Bench tips,tricks for hunting rifles, load development, etc.

[elkeater2]

I volunteered to start a thread. Real curious how people go about bench shooting hunting rifles to be consistent, get decent groups, save on development costs. I've wasted a bunch of money on components while learning the little bit I know. I use bags fore and aft, medium pull into the shoulder, medium grip pressure, etc. If the crosshairs don't stay close when I relax a little, I move things besides muscles until they do. I try to rest the forend about midway between action and tip, wanting to come close to the kind of pressure or tension when field shooting. Don't want the pistol grip, swivel studs, or heel to touch anything when recoiling, so usually rest the butt just ahead of the swivel stud, and off the bench with decent clearance.

What all do you do or watch out for?
Elkeater2

 

[Ridge_Runner]

I do very little bench shooting, If I'm shooting more than 100 yards I got my belly in the dirt shooting off a bipod with rear support. I hunt that way so I practice that way.
what I do
preload the pod
adjust rear support so your crosshairs are a bit low, as you lean into the rifle to load the pod, the crosshairs will raise, be on target and rock solid.
watch the level
RR

 

[Scott Spencer]

Excellent post and suggestion, RR!! I've never shot off bipods attached to my rifle but I've been considering them. I currently use the 3 leg Stoney Point shooting sticks.

 

[Too Tall]

I do the same thing, very seldom do I shoot from a bench. I like hunting positions.
1) Prone with a front bipod, and rear support. Most of the time I use a fanny pack. Wrapped up in the sling.
2) Sitting cross leg, and left knee up, elbow on knee, also wrapped up in the sling.
3) Sitting with tall sticks and forward loaded, also wrapped up in the sling.

 

[elkeater2]

I practice from hunting positions, too. What I'm trying to find out is every time someone posts a target with good groups or patterns, or talk about flyers or stringing, I am always wondering what the shooting technique was from the bench that they used.
I guess if a bipod is installed and going to be used always, shooting it from the bench too is a great idea. I never figured out how to fit one in a saddle scabbard. :grin:

What do people do to get the best groups possible when developing and testing loads in a rifle used for carrying and hunting? Maybe that's what I should have asked in the first place.
EE2

 

[BeeTee]

I love the Harris bi-pod, and I've shot a number of elk/deer/antelope and more varmints than I can count with one attached to the rifle. It allows accurate long-range field shots that I'd never take without such a solid rest. Love it, but.... I don't think it's the best choice for squeezing the most accuracy from a rifle while at the range.

If the stock has any flexibility, the free-floating barrel/forend gap will change with just a slight twist at the rear of the stock while sitting on a bi-pod. A slight change in cheek weld or in grip pressure can move things around just a little in the forend/barrel gap. This is especially noticeable with a somewhat flexible injection molded stock.

 

[257 Ackley]

I volunteered to start a thread. Real curious how people go about bench shooting hunting rifles to be consistent, get decent groups

What all do you do or watch out for?
Elkeater2

Since this is your original question...I do practice from normal field shooting positions, but to have an accurate load to practice those positions you have to spend some time on the bench.
1. Chronograph...need to know speed, ES and SD
2. Notebook to write it down...important at my age because I forget things too fast
3. Sandbags, rests or whatever will be used to stabilize the rifle
4. Remove slings and anything else that will screw up shooting off bags
5. Make sure stool or chair is at the proper height for comfortable shooting
6. Cleaning rod and supplies to remove oils in the barrel prior to tests
7. Dry fire the trigger a few times to get back the "feel"
8. Give the barrel proper time to cool down between shots

 

[Too Tall]

I hunt from a scabbard too, and just take the bipod off.

 

[OldMan]

I feel it's a total waste of time to practice with loads of unknown accuracy so I shoot off of a rock solid bench with a home made shooting rest. That way I know the load is good, then comes the practice from other positions. As far as practice just for practice sake, I see no reason to wear out a big gun doing this and use a 22-250, 22 magnum, or even an 06 for this. I do make sure my big magnums shoot well from the field positions, but I don't wear the barrels out on practice. There is nothing like the confidence that comes from shooting a 22-250 into tiny groups, no kick either! As for the barrel on the 22-250, I can change the barrel on my savage in a few minutes.

 

[Ridge_Runner]

I practice from hunting positions, too. What I'm trying to find out is every time someone posts a target with good groups or patterns, or talk about flyers or stringing, I am always wondering what the shooting technique was from the bench that they used.
I guess if a bipod is installed and going to be used always, shooting it from the bench too is a great idea. I never figured out how to fit one in a saddle scabbard. :grin:

What do people do to get the best groups possible when developing and testing loads in a rifle used for carrying and hunting? Maybe that's what I should have asked in the first place.
EE2

shooting a pod off the bench will give sporatic results, the legs just wanna slide instead of loading pressure, then ya have the bounce from recoil.

For what I do you will see the best results from constant practice for setting up the shot, dopin the scope, setting the focus, checking the level and breathe and squeeze, ya don't even need to load the rifle just set up the shot. If you have confidance in your equipment, then all you have to do is set up the shot, you know what the rifle can do, just improve your technique. I normaly shoot an actual group once a week at 700 to 1100 yards, the rest of the time I concentrate on going from binocs to LRF, to rifle scope, and getting the parralex right, just trying to get more consistant and faster at the setup to gain more opprotunities.
RR

 

[rick smith]

For working up loads, I use a tripod front rest and rear bag. I place the rifle on the front rest with the back of the front rest even with the recoil lug area. I use the rear bag for elevation adjustments. For hunting practice bipod, tree limb, prone etc.Rick.

 

[atmoshpere]

Pretty much what others have said for load testing/sight in:

Front and rear bag, rifle settled in so if I let go the POA doesn't shift much if at all and try to be consistent in everything from shot to shot. I haven't found much difference in groups between holding firm with my trigger hand or holding lightly and only applying pressure with the trigger finger, IF the rifle is settled in the bags well. But I also have a 2 lb trigger pull, so I can trip the trigger when I'm not holding the gun without pulling the sight off point of aim. If you've got a 5-7 lb pull I think a firmer grip is necessary.

Chrony is indispensible; I should get one instead of always using jmad's :mrgreen:

Once you've settled on the magic pill, sticks or bipod for the rest of my practice before season.


atm

 

[Desert Fox]

I made this video way back. If you're hunting with a bipod, it's important to use it when zeroing your rifle. The point of impact change quite a bit when using bipod. Also, load the bipod to minimize muzzle jump. Hold the rear bag with your left hand. You can fine tune your elevation this way with just a little squeeze of the rear bag. Make sure both elbows are in full contact with the bench. I don't know if you guys see it but my right leg is also in full contact with the bench post to get myself as steady as I can.
By the way, I was shooting my Mauser 6MM Remington loaded with 87 grain V-Max at 3300 fps.

 

[wildgene]

What all do you do or watch out for?
Elkeater2

...well, since I purchased a couple of Nikons w/ the big, soft rubber "Fast UN-Focus" eyepiece, I look to see how bad they've moved. Not all bad, tho, because messing w/ 'em brought out the fact that the Leupold on my old 7mm that wasn't "shooting" quite right anymore hadn't been checked for a very long time. Slightly out-of-focus means "chasing the bull", & wreaks havoc w/ your group size. Seems that checking your optics once in awhile as you grow older is almost as good as replacing the barrel & a lot cheaper, & cleaning 'em occasionally doesn't hurt either...

...before I start shooting I go thru my "Bad Habits Checklist"...

...consistent finger placement on the trigger...
...anticipating the shot...
...the list is pretty long, but if I think about them, I don't make as many mistakes, & causes for the flyers are pretty easy to recognize...

 

[Oldtrader3]

I use a Caldwell adjustable, front mechanical rest, coupled with a Caldwell Cordura rabbit ear rear sandbag for supporting the back of the stock. I also cover the small sandbags on the Caldwell rest with a folded quilt to insulate them from vibration of the small sandbags on the rest. The benches that we use are cast concrete and are very solid.

I only hold the rifle enough to control it. I use my right hand to lightly support the stock wrist and to squeeze the trigger. I use a single index finger lightly placed on the top of the left lip of the barrel channel in front of the action to hold the rifle down on the bench while firing. I basically let the rifle go where it wants to go after firing. I place the front rest under the stock about halfway between the floorplate and the front sling swivel. I just make sure that my right hand pulls the stock pad well into the hollow of my shoulder while firing the rifle.

Vertical alignment of the cross hairs is another thing that I check before pull the trigger. I also have developed techniques to control breathing and heatbeat and minimise their effects on the movement of the cross hairs while firing the rifle. Repeatability is the technique that produces small groups.

Quality control of handloads, premium bullet use and a high quality scope are other attributes that contribute to small groups on the bench. I also always use high quality, well designed and solid scope bases and rings to mount the scope properly to the rifle and hold it with obsolute mechanical integrity. Most of the issues with grouping that I have had over the years were directly attributable to using less that optimal scope mounting hardware or alignment of the bases and scope issues. A cheap scope and poor quality mounts and bases will cause poor groups quicker than many other errors in shooting.

 

[1Shot]

Since this is your original question...I do practice from normal field shooting positions, but to have an accurate load to practice those positions you have to spend some time on the bench.
1. Chronograph...need to know speed, ES and SD
2. Notebook to write it down...important at my age because I forget things too fast
3. Sandbags, rests or whatever will be used to stabilize the rifle
4. Remove slings and anything else that will screw up shooting off bags
5. Make sure stool or chair is at the proper height for comfortable shooting
6. Cleaning rod and supplies to remove oils in the barrel prior to tests
7. Dry fire the trigger a few times to get back the "feel"
8. Give the barrel proper time to cool down between shots[/quote]

This is pretty much what I do also at the range. But before I get to the range I want a rifle with a good bedded action with a free floated barrel and right at a 2.5 pound crisp trigger. Once this is all done I have learned how to find a good load really quickly and without shooting up a lot of components. I go to the Sierra loading manual and look up caliber and bullet weight I will be using and go to their suggested accuracy load. It usually is right on the money. I find where my lands are with a split neck case and load 10 thousands off the lands. I can always tinker with seating depth later. One thing that I also do is prep the cases by removing the inside the case burr on the flash hole. This one thing has attributed to much gained accuracy over most any other thing you can do to a case.

 

[Elkman]

I shoot from a bench for load development and to insure that point of aim is consistent from one year to the next. I only have one rifle that I shoot/carry with a bipod and always shoot with it on, even from field positions. When at the bench I do as the others brace my leg, dry fire, watch finger placement, cheek position etc. What I also do is place my elbows against/into two additional 3/4 filled sand bags. So I am really comfy with the wobble. Prior to the shot I close my eyes, take a breath let some out, then open my eyes and see where the crosswire is. If not where I want it I adjust again. My biggest issue is the 5th shot. For some reason I tighten up or anticipate the 5 th one and sometimes pull it out to the left. Usually no more than an 1 inch but but that inch ruins a .600, 4 shot group. I also shoot primarily in the morning, less wind then, its also cooler and the sun is behind the trees to my south. In the afternoon its on me from my back. I also have a horizontal line marked on my backstop so that my targets are square to the world.
I will start shooting from field positions in a week or two. I usually shoot at gallon jugs full of water and not worry about group size. My most favorite field position is kneelling, so I practice using it a lot. It is pretty steady and gets you above the gound litter sometimes present. If you can kneel and use a tree or rock as a third leg it can give you great results.

 

[ElmerThud]

Hi folks, I use a bench to test/check my loads - but only a couple or three times a year.
When I do, I have my Roesack on the bench & just rest my forearm against it..pretty much as I would, lying prone on a hillside. I don't use a Bi-Pod at all.
Steady the butt into my shoulder, the crosshairs will be in my line of sight & onto the target - normally 100 yards. Get my breathing right and as soon as I'm real relaxed & comfy - the shot's gone.
If all has worked to plan & the aging shake didn't creep in, the POI will be 1 1/2" high of centre at which the crosshairs were lined up.

The rest of the time my practise is always prone. When in the field, I'm quite at ease if I have to sit, kneel, lean against a tree or argocat/quad bike.
When I'm in the field, I don't expect to shoot from an ideal or comfortable position & it's a bonus if I do get to choose.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I still do and have done most of my shots while hunting from the standard military, hasty sling, sitting position with elbows placed just inside of my knees. I have found that I can shoot groups from this position which are very close in size to groups shot from bench rest out to about 300 yards.

 

[hubcap]

I use the exact method and eguipment as oldtrader3 from the bench. Bye the way Ive noticed that small vibration caused by the small sandbag on the caldwell front stand. Thanks for the tip by oldtrader3 about adding a folded guilt.