POI change shooting from field positions

[TRP]

I've been practicing with my 300wby shooting from a pack and from a tripod in preparation for an upcoming elk hunt. The POI shooting from the pack and from the tripod is 1" low at 100 compared to shooting from a front rest/rear bag setup. Is this typical?

The good thing is that pack shooting and tripod shooting have the same POI and the groups are good for both.

 

[Mark W]

I can’t answer your question, but I applaud you for practicing expected field positions.

 

[mikecr]

Yes the rest is huge to accuracy.
I hunt GHs from a Harris bipod. The only way to know my capabilities is to load develop(cold bore) from a Harris bipod, in the dirt. And I pull every round from my front pants pocket just as I do in the field.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Yes, have seen POI change when support type changed. Especially with cheaper synthetic stocks that flex up front. Sight in and practice how you expect to shoot and /or fix the stock issue. I "fixed" same issue with a 338wm TC venture by partially filling the honeycomb for end with 2 part epoxy.

 

[mikecr]

I have a well built 17lb gun in Shethane BR stock, low recoil cartridge, that likes 'heavy' sand.
When I shoot off same bags filled with lighter sand, grouping opens.

 

[FeMan]

Seeing a change in POI is pretty typical. You can get past most of it with a lot of practice. I shoot F-Class, PRS, ELR and am an avid hunter. Over the years I have found how I need to position, hold and address the rifle so that shooting off a pack, field prone, or tripod yields consistent POI. One big factor is zero. I never zero on the bench. I always zero prone and then practice, especially with the tripod to get consistent POI. Lighter weight hunting rifles are the toughest but it can be done.

It sounds like you have it dialed and I would trust your prone/backpack zeros. Good luck on the elk hunt. I am off to Wyoming for an antelope hunt in just a few minutes myself.

 

[std7mag]

I've noticed POI shifts with my hunting rifles using different types of rests also.

All you can do is shoot it & see how it performs in your mentioned conditions.

I've also seen big differences using bipod & rear bag on different types of bench, with different feet on the bipod.
Example would be spiked feet on a wooden bench vs rubber feet on a concrete bench.

Ditto different types of feet in the dirt from prone.

 

[Tokay444]

My guess is, off the pack and tripod, you’re actually managing the recoil and driving the rifle straight back, where as off your rest, you’re probable sitting beside your rifle and possibly even free recoiling. That will allow for more muzzle rise.

 

[Tokay444]

If I’m shooting off a table, it’s in what I consider, “modified prone” so that I’m still driving the rifle. I don’t have a picture of myself, but here’s my wife…
Square to the rifle. Square to the target, and pulling straight back with the firing hand.
Here’s her group. Slightly inconsistent pull strength back into her shoulder caused the vertical, but really, an impressive group for her second time shooting a center fire rifle.

 

[David Milisock]

I've been practicing with my 300wby shooting from a pack and from a tripod in preparation for an upcoming elk hunt. The POI shooting from the pack and from the tripod is 1" low at 100 compared to shooting from a front rest/rear bag setup. Is this typical?

The good thing is that pack shooting and tripod shooting have the same POI and the groups are good for both.

Yes the change in POI is typical, not the amount but the fact that it happens, the amount of change can vary per shooter.

I use a bench and a rest front and rear only to work loads, for field work, only field positions matter. I practice off hand, prone, sitting, leaning on trees, resting on made up bags, hell I'd practice standing on my head if I figured I'd get a shot like that. At one time I practiced hanging upside-down from lines in a tree.

This type of practice WILL make you a better shooter and it's really fun but beware you may be end up being one a one rifle kind of guy.

 

[boltfluter]

Learned this the hard way coyote hunting over the years. Sight in the way you plan to hunt. For me it is prone, with bipod, in the dirt!

Paul

 

[Rtheurer]

How the rifle interacts with you during recoil and how you hold it changes its point of impact. The Lighter the rifle.. the harder it is to shoot.

 

[K9TXS]

I shoot specialty pistols and during load development, I shoot from the bench. Afterwards, I go to my tripod for the fine tuning since that is what I use in the field. Like others, I find a difference in POI between the bench and tripod.

 

[Rsadams]

I learned a few years ago that after I sight a rifle in off my rest , I then sight it in off my shoulder.... It's always different for me , close but different....

 

[Bocephus]

No doubt. Body position, muscle tension are huge factors in POI. Considering caliber, your changes actually seem to be on the light side.
Bottom line, the “loose nut” behind the scope either makes, or breaks the shot.

 

[wboggs]

No doubt. Body position, muscle tension are huge factors in POI. Considering caliber, your changes actually seem to be on the light side.
Bottom line, the “loose nut” behind the scope either makes, or breaks the shot.

When I first learned to shoot, we used a loop or hasty sling. You could get a much steadier hold but it did change the POI from a prone or benchrest shot using a rest. The sitting position using a hasty sling can be quickly assumed in the field. I used it many times in the mountains. Sometimes there could be a change in POI when switching between the loop and hasty configurations.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

I've been practicing with my 300wby shooting from a pack and from a tripod in preparation for an upcoming elk hunt. The POI shooting from the pack and from the tripod is 1" low at 100 compared to shooting from a front rest/rear bag setup. Is this typical?

The good thing is that pack shooting and tripod shooting have the same POI and the groups are good for both.

Yes. I note variations in POI due to different firing positions. However, I also noted that the better the load was, the less significant the variations were.
Regards
JCS

 

[Big Mc]

I've been practicing with my 300wby shooting from a pack and from a tripod in preparation for an upcoming elk hunt. The POI shooting from the pack and from the tripod is 1" low at 100 compared to shooting from a front rest/rear bag setup. Is this typical?

The good thing is that pack shooting and tripod shooting have the same POI and the groups are good for both.

It all boils to how you mount your gun . ANY change will move POI . Just my two cents Tommy Mc

 

[RegionRat]

Nothing unusual.

Much depends on the design of the gun with respect to the stock/bbl.

A free float versus a stock with forward contact makes a big difference for example. Free float doesn't completely eliminate the issues. There is nothing wrong with what you are doing and in fact you are ahead of the pack since most can't shoot the difference.

You will have to learn the gun's characteristics for anything you might encounter. Once you are in the typical climate you hunt, I would suggest checking your POI again in case weather or altitude are very different than where you practice.

 

[snert]

If I’m shooting off a table, it’s in what I consider, “modified prone” so that I’m still driving the rifle. I don’t have a picture of myself, but here’s my wife…
Square to the rifle. Square to the target, and pulling straight back with the firing hand.
Here’s her group. Slightly inconsistent pull strength back into her shoulder caused the vertical, but really, an impressive group for her second time shooting a center fire rifle.
View attachment 1279126
View attachment 1279127

Great group in that it says she made only one mistake, causing vertical. That's so much better than most shooters!
Had to comment on the range instructions on the wall behind her. Aim every shot. Well, duh! But I guess for every sign there are ten people who wouldn't!