Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Shooting a lightweight rifle

Geo W,

I don't think it's quite as simple as to automatically say, "hold the fore-end", although that is indeed what needs to happen to bring my Kimber from about 1.25 MOA down to .75 MOA. I think holding the fore-end is something to try if "free recoil" isn't working, though.

I see this is turning to a trigger pull discussion. I won't run a heavy trigger, and 4+ pounds is heavy as far as I'm concerned! I run my Kimber at around 2 pounds, same with my other bolt guns except the M7 which is more like 2.75 lbs (because it's typically a high-stress, close-range gun)... and my two main dedicated LR target rifles have Jewell triggers set around 6-8 ounces.

For a light rifle especially, I'm of the opinion that you pretty much have to run a light trigger if you want accuracy. Let me re-phrase that. *I* have to run a light trigger if I want accuracy.

For those who have not tried it, you'd be shocked at how much easier it is to shoot little groups with a clean 6-oz trigger. There's really no going back once you get used to "light".

Have a nice day. I am going hunting now.

Don't get worked up over this. There is more than one right answer to it.

Good luck, Don! Go get 'em!

Not worked up in the least. Just been itching to get a new 223 Montana, and this looked like a fine opportunity.........(grin)

How can someone claim they have the right answer, when they are expounding on a knowledge and experience base of 0??????

I don't see quoting an 18 y/o book as in anyway relevant to the op's question.

In general gun writers are far from the best shots, aren't using the best equipment, and are gearing their prose towards the masses.

There are those that don't have to quote others, nor do they have to post pictures of other peoples guns. They know what works because they've done it themselves.

When shooting my Tikka T3 lite from the bench I let the front bag support the front of the rifle freely. I've noticed something that helps me hold this light weight steady while squeezing the trigger, is to take my left hand and sort of pinch the bottom of the butt stock with this hand also resting on the bench.

I run the bag under the mag box with rabbit ears on the buttstock and my left hand cupped around the rear bag, giving it a squeeze for the finite adjustment.
I do this for prone as well, which is without a doubt the meanest combination I've seen yet.

When I ground the thing off I was seven years old, over 50 years ago. Vividly remember shooting my Daisy with my bird finger and my bandaged finger pointed straight ahead.. never hesitated to switch back when the soreness went away. Went on to qualify expert in the army and never thought about it too much. Just dry fired a few times with bird finger, just ain't right as there's nowhere to put my trigger finger.

I'm using a Leupold VXII 3-9x40 and have a VXIII 2.5-8 chomping at the bit

I do believe that the trigger pull is close to the weight of the rifle. Timney, I'm thinking 2.5 to 3lb neighborhood, see what happens and go from there.

Sounds like I need to give it a try as that is how I've done it for years as far as the left hand goes I just use a front rest more forward.

I'll work it out

Yep.

Lots of us.

Ditto, if you find a better way, let me know

I often see guys stacking up all sorts of rest and gripping a rifle like they are about to beat someone with it

On the trigger pull issue, I can see both sides. Yes, a light trigger is nice, but for the average joe, it's the very last thing they need while hunting. All of the guys I know that own target rigs, run over 2lbs pull on their hunting rigs. Everyone has their own preferences.

Have a Good One,

loder

Leupold VX3 2.5-8. Wonderful scope and I really like it. I'm not sure where the thing is parallax free at but it has more than I'm accustomed to at 100 yards. At 200 though the rig is a dream to shoot.

The only reason I mention is that I found that with a smaller stocked rifle it was harder to get a repeatable cheek weld while shooting off the bench. Being it is a very lightweight rifle it takes some care to center the eye without moving the gun.

Of course GeoW might not have this problem at all. Just something I encountered that I thought I'd throw out there.

Hope you get it squared away GW.

Will

Thanks Will. I believe it's a combination of things workin against me. I'm not a fan of the factory stock because of reasons you stated. I've considered swapping temporarily with my original Mtn Rifle walnut stock just to see, as that rig goes under an inch with no effort on my part. This one will do the same but I have to work like crazy to make it happen.

Don,

Stupid isn't an "answer",despite it being all you can muster.

Take notes,they're free................

Pretty much what Matt said but some rifles are too brutal in a lightweight (8lb 9.3 x 66) so you have to hold the foreend - but I only caress it - sort of like a woman's - nah won't go there!

This one from a 5 1/2 lb (scoped) ULA M24. Mel really knows how to make em.



Trigger pull about 3lbs but really nice and crisp Timney.

regards
JohnT

Nice shooting John. That rifle is doing you proud. I too received a package from Mel last week but haven't gotten around to giving it a go. Hope it's as capable as yours even though I am not as the shooter

What a relief, I've only got two strikes.