Scope positions-bench vs. prone supported

[flip180]

I just bought my first rifle. It is a .223 Remington VLS with a Harris bipod and a Leupold VXII 4x12-40mm scope. I bought this rifle solely as a range target rifle and not for hunting. I even have reloading for .223 in mind for the future. My question is that I'd rather shoot from the prone position as opposed to the bench. It brings me back to the rifle team days of high school and that was why I wanted a bipod on it. Now as far as the scope was concerned. When laying behind the rifle the scope seem too far back which causes me to have my head cocked back off of the stock to get a good sight picture. I didn't set the rifle up. My local gun store did the day I bought it after telling them exactly what rifle I wanted and what I wanted on it. Is there a differance in scope postion between the two shooting positions? Am I weired for wanting to lay on a shooting mat as opposed to shooting from a rest .

Thanks, Flip.

 

[Dave R]

No, you're not weird wanting to shoot from prone position. In fact, you could go to the range, with everyone else sitting at benches, and lie down beside your bench and shoot, and everyone would just assume you wanted to shoot prone. No biggie.

I don't 'think' there should be a difference in scope position. I shoot my rifles in either position without adjusting the scope. If you were not in the store when the scope was set up, and if they didn't have you try it before they tightened it down, then its really adjusted to you. You should either have them readjust it, or you can do it yourself. You'll have to re-zero after you re-adjust it, but that's all part fo the fun.

If they did adjust it to you, you may just have used a different cheek position in the store because you weren't really shooting. At any rate, readjust it (or have them do it) so the position is right when you're shooting prone. My hunch is it will then be right for other positions, too.

 

[flip180]

Thanks Dave.

The good thing is that I haven't taken it out to the range yet so, I'm not worried about my zero. It only has been bore sighted. After shooting M-16's and such in the military, I'm used to hugging down on the but stock rather that trying to raise my head off of it as though I'm trying not to smell the fart of somebody who's feet I'm olbligated to hold while doing sit-ups during a PT test. I can wait to get it out but the cold and having to redo my hallway has put that off for a little bit.

Flip.

 

[Jim Watson]

1. You are not weird. A friend took me to an F-Class match = prone supported, and I had a good time without having to relearn all the coat, glove, and sling stuff I haven't done since I was 15.
2. Yes, your position behind the gun is entirely different, bench vs prone and you should position the scope to minimize the strain of getting the right eye relief. For that matter, my friend finds he needs to move the scope between prone with sling and prone with bipod. Make your gun and gear work for you, don't fight them.

 

[flip180]

I had thought about going back to a glove/sling arrangment but I want my time at the range to be ejoyable and not tireing. I couldn't imagine wearing that heavy leather shooting coat in this Texas heat . I guess I could call this rifle my fishing pole since I don't fish. I'll see about getting the scope move forward before going out with it for the first time. I'll probably go out with a few of the wall-mart WWB stuff to build up some brass for reloading. I've already have my bullets and powder picked out but need to get some more equipment to switch over to .223. I'm going to kurk over in the reloading forum to see about the best way to reload rifle rounds. I have a Lee Pro-1000 progressive for reloading my .38 but don't think that that would be good for rilfe target shooting.

Thanks, Flip.

 

[ocabj]

Actually, there will probably be a slight difference in your cheek weld when shooting from bench than in prone (and vice versa). More often than not, you will find that you're cheek weld will be more forward of the stock when in prone than in bench. This is why when I mount my scopes, I usually adjust the scope for eye relief while in the prone position. This way, I get the scope positioned such that it's perfect for prone, and it is still usable for bench shooting.

 

[BillL223]

I generally agree with ocabj. I shoot action and tactical rifle and need to be able to shoot from a variety of positions with no opportunity to change the scope other then maybe dial in some elevation changes. I have found that to get the eye relief needed in prone, my scopes are mounted just about as far forward as the rings permit. I may have to "crawl" the stock a little shooting off-hand. If shooting a variable power scope, you'll find more eye relief range at lower power which solves some of these problems. Another thing I have found helpful is to raise the comb height so I can get a solid cheek weld. I use an Eagle Industries Stock Pak with extra foam under it on my Remington LTR.