An interesting observation with Harris bipods

dthunter

dthunter

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Hi guys!
I have been using Harris bipods for years. They have served
Me exceptionally well in hunting, target shooting and long range shooting.
I have managed to shoot allot of great groups from them, and they performed well.

The other day I was out developin loads with a rifle that just didnt want
To shoot! No matter what I tried, i couldnt get the rifle to group consistantly. One group would cluster 3 rounds in under 1/2", then spray one or both 4th & 5th shots into 1.25-1.5"
Out of curiosity, a friend of mine suggested to try a different front rest.
I did, and holy crap! EVERYTHING i shot after that approached .75" or less! What a difference!

When I get a chance to do more load development, I will try some other Harris bipods that I have, to see if the same thing happens. The bipod I had been using has very week leg springs and is an older/used model.
I have always shot with consistant forward pressure to mitigate most problems with these bipods, but this one doesnt seem to allow performance no matter what i try.

I know the Remple, Mystic Precision, Sinclair, etc are better bipods. But I have never encountered any issues like this before with my Harris bipods. Seems a little strange!

Have any of you gunnutz experienced this sudden change in accuacy consistancy with harris bipods?
 
Not a bipod issue but a rifle issue. Some rifles can have a dramatic POI shift with the addition of any bipod or in some cases just rest the forestock on something different. Sounds like you have a pressure point on the stock or sling swivel.
 
How can you say it's his rifle? dthunter; was the stock resting on the same location (as the Harris) on the other rest? If so, it's pretty tough to blame the rifle due to the fact that the consistency improved, isn't it? If there's a supposed pressure point affecting the rifle, would the weight of the rifle not dictate the severity of the effect on any rest? Yes, there may have been some dampening effect (depending on the type of rest he switched to) but still, that would not necessarily point to the rifle. I'm definitely up for being schooled on this one:yingyang:

Rooster
 
It is definately the gun responding to the bipod. It would be the stock allowing some major mechanical change when used on the bipod instead of the flat rest. Harmonics are being affected differently and changing the result. More an effect of the stock and bedding than the bipod itself.
 
I have always had better results with a front rest than a Harris. Never been able to tune the bounce out of the Harris. A Rempel bipod is only $300.00 more than the Harris.
 
This bipod had the same effect on another rifle. This is why I brought this up.
I could try one of my other bipods to see if the effect is the same. If it isnt, then its the bipod. If it is, then Its likely the rifle.
The benchrest competition hart rest was positioned exactly the same point as the harris was attached.

Here is an interesting thought! This rifle stock has an anshutz rail on the fore end. If I position the bipod at different intervals along the rail groove, I wonder if it will find a "tuned spot?

Now I will have to wait at least two weeks to test the theories presented. Interesting!
 
By the way, the action is glass bedded, so that should not be an issue.
The barrel channel is TOTALLY free floated to the front of the action lug to facilitate switching barrels
 
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I have experienced the same problem on my hunting rifle ( savage 111 FCXP3)
the stock is very soft and not just the forearm, the whole thing
when loading the bipod fwd, the stock bend on each side of the action and under recoil it cause a shift of poi
I have stifened the forearm with a steel rod and epoxy/carbonfiber, and it solved the problem only half way
for load development, I use sand bags for this rifle until I have time to make a better stock
 
dthunter said:
By the way, the action is glass bedded, so that should not be an issue.
The barrel channel is TOTALLY free floated to the front of the action lug to facilitate switching barrels
Click to expand...

Check to see if it's still free floated when you load up on the bipod.
 
Chinbullco said:
I have always had better results with a front rest than a Harris. Never been able to tune the bounce out of the Harris. A Rempel bipod is only $300.00 more than the Harris.
Click to expand...

No need to spend $300 more on a bipod, as long as the shooter is using proper technique the type of bipod that is on the rifle is irrelevant.
 
The barrel is free floated with nearly a 16th of clearance.
Even under forward pressure there is NO change in clearance. This is one of the choate custom tactical stocks.
Super solid to say the least.
 
kthomas said:
No need to spend $300 more on a bipod, as long as the shooter is using proper technique the type of bipod that is on the rifle is irrelevant.
Click to expand...

I tend to aggree with you, "but", with a hugely better bipod like a Remple, technique is far less critical.
Note, I said "less" critical. The harris is soo much lighter and prone to loose legs etc. but I still use them ,(handy as heck)!

If you have shot with a Remple, you will know what I mean. Its ridiculously solid!
I just cant afford to buy and shoot one. I borrowed one and wow! I like!
 
dthunter said:
I tend to aggree with you, "but", with a hugely better bipod like a Remple, technique is far less critical.
Note, I said "less" critical. The harris is soo much lighter and prone to loose legs etc. but I still use them ,(handy as heck)!

If you have shot with a Remple, you will know what I mean. Its ridiculously solid!
I just cant afford to buy and shoot one. I borrowed one and wow! I like!
Click to expand...

I won't argue with you on that. I've never used a remple, but I know different bipods will be more or less forgiving with technique. Some, like the remple as you state, may act as a crutch.

My personal opinion is to work on technique rather than relying on equipment, but I'm not going to tell you how you should enjoy your hobby. After all, we all do this for enjoyment!
 
I switched to a versa pod. That Tilts/Pans after I notice when owning a older Harris, That my adjustments were actually really the rifle stock twisting.
 
kthomas said:
I won't argue with you on that. I've never used a remple, but I know different bipods will be more or less forgiving with technique. Some, like the remple as you state, may act as a crutch.

My personal opinion is to work on technique rather than relying on equipment, but I'm not going to tell you how you should enjoy your hobby. After all, we all do this for enjoyment!
Click to expand...

You are correct about the enjoyment aspects! This is fun stuff!
As far as my technique, I have been shooting at distances out to a mile for a few years now using the harris bipods. And this is the first time I have encountered this severe of a change. I have always maintained consistant forward pressure with harris bipods. They definitely shoot better that way.
 
The thing to think about is the difference in the objective. Are you trying to get off one good shot or 15 good shots. This simple question dictates how you need to set up the rifle.

Sure a Haris or Parker Hale are fine for one shot in a hunting situation, but after the rifle recoils and you reposition for the next and next and so on, slight changes are inevitably made that affect point of impact.

Now there are guys out there who use Harris bipods well - particularly after they add Raptor feet.

For group shooting, you absolutely need to focus on a repeatable setup. Wide stance and absolutely no play in any of the pivots or adjustments.

If it wiggles it will show up in the group.

Always use the lowest possible setup.
 
BadAsMo said:
The thing to think about is the difference in the objective. Are you trying to get off one good shot or 15 good shots. This simple question dictates how you need to set up the rifle.

Sure a Haris or Parker Hale are fine for one shot in a hunting situation, but after the rifle recoils and you reposition for the next and next and so on, slight changes are inevitably made that affect point of impact.

Now there are guys out there who use Harris bipods well - particularly after they add Raptor feet.

For group shooting, you absolutely need to focus on a repeatable setup. Wide stance and absolutely no play in any of the pivots or adjustments.

If it wiggles it will show up in the group.

Always use the lowest possible setup.
Click to expand...

Good points!
The typical shooting string that I shoot is only 5 rounds.
And "normally" off of a solid bench.
I have a spot where I return the bipod feet to shoot from each time. This seems to give me good results. When I shoot prone, it is nearly a night mare to try to get the Harris bipod feet in the same position each time! The recoil digs the feet down to a different spot each sucssessive round.
As far having to pay attention to an exact repeatable routine with the bipod, I could'nt agree more!
I am thinking that this one particular bipod in question is the loosest bipod i have (noticeably). Its simply time to weed it out of the pack.

I wish I could afford a Remple! Lol! O'Well
 
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