Steady Hold and Bench Rest

[12many]

I am looking for some advice regarding bench rest shooting.

I was sighting in a couple rifles over the last couple weekends and am looking for some advice on how to get a more steady hold.

I am only shooting from about 50 yard, one though an old 4 x scope on an old mossberg .22 and the other at 9 power on a new savage .17 hmr.

I am shooting off a stable table with a tool box on top and then a shot filled leather bag. The butt of the rifle is on my shoulder.

When I look through the scope, the rifle is still moving around and the groups show it. I can even call where the shots are going after I pull the trigger but still I have a hard time holding the sight picture steady.

Would a bipod help this? Is this why people use the fully supported rifle mount (like lead sled) when they sight in the rifle, which seems like it takes the fun out of it?

I was grouping the old .22 better than the new .17 hmr. and I know it is from my movement of the sight picture.

It is probably my fault or shooting style, but any advice?

 

[rcmodel]

Sounds like your tool box is too tall and making you set upright.

You want to get down on the bench with your body to some extent, and have contact with your elbows/arms as much as possible.
I use a rear bag to adjust under the butt stock for elevation. Sometimes use my left hand instead of a rear bag on guns that don't kick.

With hard kickers you want your left hand holding downward pressure on the forearm & front bag.

No, a bi-pod will not help if you are setting up straight and wobbling around.

rc

 

[12many]

RC, that is an interesting deduction because I was very upright. I will try being more prone. Supporting the back of rifle helps, and I was trying that with my other arm, but if the rifle was lower, it would be better or I could use the other bag. Thanks.

 

[Walkalong]

A good front rest and a good rear bag that fit the rifle where you can let go of the rifle and the cross hairs remain on target, exactly.

Then you can work on technique.

 

[Curator]

Learn how to use the bench rest position. The rifle should be supported on the sand bags at the forearm and the toe of the butt. Your hands should be on the bottom/toe of the butt holding it back against your shoulder and the other should be griping the wrist and trigger. If the butt toe is not on a sand bag or your chest contacts the bench you will not get the best accuracy. Bench rest position should be as accurate as the gun can shoot minus the human part.

 

[Runningman]

I am shooting off a stable table with a tool box on top and then a shot filled leather bag. The butt of the rifle is on my shoulder.

Invest in some decent benchrest equipment and I'm not talking about those silly lead sleds. You can get reasonable priced rests from company's like Caldwell. The Caldwell Rock runs about $77 at midway that will do a good job for the money spent. You can also get a proper rear bag rest from the same company.

Get this stuff and work on technique. You will be surprised at how much more enjoyable shooting is when you shoot small groups more often than not.