I decided to do a little test today with my GA Precision .338 Lapua at 200 meters. Free recoil VS. loaded bipod. I was curious about point of impact change more than anything. 90% or more of my shooting is from prone with a bipod, but I will on occasion work up loads from the bench with a benchrest rest. One thing I learned long ago was it can be problematic trying to shoot a rifle and bipod accurately without a little "loading" of the bipod(slight shoulder pressure applied to the buttpad). Consistancy is the key. With a little practice it's not hard to master. Although the bipod group is slighter larger, the POI is virtually the same on both five shot groups.





I've had great luck with the Harris Type "S" notched leg bipods with a KMW Pod-Loc(anti-cant locking device)added on.

I probably do it about like you do Pat, I shoot off the bench a bit for groups but I always sight in off the ground and most all my longer range shooting is off the ground.

I've found some will shoot to the same poi and some will not. One just has to shoot them to see I guess.

Dober

The increased size of the group is due to the lousy Harris bipod. Its big problem is that it's stuck under the forearm and hops when you fire. Try a cantilevered bipod like a VersaPod.

I hardly if ever do anything from the bench or bench rest unless that's the intended use for the rifle.

I used to "load" the bi-pod. However, I don't do that anymore either. My reasoning is because if I am over a pack or log etc. there is no loading possible. I found that consistency in the pressure via the 2 middle fingers into the pocket of the shoulder is more crucial than the loading of the bi-pod. Keeping the pinky finger and thumb from torquing the rifle under recoil plays a big factor as well, in my opinion.

I've grown to like the Atlas but still use the Harris version often.

Those are some great groups. Not a significant difference in group size for a hunting rig.

Interesting test.

Do you think the results would be different with a lighter weight rifle? That .338 is like 21 lbs or something, isn't it?

I've always shot better with the loaded bipod vs free recoil, but I don't have a benchrest like that to compare it to.

The increased size of the group is .141". I can live with my lousy Harris bipod......laffin'

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't all bipods "stuck" to the forearm in one way or another?

Come on Pat, .141" seriously you gotta raise your standards...

Yeepers

Dober

I don't think the weight makes a difference.

Here's a 20lb gun shot off a Harris at 500



Her's a 9 lb gun (same caliber almost the exact same load) same bi pod at 500.

Yep, that lousy Harris really opened up your groups. Better not use it on any shot over 100 yards, you might miss .

Very worthwhile test!

Nice shooting Pat (as per usual)....

I have never found a Harris to change POI or alter group size much.

I also never played with the style scenar posted until I went to Glasgow this year. MontanaMarine had one on his rig and I am sold on that style bipod. Slicker 'dan schit.


Travis

In the field I have not seen a difference on POI when switching from a short bipod to a pack. When using the harris style bipods in an urban environment (off concrete) I had two rifles that displayed a 1 moa shift in POI regardless of whether the bipod was loaded or not.

I am pretty firm in loading my bipod and even when shooting off off of a pack I will lean into it quite a bit. As other have mentioned consistency is the key and I am more reliable in the field putting some pressure on the rifle rather than "floating it" off of a pack or other rest.

When shooting prone from a bipod, I have a much harder time staying in the scope to spot impact than I do from the bench. Am I alone?

Nice scope!


dave

A good break is your friend.

Getting yourself straight behind the rifle will help a ton as well. My Tikka is only about 7.5lbs ready to go and as long as I can keep everything in line all is well. As soon as I float my hips it bounces all over the place and I loose my target every time.

I know a good front rest certainly has its advantages.
Here is a couple of 100 yard groups, both shot within the last month off of a Harris bi-pod.
One is a 3-shot group and the other is a four-shot group.
This Specialty Handgun has grouped well out to 1100 yards just in the past week, prone using the Harris with pod-lok.
First, 4-shot group with a 6.5-20 Leupold (6.5-06 with 140 gr A-Max@ 2755 fps [H-4350]).


Same SP, but now with a VX-3 4.5-14, same bullet, Hybrid 100V @ 2881 fps. 3-shot group .155


Here is the SP in action at WTRC (NE Wyoming last week). I was shooting the LR targets out to 1000+ yards. We came in 2nd place.


Here is my post about the match itself and our team:
http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/6734749/WTRC_2012#Post6734749

Excellent point.. well said.