Advanced Marksmanship Bipod Height while shooting

[rickp]

I started a thread called "straight back recoil not happening". In the thread I posted a video of me shooting for Lowlight and any other shooter to help me trouble shoot my position.

Lowlight commented that I might want to increase my bipod length so I could straighten my head a bit.

Today I did a bit of dry firing and played with my bipod length to see if adding length was more comfortable.
What i did find is that by bringing up the rifle I could get the stock in a better position in the pocket. I'm using more of the stock as opposed to the very top of it due to being so low to the ground.

So my question is, at what length are you guys running your bipods?

The reason for the the question is I was always told that you want to be as low to the ground as you can, so I would always run my bipod at the lowest notch unless I can't get my reticle on target, then I extend the legs as needed until I can.

So what have you guys found out by changing the bipod lenght?

R.

 

[sst04]

Re: Bipod Height while shooting


I asked this question a few days ago and got some really good info. Here is a link. Maybe it will answer part of your question





Bipod thread

 

[rickp]

Re: Bipod Height while shooting

thanks you sir.

Everyone mentioned the bipod height based on terrain, which makes a lot of sense. What I'm looking for is how it affected, if it did affect body position? Has anyone noticed a difference in how you setup on the rifle with different bipod heights?

For example I did notice how much better my stock sits on my shoulder pocket when I extend the legs a bit. The whole stock contacts my shoulder as opposed to just the top of it when the bipod is all the way down. It does feel better.

R.

R.

 

[gugubica]

Re: Bipod Height while shooting

Your body type will dictate that more than anything else. The "keep the rifle as low as possible" theory can really screw with people. When you are laying in a natural, relaxed possition, that is how high your rifle should be.

If your rifle needs to be higher than the next guy to be comfortable, then that's where it should be. Just don't make it so high that you have to raise your torso and it will be fine.

 

[MontanaMarine]

Re: Bipod Height while shooting

Terrain, vegetation, snow cover, angle to target, your body size, clothing, will all come into play.

I'm 6'3" and 225 lbs. If I'm on relatively level ground usually I have my 9-13" bipod around the middle of it's adjustment range. That's just what works for me.

I don't try to 'force' myself into an unnaturally low and uncomfortable position. Normally vegetation/terrain dictates otherwise anyway.

 

[paraiso]

Re: Bipod Height while shooting

If I am going to a range where there are no obstructions, and its relatively flat, I put on the 6-9" bipods. I keep them on the lowest notch, because that is what works for me. Saying that, I do A LOT of work from alternate firing positions. Very few times in Afghanistan or in the woods here hunting has the terrain provided me with a perfect prone shot. I take the 9-13" for Coyote along with a set of pole cats. This is what has worked for ME over the years.

 

[Headgear]

Re: Bipod Height while shooting

I like the rifle as low as I can get because it is more stable and the higher you go, the more forward it has to move when loading. I don't like that but as was said above, you have to adjust for terrain and find the sweet spot you are describing where the whole stock, or at least most of it is in contact when in the pocket.

I dry fire and play with different set ups, adjusting for the most comfortable feel when I am relaxed behind the rifle. Then when I go to the range I know what I'm looking to reproduce.

 

[fargo007]

Re: Bipod Height while shooting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gugubica</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Your body type will dictate that more than anything else. The "keep the rifle as low as possible" theory can really screw with people. When you are laying in a natural, relaxed possition, that is how high your rifle should be.

If your rifle needs to be higher than the next guy to be comfortable, then that's where it should be. Just don't make it so high that you have to raise your torso and it will be fine. </div></div>

This is right on the money IMO.

One of the reasons we see people crooked on the gun is that they have chosen a bipod that is far too short, and they cannot get their eye on the scope unless they cock their head to the side. And those pesky humans want to keep their necks straight, so the body has to follow.

It also happens a lot with big barrel chested bruiser types who try to force themselves flatter than nature intended them to be. The comfort and accuracy gains they experience when they have a proper command height and stop doing that are fantastic.

--Fargo007

 

[BattleAxe]

Re: Bipod Height while shooting

I have a big chest/shoulders and I need to run my bipod a little on the high side. If I run it too low I can't get a proper cheek weld. Bipod height is more about obtaining that cheek weld than any other factor. Terrain matters but that's because it affects the height needed to obtain that cheek weld. There is no correct bipod height that will work for everyone. It's personal.

 

[LawnMM]

Re: Bipod Height while shooting

I found on one of my first long range shooting trips that I was almost forcing myself to try and be lower than I should be. In order to get flat enough to have the rifle in the shoulder and get the elevation I needed to shoot at the target I was flattening myself out more than was natural.

I extended my bipod legs a bit that brought the rifle up a little higher and gave me a much more comfortable shooting position. I also found it easier to keep the rifle butt in my shoulder pocket. When I was flattened out more it would try to jump out and rack me in the collarbone.

To directly answer your question...I only had to extend the legs on my harris about one notch, maybe two, and it made a world of difference. Just one noob's experience.

 

[sobrbiker883]

Re: Bipod Height while shooting

Plus the type of rifle will make a difference. I like my POF when I run the bipod and rear bag higher than I do with my boltgun.

I think it should be "as low as possible without sacrificing NPA", and for me NPA includes a full comfortable relaxation of muscles, and that will show if you are forcing yourself to be lower than is good for your position.

 

[HellsCanyonArmory]

Re: Bipod Height while shooting

For this newb prone shooter I run pretty high bipod... a lot higher than the guys who got me into this sport. I am not a big guy at 6'0" 165 lbs but I am high waisted with extremely long arms and getting my upper body into a shooting position keeps me high on the bipod and bag with my chest off the ground and in a comfortable position.

When shooting on a flat range at 100 yards I have my bipod set to where the base of my rifle stock (fore end) is right at 10" off the ground. This is where my NPA is easily attained and my body is in a relaxed position.

Mike

 

[Sterling Shooter]

Re: Bipod Height while shooting

All,

Take the bipod off and shoulder the rifle for an unsupported prone position. Make it high enough that you end up with an eyepiece square to the eyeball from a cheekweld resting the full weight of the head on the comb. Have someone measure distance from handguard to ground to determined what the bipod height would be if a bipod was attached. This method is fast for determining a starting point for bipod height, leaving you certain that you have an accommodating height. Later, you can work the height of the bipod downward to the extent your neck will still allow for a comfortable eyepiece/eyeball relationship.

 

[bm11]

Re: Bipod Height while shooting

I think the type of rifle stock dictates the height a bit too. The AICS type stock, for example, places the shoulder pad closer to the bore line, necessitating a shorter bipod than say a SPS Tactical Hogue stock which has the shoulder pad angled down in relation to the bore.

 

[cooper623]

Re: Bipod Height while shooting

the height really isnt a huge issue as long as you are comfortable, relaxed, and as close to straight behind the rifle as possible.

 

[cooper623]

Re: Bipod Height while shooting

however, i would check it all out before you buy if possible. I have a hard time shooting prone with typcial Bench rest height bipods (6"-9") where as some people like them for prone shooting. but I'm also 6'6" so that doesnt really help me much.

 

[LawnMM]

Re: Bipod Height while shooting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cooper623</div><div class="ubbcode-body">the height really isnt a huge issue as long as you are comfortable, relaxed, and as close to straight behind the rifle as possible. </div></div>

This.