Shooting Lightweight Rifles

[41rem]

Any tips for shooting a 5.5 lb rifle in 270 WCF off the bench or in the field?

Mine is a custom gun but similar to a NULA in most respects, very light and petite, built like a old school Kimber rimfire or 22 Hornet

Recoil with hunting ammo will definitely get your attention, my bench game is strong but this one is more difficult to run than most of my rigs

Any hints?


41

 

[Larryh128]

Magnaport or a brake, my friend had one and I refused to shoot it after the 1st shot. I have a smokeless MZ that shoots a 250 gr bullet at 2700 that is less brutal.

 

[41rem]

Magnaport or a brake, my friend had one and I refused to shoot it after the 1st shot. I have a smokeless MZ that shoots a 250 gr bullet at 2700 that is less brutal.

Well that's a heck of a payload

At least mine isn't as egregious as that LW Model 700 in 338 RUM, now that was like a handheld Howitzer.....

 

[LCazador]

Wear a sissy pad and hold the rifle with both hands and a firm hold into the shoulder. Beware of point of impact change in a few rounds once the barrel heats up. After a few rounds you will become quite recoil conscious. It's an involuntary reaction that's difficult to control.

 

[Syncrowave]

Shoot offhand, not from a bench. Or at least prone or sitting. If you're doing load workup, don't assume you need to shoot from a bench. I shoot better prone with a sling than from bench, which surprised me at first...

Another idea: Put some lead into the butt for range use, then take it back out for hunting. A pound or three can make a world of difference.

 

[PGW Steve]

In 1997, the first action I made was a LH titanium 700 clone. The rifle was chambered in 300 WBY, and weighed 5lbs-3oz without the scope, I despised that rifle.

Both hands, firm grip, make sure you've got your scope well forward and aren't crowding the eye box. Look at something like a heavy Bulls-Bag.

 

[Dave in WI]

......take a friend with.....

 

[Jonnyofalltrades]

I have read multiple places about Melvin Forbes' special bag for shooting ultralight rifles. It was called the Bench Wizard, IIRC. I have never been able to find one, or even figure out what it looks like.

Outside of that, my suggestion is a Bull Bag.
Not a fan of brakes on a hunting rifle. I'd like to keep what hearing I have left, and removing/installing just adds too many variables.

 

[charlie b]

Lead sled You can also put a small sandbag behind the gun, but, neither will simulate field work.

I use a PAST shoulder pad for anything heavier than my 6BR. I got it to tame my muzzle loader shooting 450 and 500gn slugs. They make a heavy magnum one. Doesn't help the cheek if you have a bad head position (or bad stock).

 

[jwv2001]

Shooting from a bench is a necessary evil when sighting in a "big game" rifle. Most of these rifles have enough recoil to make you want to get the "sighting in" job done in as few shots as possible from the bench.
I, personally, being a western hunter, am a stillhunter. We don't sit in a blind all day waiting for baited game to show up. We hump a rifle on our backs over high mountains and into deep canyons. With that in mind, a rifle that is as light as possible is a big advantage because after all it is just a tool. My rifle is an ADL 270. I've had it since I was 18. I cut the barrel to 20" and turned it to minimum dimension. I trimmed down and hollowed out the stock. The result is a rifle that weighs 6 1/4 lbs. all in with a 3-9 Leupold. With this rifle, I am able to shoot within 1 1/2" of POA from a sitting position to 200 yds.
I notice you are from MT so you probably understand the conditions I described. In hunting situations, you are not shooting groups. You are shooting one well aimed shot out of a cold barrel. If you practice, you have to practice like that. My favored hunting positions are sitting or standing with a rest (tree or rock).
Remember, whatever your rifles weighs, it feels twice that heavy when you're dragging a 200 lb. deer. In the country I hunt you can't drive up to throw your game in the back of your truck.

 

[Rat Rifle]

No Bench. Site In standing with Sticks. Slip on Recoil Pad. As alluded to in post #4, control the rifle. These are suggestions from another lite rifle builder. Works well when shooting My 7 pound 444 Marlin.

 

[nmkid]

I just ordered a Limb Saver pad for my Henry 45-70. Brutal with the brass butt plate.

 

[FNSafari]

Any tips for shooting a 5.5 lb rifle in 270 WCF off the bench or in the field?

Mine is a custom gun but similar to a NULA in most respects, very light and petite, built like a old school Kimber rimfire or 22 Hornet

Recoil with hunting ammo will definitely get your attention, my bench game is strong but this one is more difficult to run than most of my rigs

Any hints?


41

Such a rifle is not intended to shoot from a bench. However if you want to see what your load/rifle/shooter can do, shooting at the bench can't be beat. I would have front rest of some type and then hold the rifle forearm in you left hand (assuming you are a righty) and then place a brick sandbag between your shoulder and the rifle butt. Works great to tame recoil. You have a rifle to be carried a lot and shot a little. Good luck. A PAST shoulder pad is the next best thing a little less cumbersome.

 

[jxb]

one of those strap on gel shoulder pads really helps, they aren't so thick they mess with your LOP and they really spread out the impact. I used to help a fellow hunter with his 300 win mag in a light savage, he could shoot it really well for about 2-3 shots then start flinching bad. Site-in problems solved.

Obviously a good brake or a can will help. My 7mag has nothing but when I added an Ultra9 can it was more like a bare .308 or even 6.5 CM, easy to shoot like that.

 

[M-61]

I shoot better prone with a sling than from bench, which surprised me at first...

Quite surprising indeed. Leads me to wonder what you were using on the bench.
And I’m not talking some crazy expensive rest. Even a sandbag thrown across the bench I would expect better results

 

[std7mag]

I had a NULA 24B in 280 Rem.
5.5lb bare. Just under 7lbs with a Sightron 4-12X40, and nylon sling.

These are not rifles for doing a lot of shooting from the bench.
Get it sighted in. Work up your dope card and hunt with it.

I'm assuming the 270 WCF that @41rem is talking about is the 270 Win, based off the 30-06 case?

From my experience with the 270 Win, it's not a hard recoiling round to begin with. But I can see it more so with an Ultralight rifle.

And personally, I hate a Leadsled!
From what I've seen it just encourages bad habits.

 

[41rem]

I had a NULA 24B in 280 Rem.
5.5lb bare. These are not rifles for doing a lot of shooting from the bench.
Get it sighted in. Work up your dope card and hunt with it. I'm assuming the 270 WCF that @41rem is talking about is the 270 Win, based off the 30-06 case? From my experience with the 270 Win, it's not a hard recoiling round to begin with. But I can see it more so with an Ultralight rifle.

Yes 270 Winchester. I've had a 270 in my hands during hunting season for the last 43 years. I didn't use to think it recoiled much till I got old & lost muscle mass.

My main 270 now wears a muzzle break & a brand new Deacellarator pad. It's recoil is quite pleasant. This little one is the one for humping over hill and dale.

If I can consistently put 1 cold bore round within 1.5 MOA of bullseye out to a max of 300 yards off the sticks I'd be thrilled.

41

 

[Syncrowave]

Quite surprising indeed. Leads me to wonder what you were using on the bench.
And I’m not talking some crazy expensive rest. Even a sandbag thrown across the bench I would expect better results

I'm a SR shooter, so I shoot prone with a sling a fair amount, but still -- yeah.
I forget what I used for a rest, probably just a rudimentary folded-up blanket on top of the bench...
Try it! You might be as surprised as I was!

 

[dakor]

A muzzle brake or suppressor will go a long way. A lead sled is another option.

 

[Murray Brook]

My stance is when you are sighting in rifle/load you want to eliminate as much human error as possible. I can't see this being done unless a bench/sand bag/rest is used. Once you know what the rifle/load can do then it is time to see what you can do under field conditions. This way you know if it you and not the load. JMO