New to benchrest at 82.

707mike

707mike

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May I ask experienced shooters why a rifle that is locked down in a 21 pound Precision Quest one piece rest will shoot better targets than if the "fuzz button" pressure is relaxed allowing it to slide back with recoil?
 
You did not mention what brand/type of rifle or what stock.

One issue; unless the stock has been straight-lined by an expert, it is likely when the gun moves back from recoil, it is not moving exactly straight back. There is enough dwell time of the bullet in the barrel, that any slight difference in vertical or horizontal movement of the rifle, while the bullet is traveling down the barrel, will cause inaccuracy on the target.

Also, some rifles shoot better locked down, while other rifles shoot better using free recoil, likely due to differences in the vibration characteristics of different rifles. This is why testing, practice, and consistency are so important in rimfire bench shooting.

These are just a couple of my thoughts. I am no expert. There are others that use this forum that have forgotten more than I know.

--Mike McAllister
 
Friend MikeMcAllister:

You say you're no expert, but, you gave friend 707Mike the correct answer when you said in your response to him:

"One issue; unless the stock has been straight-lined by an expert, it is likely when the gun moves back from recoil, it is not moving exactly straight back. There is enough dwell time of the bullet in the barrel, that any slight difference in vertical or horizontal movement of the rifle, while the bullet is traveling down the barrel, will cause inaccuracy on the target."

Your LBK and pistol fool friend, Bill Calfee
 
707mike said:
May I ask experienced shooters why a rifle that is locked down in a 21 pound Precision Quest one piece rest will shoot better targets than if the "fuzz button" pressure is relaxed allowing it to slide back with recoil?
Click to expand...

Friend 707mike:

CYA member MikeMcAllister correctly addressed your concerns.....this is why RFBR schmidts go to great lengths to properly straight line the stocks on their builds.

Your LBK and pistol fool friend, Bill Calfee
 
Your responses are really appreciated. I'm a life long woodworker with a pretty well equipped shop. The amateur straight line stock I brewed up is a good deal short of being precise, but it does let the rifle recoil back much closer to the bore line than the original stock will. Still, every time I loosen up those forend jaws and let it recoil the bullets start hitting all over the 6 to 8 rings. Locking 'er back down will move 'em all back into the 9 or 10 ring. Our little ole country matches don't have any restrictions on how we shoot but I am a bit embarrassed to have the rifle in a vise like that. Aso embarrassed to not be competitive unless I do! =\
 
707mike, are you using a bungee cord attached from your rest to your rifle to retard recoil? I started using one on my benchrest rifle and have seen positive results. I tried different tensions on the bungee cord to determine what tension works best. I also tested different tensions on the stock forend from the rest head to find what works best for my setup. Each rifle is different and trial and error is the only way to know how your particular set up will perform at its best. Keep us updated. EDIT TO ADD: I tried three difference tops to find the one my rifle likes the best. First was a sandbag, second was the fuzz button, third and best was the Delrin top. Trial and error can take a toll on the bank account.
 
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Mr. Calfee. If you see anything in my reply above that may be in error please let us know. I'm new to rimfire bench rest and have been shooting just over two years. I have been reading a lot and trying different things to determine what my Turbo V3 likes the best. I know why they refer to these rifles in the feminine gender. Mine changes her mind from one range session to another. lol.
 
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penn63 said:
707mike, are you using a bungee cord attached from your rest to your rifle to retard recoil? I started using one on my benchrest rifle and have seen positive results. I tried different tensions on the bungee cord to determine what tension works best. I also tested different tensions on the stock forend from the rest head to find what works best for my setup. Each rifle is different and trial and error is the only way to know how your particular set up will perform at its best. Keep us updated. EDIT TO ADD: I tried three difference tops to find the one my rifle likes the best. First was a sandbag, second was the fuzz button, third and best was the Delrin top. Trial and error can take a toll on the bank account.
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Good post. Ill add this. When choosing equipment, its important to think ahead. The top is the easiest example. Of the available for the discipline I'm shooting, which will be the easiest to repeat set up relay to relay, week to week,ect. Management of recoil is a large part of tuning. How it is done can vary but it has to be consistent to achieve tune.
Todd
 
Thanks Todd for the above post. At least I'm on the right track in getting my entire set up in tune. It's taken awhile but I think I have my rest top and recoil management set up properly. My ABRA scores have improved as I won last Thursday's two card club match with a 197 and a 198 shooting an untested lot of Midas Plus. You have been a great help to me and many more on these forums and new shooters will benefit from your knowledge. I remember talking to you or Tad a few years ago when I was shooting a Cooper TRP -3. Thanks again.
 
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