the technique is the same and the results should be too. I shoot heavy tactical rifles using the free recoil technique which is about minimizing contact with the rifle as much as possible.

 

[cougar1717]

My .02
22LR or other low recoil rifle: rest/bipod at front, free hand adjusting pressure on rear sandbag
Centerfire big game hunting rifle: Best attempt to replicate a field hold from a bench. Rest placed closer to shooter to grip forend with free hand. Would totally agree with 1911 when shooting lightweight rifles. I shoot lightweights the best when I hold on to the stock very tightly because they don't have a lot of inertia - small movements mean big changes.

 

[LoonWulf]

With non bench specific rifles I hold the forend where i would if shooting off a brace, then put my hand on the front bag. I make small adjustments in poa with my left hand, just like i would in the field.
This usually puts my left elbow solidly against the bench, which will bang the crap out of it in recoil with heavier kicking guns. To help with that Ill roll up a pad, or use the pad from my gun case.

With bench guns, which i only actually have 1 of, I wrap my off arm under the stock and hold the rear bag.

 

[caribou]

Ive learned to at least look ''cool' so I stretch my free arm out as long as I can and grasp it just short of the muzzle if necessary.....

Works almost as good as holding my pistol sideways when Im in a gang fight

These go good with my beard and and conceal carry of my AR across my chest........

''SMACK!!'' ............Holy, moly, I was just havin' a nightmare....
LOL!!

 

[entropy]

Under the stock.

 

[chicharrones]

On a bench with a rest up front, I use my free hand under the toe of the stock.

If doing quick follow up shots with a bolt action from a bench, I have my free hand gripping the forend.