Front rest vs bipod

[Brians356]

I don't compete, but figured this was the best forum to ask:

I am an avid varminter and enjoy benchrest for developing accurate loads. I used to shoot off a Harris bipod and a rabbit-ear rear bag filled with heavy sand (the black stuff.) Lately I switched to a front bag rest but I've never really matched the shooting I did off the bipod. Since I do most of my field shooting off a bipod or shooting sticks, I'm thinking of switching back to the Harris up front on the bench I like that I can level out any "cant" by adjusting the legs, and never have to think about it again, I can just concentrate on the rear bag.

Is there an intrinsic problem with bipods for accuracy work on the bench? Are they illegal in competition, and if so, why? I've never read a discussion on different front supports, pros or cons, and wonder what the issues are.

Brian

 

[Immike]

There is a dampening effect with a front bag that helps if you have a good setup. You have more experience with the bipod and may need more time with the front rest as far as getting the right fit. Most bags need to be filled to just the right amount of sand to function properly. Get around some experienced bench shooters and have them look over your setup for improvements.

 

[LHSmith]

The right type of front bag, as well as the proper rear bag will make a huge difference. IMHO heavy sand is good in the rear bag base, but a special non-packing sand is best for the ears.
In short-range/ long-range registered Benchrest, bi-pods are not permitted, but mechanical front rests are optional ( i.e. you may simply use sandbags).
Why? .......because it's called bench/rest for a reason....shooting from a bench and a rest.
I'd like to know how you addressed the swivel stud interference with the bags?

 

[Brians356]

...a special non-packing sand is best for the ears.
I'd like to know how you addressed the swivel stud interference with the bags?

If you mean the rear swivel stud, I remove it for the bench session. I position the front bag in the middle of the forend so it does not normally contact the front swivel stud.

Where do you obtain the non-packing sand?

Brian

 

[LHSmith]

See the Daily Bulletin dated 6 Aug. 2013 for details. You must experiment placement of front bag, but I suspect that far to the rear, the set-up is muzzle heavy and will give vertical.

 

[Brians356]

There is a dampening effect with a front bag that helps if you have a good setup. You have more experience with the bipod and may need more time with the front rest as far as getting the right fit. Most bags need to be filled to just the right amount of sand to function properly. Get around some experienced bench shooters and have them look over your setup for improvements.

That approach to the front bag is good for competition, but since I have a variety or varmint rifles, all with different styles and widths of forends, it is nearly impossible to have a bag setup that will work optimally for all. Another plus for the bipod I suppose.

Brian

 

[LHSmith]

Not true, as there are front bag styles to match any shape fore-end, even tops with adjustable side plates/ bags. Probably the best set-up is Sinclair's Benchrest Adapter P/N 749-004-954WS or Harts Accuracy Asset which fastens to the front stud and allows use of a 3" wide front bag which provide a stable platform that comes close to a full blown short-range BR rig.

 

[Jeff A]

Not to muddy the waters here but I do a lot of testing and I am a Varmint shooter. I have a Cowan front rest and good quality bags. When testing loads I have found I can equal or exceed my groups using my Dog-Gone-Good Varmint bag. Shooting using the rest requires the shooter to do the same thing, shot to shot. I find this is easier to do using the Varmint bag.

 

[Brians356]

Not true, as there are front bag styles to match any shape fore-end, even tops with adjustable side plates/ bags. Probably the best set-up is Sinclair's Benchrest Adapter P/N 749-004-954WS or Harts Accuracy Asset which fastens to the front stud and allows use of a 3" wide front bag which provide a stable platform that comes close to a full blown short-range BR rig.

Thanks, I'll look into those.

 

[seymour fish]

Consider a Fudd adjustable width windage top. Don't know if still made. Might find a used one.. Seymour

 

[Brians356]

In my younger, steadier days, I shot some "keeper" groups off my bipod. One in particular, shot at 200 yards with a 223, is a perfect boat propeller - three holes forming the blades, and the fourth the hub. Now that could have been a pure fluke 4-shot group, but I shot many groups, back then, not much larger.

I guess I can narrow this down a bit: "lnmike" opined that a front bag offers some beneficial dampening effect. Duly noted. But is there any known egregious effect from using a bipod that necessarily affects accuracy adversely? I.e. is there some inherent rebound effect that simply cannot be mitigated?

I suppose it depends on the rifle itself. The 223 I mentioned above has a beefy HS Precision composite stock. The old R-700 in 6mm Rem I am currently playing with is free floated and bedded, but wears the original BDL walnut stock. Since the swivel studs are near the forend tip, I can see that some forends might rebound off a bipod more than others.

Brian

 

[LHSmith]

A good rest set-up that uses the proper sandbags front and rear is simply the better system to gain absolute accuracy...it simply makes your shooting platform that much more stabile (provided you use solid benches) However, if you don't use wind flags to learn how the wind effects your bullet,...... keeper groups will remain rare.