Bi Pod Bench Configuration

[chkunz]

I see where some people are shooting from the bench with bipods and they are putting carpet, etc. under the feet on top of the bench. What is the general openion of this low-tech approach?

I do load development from the bench with the Sinclair front and rear rests. But I am thinking for some testing it would be easier to go low tech with a bi pod.

 

[Prairiedogger]

I've had the POI change, off a concrete shooting bench with bipods and rubber feet, and going prone off the ground, with the next group. The carpet or something under the feet might work. I'll have to try that. Might also depend on the bench?

 

[10XSHOOTER]

Try a chunk of horse stall matting 3/8" thick. It will help stop the concrete bounce.

 

[Brians356]

I shot this 222 Rem group @100 off a Harris bipod on a concrete bench, bedded/floated but otherwise factory stock Sako Vixen. I wonder how POI would have shifted off a mat of some sort?


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[Bill Norris]

Using the EGW Mystic M-pod I see no difference from my plywood top bench with or without the carpet padding. The group pictured below was shot @ 100 yds. with my Model 7 Hunter 30BR without carpet.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I have tuned a lot of rifles from bipods. I do not tune a bipod rifle from a rest, I tune it from the bipod it will use. I just use a piece of house hold carpet and rear bag. They actually shoot better that way than from a rest. A round stock in a round bag doesnt work so well.

 

[Rocketvapor]

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

My range has bench tops made with synthetic decking, the Harris will jump off the surface different than the ground. I usually use a piece of cardboard with indoor/outdoor carpet under the bipod feet.

 

[marchx]

I use this one:

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[Stugots]

I shoot with a Harris bipod tat I place on a rectangular piece of carpet. I will also use a heavy wool sock that I keep in my shooting bag if I forget the carpeting. I drop either of these 2 first be it shooting prone or off a cement bench. This has worked consistently well for me.

 

[Rob01]

I shoot off all sorts of things with a bipod from concrete to wood to car hoods to dirt and never an issue with any shifts. You can put some carpet down if you like. Won't hurt anything.

 

[chkunz]

I shoot off all sorts of things with a bipod from concrete to wood to car hoods to dirt and never an issue with any shifts. You can put some carpet down if you like. Won't hurt anything.

Good information, thanks

 

[Lucky Shooter]

I thought the bounce was coming from the spring-loaded legs
dragging on a rough wooden bench---figured the feet were never
dragging the same from shot to shot.

Another shooter suggested putting something smoother under the
feet.

i used a small piece of Plexiglas with a little 3-in-1 oil smeared
on it----not much drag and bounce. I doubt that the oil made any
difference----maybe anything smooth would be an improvement.

A. Weldy

 

[Dgd6mm]

Shooting off a bench I use a rubber mat, shag carpet, commercial grade carpet. They all work the same for me. Successful small group shooting off of all 3. If I wanted to shoot tiny groups I'd pull out my br stuff.

 

[K22]

Let me preface this post by saying I haven't shot off a bipod in a long time. I'm primarily a varmint hunter and I switched to shooting cross sticks many years ago for a variety of reasons which I won't go into here.

However, I have a few friends that are avid bench shooters that shoot off bipods. I may be joining their ranks in the near future since ground hog hunting in my area is quickly becoming a lost activity due to over development and changes in farming practices.

The issue of load or not load and shooting surfaces is a constant debate. The one guy I know that shoots consistent sub 1/2 moa groups uses a carpeted surfaces with a piece of wood clamped to one end and loads the bipod against the wood. However, I've seen some shoot very well off a smooth concrete bench surface with no loading.

I think these issues can easier be sort out for you with a little range time. Select a surface and choose load or not load. Shoot three 5 shot strings and see if this produces the results you want. If not, change ONE aspect, i.e., either the surface or loading and retest. I believe you will find the combo that works for you. After that, like all shooting activities, consistency will be key to good shooting.

PS: When I did shoot off a bipod for varmint hunting, I used a soft carpeted surface off the bench since it more closely replicated a ground surface for hunting. I use a light loading allowing the bipod feet to "dig" into the carpet.

 

[CharlieNC]

The first obvious factor is the rifle will recoil, and the setup must allow this to occur in a smooth and consistent manner. An fclass bipod is rigid, with feet that slide; easy to accomplish on a hard surface, which assists in achieving consistent vertical poi. A Harris bipod adds complication with rotating legs to manage as well; for me spike feet to eliminate sliding removes one variable, and just taking out the slack vs a hard loading is more consistent.

Be careful with thick or multiple layers of carpet as this can compress in a variable manner upon recoil and introduce vertical variability. You can observe this in the scope by pressing down on the rifle.

That leaves horizontal movement. Ski feet on carpet assists greatly on the sliding fclass bipod. Spikes cure it on the Harris. In all cases the proper body position to promote recoiling straight back is required.