rifle hold

[LHSmith]

Simply checking the balance point would answer a lot of questions.

 

[jaybray]

Simply checking the balance point would answer a lot of questions.

I just checked. It balances out 3 and a half inches from the barrel-action junction towards the muzzle. So barrel heavy and right out of balance I guess. Add weight? shorten the barrel? or new stock.

 

[BoydAllen]

If you have a method for shooting your rifle that works, why worry about what others are doing? To shoot free recoil well requires a rifle that is balanced with that in mind, a stock design that favors that approach and bags that are more or less perfect for that use. I think that a lot of shooters tend to pair free recoil with bench shooting as if it was somehow the proper way to shoot from the bench, and anything else is simply an inferior workaround. I disagree. If it works, that alone is enough to establish its correctness. On the other hand, if you are the curious type, like to experiment, and have the budget, then by all means go for it. You have not told us much about your rifle. Why don't you do that? Perhaps we can use that information to your advantage and come up with some suggestions. Also, what sort of bags are you using?

 

[LHSmith]

^^^^^Also, when you say pinning works well..... be more specific.

 

[jaybray]

If you have a method for shooting your rifle that works, why worry about what others are doing? To shoot free recoil well requires a rifle that is balanced with that in mind, a stock design that favors that approach and bags that are more or less perfect for that use. I think that a lot of shooters tend to pair free recoil with bench shooting as if it was somehow the proper way to shoot from the bench, and anything else is simply an inferior workaround. I disagree. If it works, that alone is enough to establish its correctness. On the other hand, if you are the curious type, like to experiment, and have the budget, then by all means go for it. You have not told us much about your rifle. Why don't you do that? Perhaps we can use that information to your advantage and come up with some suggestions. Also, what sort of bags are you using?

You probably right. When I first got into shooting off a bench all I seemed to read was free recoil in regards to rifle hold so I guess that's what im trying to achieve. If it shoots the way ive been holding it I guess why bother. I have a protector bumble bee rear bag filled with heavy sand including the ears and the front bag is a bald eagle filled with fairly course filter sand and not packed very tight. The front rest is a cheapo smart reloader but seems sturdy enough with no rest top movement. Rifle is a 6br 8 twist,26 inch Krieger barrel #17 HV, bat sv action and pillar bedded.

 

[jaybray]

^^^^^Also, when you say pinning works well..... be more specific.

What I do is line the crosshairs on target and then with the front of the stock pushed against the front stop of the rest with my shoulder, I continue pushing against the butt with my shoulder hard enough that im close to pushing the front rest forward so I back off just a tinny little bit so I don't disturb the front rest and shoot. So I am pinning it against the front stop of the rest with quite a bit of force. So really the rifle would have no choice but to jump at the muzzle I guess. But like I said, It shoots good this way.

 

[LHSmith]

I'm guessing with that lightweight rest, it also moves with the shot, possibly even rising with the gun depending on bag fit. You were under the wrong assumption. In Mike Ratigans book, he lists HOF shooters and their shooting style, and it is fairly even between free recoil and pinning, and some use both depending on what the gun likes.You gotta get a better rest for sure. Can't beat the price on the Bald Eagle offered on Bullets.com.

 

[jaybray]

I am going to order a bald eagle cast iron rest today. Front rest movement could be the problem. Tomorrow ill lay some sand bags on the legs and see if that helps.

 

[LHSmith]

Great...I have an original BE rest in Cast Iron and one in Aluminum..both with windage tops. My recommendation is to get the Cast Iron standard triangle design, more stable on the bench. Your call on the windage option. Nothing wrong with the aluminum version ( much easier to cart around), you can always put sandbags on the legs if you need the weight.