Re: Barrett model 107 a1 50cal.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Randoman5</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't mean to get too far off topic but:
RoBird - When you say you have to dive it or it will dive you?
Also What are the primary differences between shooting a gas gun and a bolt gun of similar power and accuracy? </div></div>
Hey sorry, that's a typo the word I was looking for was drive not dive. As far as "drive" allow me to do my best to lay out my understanding.
From my experience I've found that shooting bolt guns is not the same as gas guns. I started shooting long range while in the Army, the m24 was the first platform I used. For those who have spend some time behind the m24, I'm sure most would agree with the statement that the m24 will damn near shoot it's self. I general load the bi-pods just enough to keep the rifle in my shoulder and I hardly touch the pistol grip with my thumb resting across the top, the pad of my trigger finger centered natural on the lower part of the trigger. Now combined that hold, plus the rest of the basics, good lot of ammo and 1/2 MOA is general the result, I find the this is akin to letting the rifle drive and the shooter is just along for the ride if that makes any sense. I found this works more or less with every type of bolt gun I've shot, even the McMillan Tac 50 seemed to like it.
Now enter the m110, my first experience with a semi-auto precession platform. The first time out I was struggling to keep the rifle sub 1.5 MOA at 100m. My method for shooting the m24 did not transition well at all and I'm not the only one. A lot of "old timers" hate the m110 for many reasons and poor accuracy is often sited. I started to complain quietly to myself that the my m110 was a POS and my instructor over heard me and offered to give the gun a run. He proceeded to shoot a 10rnd group that was hovering some wheres around 3/4 MOA, in all fairness he won the International Sniper Comp a few years back.
After that little demo and some more advice I completely rebuilt my method for shooting gas guns, everything from the mk12 to the m110 to the m107. I generally like to get a good heavy load on the bi-pods, the bi-pods on the m107 are great for this. I try to get most of my body weight tight in behind the gun. My support hand usually grips the butt stock hook firmly and drives the butt stock strait into the shoulder. I've found I have to be careful and make sure that the pressure is in fact straight back and not off to the side. My firing hand grips the pistol grip firmly pulling it straight back to the rear being careful once again to not torque the pistol grip left or right. Trigger finger goes straight back just like anything else. In general you want to make sure the pressure you apply to the rifle is done in a balanced and consistent manner and in line to the axis of the bore. The idea is that by adding balanced and consistent pressure to the rifle your are taking up any slack in the system and creating a stable and repeatable shooting position. Gas guns tend to have a lot more moving parts that bolt guns and with more things happening from the time you pull the trigger to when the bullet actually leaves the barrel you have to do your best to make sure you do everything the same way every time.
Hopefully that gives a better idea of what I meant my "driving". The topic of driving semi autos is not a new one and I'm sure if you dig around here somewhere is a even better tread with some wiser folks inputs. Now sorry I didn't want to get to off topic, so looping back to the m107. I've found in order to get good accuracy knowing how to drive the rifle is paramount. The Recoil of the m107 is not particularly bone crushing but it certainly can become fatiguing both physically and mentally. Having a solid understanding of what you doing will say you a lot of time frustration and money.