FT/R shooting mat and bag issues

[broncman]

After no practice for a few weeks I got back on the gun today. I swear it was like starting over..vertical issues. Holding the rear of the gun up for elevation instead of settling it in the rear bags etc. That got me thinking about the bulletein where the guy cut out the mat for his bag to set directly on the ground.

Also got to thinking about the mat not being firm and letting the bipod sink some under recoil. Using a Midway mat, gator bag and duplin bipod.

Has anyone experienmented with different mats? I know high grass , soft ground etc adds to the cushion.

Thoughts?

 

[ARIZONA_F_CLASS]

Try shooting with your bipod off the mat and on a harder surface. If you cut your mat, you will be lower in height. My shooting style depends on a perfect height. If I am out of it, my ribs can hurt, my shoulder will hurt, and my hold can be off.

 

[eric32]

i have heard of guys cutting a piece of plywood in a square as wide as the bipod legs and stapling carpet on it to help with the tracking

 

[broncman]

I have a sheet with carpet glued to it. Do not use it much because of possible rule interpretations. Some say two inches wider than legs but the NRA says when pertaining to bipods, 24x12x1/2".

just curious as to what mat most use. Really need to get back into the swing of things with some practice! This sport is as much mental preperation as anything.

Do most of you pinch the bag or bed the stock in firm on the butt? Really have not shot my new rifle to fully develop my technique. With the heavier weight bullets, it appears technique is crucial...

 

[Immike]

I guess there are many ways to set up and I have my own way but I drag the mat back alittle and put my rear bag on the canvas flap. I have a couple towels my wife doesn't know I have for a loading area under the gun. The towels serve as spacers for a quick setup. The back edge of the rear bag is right against the edge of the padded part of the mat and serves as a stop. As others suggested your front should be a independent platform.

 

[Medic505]

(2) The use of any form of a table is prohibited. Separate flat boards or plates not exceeding the
dimensions of the individual rests by two inches are allowed to be placed under the front and/or rear
rests. In the case of a bipod, the board or plate may not exceed the width of the bipod by 2", nor be
more than 12" front to rear. See Rule 3.4.1(a)(1).
No leveling screws or protrusions are allowed on these boards or plates. They must be flat on the top
and bottom.

I've shot off a pine 1x10 with cork glued on it and a kitchen mat I bought at Walmart. Next try will be a thick hemp welcome mat. I often wondered if the boards width is 2"s with the bipod legs spread all the way out or the width that you were shooting from. I think the wood and cork added to the bounce factor, plus it was a pain to carry around. I've seen people shoot off of many different types mats, I think the most important thing is to find the combonation that you are the most confortable on/with. Figure out what works for you and forget about what others use.

 

[broncman]

Those are the older rules. Seperate means front and rear rests, no table that they both can sit on.

The wordage for the bipod has been changed. Go here to see rule changes since the last books were published. Straight from NRA websight.

http://competitions.nra.org/rule-changes.aspx

Then look at the highpower link. In it it has the new wordage for

22. F Class

3.4.1 B

" in the case of a bipod, the board may not exceed the width of 24" nor depth of 12" and thickness of 1/2".

 

[Medic505]

Thanks broncman, I haven't seen the new rules till now. Guess that answers the question about the 2 inches.

 

[ryanjay11]

I use a fairly modified Midway mat. I removed the black rubber that gets hot in the sun, narrowed the front flap, and used the carry strap for the stitching around the rear bag hole. I got the idea for the hole in the center from Danny Biggs. It really does help with stability.

Here is a picture of my setup at Camp Perry. (Credit goes to NRA Press for the photo, it looks much better than my cell phone pics)