Question about - Locking down a rifle to the front rest.

[K9TXS]

I have seen many times where someone refers to locking down their rifle to the front rest. I've done quite a bit of searching but have not been able to find any information, photos, etc... about how this is done.

Can someone point me in the right direction to find out more about this? I've seen it referred to on rimfire rifles as well as center fire rifles.

 

[thebeav]

I've seen front rests with vise-like contraptions on them and I've also seen them with velcro wraps.

 

[STS]

Don’t go there.

 

[K22]

I've seen it done at the range using one of those Lead Shed rest and "locking the rifle down" using a Velcro strap over the barrel near the recoil lug.

I could be wrong about this, but I don't believe that is a mfg. design but something the shooter devised. I don't know why anyone would do such a thing since it alters the nature recoil of a rifle. If the goal is a stable bench rest for testing or load development or whatever, the best I've used is those "bull bags" as a front rest with a rear "owl ear" rest that cradles the rifle and helps limit lateral movement.

I've also seen guys use a clamp devise on a bog pod type of tripod rest which clamps the rifle in place over the stock near the action. However, I've never seen a modification like this used on the bench.

 

[ebb]

Just long enough to get the scope adjusted to the same spot that you can see when looking down the barrel with the bolt out.

 

[Big Mc]

I have seen many times where someone refers to locking down their rifle to the front rest. I've done quite a bit of searching but have not been able to find any information, photos, etc... about how this is done.

Can someone point me in the right direction to find out more about this? I've seen it referred to on rimfire rifles as well as center fire rifles.

What STS said Tommy Mc

 

[Dusty Stevens]

You wont find much about it on an accuracy-minded forum.

 

[Todd Earhart]

Its been used with success in rimfire benchrest. I don't use the no recoil method but I have seen it used and win.
Todd

 

[1911nut]

Some Rimfire benchrest guys tighten the front bag squeeze or use more tension on the bungey to get ”drag” or no movement . I use a snug squeeze on the front rest setup shooting free recoil, the rifle still moves back when fired.

 

[Toms]

I have seen many times where someone refers to locking down their rifle to the front rest. I've done quite a bit of searching but have not been able to find any information, photos, etc... about how this is done.

Can someone point me in the right direction to find out more about this? I've seen it referred to on rimfire rifles as well as center fire rifles.

I have been using pressure on front bags and shouldering the butt stock with good results. Seems more consistent. This rimfire br. Usually in top 2 at our matches. Tom.

 

[243Lapua]

Them locking contraptions are the worst idea ever.

 

[1911nut]

I have been using pressure on front bags and shouldering the butt stock with good results. Seems more consistent. This rimfire br. Usually in top 2 at our matches. Tom.

Are you pushing against the forend stop?

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Never seen any gun shoot its best or even close unless it can break free in the bags.

 

[LCazador]

I believe what's being referred to here is tightening the side bags or the bag around the stock fore end, so you can't pick the rifle up out of the cradle. It will slide back and forth with recoil but it will prevent the stock from torqueing out of the front rest. This was against the benchrest rules but I think it's allowed now. I do it all the time with my 30 BR I tighten the Seb three piece bag around the stock, so the stock will not torque in the rest. it moves quite freely back and forth with a good application of wax.

 

[LHSmith]

This was against the benchrest rules but I think it's allowed now.

I shoot IBS Score and recently we have been checked by the referees for this by having to lift our gun out of the front bag. We also, recently, have been required to weigh our guns at each match. This was a rare occurrence for non- tournament matches in the past 20 years.

 

[USMCDOC]

This "pulling" the rifle out of the rest straight up is what bothers me.. cuz most rest that use a bag up front have "angled" plates that you adjust to keep the rifle stock from moving side to side.. but according to the rules, this is considered "attached" like in F-Class, because once adjusted, you can no longer lift the rifle straight out of the rest and then the rest is supposed be included into the total weight of the rifle. The part that gets me is if the rifle is moving "freely" back and forth on the rest, in reality, how can it be "attached".. to the rest.. to me attached means that the rifle is no longer moving freely.
I know that there are some "after market" mods that are available to alter this. And i see that some makers are changing from the angled to 90 degree.
Just like in Rimfire BR, i am seeing guys "tying down" their rifle to the one pc rest. They say that there isn't anything in the rules that say that you can't.. but if it is "tied" down, how can it be freely picked straight up from the rest.. which is in the rules. To me it seems like "cheating".. This behavior has only started recently as far as i can tell.

 

[USMCDOC]

@Taildrag15X i know

 

[ridgeway]

Never seen any gun shoot its best or even close unless it can break free in the bags.

Exactly...never understood that rule.

 

[Taildrag15X]

If you get the shape of the bags to match the forearm, with a little "squeeze", good leather and a dusting of powder it'll ride like it's on ball bearings.

I think this is the reason....

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

If you get the shape of the bags to match the forearm, with a little "squeeze", good leather and a dusting of powder it'll ride like it's on ball bearings.

I think this is the reason....

Yep, but if a gun is bound down and can't move, well, that energy has to come out somewhere. IME, too tight in the front rest actually makes a gun buck like a bronco. I think the initial break away moment is crucial to good accuracy. Your setup is common and generally works well. I've watched guys with the newer edgewood(I think) tall ear front bags really cinch down on the gun in the bag/rest. Those guns tend to jump around bad. Used drier sheets work well too, in lieu of baby powder. I've also seen some really heavy guns in light recoiling cartridges that didn't shoot until you free them up one way or another.