How do you shoot from the bench?

[Kappy]

The guys at my range shoot from the bench. The range isn't terribly conducive to shooting in different positions during public hours. So... since I shoot 99% of my rifle shots at 100yds from a bench, how do you hold your rifle to get the most accurate shots? I'm using a Caldwell Rock for the front and a pair of sandbags for the back (which is the tradition at my range). I don't want to use a sled.

Do you brace the shoulder firmly or let it slide a bit?

Do you have a hand under the butt or just gripping the bag?

Do you try to force the gun to stay down or let it rise up?

Where do you decide to rest the rifle on the front (middle, front, just before the trigger)?

[NorCalFocus]

I shoot mine just like I do prone. Bi-Pod up front, sand bag in the rear. Load the bi-pod, squzee the sand bag for height. I try to get into my NPA, and slowly pull the trigger.

[Jayhawker]

I use a Caldwell front rest with a sandbag rear for most of my bolt action shooting. Left hand on the rear bag for height adjustment with a firm, but not tight, grip on the rifle. On heavy recoiling rifles, I'll grip the fore end of the rifle with my left hand to keep it from rising too much and use a front bag rather than a rest.

[alfred1222]

The same way I do when I'm prone

[LynnJr]

Kappy
You live real close to the Sacramento range.I would go to the ranges website and look up when they are holding a match and simply watch how they do it.

If you are free next sunday and can drive to Petaluma,Ca you can shoot from the bench using my guns and you can learn the basics.I will supply everything.

[CobraRed]

Kappy
You live real close to the Sacramento range.I would go to the ranges website and look up when they are holding a match and simply watch how they do it.

If you are free next sunday and can drive to Petaluma,Ca you can shoot from the bench using my guns and you can learn the basics.I will supply everything.

Was born and raised till the age of 20 in Petaluma, where do you shoot there? Or is that where you live?

[vliberatore]

I shoot very similarly to how it shoot prone, but don't preload my bipod as much as I do when prone since it tends to slide forward easier on the bench for me. I tuck it right in my shoulder and have my off hand on the bag, not the rifle. Regarding forcing the rifle down or not, I'd do whatever is most repeatable for you. The few times I've shot with a front bag, I put it where the front stud was.

Was born and raised till the age of 20 in Petaluma, where do you shoot there? Or is that where you live?

Circle S probably.

[Kappy]

Kappy
You live real close to the Sacramento range.I would go to the ranges website and look up when they are holding a match and simply watch how they do it.

If you are free next sunday and can drive to Petaluma,Ca you can shoot from the bench using my guns and you can learn the basics.I will supply everything.

I would like to take you up on that at a later date. I'm a new father and don't get to travel much further than my local range 10 minutes from my house. Might be able to this summer? This is an awesome offer and is very much appreciated.

[Kappy]

Does anyone have any tricks for where to put the rifle on the rest? With my AR, I like to rest it all the way back against the trigger, but this bench rifle is so barrel-heavy, it would always be tipping off. Should I go for the balance point? More towards the front?

[MG34]

Was out at a friends ranch last Thursday. I use the Caldwell bags. They work great for me.

[Canucky]

Kappy
You live real close to the Sacramento range.I would go to the ranges website and look up when they are holding a match and simply watch how they do it.

If you are free next sunday and can drive to Petaluma,Ca you can shoot from the bench using my guns and you can learn the basics.I will supply everything.

Very very generous of you LynnJr.

[NorCalFocus]

Does anyone have any tricks for where to put the rifle on the rest? With my AR, I like to rest it all the way back against the trigger, but this bench rifle is so barrel-heavy, it would always be tipping off. Should I go for the balance point? More towards the front?

Put it in the same spot where a bi-pod would be.

[-R-]

Does anyone have any tricks for where to put the rifle on the rest? With my AR, I like to rest it all the way back against the trigger, but this bench rifle is so barrel-heavy, it would always be tipping off. Should I go for the balance point? More towards the front?

The further apart your front and rear bags are the more stable the platform will be.

[Tarasdad]

Rest the rifle the way it will be shot when not on the bench.

[JMP]

I shoot mine just like I do prone. Bi-Pod up front, sand bag in the rear. Load the bi-pod, squzee the sand bag for height. I try to get into my NPA, and slowly pull the trigger.

This is what I do; however, I generally use a stiffer bipod with less flex on a bench as I tend to load less.