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Shooting From Bipod: Shooting Technique

In this article, http://www.6mmbr.com/TacticalFroggyA1.html, the shooter, Froggy, is asked, "

"You've mastered the "hard-hold" shooting style. How do you grip and steady the stock"?

Froggy answers...

"I use a classic wrap-around grip on the stock, similar to that of most professional tactical shooters. The rifle is pulled hard back into my shoulder and the tip of the pad of my right index finger on the lower part of the trigger".

I am new, so forgive the question of asking what is a "hard-hold", and "classic wrap-around" grip? I am trying to do my best firing off a wood topped bench with a Harris bipod. If this is an exercise in futility while trying to achieve best accuracy, then would like to know that. But this article seems to show that it is possible to achieve very good accuracy with a bipod.

Phil
 
In my view....a 'hard holder' is a shooter that has paid strict attention to ALL of the Rules of Marksmanship which are unyielding in their nature! The shooter's position is such that a NPA aka natural point of alignment is always obtained prior to shot break, the shooter's breathing procedure is correct, NPA assures that the rifle is not 'muscled' onto the target, vision is such that the reticule or iron aperture is plainly in focus at shot break....and NOT the intended point of impact. The 'hard holder' has learned how to 'call' his shots and KNOWS when and if his position needs to be reestablished! A 'hard holder' shooter is also an individual that has their mental game totally in focus such that when upon the firing line they are momentarily in a capsule and are paying total attention to their prior training and oblivious to all else that is going on around them at the time!!

This individual is DAMN HARD TO BEAT!!
 
I have shot some very excellent groups off a bipod (Harris) on a bench. I have achieved my best results by holding the forearm with my non trigger finger hand and using a firm pull into the shoulder.

For me, allowing the rifle to free recoil off the bench (i.e. not holding the forearm) gave me erratic groups; the heavier the caliber the more erratic the groups became.
 
If you want total accuracy then get rid of the bipod and go to a quality heavy front rest like a hart rest and a bag that will line up the rifle so you can really see what the gun can do.If you intend to shoot f-class then by all means practice with bi-pod on a mat on the ground.I have a buddy who just wont shoot off a quality rest so he can quit having fliers.I proved it to him when he handed over his gun and I kicked his butt bad.I am just saying to use the best tools for the job at hand.
 
I'm certainly no expert, but here are my 2 pennies. I have shot from a Harris, and from a Sinclair F class. I did not like the Harris. With a proper footing underneath the Sinclair F class bipod, I can't tell much difference in my masksmanship between that and a front rest. I use a hard hold and try to get as square behind the stock as possible. My rifle has a muzzle brake and Jewell trigger. What are you shooting for a rifle? Have you shot it from a good front rest to know the rifle's true capability? I am assuming that the rifle/load is a known accurate shooter.
 
When shooting from a bench, say when I'm sighting in a hunting rifle, rather than pull back into my shoulder, I lean foward into the bipod to "preload" it.

My idea is to try to eliminate the "hop" of the harris-style bipod. It works for me.
 
Phil3 what kind of shooting are you planning to do from the bipod? I ask, because some of the responses above presume that you are going to be shooting F-Class or competition shooting where shooting from a front rest may be of some benefit. Conversely, if you are looking for tactical or hunting techniques, the front rest conversation is not as beneficial.

To specifically answer your question, a "hard hold" (at least to me) means you are affirmatively putting forward pressure into the stock of the rifle with your shoulder, combined with some small level of pull back into your shoulder with one or both of your hands. (I am presuming that you are using a correct position behind the rifle).

I believe the grip he is talking about is a standard grip on the stock that looks something akin to a handshake with the stock when looking at it from above and behind the grip (assuming something that looks like a McMillan HTG or similar hunting stock). Your thumb is on top or or wrapped over the stock and your fingers wrap around under the stock. (as compared with a pinch grip where the shooter never really grabs the stock at all but places his index finger tip on the trigger and the thumb on the rear of the trigger guard and pinches the trigger and trigger guard between the finger tip and the thumb).

I shoot right-handed. For me, I push forward into the stock with body / right shoulder, and simultaneously pull the stock into my shoulder with the bottom three fingers of my right hand. The pressure with the hand is slight, as I am using my right index finger on the trigger (trying to pull hard with 3 of your 4 fingers and still keep your trigger finger loose - not easy to do. Even if possible its not something you can maintain for any length of time without having muscle fatigue issues). The key is to get a stable secure position.

When using a Harris Bipod (not my first choice of bipods), I try to push forward enough on the bipod to "preload/load" (exert forward pressure) the bipod. If you shoot from a bench on the bare smooth concrete, the harris will slide forward slightly when you apply the pressure with your shoulder. I have shot everything that I own and load for from a Harris bi-pod (6.47 Lapua, 7 WSM, 7 Dakota, .308, 30-06 AI, 338 LM Improved). The technique is the same for all of them. loading the bipod reduced hop dramatically, especailly if you can push into a small ridge that prevents the bipod from sliding forward under reasonable pressure. I don't use a Harris now, as I love my LRA (much more stable than a Harris - but also much more expensive).

Sorry for the rambling answer. I hope this helps as far as shooting from a bipod.

JeffVN
 
Have watched a local GOOD shooter use rifles with bipods. He pushed his shoulder hard into the butt and then ( right-handed) uses his left hand over the trigger hand to push down on the rifle.

Seems strange to me but he shoots well doing it.
 
Phil3 said:
<snip>

I am new, so forgive the question of asking what is a "hard-hold", and "classic wrap-around" grip? I am trying to do my best firing off a wood topped bench with a Harris bipod. If this is an exercise in futility while trying to achieve best accuracy, then would like to know that. But this article seems to show that it is possible to achieve very good accuracy with a bipod.

Phil

It is NOT an exercise in futility...

This was shot at 405 yards with a 308 rifle on a Harris Bipod.

The second and third shots were called "misses" by the spotter, so I stopped shooting. We didn't know the size of the group until it was retrieved. The rifle typically shoots 1" to 1-1/4" at 400 yards if it is raining.

They were shots # 36, 37, and 38 from a new barrel.

Shooting with a Harris Bipod is very different than shooting from a benchrest tripod or an "F Class" rig.







K22 said:
I have shot some very excellent groups off a bipod (Harris) on a bench. I have achieved my best results by holding the forearm with my non trigger finger hand and using a firm pull into the shoulder.

For me, allowing the rifle to free recoil off the bench (i.e. not holding the forearm) gave me erratic groups; the heavier the caliber the more erratic the groups became.

This is good advice - I hang onto the rifle like it is in a vice.
 
I can shoot this rifle, 30/06 caliber off a good solid bench and shooting 10 shots from 1000 yards if I 'unload' the Harris bipod for the last 5 rounds fired....the POI will be 10" high in a cluster at 12 o/clock! If I remove the bipod and shoot off a good front bag they go where I want them to!


JB1 by Sharps45 2 7/8, on Flickr
 
Jeffvn said:
Phil3 what kind of shooting are you planning to do from the bipod? I ask, because some of the responses above presume that you are going to be shooting F-Class or competition shooting where shooting from a front rest may be of some benefit. Conversely, if you are looking for tactical or hunting techniques, the front rest conversation is not as beneficial.

To specifically answer your question, a "hard hold" (at least to me) means you are affirmatively putting forward pressure into the stock of the rifle with your shoulder, combined with some small level of pull back into your shoulder with one or both of your hands. (I am presuming that you are using a correct position behind the rifle).

I believe the grip he is talking about is a standard grip on the stock that looks something akin to a handshake with the stock when looking at it from above and behind the grip (assuming something that looks like a McMillan HTG or similar hunting stock). Your thumb is on top or or wrapped over the stock and your fingers wrap around under the stock. (as compared with a pinch grip where the shooter never really grabs the stock at all but places his index finger tip on the trigger and the thumb on the rear of the trigger guard and pinches the trigger and trigger guard between the finger tip and the thumb).

I shoot right-handed. For me, I push forward into the stock with body / right shoulder, and simultaneously pull the stock into my shoulder with the bottom three fingers of my right hand. The pressure with the hand is slight, as I am using my right index finger on the trigger (trying to pull hard with 3 of your 4 fingers and still keep your trigger finger loose - not easy to do. Even if possible its not something you can maintain for any length of time without having muscle fatigue issues). The key is to get a stable secure position.

When using a Harris Bipod (not my first choice of bipods), I try to push forward enough on the bipod to "preload/load" (exert forward pressure) the bipod. If you shoot from a bench on the bare smooth concrete, the harris will slide forward slightly when you apply the pressure with your shoulder. I have shot everything that I own and load for from a Harris bi-pod (6.47 Lapua, 7 WSM, 7 Dakota, .308, 30-06 AI, 338 LM Improved). The technique is the same for all of them. loading the bipod reduced hop dramatically, especailly if you can push into a small ridge that prevents the bipod from sliding forward under reasonable pressure. I don't use a Harris now, as I love my LRA (much more stable than a Harris - but also much more expensive).

Sorry for the rambling answer. I hope this helps as far as shooting from a bipod.

JeffVN

Thanks for the time spent penning this reply. Your very first question, "what kind of shooting are you planning to do from the bipod?" is a loaded one for me. I don't hunt, don't compete, and simply shoot paper targets off a bench at my local 100 yard range. My wants are a contradiction, and I realize I can't have it all. I want tiny groups, but also convenience, and like tactical style rifles. That says bipod and perhaps small rear bag, but I may loose out on accuracy. The accuracy may be maximized with a 20 - 30 lb. $800 front rest and rear bag filled with heavy sand, but hardly convenient, even if I am just lugging this stuff from the car to the bench.

At risk of offending some (if not many), I also want more shooter engagement with the gun when using it than offered with a heavy front rest and rear bag as seen in formal BR. Please, this is no offense to BR shooters! I had the opportunity to shoot a 65lb. unlimited gun in 300 Weatherby Mag on an 80 lb. two piece rest at 1000 yards, with switching winds and horrible mirage in the 103 degree heat. It was an absolute miracle I did not come in last in the competition. This kind of shooting is HARD. My 10 shot group was dinner plate size, far bigger than some other guys. But, I guess I want to drive the rifle more, hold onto it and not use the free recoil style. In some ways, it seems I might be needing whatever setup varmint shooters use.

No question I could use some tutoring on proper body position. Another shooter let me fire his Howa 308 and I thought it kicked pretty hard. He immediately told me to get more behind the rifle, and the recoil was much better. I have lots to learn...

The hard hold grip as described is what I do all the time. And I do preload the bipod but it slides on the bench wood surface, so used a range sandbag in front of the bipod legs. The AR-15 can shoot 1/2 MOA groups this way, most of the time, with sub .75 MOA almost always on my first low power handloads. But after the shot, the 12.8 lb. AR-15 is way off POA. Given the rear is in a heavy sand bag, the front must be jumping all over. It never feels very planted.

In response to some other questions asked.

- I am shooting an AR-15. Barrel is a Krieger chambered in minimum spec 223 Remington. Also will be shooting a Howa 223 bolt action, and later on, a 6mmBR with custom barrel.

- My AR-15 has shot 3 overlapping holes as well at 100 yards. Maybe it is doing bipod shooting better than I expected.

- I did shoot the rifle off a mechanical rest, but the bag was a cobbled together temporary arrangement for my AR round handguard and was shooting Blackhills ammo, which it never did like. The AR's performance was not good that day.

Phil
 

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