Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Tips on shooting lightweight rifles?

So finally getting time to shoot my Kimber 84L here soon. Wanted to get tips on how to shoot lightweight rifles from the bench? Any special tips on rests or how to hold one for best results? Any help appreciated
Thanks

First step I’d say is tune that trigger to as light as you feel comfortable and safe with.

Only change I make when shooting my Kimbers is I tend to hold the forend of the stock while on the bench, unlike with a heavier rifle where my left hand will be squeezing the rear bag.

Practice from your field positions and off your pack if you intend to do so in the field. Any flaw in your shooting will be magnified with a lighter rifle.

Congrats on your new Kimber. What did you get?

Bench isn't too hard.
Wait until you try an off hand shot.
T3 is my lightest rifle, 6.5 Swede. It's sweet, nothing much to dislike.

Except i shoot every rifle i own better. The rifle itself is accurate, I can kinda shoot well. The system sucks, and I don't hunt it much.
Have actually considered epoxying a few ounces on lead into the stock.

Jeffrey is spot on. Shoot it like a double rifle off the bench, hold it!

Letting them bounce produces some pretty interesting disappointments until you tell the victim how it is done🤣

Mule Deer has some very good tips on how to do it. Maybe he'll ring in. Once you get your load development done and decide on your pet load, shoot it off the bench as you envision shooting it in the field. If you are going to shoot off a backpack in the field, try that on the bench. Pressure points can matter with lightweights.

I also hold the forearm when I shoot off a bench. Made a noticeable difference in group size. Additionally I try to be very consistent on “cheek weld” , how I grip the wrist of the stock and how I shoulder the stock. In short I try to pay more attention to shooting fundamentals than typically seems necessary with heavier hunting rifles.

Concentrate on pulling the trigger STRAIGHT back without torquing it at all. Pad of your trigger finger against the full-face of the trigger-shoe.

How light is it? A kimber 84L in 30-06 weighs in at 6 pounds 2 oz's. As a comparison, the Tikka superlite creed weighs 5.9 pounds. I've never considered that too light to shoot accurately. No special tricks needed either. Lack of practice and poor technique is probably the real reason some have issues shooting a "lightweight" rifle.

What made a lot of difference reducing the group size of my 7# 7mm-08 was when I moved the front bag back several inches closer to the receiver.

For the field, use a sling in the sitting position.

Don't drag/kiss a swivel stud,either fore or aft. Hint.................

Mark v ultra light 06. I hold on to the forearm stock a little on the bench. Of sticks or offhand, I just shoot it. Dang gun shoots awesome.

Good advice here so far with fundamentals, sling studs, etc. I also put a soft towel on the front rest. The left hand goes on the forearm too. I see some guys put that hand on the forearm and overlap the barrel, or use it to hold the back bag, or even put in on top of the scope. Those placements always seem to make things worse and are not going to be replicated in the field.

Make double sure your sling stud is not being interfered with by the bag or rest. When I go for serious shooting sessions, I simply remove them.

Did you just pick the first weight that came up on Google when searching for Kimber 84L weight? That search, by the way, is for an 84L Classic. A Kimber Montana 84L is lighter than a Tikka Superlite.

Hold the fore-end and pull the front sling swivel. The bigger the caliber the more you'll have to figure how much grip and rearward pressure it takes to manage. I default to strong rearward pull with shooting hand and tight grip and mild rearward pressure with the support hand, but the harder the gun kicks the more rearward pull you'll need with both hands

I don't bother to shoot lightweight/hard kicking rifles off a bench anymore...they often shoot differently from field positions.

Stick, I knew you could do it. “Don’t drag/kiss a swivel stud, either fore or aft. Hint………….” Provide a nice concise civil answer without being crude or referring to genitalia. Congratulations.

Dumbfall,

You are sucking the wrong ass and your Man Lust Fantasies are misfocused...you "lucky" kchunt. Hint. Congratulations?!?

I build Boomers slickshod,with flush cups. Hint.



Bless your poor poor(literally) heart,for trying.

Hint.

Fhuqking LAUGHING!...............

Load the trigger then break it.
Keep similar pressure with your cheek and shoulder.
Dry fire and watch the reticle on the target to see if it’s moving.

On a non-rushed shot, I hold at the front of the fore end with my index finger wrapped over the barrel. This limits barrel rise and controls recoil.