Bench Rest Techniques and Tips For Rifles
- Thread starter yodogsandman
- Start date
yodogsandman
Well-Known Member
Jim, I'm finding out that each rifle has it's own quirks in how it wants to shoot off the bags. Once solid rest mechanics are there and good basic shooting techniques, it's all in my consistency to do it all the same way each shot. Still have to figure out what each rifle wants.
With the 35 Whelen, I keep forgetting to reset it on the bags each shot and the recoil sets the rifle back enough for the sling swivel stud to contact the front bag. It seems to like being set on the front bag just forward of the action. Last week, recoil was lifting the forearm off the bags about a foot!
With the 35 Whelen, I keep forgetting to reset it on the bags each shot and the recoil sets the rifle back enough for the sling swivel stud to contact the front bag. It seems to like being set on the front bag just forward of the action. Last week, recoil was lifting the forearm off the bags about a foot!
quicksylver
Well-Known Member
Now that the shooting season has started again and i've had a couple if orportunities to get back to iron soght shooting, I have discovered that my seating height is as important as everything else.
It needs to be high enough so I can drop .my head down confortably.
Not all benches are made the same so I bring out door chair cushions with me, makes a hugh difference .
I am also relearning to follow through and call the shot.
That is keep my cheek on the stock until I have got the target back in the sight after the shot is fired.
It needs to be high enough so I can drop .my head down confortably.
Not all benches are made the same so I bring out door chair cushions with me, makes a hugh difference .
I am also relearning to follow through and call the shot.
That is keep my cheek on the stock until I have got the target back in the sight after the shot is fired.
35 shooter
Well-Known Member
Agree with quicksylver on follow through. It's probably the the most ignored or oft forgot part of the whole process too. It's true in any other sport too.
First proper technique then follow through.
First proper technique then follow through.
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
quicksylver, When I changed to Varilux lens, I had to start carrying cushions also. What was a comfortable height, became too low. Plus POI changed with looking through different parts of the lens. Another of the bummers of getting elderly.
quicksylver
Well-Known Member
Slightly off topic but here we go, the weather this week was no less than sh#/y. So I decided that after about 10 yrs of not shooting Bullseye I would try the indoor range again.
Took my Pardini and 1911 for a one hour trip down memory lane.
The Pardini has a red dot so getting back into 22 Bulks eye was fairly easy.
What really made me happy was when i shot the 1911 using my merit optic for my shooting glasses, IT WAS LIKE BEING 18 AGAIN !
Definitely have to tone my technique but boy sight picture was nooo problem.
Best money I ever spent 20 years ago.
Took my Pardini and 1911 for a one hour trip down memory lane.
The Pardini has a red dot so getting back into 22 Bulks eye was fairly easy.
What really made me happy was when i shot the 1911 using my merit optic for my shooting glasses, IT WAS LIKE BEING 18 AGAIN !
Definitely have to tone my technique but boy sight picture was nooo problem.
Best money I ever spent 20 years ago.
quicksylver
Well-Known Member
K ..That "pinching" the trigger thing did not work for me either, interesting though.
JW ..I am adding a picture that shows quite a few of the items that have been discussed:
1. Returning the gun to battery. Notice how the front sling swivel is "pinched" to the stop
2. The wool allows the gun to slide on the rest, I found that without it the rest CAN move with the gun and spoil the shot.
In other words the gun sticks to the leather.
3. The rubber roofing on the bench allows the pins on the bottom of the rest to dig in.
4. After adjusting the rest remember to LOCK IT, something I forget all the time.
5. The Wool on the butt stock allows me to adjust the comb for the various sight positions, the higher the sight the more I fold it.
JW ..I am adding a picture that shows quite a few of the items that have been discussed:
1. Returning the gun to battery. Notice how the front sling swivel is "pinched" to the stop
2. The wool allows the gun to slide on the rest, I found that without it the rest CAN move with the gun and spoil the shot.
In other words the gun sticks to the leather.
3. The rubber roofing on the bench allows the pins on the bottom of the rest to dig in.
4. After adjusting the rest remember to LOCK IT, something I forget all the time.
5. The Wool on the butt stock allows me to adjust the comb for the various sight positions, the higher the sight the more I fold it.
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quicksylver
Well-Known Member
Jim ..
those are stepped front rests w/carpet for the black gun guys and hunters.
The club supplies one for each table.
Most guys use big bags, lead sleds or those.
You know the group, minute of door mat at 27 feet guys.
those are stepped front rests w/carpet for the black gun guys and hunters.
The club supplies one for each table.
Most guys use big bags, lead sleds or those.
You know the group, minute of door mat at 27 feet guys.
quicksylver
Well-Known Member
I wonder if Armor all would work?
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Unless I am using a stock with a 3.5 inch fore end, real benchrest design, I don't shoot free recoil. Any fore end with a hint of curve on the bottom is shot with the butt plate on the shoulder. With military stocks, the off hand on the rear bag forms a "V" with the fingers and holds the butt against the shoulder. The firing hand's three fingers and thumb gentle pull the stock to the rear. This pull back is just a little more than total trigger pull of both stages of the trigger. Total recoil stroke is less than 1/2 inch, but sights rotate to the left. After the shot, the rifle is straightened and pushed back snuggly into the front bag. FWIW, Ric
quicksylver
Well-Known Member
Thanks Ricin...and where is your finger on the trigger?
quicksylver
Well-Known Member
JW...I did and it helped me alot.
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
I have short fat fingers and a wide palm. The firing hand thumb and three fingers have just the pad touching the stock and palm arched away. Trigger finger has just the very end of the pad, top of the finger print, as close to the middle of the trigger arch as possible. I know it sounds awkward, but when I was learning benchrest, if I gripped the pistol grip like a real pistol, it made another variable that added horizontal dispersion. HTH, Ric
JWFilips
Well-Known Member
Horizontal Dispersion is starting to show it's Ugly head in my recent shooting with my new .358 Win. Ben noticed it instantly and felt is was me canting the rifle which is very possible because I got lazy re-setting the fore end after every shot. The Weatherby Vanguard fore end is fat near the barrel chamber but slims concavely forward from that point. I need to be sure to reset the fat of the fore arm into the front bag otherwise it is easy to roll it right or left
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