Thread: Confused! Shooting off bipod good, off bags bad.

Hi guys.

I'm having a issue and hope you can help me sort it out. Had my new Remmy 700 .270 at the range today trying some different ammo for groups. I shot a 3 shot group that would have been around MOA while using a bipod and rear bag but then when I used front and rear bags it opened up to near enough 4 MOA! Then tried Federal Power Shock back on the bipod and it was back around 1.5 MOA. What could be causing this??

For info sakes
- Remington CDL in wooden stock
- has been bedded with Nathan Fosters compound
- free floated barrel (I thought!)
- ammo used was Hornady 130g SST's

Any advice or ideas appreciated!

Cheers

A rifle reacts differently and POI can change from bags to bipod, but to open up in group size.... maybe your shooting position changes between the two.

Are you shooting from prone or bench?

How much difference in shooting position/technique between the bipod and bags?

Were the bags a different height, or were you bracing forward into bipod but letting the rifle rest looser on the bags?

Others with more expertise than me might have more ideas, but shooting position seems most likely cause to me.

Originally Posted by Tombi

A rifle reacts differently and POI can change from bags to bipod, but to open up in group size.... maybe your shooting position changes between the two.

Are you shooting from prone or bench?

Shooting from the bench. I didn't feel any less stable between the two but I could have been bracing more with the bipod and been looser with the bags. It's quite a change in grouping though!

In my opinion the problem will not be with the rifle. Get someone else to repeat the shooting. If he or she gets tight groups off the bags then I am sorry to say but the problem will be with something in your shooting technique.

Originally Posted by Rushy

In my opinion the problem will not be with the rifle. Get someone else to repeat the shooting. If he or she gets tight groups off the bags then I am sorry to say but the problem will be with something in your shooting technique.

That's alright mate, I'd rather deal with an issue with technique (or just stick to the bipod) then a issue with the rifle. I was concerned that it might have been to do with pressure on the barrel if ifs not completely free floated.

Pretty sure it's the 270

Originally Posted by NakiNewbie

That's alright mate, I'd rather deal with an issue with technique (or just stick to the bipod) then a issue with the rifle. I was concerned that it might have been to do with pressure on the barrel if ifs not completely free floated.

Whoa, hang on and back the bus up. Are you saying you were resting the barrel on the bag?

Try this mate, put you fwd hand on top of the front scope ring and let the weight pull the rifle down. It'd not the most versatile position but it will settle a jumpy gun right down. If that fixes your groups then as Rushy said it's a recoil issue. Maybe look at a good brake?

+1 on not resting the rifle on the bag. Also did you take the bipod of when you use the front bag. Resting the bipod on the bag isn't good although it shouldn't be that bad.

Originally Posted by longrange308

Pretty sure it's the 270

Yep thats it above how are you resting it on the bags tour not resting the barrel on the bag are you

If you are loading the bipod forward it is pulling the stock away from the barrel which may be keeping it free floating and accurate.
When you are on the bags are you putting downward pressure on the rifle? If so this may be causing the stock to touch the barrel and causing your issue.

You can find touches during firing by removing the barrelled action and using candle black on the barrel and carefully refitting and firing it, then checking the barrel channel for any marks.

This may not be the issue but something to consider.

Without trying to teach you to suck eggs:

1. The firer's position must be firm enough to support the weapon.
2. The weapon must be naturally aligned to the target without any undue physical effort on the part of the firer.
3. The weapon's sights must be correctly aligned to the target.
4. The shot must be released and followed through with minimal disturbance to the firer's position.

^ Ask yourself first if you've got the fundamentals covered?

Few good thoughts here! To answer some of the questions

- No I was most definetly not resting the barrel on the bag. I thought maybe if the barrel wasn't properly free floated having a different pressure point between where the bipod sits and where the bag sits along the stock might have changed things
- Bipod was off when using front bag
- No smack talk about the mighty .270 will be tolerated!!! haha. I've used one for a few years now and haven't had any issue with control before. Although this is the first time I've tried off front and rear bags?

Originally Posted by NakiNewbie

Few good thoughts here! To answer some of the questions

- No I was most definetly not resting the barrel on the bag. I thought maybe if the barrel wasn't properly free floated having a different pressure point between where the bipod sits and where the bag sits along the stock might have changed things
- Bipod was off when using front bag
- No smack talk about the mighty .Poo70 will be tolerated!!! haha. I've used one for a few years now and haven't had any issue with control before. Although this is the first time I've tried off front and rear bags?

Opps you missspelled it but don't panic all fixed now