Bipod Jump - rookie mistakes

[Daniel_Carlsbad]

Ok, let me start this by saying I have zero experience with my new rifle. I recently bought a Savage 110BA 338 Lapua. Up till now I was enjoying plinking with my AR15. So I took it to Pala the other day to zero. I added the harris bipod and prepared to take my first shot prone. I had been practicing at home to try and get good positioning behind the rifle and so on the firing line i took my time trying to get comfortable. I put my non-shooting hand under the stock to help support and aim. When I pulled the trigger the front of the rifle jumped up a little bit but also alot to the left (right handed shooter). When the rifle came to a rest it was facing two targets to the left at 100 yards. And i have no idea where that shot went due to the rifle jumping so much, it definitely didnt hit paper although I did see a dirt cloud in the vicinity. The 338 definitely has a nice kick. I think one thing I did wrong was I had the heal too high and against my collar bone instead of down toward my chest. I took about 20 shots and called it a day. I will be going back in a few days but in the meantime trying to practice at home being in the right firing position and getting NPA. I have read some articles about loading the bipod although i think im not doing it right. Have any of you had problems with bipod jump? This only occurs with the big bore rifles, the smaller ones there is no issue. Just looking for some other peoples experiences and since i've posted on here of course some wise *** comments to boot.

Thanks and have a Merry Christmas.

[bazineta]

Here's a video of a DM training course that will probably assist you; review the first few minutes in terms of position. You want to load the bipod slightly, but it doesn't need to be pushed hard on; pay careful attention to the elements of body position demonstrated by the instructors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rLfYLM48Ms

[bsumoba]

Unfortunately or fortunately (depending on how you look at it), the best way to determine how to shoot it is to get a lot of trigger time. Try different positions and holds and figure out which way makes it shoot the best.

There is no real good way to tame the 338 caliber. To put things in perspective, I shoot F-Open with a 284 Shehane (7mm cartridge) and a medium sized case and it took me a whole year of trying things out to figure out how the gun likes to be held.

The thing is, each gun likes to be held different. Some will shoot near free recoil (benchrest shooters), some with a hard hold (most 308 and sling shooters) and some in between (like me for example), where I have a good forward press on the gun into my front rest, but other than that and my trigger finger and maybe a bit of cheek pressure is the only thing touching the gun.

I have a 338 Edge (similar to a 338 lapua) and it is in a McMillan stock. Its a relatively heavy 20 lb gun with a good sized brake on it. I figured out that it likes to be shot nearly the same way as my F-Open gun, aside from the fact that I am using my weak hand to support a rear bag.

Don't know if that helps...

[Daniel_Carlsbad]

Unfortunately or fortunately (depending on how you look at it), the best way to determine how to shoot it is to get a lot of trigger time. Try different positions and holds and figure out which way makes it shoot the best.

There is no real good way to tame the 338 caliber. To put things in perspective, I shoot F-Open with a 284 Shehane (7mm cartridge) and a medium sized case and it took me a whole year of trying things out to figure out how the gun likes to be held.

The thing is, each gun likes to be held different. Some will shoot near free recoil (benchrest shooters), some with a hard hold (most 308 and sling shooters) and some in between (like me for example), where I have a good forward press on the gun into my front rest, but other than that and my trigger finger and maybe a bit of cheek pressure is the only thing touching the gun.

I have a 338 Edge (similar to a 338 lapua) and it is in a McMillan stock. Its a relatively heavy 20 lb gun with a good sized brake on it. I figured out that it likes to be shot nearly the same way as my F-Open gun, aside from the fact that I am using my weak hand to support a rear bag.

Don't know if that helps...

Thanks, it's reassuring to know that not everyone goes out and gets comfortable w the rifle in just a few sessions. I appreciate the feedback. I'm going back out this Friday and hopefully can continue on a weekly basis. Just working on fundamentals and trying to take my time and have some fun along the way. Anytime at the range is time well spent. Thanks again.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[Daniel_Carlsbad]

Here's a video of a DM training course that will probably assist you; review the first few minutes in terms of position. You want to load the bipod slightly, but it doesn't need to be pushed hard on; pay careful attention to the elements of body position demonstrated by the instructors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rLfYLM48Ms

This is a good one. Thanks for sending the link.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[kcstott]

you need to set the rifle up to you, get the cheek riser set to allow a perfect alignment with the scope. Adjust the bipod to correct the level of the gun.

Unless you are really skinny using your hand under the butt is not going to work. I shoot with a 4" rear bag sitting on 2" of wood and adjust the bipod to level the weapon then make minor elevation adjustments sliding the bag.

you need to get your position dialed in perfect and that take time. You will know it when you see it because the rifle will not come off target at 100 meters and at 600 to 1000 it will just move about 2 MOA at the most.

It takes time to figure this stuff out without proper instruction.

And if you haven't figure it out, that answer to your question is poor body position and poor recoil control (loading the bipod) That video is top notch guidance for sure.