Questions for prone shooting

[Kangbeef]

Few questions on shooting in the prone position. Shooting an ar platform and just going through repetitions for groups but need some advice.
1. To load or not to load the bipod. Should bipod be at the muzzle or half way. I personally feel better not loading.
2. Rear bag should it be tucked firm under my arm and armpit. I squeeze with my left hand for reticle adjustment.
3. Can there be to much pressure from my cheek to stock while shooting.

I am working on not grabing and adding any other tension while firing. These are just a few things that came to my mind. I am also realizing i may have to bring my scope back some to my natural resting spot and not force my eye forward. Thanks again for the advice and knowledge.

 

[higginsworksforme]

The current consensus ranges from "don't load the bipod" to "load the bipod, but not too much." I think it depends on what you're doing.

Your bag method sounds decent.

You want to be comfortable and repeatable so don't smash your face into the stock.

 

[912173]

I'll add that forgetting to keep the rear bag squeezed firm before breaking the shot gets me more often than I'd like to admit.

 

[HMRamateur]

@carbonbased just posted this in a different thread today. Will probably answer your questions in more detail than the short form you'll get from us.



As far as bipod position, take a look at Phil's in the video. The closer to the muzzle the better. And watch cheek pressure. Too much pressure can cause horizontal stringing

 

[Baron23]

To load or not to load the bipod.

Depends what you mean by load....if just taking the slack out of the legs, then yes. With slack in the legs you will get vertical movement and POI changes due to recoil exploiting that slack. If you mean leaning really, really hard into it, then no...IMO

Should bipod be at the muzzle or half way.

As far forward as you can as this will be more stable and movement at the rear resulting in movement at the muzzle will be reduced vs having it further back. Just think lever and fulcum.

Rear bag should it be tucked firm under my arm and armpit. I squeeze with my left hand for reticle adjustment.

Not sure I understand this ^^. Say you are right handed....so, rear bag is in your left hand. With Elbows on the ground, bring the rear bag under the rear of the stock. I don't see how that gets into your armpit???

As for reticle adjustment...well, please keep in mind that I don't claim to be an expert or a hot shot shooter. But, I have found that if I build a proper bridge and drop down into my position then I ought to be close to my desired POA and the rear bag is used to stabilize the rear of the stock and squeezing to make small minor adjustments for elevation. For significant adjustments in elevation, adjust your bipod legs.

Can there be to much pressure from my cheek to stock while shooting.

Yeah, there can be. I shot competitive skeet for decades and when we say put your cheek on the comb of the stock we don't mean just lightly lay it there. A good hard mount with my eye teeth turned into the comb with a shotgun kept my rear eye where its supposed to be thru the shot.

This habit has caused me some problem with rifles. Yes, I do want to be on the comb but not pressed down on it. Yes, I want to turn into my scope a bit to get my eye centered in the box but no, I don't want to press the rear of the gun to the right. Again, this is because recoil will exploit any undue pressure on the rifle.

There are many, many here who are far more expert than I...but these are my thoughts and lessons learned. Worth what you paid for them....lol.

Cheers

 

[Kangbeef]

I'll add that forgetting to keep the rear bag squeezed firm before breaking the shot gets me more often than I'd like to admit.

I did find myself doing this today as well.

 

[Kangbeef]

@carbonbased just posted this in a different thread today. Will probably answer your questions in more detail than the short form you'll get from us.



As far as bipod position, take a look at Phil's in the video. The closer to the muzzle the better. And watch cheek pressure. Too much pressure can cause horizontal stringing

Tyvm

Depends what you mean by load....if just taking the slack out of the legs, then yes. With slack in the legs you will get vertical movement and POI changes due to recoil exploiting that slack. If you mean leaning really, really hard into it, then no...IMO


As far forward as you can as this will be more stable and movement at the rear resulting in movement at the muzzle will be reduced vs having it further back. Just think lever and fulcum.


Not sure I understand this ^^. Say you are right handed....so, rear bag is in your left hand. With Elbows on the ground, bring the rear bag under the rear of the stock. I don't see how that gets into your armpit???

As for reticle adjustment...well, please keep in mind that I don't claim to be an expert or a hot shot shooter. But, I have found that if I build a proper bridge and drop down into my position then I ought to be close to my desired POA and the rear bag is used to stabilize the rear of the stock and squeezing to make small minor adjustments for elevation. For significant adjustments in elevation, adjust your bipod legs.

Yeah, there can be. I shot competitive skeet for decades and when we say put your cheek on the comb of the stock we don't mean just lightly lay it there. A good hard mount with my eye teeth turned into the comb with a shotgun kept my rear eye where its supposed to be thru the shot.

This habit has caused me some problem with rifles. Yes, I do want to be on the comb but not pressed down on it. Yes, I want to turn into my scope a bit to get my eye centered in the box but no, I don't want to press the rear of the gun to the right. Again, this is because recoil will exploit any undue pressure on the rifle.

There are many, many here who are far more expert than I...but these are my thoughts and lessons learned. Worth what you paid for them....lol.

Cheers

This is great info tyvm again