Where to mount a bipod?

[Tommie]

I have a heavy (19 lbs) gun used for prairie dogs. I shoot off a portable bench. Straight 1.25" barrel 28" long in 6mm-250 AI. Wood laminate heavy BR style stock. Obviously it's front-heavy. Right now the bipod is a couple inches forward of the balance point. The gun sits in the rear bag lightly. I'm no expert regarding bipod shooting technique but am semi familiar with the basics.

My question is: where should the bipod be mounted?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Delfuego]

I like them as far forward as I can get. On Accuracy International stocks I love the spigot mount that hangs off the front. On traditional stocks I don't think you can get too far forward. On some chassis systems I would limit it to where you can comfortably reach the bipod for adjustment without completely breaking your position behind the rifle.

 

[ED3]

The farther forward the bipod, the less the muzzle will be moved by shooter input movements at the butt....
if the bipod was mounted at the rifle's midpoint. 1" of movement at the butt would equal 1" at the muzzle.
If the bipod is 75% forward - 1" movement at the butt equals 1/2" at the muzzle, etc.
Assuming the stock is stiff enough, and other issues don't conflict - as far forward as possible.

 

[js2013]

The farther forward the bipod, the less the muzzle will be moved by shooter input movements at the butt....

That makes sense. I wonder if a longer F class stock (almost barrel length) to get the bipod as far forward as possible would be an advantage?

 

[Lapua40X]

You don't say what rifle you're shooting but you can get a Mannlicher stock for just about any common rifle. With that you can place the bipod right under the muzzle.

http://walnutgrovegunstocks.com/remington-700-bdl-mannlicher-2

 

[SheepDog]

Wherever you place the bipod the stock must support the weight of the barrel if you want the barrel to free float. Having the stock flex to the point that the barrel is resting on it will change the harmonics and shoot to a different point of impact. Having stated the obvious I prefer to mount the bipod in front of the sling swivel. I'm a hunter and I carry my gun with the sling, muzzle down, so it can be swung into position with the left hand as my right hand moves to the action. My left elbow naturally assumes a position in the sling and the rifle comes to the proper position for shooting as smoothly and quickly as possible.

 

[CharlieNC]

With your setup, why are you using a bipod instead of just an adjustable front rest?

 

[Tommie]

With your setup, why are you using a bipod instead of just an adjustable front rest?

Yes, I'm using a bipod at front and a bag at the rear. A bipod is quicker/easier when making fairly large horizontal changes. For example you've just cleared some poodles off a mound but you spot one running off to the right. It's super fast to grab a bipod leg, drag it to the right and intercept the runner. Just works better. For me at least. I've used a conventional front rest in PD fields and while it was more stable I found it to be a hassle when the shooting was fast and furious.

 

[SheepDog]

As a hunter a bipod is easier to place than a rest and sometimes you don't have the time to use a bipod. I use whatever is available, quick, and secure.

 

[CharlieNC]

Never shot PD and now understand, did not think of them as a dynamic target situation. I only shoot prone (Ftr and tac) with a bipod, and over the last years that was worked well for me in the field too. I would love to try that PD hunt some time, assuming there is time to load a bunch!

 

[Tommie]

Never shot PD and now understand, did not think of them as a dynamic target situation. I only shoot prone (Ftr and tac) with a bipod, and over the last years that was worked well for me in the field too. I would love to try that PD hunt some time, assuming there is time to load a bunch!

The shooting is VERY dynamic. I spent years punching paper and eventually got bored. Everything was too "fixed" and predictable for my tastes. When I finally started hitting the PD fields everything changed. Random distances and moving targets really add a bunch of adrenaline to shooting. Then throw in some insane swirling wind. It's a rush.

 

[DOGCAPPER]

I shot for several years. Take my advise: Go prepared with a shooting table of sorts. There is a layer of prickley pears under most of the grass. First jackrabbit I saw I flopped down to shoot and never did get the stickers and fuzz out of my hide.

 

[JFM33]

Hi Tommie
I have a rail on the bottom of my gun it alows me to slide the bipod out the farthest for stationary targets and bring it in closer for quicker handling on moving targets.It also allows you to find the sweet spot between recoil and muzzle jump.

 

[Tommie]

Hi Tommie
I have a rail on the bottom of my gun it alows me to slide the bipod out the farthest for stationary targets and bring it in closer for quicker handling on moving targets.It also allows you to find the sweet spot between recoil and muzzle jump.

I've thinking about doing that setup. Any chance you could post a photo?

 

[Tommie]

You don't say what rifle you're shooting but you can get a Mannlicher stock for just about any common rifle. With that you can place the bipod right under the muzzle.

http://walnutgrovegunstocks.com/remington-700-bdl-mannlicher-2

It's a 788 action in this stock:

 

[alinwa]

I've thinking about doing that setup. Any chance you could post a photo?

Yo Tommie......

I'm a' give you an opinion you won't get nowhere's else

IMO if you've a properly built, accurate rifle the forend of the stock is very much a part of the equation, feeding back to the barrel during the bullet's travel. I view the two parts, barrel and forend as the prongs on a tuning fork. Accepting this model in your mind, (most don't ), it becomes evident that the placement of the 'pod dramatically changes rifle performance.

I first started using the movement of the bipod to tune F-style rifles by installing aluminum rails under the forearm......then my testing started showing that breaking the fiberglass framework of the stock to install the rails screwed with the feedback so now I leave the skin intact, mill a slot inside the barrel channel, epoxy in an aluminum strip and drill and tap a series of sling swivel stud holes on like 1/2" centers. Then I screw studs into every hole, drive a nut down on each stud from the top side and drizzle acra-glas in around the nuts to encapsulate them. The result is IN MY OPINION a stiffer stock than before, with little added weight but still with the facility to move the 'pod fore and aft....

It is also my opinion that any rifle incapable of 1/4moa 5-shot aggregates with useful bullets from the bipod is insufficient.


opinionby


al


edited.... I'm sorry to have replied to a reply post. My bad. It may look as though I'm "replying" to JFM33 along with you.

I'M NOT!

JFM33 I feel your reasoning is very sound, I'm not trying to take from it. I think being able to move the 'pod is mandatory, I just got sidetracked into my method of doing so, WAS NOT trying to say one way is better than the other.

 

[Fast14riot]

A swiveling varmint bench might be a better idea.

 

[JFM33]

I've thinking about doing that setup. Any chance you could post a photo?

A pic or two

 

[Prairiedogger]

^^^^^ I was thinking that as I read down all the posts. My portable bench will swivel. Seat and all.
Makes it handy for p-dogs. I will have to admit that for the long distance dogs I go prone, It's just more stable.

 

[Immike]

Placement has very much to do with the harmonics of the rifle. They bounce if not in the right spot.