Shooting off of bags is much better than off the bipod
I’ve been struggling with my Condor with a .22 12 inch barrel to get the kind of accuracy that I read others enjoy. I have an AirForce bipod on the rifle and it appears to be very stable even when using 18 x on the scope. But just on a whim today I thought I’d try shooting off of bags like I do with everything else since the Condor is the only weapon that I have with a bipod. Well my groups shrank from about 3/4″ at 35 yards to about 1/2″ at 35 yards. That’s a 30% improvement for just changing shooting style.
Is this normal or do I just need a better bipod. I’ve read that the AirForce bipod is slightly substandard when compared to really good powder burner bipods.
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It’s getting it all out that hurts PB. 😆
Knife
Great replies guys, Thanks for the insights. I’ll keep learning if you keep teaching.
Roachcreak, sounds like .5 MOA will get the job done with that rig of yours. Us mere mortals can only dream.
Knifemaker, you think in more directions in one post than i can follow. Good stuff, but how do you get all of that into your brain without it hurting? Sorry the newbie buster your chops, we all love you here so pay him no mind.
A rifle more or less freely slides across the bags during the shot, while the bipod will lever the rifle up/down/sideways depending on the angle of the legs in relation to the surface they sit on.
Its less pronounced with PCP’s due to the little recoil movement, but it is there nonetheless.
Its VERY noticeable for me using PB rifles so in the field I use shooting sticks. I use them with airguns as well and really like how they work for me.
I made my own with a couple of small carbon tubes and a length of parachute cord. Works like a champ.
I always considered a bipod to be a “in the field” measure and not a means for optimal accuracy on a bench. Bags R a must. I also get greater results from my .257 by laying a rice filled bag on top of my frame a few inches in front of my scope. This helps counter the “jump” from all that power. Groups go from nearly one hole at 40 yards to 1/2 to 3/4″ without the rice bag in place.
😆 I didn’t mean seriouls bb gun matches RC! 🙄 Just messing with ya. I also just use a Harris knock-off, with a short bag in the rear. My old pic-nick talbel is about falling in and leans or slopes down to the right. Every time I shoot with the bi-pod, the gun jumps to the right. 😆 I’ll bet a bag would be a little more stable andnot slide down hill so much ! Grrrrr!! 👿 😆
This reminds me. In a recent thread, everybody got their panties in a bunch over the Atlas Knock off. And probably rightly so. But we have many times seen that the Harris Bi-Pods are widely used. By many of us. So, my question is this. Is it OK to have a knock-off as long as it is not of somthing expensive?? And when does somthing become expensive anyway. Is there a sliding scale?
I already got blasted by a 2 post newbie when FVA ask what was a good long range scope. Seems I,m a frigg’n elitist! 😯 Wish FVA had ask what is a Good=Cheap long range Scope. Then I would’nt have insenced the newbie so much. 😆 😆 😆 🙄 I’m still crack’n up over that one. 😀
Knife
My preference is a Caldwell bag, filled with rice. A large sock, filled with rice is also a surprisingly good rest. These are similar to shooting strictly with a hand/palm/arm as a front rest when hunting. The Condor does bounce a little bit when firing, and it’s hard to imagine an AF bipod not being affected.
I never use a bipod for hunting; either the legs would have to be very tall (less stable), or I’d be shooting prone. In VA that means “prone to Deer Ticks” or prone to biting ants! The bags put me on target in the same area as if bracing my arm/hand against a tree or free holding.
You might want to try and get RC’s custom-patented system: A genuine RC coat bunched up on top of a grape bin. Shipping is extra! 😛 Super stable, protects the finish of your gun and there are no moving parts to break. This method has proven itself many times!
Harris bipod for me as well. If I take off the bipod and switch to sandbags, I have to change my zero, but I get about the same results from each.
I have considered just attaching a solid 2×6 to the forearm and resting it on the bench. I know that there are better ways to bench rest, but hell I shoot .5 MOA with a air gun at 280 yards so perhaps bipods do work. Or maybe I am not a good enough shot off bags to make them a better option.
I’ll second the shittyness that is AF bipods, I just got a Harris knock off as well but I may try the sand bags as well
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I use a Harris clone to hoot my Haley. I have tired bags, but the bipod works for me better.
I think the Extreme air rifle bench rest was won with a bipod by the head of FX and a Boss last year.
But I could be wrong.
As far as the AF Bipod, it is crap like the rest of AF’s after market stuff.
Kinda explains why you never see bi-pods used in serious BenchRest competetion. 😆
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THANKS GUYS,
I’ve tried both bipods and a Caldwell tack driver bag but saw no difference.
Yesterday I changed up a little while using the Harris bi-pod I added a rear bag…
It greatly improved my 25. caliber shooting.
Now if someone will make a ButtBag with multiple positioning, I’ll give it serious consideration. Maybe something with two cheeks that reforms to a different height when you give them a slap 🙄