Bipod vs Sandbags.....

[herbeapuce]

Hi.
I am relatively new to shooting, and reloading....

I had found a good load for my all original 25-06 tikka t3 stainless varmint and with this recipe I could usually group around .5, and I was happy with that ....But this weekend I went to shoot the gun again, shooting the same batch of ammo, and I was all over the place... we are talking here 1.5 inches with the occasional 3 inches flier....I was also testing new recipes and everyone of them were also all over the place. I was so P!$$()FF I said to my friend I was going to melt the gun.....

Then the next day I proceeded to clean the gun and I then noticed that one of my bipod legs was one click higher that the other... ( my bipod is a Harris HBRM-Swivel, 6 to 9 with leg notch, and 1 notch equals around .5 " )
I really hope that this was the cause of my problem.... or else I don't know...

Do you think this could have been the problem ? has it ever happened to you ?

and this brings me to the next question: Should I shoot my gun from the Harris , or from the sandbags ? At our club we shoot benchrest and the club provides the sandbags ....

I shoot for fun, no competition... I don't what to invest is a costly shooting system or anything... so between the 2, bipod or sad bags, what do you think is the best ?

thanks for your help

stef

 

[Immike]

Hi Stef, a light hunting rifle on a bipod can be a little jumpy and may take some getting used to especially after a long winter. Have you heard of a bull bag? They are affordable and work pretty well for hunting rifles. Give yourself some time to get back into the groove and try to focus on your hold and shoulder pressure. Good luck and good shooting.

 

[RStewart]

Hi Stef, a light hunting rifle on a bipod can be a little jumpy and may take some getting used to especially after a long winter. Have you heard of a bull bag? They are affordable and work pretty well for hunting rifles. Give yourself some time to get back into the groove and try to focus on your hold and shoulder pressure. Good luck and good shooting.

I agree. One outing does not make a pattern after a winter's layoff.

 

[mikecr]

Pick your use.
If benchrest, off their bags, shoot benchrest off their bags.
If field shooting off a bipod, then shoot this way -and mind your level during every shot.

It was suggested in another thread that accuracy is tested well off bags.
But the truth is accuracy off bipods is only tested off bipods & vica-versa.

 

[herbeapuce]

Thank you everyone for your help.

I will have to experiment next time and shoot with the bipod off.
No I didn't know the bulls bag. seems like the kind of bag I could really use...
On my t3, the stock is so Tupperware that spreading the weight of the rifle on a wider area should help IMO.
All right I will keep you posted if I break any records.
Cheers
stef

 

[memilanuk]

How tight is the swivel on that bipod set to? With a stock like that, my guess would be that you probably were torquing the grip slightly different from shot to shot, which flexes the barrel channel, which can do all manner of bad things to groups.

Having the bipod one notch off in and of itself generally doesn't make a huge difference in accuracy - its not optimal if your goal is shooting F-class @ 1000yds, but for field type shooting at the distances you mention, it shouldn't make much (if any) noticeable difference. More likely the height differential led to you torquing the stock to try and level the gun, which twisted the fore end. As a result, I don't think you really need a bull-bag in this case, but they are something interesting if you want to get one anyways.

 

[herbeapuce]

How tight is the swivel on that bipod set to?

Welll I have to say it does't seem too tight to me. I don't think I was torquing the stock too much... but maybe I was..

I do think however that my gun was kicking more toward the left side then usually.... I say that because I noticed my scope was reading the left side neighbor's target after each shots..more that usual I think......
I am right Handed if it matters.

Another question then:
Are you guys all over the place after firing a lite gun from a bipod ? 25-06 and no muzzle break...

I will keep an open mind for a better form, and a bulls bag maybe...

thanks
stef

 

[Lapua40X]

A "bull bag" (there are lots of choices if design and style) in place of the bipod may prove helpful, of course. However, inasmuch as you already shoot from a bipod, there are two techniques you might want try - assuming you haven't already tried them.
1. Don't allow the thumb of your right hand to wrap around the stock. Lay it straight along the right side of the rifle. That'll prevent you from any tendancy to put rotational force on the stock's long axis (it's a very common almost undetectable interference factor when a bipod features a swivel mount)
2. Use a butt bag - allowing the rifle to ride smoothly to the rear on recoil.

If you'd like to try a "bull bag" but don't want to spend a lot just to try it you can use a rolled up sleeping bag or similar item to simulate the experience. It's not exactly the same but it may help you make your decision.

 

[herbeapuce]

thank you everyone for your help.
Great info here...
time to experiment....
Stef.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Poison ivy, you might also want to look at your form and how you do your follow through.

 

[herbeapuce]

Poison ivy, you might also want to look at your form and how you do your follow through.

Thank you Tireur des Bayous !.... ;D
I am very open to this idea and I will read all what you guys can feed me for good shooting and good form
Salutations distinguées..( = Best Regards...)
Stef.