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bipod vs rest

kzin

This board taught me that overwhelmingly the difference between open and tr is the cartridge ballistics. Does that still leave room for the possibility that the rest is worth a point or two over the bipod?

If there is no separation of open and tr(low attendance matches, maybe smallbore) and/or ballistics doesn't matter at all(smallbore) or very little(reduced course local matches) then is it futile to try to compete with the bipod against rests?

If rests don't have an advantage then why do people spend more money and haul more weight around?

If there is an advantage to a rest does it depend on having the ideal stock and bag setup as opposed to just putting a typical ftr rifle on a rest instead of a bipod?

I've put in a lot of work lately just to get my rest shooting UP to the level I can do with a bipod.
 
In my estimation the biggest differentiator between F-Open and F-TR is the caliber, as you so eloquently stated. Having a projectiles with similar BCs with a delta of 300FPS or more is very significant on scores.

That said, I think yes, the front rest is another advantage and is worth some amount of the point difference, but that has probably diminished recently with the advent of sophisticated bipods and the commensurate increase in skill levels of top F-TR shooters with these fancy bipods. I would not presume to postulate the percentage attributable to the front-rest, but it is not zero.

I will also point out that I have seen little difference in points between F-Open and F-TR at individual events and that even goes for X-count, when the conditions are great, which I why I think the front rest/bipod difference is not what it used to be.

On the other hand, when the wind starts blowing, the F-TR scores will be more affected than the F-Open scores, owning to the caliber difference. The 30 caliber bullets have seen their BC go up, but they can't match the 7mm for achievable velocities.
 
I do not agree. Rest or bipod. It makes no difference, its all in the shooter and how good you are with what you have. There is no point gain on anything.

FTR shooter just beat Speedys range record at our club with a 308 and bipod... vs his super duper 284, 7saum, and 300 wsm guns with front rest, and all set up...

I personally have beat lots of people with a bipod.... Ive seen shooters with a harris bipod and suppressor beat the whole feild, but it didnt count because they had a suppressor on...


Theres no equiptment to buy points. Theres only equiptment to learn to use better and hone your own skills.
 
This is being brought up with 22LR. I read they're thinking about equal weight also. I don't feel that there is any difference for F class rimfire. They both are blown around equally. I shoot open class centerfire, but just use a bipod on my rimfire. As far as weight goes, I don't see a problem there either. Shooters are not using 32" 1 1/4 barrels for rimfire, so shouldn't have a problem making 18 pound weight limit.
 
I believe there are shooters who are more and/or less proficient with one then the other.
Example, one of the best prone shooters I know who is proficient with a bipod, struggles from a rest.
At the same time, know others are more proficient from a rest.
Which inclines me to believe its an individual response.
Donovan
 
how about the advantage of a good front rest to return to target quickly to help stay in your condition. i use a Seb Joy Pod on a Pod Pad on both my F/TR .308 and my F Open 6BR. with the 6BR this combination nearly tracks and returns to target as well as my front rest does. with the .308, the Pod Pad helps a lot with this, but does not track and return in the way that a front rest does with the heavier recoiling cartridge. if i shot F Open with anything but a max weight 6BR, i would use a good front rest
 
How do you win an F-Class match? Have your first shot for record be an X, then shoot that same exact shot again 19 more times.

This would be easy if:
- The load is tuned to the rifle to allow for shooting 0.2 MOA or better *every single shot*
- Each round is loaded identical to the others (exact same charge weight, bullet weight, seating depth, neck tension etc.)
- Each shot is taken in the exact same condition and the exact same point of aim
- The rifle is in the exact same position with the exact same line of tracking and external forces exerted every time a shot is fired

It is the last point where a front rest can be beneficial compared to a bipod, in the tracking control it provides. Not saying that all shooters find it easier to control tracking with a rest, but a lot of shooters (myself included) do.

Now if only there were no such things as wind, mirage, 'unexplainable' vertical...
 
I'm one of odd balls that shoots a bi pod. At Sacramento we have our own sub class F Tac. Basically tactical or TR rigs with open cartridges. My rig is a Nesika J in 6BRX, a Manners T5A with a Rempel bi pod and a NF Comp. The rig weighs just under 19lbs with the bi pod. I would say a front rest has only a very slight advantage, maybe 1 point every other match in LR. Shooting a 6BRX against 284's costs me a lot more than the bi pod. I've shot a few scores that would place 3rd in F Open.

I have an Open stock for the rifle and a very good front rest but I enjoy being more of a part of the accuracy equation. You do have to pay a lot more attention to your gun handling. Sooner or later I'll probably go to my front rest but at the moment I'm really enjoying the bi pod. Plus it's fun to beat guys with SEB's, for the moment..
 
The last match I shot the top three in TR averaged higher than the top three in Open. The last relay I shot I scored a 198-15 using a Harris Bipod and a simple sand sock in the rear. It is about the nut behind the trigger not an equipment race.
 
DirtySteve said:
The last match I shot the top three in TR averaged higher than the top three in Open. The last relay I shot I scored a 198-15 using a Harris Bipod and a simple sand sock in the rear. It is about the nut behind the trigger not an equipment race.
Click to expand...
At 1000 yards, that's impressive. Tell me about your load? What bullet to you use?
 
Sniper338 said:
I do not agree. Rest or bipod. It makes no difference, its all in the shooter and how good you are with what you have. There is no point gain on anything.

FTR shooter just beat Speedys range record at our club with a 308 and bipod... vs his super duper 284, 7saum, and 300 wsm guns with front rest, and all set up...

I personally have beat lots of people with a bipod.... Ive seen shooters with a harris bipod and suppressor beat the whole feild, but it didnt count because they had a suppressor on...


Theres no equiptment to buy points. Theres only equiptment to learn to use better and hone your own skills.
Click to expand...
I will have to slow you down there a bit,but that guy didn’t beat Speedy’s range record he just set the new f/tr record.
 
I’d say 90% of the point differential between open and tr is due to ballistics. I don’t think a bipod hinders top end tr shooters much at all. It’s more of a hinderance for intermediate shooters, but ballistic performance remains the big differentiator.
 
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