I am beginning the process of becoming a LR shooter, and need advice as to whether I should use of a bi-pod or a mechanical rest for shooting off a bench. If relevant to the question, the rifle intended for this purpose is a Sako TRG 22 in 6.5 CM. To those expressing a preference for a bi-pod, I pose this question: would the factory Sako bi-pod or a Harris be the better choice. To those in favor of a mechanical rest, I would appreciate recommendations. Thanks in advance for your patience in putting up with this type of question.
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Bi-Pod or Mechaincal Rest for Bench Shooting
- Thread starter Mr. Ree
- Start date
For bench shooting I prefer a bag ( or several small bags) up front. I feel a hard surface induces some bounce or movement of the contact point (legs of bipod to bench) when firing. Bags front and rear make me feel like I have more stability.
Could just be my perception, but I save the bipod for prone or 22LR
Could just be my perception, but I save the bipod for prone or 22LR
I’ll go against the grain here. My thoughts are to develop skills using the equipment you will use in other aspects of your shooting.
For many of us on the hide, a bipod is part of what we have on our rifles along with our scopes as standard equipment. Learning how to stay square and manage recoil without over driving yet still self-spotting is a skill that takes practice.
In my option, you should practice until you are skilled enough to use the bipod in any situation where a bipod is the better tool. While mechanical rests will offer more precision by eliminating the shooter, the reduction in group size over a skilled shooter using a bipod needs to be measured with calipers. In my world, even though bags and rests on a bench, help hide a shooters lack of mastery of a bipod, I do not use either on a bench.
Here is a link to a post I did just a few days ago while working up loads with a bipod. Note that these aren’t even the final loads and one was just factory Prime.
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/spartan-rifle’s-did-me-a-solid.6902780/
Many guys that shoot bipods even off benches can easily shoot as well or better. If you “need” better groups it might be time to sell your TRG
For many of us on the hide, a bipod is part of what we have on our rifles along with our scopes as standard equipment. Learning how to stay square and manage recoil without over driving yet still self-spotting is a skill that takes practice.
In my option, you should practice until you are skilled enough to use the bipod in any situation where a bipod is the better tool. While mechanical rests will offer more precision by eliminating the shooter, the reduction in group size over a skilled shooter using a bipod needs to be measured with calipers. In my world, even though bags and rests on a bench, help hide a shooters lack of mastery of a bipod, I do not use either on a bench.
Here is a link to a post I did just a few days ago while working up loads with a bipod. Note that these aren’t even the final loads and one was just factory Prime.
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/spartan-rifle’s-did-me-a-solid.6902780/
Many guys that shoot bipods even off benches can easily shoot as well or better. If you “need” better groups it might be time to sell your TRG
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For accuracy testing after and during load development I use a Sinclair front rest and Protector rear bag to remove as much of the human error as possible from the process after that I use a Haris bipod and rear bag almost exclusively. Maybe one of these days I will try an ATLAS or something similar but for now the Harris performs just fine.
The shape of the TRG stocks fore end would be very favorable for a quality front rest but that's alot of extra expense and weight to lug to the range every time and you sure as hell wont be using it in a field enviroment just a consideration.
The shape of the TRG stocks fore end would be very favorable for a quality front rest but that's alot of extra expense and weight to lug to the range every time and you sure as hell wont be using it in a field enviroment just a consideration.
If by mechanical rest you mean a lead sled then no. Go with a bipod over that every day. And I use harris myself but I have heard that the trg bipod is superb.
If by mechanical rest you mean an actual bench rest then yes, for pure accuracy off of a bench then a bench rest is very nice to have. It does raise it up a bit higher and a normal rear bag isnt quite tall enough, get a big bag or a bunny ear bag would be even better.
This is the sinclair xlr308 mentioned, very nice but about 500 bucks.
I use a bald eagle myself, much cheaper and more than adequate for what I do.
I still shoot off my harris the majority of the time though.
If by mechanical rest you mean an actual bench rest then yes, for pure accuracy off of a bench then a bench rest is very nice to have. It does raise it up a bit higher and a normal rear bag isnt quite tall enough, get a big bag or a bunny ear bag would be even better.
This is the sinclair xlr308 mentioned, very nice but about 500 bucks.
I use a bald eagle myself, much cheaper and more than adequate for what I do.
I still shoot off my harris the majority of the time though.
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I've used Harris bipod for 30 years and thought I had to buy an atlas, because of all the hype. I'm not impressed with the Atlas. Don't get me wrong, the Atlas is okay, but not worth $300 +
I prefer the Harris S over the Atlas. Just my opinion
I depends on your planned use and how you feel behind one.
For field use you might want something lighter and smaller for F-class (belly benchrest), wide, micro adjustable and something that works with free recoil etc. is a better choice.
While I like my Harris', I also like my Atlas'. $500 bipods like THE CKYE-POD are really gathering steam for field shooting.. On the other end, for F-class people spend over $700 for SEB JoyPod joy sticks.
Anyway, I don't get anyone complaining about a $300 bipod "if" they shoot a lot, they'll need to spend at least $1 round, plus a new barrel (just about 1K with chambering, muzzle brake barrel) every couple thousand rounds. For a lot of us, that might mean several barrels a year. Sure if one doesn't like a bipod, but to think $300 is to much, is out side what I understand. I want the best experience I can and the bipod plays a large roll in how we feel behind our rifles.
But to just circle back on the price argument that comes up all the time reguarding the Harris. First you will want the Harris Bipod Notched Legs - Swivel if you want trouble free field bipod. Expect to pay about $100. But to offer user features like more useful swivel lock, feet interchangeability and QR or Pic mount features on par with an Atlas, you need to add a few items. If you kit one out with most of the Atlas features they run about the run really close to an Atlas price.
Podlock $20
Pass connectors $44
Atlas Feet $20
ADM Harris Bipod to Rail Mount QD Conversion Adapter $72
So you can pay 250 for the Harris setup above if you want similar features or, $219 for an Atlas here
To be clear I am not saying one bipod is better than the other for anyones personal taste, but we should at least be honest with price and feature comparisons. At $100 Harris is not the same as an Atlas, yet some people don't like the Atlas and some people don't like either of them.
You might want to read this post https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...more-bipods-mini-review.6895107/#post-7243276
Hope this helps
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Much good info above. Personally I use a 1" X 1" board affixed to my home shooting bench to load my pod against. I have been known to clamp a similar board to the front of a concrete bench at a local range. Not the same as bellied out in the dirt but I feel it aids in consistency. Have used the Harris" for years but jonesing for an Elite Iron or maybe I'll find a TRG42 and try the TRG bi-pod.
To answer the OP’s original question the Sako factory bi pod is superior to the Harris and 3-4x more expensive.
Like many that have commented. I shoot off a bench using dog-be-gone and rear bags for load development only. After that all shooting is done like matches or hunting - prone off Tripod bipod and kneeling / sitting off tripod or sometimes with shooting sticks and or sling.
While shooting small groups off a bench is gratifying (who doesn’t love that?) I try to stop once I find a load that is 1/4-1/2 MOA and then try to shoot that load 1/2 MOA -1 MOA like I would in a match on steel at distance in the wind.
Like many that have commented. I shoot off a bench using dog-be-gone and rear bags for load development only. After that all shooting is done like matches or hunting - prone off Tripod bipod and kneeling / sitting off tripod or sometimes with shooting sticks and or sling.
While shooting small groups off a bench is gratifying (who doesn’t love that?) I try to stop once I find a load that is 1/4-1/2 MOA and then try to shoot that load 1/2 MOA -1 MOA like I would in a match on steel at distance in the wind.
Also for the OP if you are going to shoot off a bench, a good mechanical rest or a good set of bags will out perform a bipod off a bench and will out perform bipods in the dirt (F-class).
If you are doing more PRS style shooting bipods give you a better balance of portability vs stability than bags or rests.
If you are doing more PRS style shooting bipods give you a better balance of portability vs stability than bags or rests.
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