Balanced prone rifle??? What is it??

[Atanasius]

"Well BALANCED rifle". I have heard this a few times. I also have my personal understanding, not scientific, for it. So, I'd like to hear what you guys call "well balanced rifle", what makes one rifle BALANCED. Is it;
1. Mass distribution along the length?
2. Rifle weight/recoil force ratio??
3. Or what??????
I would appreciate any opinion based on REAL experience.

 

[Boyscout618]

In hunting rifle terms I perceive it to mean a rifle than has a good weight balance point, which for me is right in front of the trigger guard. Easiest to point and shoot naturally, although keep in mind this is a 8 pound rifle. Where you can grab the gun and carry it at your side while walking and your hand is right next to the grip is where you want it, again, for a hunting rifle. Recoil force-to-weight ratio is important as well, but I believe that isn't the point of the phrase.

 

[seanh]

a well balanced rifle means that you don't have to fight it to have a steady hold...it simply locks in to the shot. That balanced "locked in" feeling isn't the same from position to position. You may have that rifle that is great in the sitting position that you have to fight in the prone position and is completely different if you're shooting from a bipod. This is why high power rifles have adjustable cheek/butt pieces...adjustment's are required for each position.

What does balanced mean to me? It means that I don't have to fight the rifle into position...it simply locks in and doesn't float. My 22 has a different balance than my 308...different rifles for a different purpose. I'd rather shoot my 22 off-hand or leaning into a tree but I'd rather shoot my 308 off a bench, prone or off the legs...completely different balances