To GRIP or not to GRIP...

[ahhshoot]

I observed something peculiar while shooting this weekend, and wanted to know if anyone else had seen this before. I had a 6.5 creedmoor with a 26" bbl in a B&C Medalist A2 a while back. This particular gun seemed to shoot better if I did not really touch the grip at all, when shooting prone, I would almost do like I see benchrest guys do and push the trigger as consistently as I could.
Now, I am shooting a 338 Lapua in an AICS 2.0, and my groups really shrink up if I DO squeeze the grip (not tight, just snug). It's the standard thumb-hole grip. Is this simply the ergonomics of each respective stock? Is the additional recoil from the Lapua warranting a little more control of the stock when being fired? I don't mind either method, I just found it odd that this particular characteristic seemed to be different for each gun.

 

[WB300]

I've been told that rifles are like women.... Some like to be held tight, and some like to be left alone.

I've also been told that proper form negates the need for man-handling a rifle.

So far, I find myself holding on tighter to lighter hunting rifles and larger caliber rifles. I also have a .223 and .308 that I can barely touch and watch hits. I know that my form sucks and would benefit from a class or instruction, but I don't have the funds or time for either right now.

Although not a .338LM, my 10 lb. 300 WM will rotate counter clock-wise if I don't hold it snug.

Thanks for asking the question I've been too lazy to ask.

Bill

 

[alpine44]

If a rifle is heavy in relation to the recoil impulse of the cartridge, then NOT gripping is more consistent. As observed by the OP and confirmed by another poster, lighter rifles in more potent chamberings need a little more man handling to prevent them from torquing or jumping while the bullet is still in the barrel. The difficulty is to do the "holding" or "gripping" consistently.

As another anecdotal evidence I want to mention that my muzzle loader (300gr sabot bullet @ 2100 ft/s out of an 8 lbs gun) will shoot sub MOA if held right and will miss an 8" plate @ 100 if shot just laying on the bags. The killer there is the heavy recoil and the long time the relatively slow bullet spends in the 26" barrel. Keep in mind that a gun recoils as soon as the bullet starts moving.

 

[ahhshoot]

If a rifle is heavy in relation to the recoil impulse of the cartridge, then NOT gripping is more consistent. As observed by the OP and confirmed by another poster, lighter rifles in more potent chamberings need a little more man handling to prevent them from torquing or jumping while the bullet is still in the barrel. The difficulty is to do the "holding" or "gripping" consistently.

As another anecdotal evidence I want to mention that my muzzle loader (300gr sabot bullet @ 2100 ft/s out of an 8 lbs gun) will shoot sub MOA if held right and will miss an 8" plate @ 100 if shot just laying on the bags. The killer there is the heavy recoil and the long time the relatively slow bullet spends in the 26" barrel. Keep in mind that a gun recoils as soon as the bullet starts moving.

This is consistent with my findings. My Creedmoor and Lapua were very close in weight however the Lapua, even with a brake, is quite a bit more stout with regards to recoil. Also, the brake really wouldn't make a difference with regards to this, because that isn't taking effect until the bullet leaves the muzzle, and at that point, the damage has been done. The recoil of your muzzleloader must be STOUT. My Lapua is braked at 20 lbs and I'm shooting light loads 2580 FPS with the Berger 300 OTM. Very accurate, though. I don't see much need to use a barrel burner load that will be hard on brass and rifling and my shoulder when I still have over 1k lbs of energy past 1500 yards.

 

[alpine44]

...The recoil of your muzzleloader must be STOUT.

We shot it last weekend because my teenage nephew always wants to shoot the meanest guns I have available. Despite the pummeling he hit the Tannerite jars @100 yards consistently. For his next visit the little wannabe macho wants me to borrow a .50BMG rifle.