Where to place the rifle on the Front Rest?

[bully_eye]

Hi all! Just received my new F-Class rifle from the gunsmith. Python action, 30" Maddco Barrel 1:8, McMillan MBR stock in 6.5-284 with a NF 12-42x56 at 17lb 4oz all up. Easy enough to find the point of balance but is there a general rule about where to place the forend on the rest or is every rifle a rule unto itself,the answer I'm expecting! ) I guess the best idea is to shoot it and see what the rifle likes but I was wanting to put PTFE tape on the forend before I shot and was wondering where to position it. Any clues?

Michael

ps I've searched this forum as well as a few others and couldn't really find any clues on this

 

[Hipshot]

Good question. I've had discussions with fellows that shoot long range with black powder cartridge rifles, like Sharps and Remington Rolling Blocks,Track of the Wolf, a BP operation is in the building next to mine). There is a black powder shooting magazine and in one issue there was a lengthy discussion regarding the placement of the front support. Their conclusion was that it should be placed close to the action rather than the muzzle. Now, with my knowledge of physics, that is counter intuitive. With the fulcrum,front rest) closer to the shoulder, small movements at the shoulder translate to large movements at the muzzle, while with the fulcrum at the muzzle end, small movements of the shoulder give smaller movement at the muzzle.

I've experimented with two guns of mine that I use for 300 meter F class shooting, and found that my best groups came with the front rest just about 2-3 inches rearward from the end of the handguard. I'm shooting with a rear bag but the butt of the rifle is in my shoulder. I can see the movement caused by my pulse while looking through my scope, and it's only 24x.

I'm really interested to see/read what others will have to say on this topic.

 

[bully_eye]

...and I don't want anyone to say "Put the stock tape along the entire forend' either! The stuff I have comes in 5"x5" squares. So do we like to place the front rest closer to or further from the point of balance? Not necessarily after scientific answers either although if you have one then by all means.

Michael

 

[Aussie_bob]

Well for me i have my front stop out about 4 inches and the stock i have has quite a long for-end as its a Phil Mastin Tracker.
If you are shooting long range any movement either way when shooting will be magnified at range so keeping movement to a minimum is essential.

 

[Forum Boss]

Good question. I've had discussions with fellows that shoot long range with black powder cartridge rifles, like Sharps and Remington Rolling Blocks,Track of the Wolf, a BP operation is in the building next to mine). There is a black powder shooting magazine and in one issue there was a lengthy discussion regarding the placement of the front support. Their conclusion was that it should be placed close to the action rather than the muzzle. Now, with my knowledge of physics, that is counter intuitive.

Hipshot, when I've bench-tested my 45/70 and my Swedish Mauser, I've concluded that I do get best accuracy with the front rest positioned quite far back on the fore-end. But I think this is because, on my Rolling-Block 45/70 in particular, the handguard/fore-end is VERY narrow and not particularly rigid. When you position the rest so it is much closer to the action with such "splinter fore-end" rifles you get the rifles weight resting were the fore-end is thickest and most rigid. This, I've found, also reduces the risk that the stock will flex and contact the barrel during firing.

On the other hand, if you are talking about a heavy, 3"-wide long-range bench rest stock, built by a competent stockmaker, that stock is going to be rigid almost all the way out to the end. With such a design, I suggest starting out near the end and working your way in. Some of this is personal preference by the front/rear balance of the stock will also dictate where to position the rifle. If your gun is very nose-heavy, for example, placing the front rest further forward will distribute more weight to the rear.

 

[Hipshot]

Thank you for that explanation. I have a Rem rolling block,replica)in 40-65 and know of what you speak relative to the stock design. I'll have to try the front rest further towards the action the next time I have it out.