rifle help?

[Axis II]

im a varmint hunter and target shooter and I seen something somewhere saying don't use a front bipod when shooting a rifle at paper to use sand bags they are more accurate and stable.

my thoughts have always been use what you hunt with. when I'm shooting woodchucks in the pastures its 40-200+ yards either on a wooden elevated tower with a rear bag and small bipod on the front or off a bench at paper with read bag and small bipod.

Right now at 100yards I can hit a quarter or close to it with my set up with factory ammo. savage axis 223rem HB accu trigger, vortex 4-12 scope. I would like to squeeze every last bit of accuracy out of that rifle as I can and looking for suggestions?

I have the $35-40 Caldwell bags but the front seems like it doesn't steady the rifle like the bipod does.

 

[Bart B.]

Bipods used on rifles shooting F-class matches are popular. They'll shoot groups at all ranges about 1/2 to 2/3 MOA regularly. I've used a bag under the fore end and stock toe getting equal accuracy; 1/2 MOA at long range with different cartridges. That said, if one doesn't support the rifle correctly and repeatably, no position or rest will enable good accuracy.

It's very important that the rifle barrel be totally free floated and have no contact with the stock fore end (no pad under the barrel chamber area, either) as you shoulder the rifle in prone or on a bench top with the bipod attached. Any barrel contact with the stock will not be the same from shot to shot and vertical and some horizontal shot stringing will be guaranteed.

At least 1/16 inch clearance between barrel and stock is needed, more if the fore end is on the flimsy side.

 

[jmr40]

For the type of shooting you are doing I think a bipod that attaches to the rifle is near ideal. Everything is a compromise, sand bags might be a little better, but they certainly limit mobility.

For the type of hunting I do I prefer shooting sticks. I have 2 sets. One is much smaller and lighter than the one pictured, but can only be used seated or prone. These can be extended up and used standing or even lower. They are also heavier and more stable. Either can be stuck in a daypack.

While not quite as accurate as a bipod or bags I've been able to keep 1.5-2 MOA on targets out to 600 yards using them.

 

[Grumulkin]

im a varmint hunter and target shooter and I seen something somewhere saying don't use a front bipod when shooting a rifle at paper to use sand bags they are more accurate and stable.

I'd say that is pretty much baloney. I think a front bipod with a bag under the buttstock is about as steady as you can get.

 

[FL-NC]

As a former sniper, I will say that a properly positioned sandbag CAN be more stable, but if it isn't comfortable to the shooter, its worthless. I will also say that as a former sniper we trained like we fight, which means use a bipod, since we don't carry sandbags in the field.

 

[scratcherky]

Use the same whether shooting paper or hunting!

 

[Llama Bob]

I find sandbags to be more stable for wringing out equipment and if I've got doubts about a rifle or scope I'll bust them out. That said I agree you won't have one in the field so practicing with one is fairly pointless although rucksack prone is a somewhat similar position. Fundamentally they're for checking rifles.

 

[Reloadron]

my thoughts have always been use what you hunt with. when I'm shooting woodchucks in the pastures its 40-200+ yards either on a wooden elevated tower with a rear bag and small bipod on the front or off a bench at paper with read bag and small bipod.

When shooting off the bench I use a Wichita Rifle Rest with a Protektor Small Owl Ear Bag on the forend and Protektor Bunnt Ear Rear Bag. I actually removed the forend bi pod on one of my rifles to shoot the way I do. I do not hunt anymore and if I did hunt I would use whatever I was taking into the field. To my way of thinking you practice with what you will use in the field.

Ron

 

[Axis II]

I really don't see a bipod making the gun any less accurate. that's whats mind boggling.

I wish I remember where I seen that at.

 

[CB900F]

Ohihunter;

For your target animal at the ranges you're shooting, there's no real advantage to bags. If you want to wring all the accuracy out of the gun you can, well, are you a reloader? If not, that's the direction I'd take if it were me.

900F

 

[Axis II]

I'm talking on the bench. I would like to see what the gun can really do on the bench. im in the process of reloading so we shall see.