Doc Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 When I was shown the fundamentals of gripping a rifle for bench shooting, I was told to grip the rear bag with the non-trigger hand in such a way that by manipulating the ears (pinching), I could make some very fine, controlled movements of the gun for guiding the crosshairs onto the bullseye in a very controlled way. I'm not sure how to accurately describe this, so I hope you all are kind of familiar with what I am talking about. The method seems to work pretty much flawlessly for me in terms of maximum steady control, but I have noticed that a lot of the pictures shown on this forum of guys bench shooting show a completely different approach which has both hands kind of clasped together on the gun and no real rear sand-bag control. I'm guessing that most of you guys have a whole lot more experience than I do, so I'm wondering what are the favorite ways of gripping the rifle and guiding the aiming when trying to ease those crosshairs onto the bullseye. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 That's pretty much the way I do it when I'm shooting my softer recoil rifles like my .25-06 and .220 Swift, usually have my left hand on the rear bag to move it slightly if need be. The end of the stock is resting lightly on my on my shoulder, and I hold my trigger hand with my thumb just resting on the top of the stock. Finger tip only on the trigger and pull slightly til it fires. When it comes to the big guns like my .300 WSM and .300 Win Mag they give a little bit more of a ride when they go off! So I hold my left hand on the over top of the barrel, especially with my WSM since it's a BLR and is so short, it jumps a fair bit if you're not holding onto it. Haven't really shot that gun on a shooting bench yet. I used to use the tailgate of my truck with a boat cushion or a coat before I had the bags. Sitting in a crouch position and using my right elbow on my knee to steady the back of the gun. Here's the only pic I have shooting, it's with my WSM. I'll have to get some more next time I'm at the range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 The way I'm set up in the 3rd pic of Snapper's OTPG Lead Fling post is pretty much the way I do it all the time. I set the rifle where it needs to be by the rear bag and the Rock Rest then just kinda snuggle in and cradle it. Any fine, last minute adjustments are made with the Rock Rest. On a more hearty bucker, I'll cup my hand under the reciever (floorplate area) and get a bit of a grip. I never hold the gun any farther forward than that. Ain't saying my way is right, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleA Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 Doc, if I understand your post correctly, you are are on the right track. I use the same method when shooting off a bench. Your rifle should be centered on the target as close as possible as it sits. The rear bag is squeezed in a way that you can move up,down,left and right in a very controlled way. Doesnt matter the caliber to me, I shoot them all this way, yes even big magnums. I was looking through some pictures and found this one of a friend of mine shooting my Sako TRG 42 in 338 Lapua . The stock and trigger are set up for left hand shooting but he managed to shoot very well that day. There are numerous things that you can do to help with consistancy while shooting off a bench but that's another story. Not the best picture but it does show what you are describing. Notice the left hand under the butt and on the rear bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted May 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 THAT'S IT, exactly! It seems to work great, but I will say that when I tried that technique on my 12 guage slug gun, I did get a bit of a surprise when the gun got a bit out of control. So, when sighting in my shotgun, I do use a different technique that kind of man-handles the gun a bit. For my .22 Hornet, my .222 and my .223, and my brother-in-law's .243, the old "pinch the bag" technique can't be beat. Doc Doc, if I understand your post correctly, you are are on the right track. I use the same method when shooting off a bench. Your rifle should be centered on the target as close as possible as it sits. The rear bag is squeezed in a way that you can move up,down,left and right in a very controlled way. Doesnt matter the caliber to me, I shoot them all this way, yes even big magnums. I was looking through some pictures and found this one of a friend of mine shooting my Sako TRG 42 in 338 Lapua . The stock and trigger are set up for left hand shooting but he managed to shoot very well that day. There are numerous things that you can do to help with consistancy while shooting off a bench but that's another story. Not the best picture but it does show what you are describing. Notice the left hand under the butt and on the rear bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jared264mag Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 Well I am not an expert by far, however the way I was taught was your free had to not be on the gun at all, I lay it on the bench under my gun. The reason for this Is to have as little of yourself because of your heartbeat or any flinching could somewhat throw off your aim however much. I find however if you are in a comfortable position that you will shoot far better than if you are not comfortable. I like to make my blind as comfortable to shoot out of for that reason ie I have built rest and different things to help me out. So that probably don't help you much but any advice i would give is just make sure you are comfortable with your style no matter what someone else says. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 It seems like everyone use a different technique. I haven't decided on one yet exactly. I've read that it's best to place the front bag mid forend of the stock, and then not move it back or foward from shot to shot. I've seen others use a closed fist around the back of the sling/rear swivel with no bag. I've also been told to grip your gun as you would hunting and just use the bags as well to steady your hold. I haven't really done it just one way though. I probably should just for consistency, but how do you know which one is better? The last method I mentioned seems to make the most sense if you're hunting with that gun. It doesn't matter how you fling the bullets, as long as they're hitting the same spot with whatever you plan on doing with the firearm I'd think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jared264mag Posted June 18, 2009 Report Share Posted June 18, 2009 It doesn't matter how you fling the bullets, as long as they're hitting the same spot with whatever you plan on doing with the firearm I'd think. I agree if you are going to use the gun for hunting you want to be comfortable with it. I think the best way is just whatever you like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted June 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 For me, bench-rest shooting is a separate and unique way of shooting with different goals than hunting styles of shooting. When I am bench-resting, I am trying to check out the accuracy of the gun or the bullet load. I am puposely trying to get my own influences out of the process. That is why I asked the question. Once I am confident in the gun and the bullet, then I can start working on my hunting shooting techniques without any way of blaming short-comings on the gun or ammo.....lol. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 I've been blessed to live in places with good shooting facilities that have cement benches. The only thing I can add is to get your right knee and chest against the cement bench so you eliminate all that wiggle. The only time I use the bench is to test equipment or when I need to feel better about myself. I shoot from field positions mainly. Even when we hunt prarie dogs. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted June 19, 2009 Report Share Posted June 19, 2009 For me, bench-rest shooting is a separate and unique way of shooting with different goals than hunting styles of shooting. When I am bench-resting, I am trying to check out the accuracy of the gun or the bullet load. I am puposely trying to get my own influences out of the process. That is why I asked the question. Once I am confident in the gun and the bullet, then I can start working on my hunting shooting techniques without any way of blaming short-comings on the gun or ammo.....lol. Doc I think I could've worded things different, but I agree with you. I think that you should have as little influence or input as possible. Me saying this and doing this are different, because I haven't had enough experience. However, an example would be if you let go of the gun, ideally, it should be resting with the crosshairs right dead center on the bull. Making adjustments through the bag or some kind of rest and then having it primarily steady the rifle is better. Opposed to both your hands under it steadying the rifle and making adjustments; that means you are more involved, making your shots less consistent. That's what I think anyway for your purposes, separate from sighting in a hunting rifle (meaning you'd hold it the same when hunting but use the bench to help you steady things). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleA Posted June 22, 2009 Report Share Posted June 22, 2009 It doesn't matter how you fling the bullets, as long as they're hitting the same spot with whatever you plan on doing with the firearm I'd think Shooting consistant groups comes from doing the same thing on every shot. From the natural point of aim, to having the same cheek pressure on the comb to pulling the trigger straight back in the centerline of the rifle and several other things. In years of shooting experience, you are not going to hit the same spot simply flinging bullets.:gun_bandana::D:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted June 23, 2009 Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 You're too late, I already corrected myself! lol Yea there's a lot to it. I know this because every time I break the trigger it seems like I can't count all the things I did wrong on two hands. Just saying I flinched is kind of a cop out, so I'm beginning to realize. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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