How tight to keep bipod swivel?

[260Girl]

I understand that any shift in a rifle's position at the time it's fire can change POI and effect accuracy. That being said, my bipod rail and QD mount are tight, but there's a little play in the swivel. I shoot mostly prone off of the ground, sometimes off cement. Also, off of barricades. I leave the swivel a little loose, so that I can level the scope quickly because the cant/position changes when the rifle moves with the recoil of each shot - because the ground is uneven.

Is it best to keep the bipod swivel as tight as possible, or can it be a hair loose?

I have a Harris bipod with a LaRue QD mount. I'm sure there's better bipods on the market, but this one fits me well, because it's lower the to the ground than other bipod/QD mounts I've tried. I'm not switching to a different bipod. I've used LaRue's knob; I've also used a lever on it. I prefer the knob.

 

[Rob01]

Using my Pod Loc I have my swivel just tight enough that I can adjust it easily with my strong hand to get the rifle level when behind the rifle but not so loose that it moves on it's own when on the rifle. It shouldn't be flopping around or so tight you need to get off the rifle to move it.

 

[Xander3Zero]

With my Atlas PSR I leave the cant/pan adjustment loose and it allows exactly what Rob says above. Loose enough to still make adjustments yet stiff enough to not move on it's own or doing bolt manipulation.

 

[260Girl]

Thanks for your replies. That's how I have mine set up, so I'll keep keep things like they are.

 

[Strykervet]

Podloc ought to come with the Harris.

For the one or two that still don't have one, and before I knew about 'em, I kept it "stiff". Pretty much like everyone else is saying.

The LRA bipod is just a beast and comes with a locking lever.