08-10-2018, 03:45 PM
kcb38 Wrote:I saw a thread / argument on here a while ago discussing free recoil vs a more conventional style of shooting from a bench but I can't seem to find it. I have been trying to shoot my AR platform Grendel the same way I do with my bolt guns, very lightly pulling the butt pad into my shoulder with the rifle rested on a front bag or mechanical rest and rear bag with ears. That hasn't yielded good results at all. Last night I decided to try pulling the rifle more firmly into my shoulder and the groups definitely tightened up. I'd like to ask our more experienced shooters, how do you all do it? I figured the light touch was the way to go because that reduced input from me to the rifle, hopefully minimizing unwanted movement after the trigger break. I think that works with my bolt guns because of their weight and the fast lock time of the trigger vs that of an AR. Do you all find that you benefit from controlling the rifle more during recoil or do you prefer a light touch?
kcb:
I hold very hard with a gas operated rifle unless it is very heavy, like my AR-10. Then I hold moderately.
I will pull in pretty firmly and also put a lot of cheek pressure on the stock. Basically, I want the AR held like it was in a vice. I set up the bench position so as to really dominate the AR-15.
That said, one of the better shooters here says he replaces the forend with a type of forend that bench rest guys use. Heavy and flat on the bottom so it slides easily and consistently on a bag cut and shaped to fit the width of the forend. He may also put baby powder on the bag just so it lets the forend slide easier. He said he never holds it very hard at all. The front and rear bags keep it pointed when he pulls the trigger. Identical to bench rest comp.
Unless you want to go through the hassles that the fellow I mentioned went through, your best bet is to spend a lot of time setting up your bench and really dominate the AR-15.
Also, many here have found that a rapid fire approach when shooting for group probably results in more consistency between groups. Five shots in 20 seconds is probably about right.
I group to test loads. Once I find a load I think is good enough for my purposes, you won't see me tinkering with it again unless it is not performing the way I expected.
LR55