Bipod vs sandbags

Goose25

Goose25

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I have a Harris and a (cheaper) Shooters Ridge bipod, both 9"-13" no swivels. It seems I don't get the same accuracy shooting with a bipod as I do when shooting off sandbags. My bipods are most effective when Im cleaning my rifles at the range.:rolleyes:

Seems like there are a lot of respectable shooters here who use them with success... any suggestions/comments how I can improve my results when shooting with a bipod? What might I be doing wrong?

:sniper: :50cal:
 
I shoot with standard bipod and bunny ears rearbag, I get very good results, mind you I use the 6-9'' and I think you'd probably get better results for bench shooting, I use my swivel 9-13 in the field for woodchucks...

Make sure to have a firm hold and put a sandbag in front of your bipod so you can lean on it a little bit, and then... practice... :rolleyes:
 
You will not see many (if any) bipods in benchrest competitions. This would suggest the bags (or adjustable front rest with bag) provides an advantage in gilt-edged accuracy and precision. From my experience, the bags provide a more stable platform than a bipod.
 
dpopl8r said:
You will not see many (if any) bipods in benchrest competitions. This would suggest the bags (or adjustable front rest with bag) provides an advantage in gilt-edged accuracy and precision. From my experience, the bags provide a more stable platform than a bipod.
Click to expand...

I second that...

That being said, bipods ARE more practical.
 
Ok ,now by sandbags I take it you mean just that a bag filled with sand and not a full blown front rest used in Benchrest and F Class style shooting.
Bipods can be used as effectively as sandbags,and are a lot handier.In fact your rifle should track better in recoil off a pod than just filled bags,if used correctly.
They are not as accurate on a bench against a proper adjustable rest as used in BR.
1 suggestion is get the swivel bipod (allows for easy correction of cant)
2.Not intending any disrespect,but find a shooter who uses one well and have them show you the proper use in field techniques.
3 Make sure your pod is the right size(range of adjustment not TOO high or low) for intended use. Seated shooting in taller grasses ,prone off of shooting mound short grass etc,seated at bench or similar object.
Front rests designed for rifle will in the overall track better but in most field situations are just not practical other than competitions.
For what it's worth ,some F class shooters using a pod have held their own against rest shooters in competitions.
Good luck
Ont0001
 
I shoot with (and prefer) a bipod in F-Class. I have also used a front rest. In my opinion, the secret to using a bipod is to have good bipod footing so that you can lean into it. All my guns like to be snugged into the shoulder. I like the Harris style bipods over the bulky "f-class style" because you can get that effect. Aim a tad high, and lean into it until the POA falls right where you want it. you're there.

Dennis Lapiere, a superlative bench rest and f-class shooter taught me that and I will never use anything else. (He also advocates minimal cheek pressure) That's my personal preference.
 
I have used a pedestal front rest for years and do it well. Now that I have started shooting off a pod, I have alot of respect for those that do it so effortlessly.

with alot of practise, I hope to get back to where I am shooting now with rest.

If you really mean a sandbag, have a look at the X wing type varmint bags. They hold a rifle very well and work for me much better then a pod. Filled with sand, they are heavy so not field portable but off a bench, hood, log work great.

Jerry
 
I much prefer anything over a bipod whether in the field or on the range. For "F" class I have used a pedestal, a true sandbag, and a bag filled with sawdust. In the field, I use a sling, a backpack, or the aforementioned bag of sawdust. I just don't care for bipods. Regards, Bill.
 
Obtunded said:
I shoot with (and prefer) a bipod in F-Class. I have also used a front rest. In my opinion, the secret to using a bipod is to have good bipod footing so that you can lean into it. All my guns like to be snugged into the shoulder. I like the Harris style bipods over the bulky "f-class style" because you can get that effect. Aim a tad high, and lean into it until the POA falls right where you want it. you're there.

Dennis Lapiere, a superlative bench rest and f-class shooter taught me that and I will never use anything else. (He also advocates minimal cheek pressure) That's my personal preference.
Click to expand...

I think you nailed it, I might not be leaning into it as much as I should.
 
Bags will be more stable, but I personally don't want to be lugging around 20 extra lbs. in the bush. Also, they're not allowed for a lot of different competition, and neither are they practical.

-Rohann
 
I have noticed I get very good results when shooting off of bags at the range... But I can obtain only mediocre score's when shooting with a bipod. For hunting, I don't like to use either. like Leeper mentionned you can get away with a backpack, sling, tree, or what ever is around.... I don't really need sub MOA accuracy to put the furry creatures down.
 
Bipods and slings are almost at opposite poles with the style needed to make them work.

There are many different ways to accomplish this, but the main one seems to be with bipods you put front pressure to get consistancy, and with a front rest the rifle is pressured only at the shoulder.
there are some shooters who free recoil hunter class 243's and 308's and shoot good enough to win nationals but not many.
Most use a certain amount of pressure with the heavier calibers.

Many "stool shooters" set the rifle up high and bring it down slightly with rear bag pressure, while others set up on the POI they want to fire at.

This can be compared with setting up high with the bipod and with front pressure bringing the POI where you want.

it's a trial and error thing.

Myself,I use a front rest for initial accuracy shooting to work up loads etc, then go to the sling .
I use a bipod occasionally, but find better accuracy with front and rear bags.
I don't use a bipod in the field....
Cat
 
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