Adding weight

[Boisblancboy]

My FTR build is done! Just have to make a 3 hour one way drive to pick it up! Once I get the scope mounted I will be roughly 1lb under max weight. I want to add weight to get the gun as close to max as I can. So here is my question. Is there a place that is better to add it? Say the front of the gun to help reduce muzzle jump for instance? Or doesn't it really matter, just thought I would ask before doing it.

Brandon

 

[nosualc]

Just to make sure, when you say you're 1lb under max, you've included the weight of your bipod right?

-nosualc

 

[Boisblancboy]

Just to make sure, when you say you're 1lb under max, you've included the weight of your bipod right?

-nosualc

Yep my 1 lb under includes weight with bipod attached.

 

[Hombre0321]

Before you add any weight anywhere you need to shoot it and see how it tracks. That will tell you were to add the weight. I also want my rifles pretty close to max weight so that is a good idea, but remember to verify that weight on an official scale if at all possible. Now with that said rarely at most matches do you ever see a scale, or at least that is my experiance.

Roland

 

[4xforfun]

Before you add any weight anywhere you need to shoot it and see how it tracks. That will tell you were to add the weight. I also want my rifles pretty close to max weight so that is a good idea, but remember to verify that weight on an official scale if at all possible. Now with that said rarely at most matches do you ever see a scale, or at least that is my experiance.

Roland

Here is an uninformed question, since I don't use bi pods (other than hunting). When you say "tracking", what do you mean? Shooting off of front rests and rear rests or bags in BR, tracking is MONSTER. Especially for speed. I guess I don't get the whole "tracking "thing with a bi pod.

Thanks,
Tod

 

[Preacher]

All bets are off when it comes to tracking with a bipod... no such animal...
Tracking with a front rest and a rear bag is a whole new ball game...

 

[Boisblancboy]

Alright. Well does anyone has any advice as to whether I should add weight to the front or rear of the gun? Should I shoot it first a few times and watch for any particular characteristics?

 

[4xforfun]

Alright. Well does anyone has any advice as to whether I should add weight to the front or rear of the gun? Should I shoot it first a few times and watch for any particular characteristics?

I do shoot some "f" class, but I shoot off of a front rest. I took one of my 1000 BR comp guns (17.00 lbs) and added the 5 lbs up front to get me to 22lbs. I basically added a 1/4 inch thick x 3 inch wide x about 18 inches long piece of flat iron to the front of the stock. I already had 3 aluminum pillars sunk into the front of the stock about 5 inches apart, so this was a boneheadedly simple task. The reason I made it only 1/4 inch thick, but very long was to help distribute the weight further back on the gun. I don't like a bunch of weight out front....bad for balance. The longer weight spreads the weight all the way back to my trigger guard.

Like I said...I am not a bypod shooter, so you may get other, more informed answers. This was my solution when using a front rest.

Good luck,
Tod

 

[Killshot]

Unless you have a light contour barrel I'd add the weight to the butt.

I used a 1.5" Forstner bit to run a hole 8" into the stock and filled it with #6 birdshot. Worked great for my Open gun.

 

[Boisblancboy]

I have a heavy Palma contour barrel on a Eliseo R1 chassis.

 

[Taildrag15X]

Get some shaft collars and install them on the butt plate shaft.....that is, IF you need weight.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/RULAND-MANUFACTURING-Shaft-Collar-2ADB2

 

[Cakes]

While this doesn't fully apply to FTR rigs, you still need a good balance point. If your gun handles/tracks well before adding anything, you'll need to maintain that point by adding up front and rear. If you feel an adjustment is needed then weight where necessary but definitely get some range time in and see how it handles before you do anything IMO. Both of my open rigs have weight added at each end to maintain the "point" I needed. Devcon & lead shot. Has worked very well for me. Eric in DL