The affects of adding weight to my rifle?

[jn_fsu]

When it comes to building rifles my brain never shuts up!
I began reflecting on my last range visit. I have my new Leupold Mark AR 3-9x40mm (mil-dot) mounted and needed to finish zeroing it at 100 yards. I know this isn't ideal but i didn't have a bag rest so I zeroed on my Vltor Modpod on the wooden bench top. By the time I was finished I was making a nice little group in the center edge of the target. The next range I'm going to has bags and I can try to dial it in even more. There wasn't much movement at all shooting from the Modpod unless I fired a string of shots. This was to be expected. Right now most of my shooting is 100-300 yards but occasionaly I'd like to stretch it out to 600.

Now to my thoughts...

Would adding weight to the rifle stabilize it more shooting from a bipod or increase accuracy?

Right now I have a Troy TRX Extreme 9" rail on it.
Would using a heavier or more rigid rail work better to continue shooting from the Modpod (bipod)?

I notice alot of SPR/DMR rifles run heavier and longer type rails.
Is it for shooting purposes or just to withstand battle conditions?

Would a longer rail that would allow me to move the Modpod (bipod) farther out help any?

Here is a rifle overview
Optic: Leupold Mark AR 3-9x40mm mounted by Wilson Combat Accu-rizer mount.
Upper: BCM 16" SS410 barrel with A2 front sight, midlength gas system, 1/8 twist, Nato Match chambered with Troy TRX Extreme 9" rail, Vltor Modpod (bipod) and custom muzzle brake.
Lower: Mega arms, RRA 2 stage National Match trigger group with Superior Shooting Systems fire control spring set, Sprinco (white)buffer spring, H buffer, PWS Enhanced 416 buffer tube and B5 Systems SopMod stock.

I'm still new to rifle shooting and trying to learn as much as possible.
Thanks!

 

[Diablo]

Re: The affects of adding weight to my rifle?

Focusing on your first question, rest assured that adding weight to your rifle will make it heavier.

Rails are convenient for mounting more stuff.

The more stuff you mount on your rifle, the heavier your rifle will be.

I am reminded of some that like to bolt additional, sometimes bright/shiny stuff on their cars, trucks, or motorcycles.

Often the only real purpose(s) of such add-on stuff is to (a) enrichen the person that makes/sells it, or (b) impress the unknowing (i.e., the stupid) that see it and say "wow, I got to get me one of those".

When mounting your scope, forget trying to make it look cool. Make certain your mounting system is solid/snug, because a scope that shoots loose is worthless (no matter how much it costs).

When sighting in, suggest using sandbags (although I have used my pack at times), several bags if necessary for a solid, consistent rest to shoot from.

 

[doc76251]

Re: The affects of adding weight to my rifle?

The net affect of adding weight to your rifle is....

... wait for it...

The gun will be heavier

WHERE you put the weight will affect the balance of the rifle.

Adding weight will have an effect on recoil simply because it takes more energy to move it and consequently it takes more to stop it. A fine balance there between use and utility.

If your hand guard (rail) is free floated correctly it has achieved the maximum amount of accuracy aid that it's going to give you. Longer or shorter will not help. Thicker/beefier/heavier MAY aid in dampening some vibration but that is moot if you are pre-loading your bipod correctly.

The primary purpose of the hand guard is not to hang crap off of. It is to protect your hand from the barrel and more importantly than that, to protect the gas system.

If you want to increase the accuracy potential of your rifle (the pic on top of your sig box I will a$$uME) would be to get rid of your BUIS, replace the front sight with a gas block and drop the scope down about an inch. You will get a much better cheek weld and then you can effectively determine the capability of your rifle.

Cheers,

Doc

 

[jn_fsu]

Re: The affects of adding weight to my rifle?

Hahaha I know it will be heavier! I left myself open for that one. I kinda figured that was a mute point being the obvious.
I was more concerned with if the Troy rail is rigid enough or should I look into one a little more rigid. Also I wasnt sure if pushing the bipod out further affects anything other the the pivot point. Also I was trying to figure out if there was a reasonable benifit by making it heavier for the purpose of dampening the energy wave created when shooting. Yes I also understand its a 5.56/223 and its a soft shooter to begin with.
I'm looking into a low profile gas block, removing the front sight and lowering the scope hieght for a better check weild. Thats already in the works. Was just looking into other avenues to help over all.
Thanks for the input though.

 

[no1special]

Re: The affects of adding weight to my rifle?

i shoot nra/cmp service rifle competitions. our rifles are heavily weighted with lead in the a2 buttstock and under the handguards. balance and inertial are the reasons. an object at rest tends to stay at rest, the heavier it is the more effort it takes to move it. the standing 200 yard slow fire in a crosswind, the weight is heaven sent. rapid fire stages ditto. if i had to actually carry this rifle, "are you freakin nuts?" a stripped to the max carbine would be my choice for humping around, with only what is absolutely positively needed strapped to it.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: The affects of adding weight to my rifle?

I don't know about rails and bipods but I did add weight to my AR.

In trying to switch from the M1A to AR for High Power I got a White Oak upper. The heavy barrel made it out of balance. I want my HP rifles to balance on the mag well.

I had to add shot to the buttstock to do this, sucker weights 13 lbs now. I don't know if it affects the rifle accuracy, but I can shoot it better. Espiecally in the Off Hand Position.

 

[jn_fsu]

Re: The affects of adding weight to my rifle?

Im not too concerned with carrying it around. I have another rifle designed around running and gunning. I'm also working on a light weight 300 blackout for mobiliy. This one I'm working on longer range shooting. I'll probably switch to an 18-20 SS barrel once I've shot this one out...

 

[redrocksmarc]

Re: The affects of adding weight to my rifle?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jn_fsu</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hahaha I know it will be heavier! I left myself open for that one. I kinda figured that was a mute point being the obvious.
I was more concerned with if the Troy rail is rigid enough or should I look into one a little more rigid. Also I wasnt sure if pushing the bipod out further affects anything other the the pivot point. Also I was trying to figure out if there was a reasonable benifit by making it heavier for the purpose of dampening the energy wave created when shooting. Yes I also understand its a 5.56/223 and its a soft shooter to begin with.
I'm looking into a low profile gas block, removing the front sight and lowering the scope hieght for a better check weild. Thats already in the works. Was just looking into other avenues to help over all.
Thanks for the input though. </div></div>

You can add some weight to the back of your rifle and give yourself a better cheek weld at the same time by adding the SAPR from Battleline Industries. I have the SAPR on two of my rifles and I love it. It makes the most stable shooting platform you can get for a stock. There are several post here in the hide about it. There are also several videos that show how it can help you out.

Here is one of them that has the videos at the end. http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2965135

I hope that helps.

 

[jn_fsu]

Re: The affects of adding weight to my rifle?

Thanks! I'll do some research on it.

 

[C23]

Re: The affects of adding weight to my rifle?

Heavier rifles are easier to shoot accurately but they are harder to drive,point and carry.

It all depends on your needs.

Ounces=pounds & pounds=pain

That's as simple as I can put it m8.

 

[jn_fsu]

Re: The affects of adding weight to my rifle?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: C23</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Heavier rifles are easier to shoot accurately but they are harder to drive,point and carry.

It all depends on your needs.

Ounces=pounds & pounds=pain

That's as simple as I can put it m8. </div></div>
That was thought when I chose the Troy rail. Part of keeping the weight down. But so many people run heavier quad rails with nothing attached. Didn't know if there was any benifit with going with the heavier rails like DD, Centurion arms KAC, Larue to mention a few. I guess its more for looks...