I read a lot on the web that guys prefer to shoot heavier recoiling rifles with a steady grip from the bench and even holding the forearm of the stock.
I spend quite a bit of time shooting out on the ranch and tried different techniques shooting my Kimber 8400 338 Win Mag from the bench. I did re-barrel the rifle and it shoots quite well with 215g Sierra GKs. Recoil does not bother me much and after spending plenty of time behind the Kimber trigger I still believe that even a heavy recoiling rifle shoots best when the rifle does the work and not the shooter. I almost let the rifle free recoil into my shoulder with a light hold and get 1/2" groups on a consistent basis. The point of impact stays the same for me whether I hold tighter or let the rifle do the work. I find it easier to check consistency by not holding on to it for dear life
I am not saying that holding on to it tight is wrong I just found that the consistency was better by letting the rifle do the job.
Here are a few targets I took pictures of on different days. The last target was 5 or 6 shots where I shot from a combination of bags only and then off a bi-pod (not quite 1/2" but good to see the point of impact stayed more or less the same from bags and then bi-pod)
3 shots.
3 shots.
The combo target with 5 or 6 shots:
Thought some might find this interesting.
Pieter