Bipod Loading

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th365thli

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Hi guys. Got a question.

So brief background. I've got the precision bug. Meaning I'm obsessed with groups. Now it's not a full on infection. I'm fine with just shooting at 50 yards.

I have a bipod. It works? It's stable, hasn't broke. It's attached to a free float barrel, so we have one variable out of the way.

So the question: How does bipod loading affect accuracy and precision? I've been trying to find an answer online, and I know it's important, but I don't know why. I always thought if the reticle is on target and you pull, hell you can be hanging 20 feet upside, down, it'll hit the target. Now I'm starting to learn surfaces and "bounce" affect point of impact. If a bipod bounces then shots will go off target? I was always under the impression that recoil wouldn't affect the bullet path, but that's not the case?

I'm shooting on a hard surface too. I hard that messes things up. Unfortunately I can't do anything about it. Should I get a proper benchrest / bags?

Thanks guys.
 
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th365thli said:
It's attached to a free float barrel, so we have one variable out of the way.
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If it's actually attached to the barrel instead of the free floating handguard, you added one of the worst variables possible. Nothing should touch the barrel.

Guns will bounce away from a hard surface under recoil. Recoil starts the instant the primer ignites. The bullet is still in the barrel.

The secret to shooting good groups is consistency. You must hold the gun the same every time. Variable downforce on the bipod will affect your groups negatively.

The bench I shoot from is concrete and weighs several hundred pounds. On top of that, I use a Sinclair bench rest and bags. Years of practice allows me to shoot tiny groups if the gun and ammo are up to it and I haven't had too much coffee that morning.
 
MichiganScott said:
If it's actually attached to the barrel instead of the free floating handguard, you added one of the worst variables possible. Nothing should touch the barrel.

Guns will bounce away from a hard surface under recoil. Recoil starts the instant the primer ignites. The bullet is still in the barrel.

The secret to shooting good groups is consistency. You must hold the gun the same every time. Variable downforce on the bipod will affect your groups negatively.

The bench I shoot from is concrete and weighs several hundred pounds. On top of that, I use a Sinclair bench rest and bags. Years of practice allows me to shoot tiny groups if the gun and ammo are up to it and I haven't had too much coffee that morning.
Click to expand...


Sorry, i meant attached to a free float handguard. Attached to the barrel would be terrible
 
"Loading" the bi-pod, a.k.a. applying a little forward pressure, takes out any slack. It helps keep everything more consistent. That's all.

Try shooting groups without loading the bi-pod, and you'll see.
 
One more thing....

While the M&P 15 can be used for bench rest accuracy & precision shooting, it's not the best tool to use. I have an easier time shooting accurate & precise groups from a bolt action Ruger American .308 with a scope shooting off a bench and bag.

Again I'm not saying that the M&P 15 can't do it, but it's not the best tool for the job
 
I have shot using both a bipod and bags; I prefer the bags. They seem to give me a more stable support. My groups support that thought process.

Even so, I'm relatively new to precision rifle shooting. The rifle I shoot most is my 16" AR-15 and it has an EOTech on it so, extreme precision is not my goal with that gun.

I am interested to hear what others suggest along these lines though.
 
The bipod will degrade accuracy. Note that our snipers do not use them.

Get a good bench rest setup. Check with the bench rest crowd and see what they are using.
 
So I have a problem with the bipod sliding. Am I pushing forward too much? What's the proper way to load it? For a bench, do I just let the rifle sit on the bags?

I know the Sport is not the best weapon for precision shooting, but I want to reach my rifle's limits, and thus improve my shooting. There's alwasy the phrase "this rifle is more accurate than you". I want to get there.
 
I was going to buy a rubber mat, but now I'm starting to see that a front rest is necessary. I already purchased a Protektor 13B back rest. I'm going to purchase a Caldwell The Rock Deluxe. I've heard good things about it. So with rests, you don't have to worry about loading? Just get in a good position and let the rifle sit on the bags?
 
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The object with any support is to remove the human element. With a bag, the idea is to let the gun sit on it and move as little as possible.

I'm not familiar with bipod loading so, I'll have to let someone else answer that.
 
th365thli said:
I was going to buy a rubber mat, but now I'm starting to see that a front rest is necessary. I already purchased a Protektor 13B back rest. I'm going to purchase a Caldwell The Rock Deluxe. I've heard good things about it. So with rests, you don't have to worry about loading? Just get in a good position and let the rifle sit on the bags?
Click to expand...

No loading, but you still have to contact the gun the same each time. Some bench rests have a for end stop to help you place the gun on the bags the same after each shot.
 
MichiganScott said:
No loading, but you still have to contact the gun the same each time. Some bench rests have a for end stop to help you place the gun on the bags the same after each shot.
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Would a foregrip be an adequate stop? Rest the rifle so that the foregrip goes against the back of the rest?

edt: NVM, the rock deluxe has a fore end stop.
 
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MichiganScott said:
The secret to shooting good groups is consistency. You must hold the gun the same every time.
Click to expand...

THIS^^^^ It's a lot easier to be consistent with bags than a bipod. Trying to "load" your bipod exactly the same every time can be frustrating. I'm not a bench rest shooter, but I find a bull-bag to be just the ticket for me, not that expensive & not a lot of extraneous stuff to play with. That being said, I've been known to borrow my buddy's "Lead-Sled" when doing load development on my big thumpers...

-Klaus
 
klausinak said:
THIS^^^^ It's a lot easier to be consistent with bags than a bipod. Trying to "load" your bipod exactly the same every time can be frustrating. I'm not a bench rest shooter, but I find a bull-bag to be just the ticket for me, not that expensive & not a lot of extraneous stuff to play with. That being said, I've been known to borrow my buddy's "Lead-Sled" when doing load development on my big thumpers...

-Klaus
Click to expand...

I c. That's why rests/bags are better. More consistent, especially with a fore end stop. Ordered some bags and a rest. Gonna try again this thursday. Maybe I'll post results.
 
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