I know I shouldn't rest the barrel (rifle is a Browning X-bolt), but I was in a rush at the range a few months ago and I can't remember whether I rested the barrel on the sandbag absent-mindedly, or rested my support hand on the sandbag. It was shooting with a 1" group if that matters. I know for absolute match-level accuracy a rifle should not be sighted in with the barrel resting on something, but it got me curious - how much of a difference does it really make?
Does it affect the accuracy that much if I sight resting the barrel on a sandbag rest
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BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Yes it will, especially since that's not the way you will shoot in the field. If you want to see the difference then go to the range and try it both ways. You'll probably be surprised.
I sight my BPCR off rigid cross-sticks about 3" from the end of the barrel but that's the rifle is shot in competition and the barrel is almost 1.5" thick across the flats (octagon barrel). It'll still clear the rail at 500 metres so it's obviously accurate enough to his a 2MOA tall target at that distance when I don't do something to miss but who knows what it would do if it was shot off bags.
I sight my BPCR off rigid cross-sticks about 3" from the end of the barrel but that's the rifle is shot in competition and the barrel is almost 1.5" thick across the flats (octagon barrel). It'll still clear the rail at 500 metres so it's obviously accurate enough to his a 2MOA tall target at that distance when I don't do something to miss but who knows what it would do if it was shot off bags.
That's what I'm thinking too. I'm thinking that if you're seeing terrible groupings, then that's evidence that the rifle is affected.
Or, would the effect just be groupings with a higher POI? If you were resting correctly (handguard on sand bag) and it got 1" groupings, and then if you changed and rested the barrel on the sandbag would you just get 1" groupings with a higher POI? Or would it result in larger groupings?
- Location
- Manitoulin Island
Tried shooting my #4Mk1* Long Branch with the standard sling and was pulling the bullet left. There's a reason the target Enfields rifles used the sling with the front sling swivel ahead of the trigger guard. Like BUM said, it depends on the rifle and barrel thickness.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I guess it's safe to stand here...lightning never strikes twice.
I knew a guy years ago who tied his rifle to a tree for a shot.
Weirdest thing I ever saw. Took a bungee cord, wrapped it around the tree, then pushed the muzzle up (I think) through it, rotated it to his shoulder. Solid and he could shoot with it, tracking left/right, up/down. But it was no set-up I wanted. And he never took a shot at an animal that wasn't standing still. Called it his "sniper stick".
Weirdest thing I ever saw. Took a bungee cord, wrapped it around the tree, then pushed the muzzle up (I think) through it, rotated it to his shoulder. Solid and he could shoot with it, tracking left/right, up/down. But it was no set-up I wanted. And he never took a shot at an animal that wasn't standing still. Called it his "sniper stick".
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Personally I never experienced such a thing in my life, nor would I ever think of resting the barrel on the front bag to see what difference it would make with accuracy and POI. In theory, I can only imagine that there would be a slight difference in the aforementioned. Best to go to the range again this winter and give it another go.
