Sand Bag or Bipod

[Ernest T]

Is there a difference in accuracy between the two? Assuming you are using a rear sandbag for both.

 

[joshb]

I started with front sand bags. Pretty quickly, I made a little rear sand bag. I found it much better than a bipod. I still use them sometimes.

 

[Rem06]

Is there a difference in accuracy between the two? Assuming you are using a rear sandbag for both.

i prefer sandbags off bench and bipod off ground

 

[Big Mc]

Is there a difference in accuracy between the two? Assuming you are using a rear sandbag for both.

Rem06 is spot on. Tommy Mc

 

[choprzrul]

Bipods are what I use on my hunting rifles, so that is what I use on the bench to remove one variable....

 

[Dgd6mm]

Is there a difference in accuracy between the two? Assuming you are using a rear sandbag for both.

This is definitely an individual's thing. Solely depends on you.
An individual should test for themselves and find which one of the supports they shoot the best.

 

[David Milisock]

Is there a difference in accuracy between the two? Assuming you are using a rear sandbag for both.

For what? If you hunt in the field sand bags aren't much fun. I use elbow and knee pads but I simply practice a left hand rear support or improvise.
The answer to your question is depends on the shooter.

 

[Will Henry]

I don't think there is a lot of difference but it depends on the stock and shooting style. I prefer sandbags. For hunting, I use my hands. WH

 

[shoobe01]

Why not both?

I, and most everyone I know, is bipod front but sandbag rear. There are rear monopods so that's not a default at all; I know people with a rear monopod who keep it folded most of the time to use a rear bag.

Many things are situation dependent of course, and a bipod is less good on hard surfaces (concrete benches, pads, even off roofs, etc) as well as when you need to get too high for there to be any convenient surface to brace off. So, I try to practice off a front bag, off random bags (backpacks), braced with bags or hands on trees, etc.

PRS types use bags off the barricade shots, and while I don't routinely compete in such things, sometimes use these barricades for practice and same thing; both too hard a surface and too small a space to deploy the bipod.

 

[K22]

In my experience there is a difference.

A bipod is a handy shooting aid for practical shooting and can be deployed quickly, carried in the field easily and can be quite effective if you perfect your technique. They have their place in the shooting sports but at least for me, they are not as effective an option for ultra-precision shooting.

For ultra-precision shooting such as for load development, I prefer professional quality front and rear rests off a sturdy bench to eliminate as much variability as possible.

For field hunting use, I prefer shooting cross sticks. While these sticks do not have the same precision potential as a bipod in the prone position, they offer a greater field of view thus the ability for far more shot opportunities. In other words, they are not as terrain dependent as a bipod to engage a potential target. However, it takes a great deal more practice to master the cross sticks than a bipod.

So, it depends on your personal shooting needs.

 

[Herzo]

If I'm using a bipod off a bench, I usually put something that will give under the feet, a hard surface is not conducive to accuracy.

 

[Bill Norris]

The F-class style bi-pod works better for me than the normal Harris style with my hunter stocks. The rifle sits down in the bi-pod rather than up on top of it.

 

[Ernest T]

For what? If you hunt in the field sand bags aren't much fun. I use elbow and knee pads but I simply practice a left hand rear support or improvise.
The answer to your question is depends on the shooter.

Not a hunter anymore, just target shooting.

 

[Ernest T]

If I'm using a bipod off a bench, I usually put something that will give under the feet, a hard surface is not conducive to accuracy.

Can you expound on that a little? I use both and have wondered about the bipod moving on recoil compared to a sand bag.

 

[Will Henry]

When I first shot "F" class (late'90's) the choice was between sandbags and Harris bipods! Some may recall George Farquharson's rule calling for any rifle, any sight, from any rest to include a bag of horsefeathers. I shot my first match using a 6BR I had built for someone else. The rifle was a Model 70 and featured a Harris bipod ( shockingly, I was in the lead at the end of the first day and wasn't able to shoot on the second so I left on a high note). When I started shooting for real, I chose to shoot from my BR pedestal in the front and just held the rear.
It wasn't long before people were showing up with purpose built bipods; many were produced by Henry Remple. Since that first match, I have never gotten comfortable with a bipod and, a few years back, I started just shooting with a sling. If I start shooting "F" class again, I'll use the pedestal and a rear bag. WH

 

[Herzo]

Can you expound on that a little? I use both and have wondered about the bipod moving on recoil compared to a sand bag.

A 1/2" piece of rubber or medium foam seems to take the shock out of the bipod. I know it's counterintuitive that it would make your setup more consistent, but it seems to work for me. A sandbag under the forend seems to have the same effect.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Is there a difference in accuracy between the two? Assuming you are using a rear sandbag for both.

A sandbag will give better consistent accuracy. Often a bipod is more convenient in a hunting situation off the ground. If you aspire to be a target shooter a front rest with a sandbag and a rear bag is best. Advice you didn't ask for...Don't try to reinvent the wheel.

 

[David Milisock]

Not a hunter anymore, just target shooting.

Well there's a rabbit hole that goes to China! Sand bags and either restock the rifle or look for bags that fits you stock.