Proper Bench Shooting Technique?

[MuleySniper]

So since I can remember going to the rifle range I've always shot off the shooting bench with bags. Being right handed I've always held the fore end with my left and obviously using my right hand to grip the back of the stock. Ive noticed on a couple shows now guys gripping the stock with their right hand then placing their left hand under the rifle and steadying it near the right on the right side of the rifle. Now not trying to sound ignorant, but shooting my .300 wby I would be concerned that it would fly back. I was just curious if this is a typical way to shoot from a bench and is there an accuracy gain by doing this? Sounds confusing but I'm sure some of you guys know what I'm trying to explain.
Thanks!
MS

[longrangekiller]

I have noticed i shoot a diffrent group with my left hand on the fore end. I shoot a better group with my left hand tucked under my right but a hunting situation for me usualy would be left hand on fore end so ive been trying to stick with that latley

[AWS]

At the range I have a front rest and a Rabbit Ear bag under the rear of the stock.  I grip the rabbit ear bag with my left hand and squeeze it to adjust the rifle and hold it in place as I fire.  This works well with a free floated forend, all my bolt actions are free floated so I can't say if it would affect a pressure point forend.  I've had some Mannlicher stocked rifles in the past and they seemed to work like my floated barrels.

If I'm shooting something like a lever action, pump or a break open single shot rifle I place my left hand on the rest and hold the forend of the rifle with my hand, and the groups tend to shrink some for me and the POI is more like it would be if I were shooting in a hunting sittuation.

[yorketransport]

With the 300 Weatherby, you may need to hold the forend to keep it from jumping off the front rest. In the heavier recoiling calibers I've always shot better when I control the forend. Most guns 30-06 and down can be shot using the left hand to control the rear bag.

If you have a muzzle brake and the larger guns, you probably won't need to hold the forend to keep them under control.

Andrew

[JohnVH]

300 wby I shot was no problem, shoot it like a normal gun, just dont flinch!

[Heredoggydoggy]

The way I learned to do it years ago from older benchrest shooters is similar to what AWS does, except we shot with bags made out of shot bags back then.  I still use the shot bags filled with the epoxy-coated pea gravel that is used in aquariums.  I have one of the large Caldwell bags for the forearm of the gun now, and use the smaller bags under the butt of the stock.  The front bag controls the windage, and by the amount of squeeze on the rear bag, I adjust the elevation of the sight picture.  I got so comfortable using this method, that even when on a stand for predators, my left hand is under the butt, and the bipod is up front.  Seems to steady my shot. Anything that touches the barrel will change the point of impact, so avoid that at all costs.

[Biggerhammer]

 There's no set in stone technique for benching a rifle, drive it the way that works best for you. I can careless what anyone else is doing. I shoot a rifle the way I know works for me. Unless its a detecated bench rifle, all my shooting is done off a bipod and a rear bag. When you've shot distance enough this way you will notice a change in zero/impact between your bipod resting on soft soil or hard concrete.

Or you can go pay for the online shooting classes at Snipershide.com. I get a chuckle out of that. Wonder how much one has to pay to realize you need to be straight behind the rifle and not to torgue the rifle. And don't forget to "load" the bipod and on, and on, and on.

[jaymark6655]

There's no set in stone technique for benching a rifle, drive it the way that works best for you. I can careless what anyone else is doing. I shoot a rifle the way I know works for me. Unless its a detecated bench rifle, all my shooting is done off a bipod and a rear bag. When you've shot distance enough this way you will notice a change in zero/impact between your bipod resting on soft soil or hard concrete.

Or you can go pay for the online shooting classes at Snipershide.com. I get a chuckle out of that. Wonder how much one has to pay to realize you need to be straight behind the rifle and not to torgue the rifle. And don't forget to "load" the bipod and on, and on, and on.

Online Shooting Class, now that is new.  How is someone suppose to look at your stance, stockweld and everything to tell you what to correct?

[BOWHUNTER45]

I like sand bags ..thats the way we have always shot our guns in ..not into placing my guns in a vice ..I use 2 bags on the front of the stock and 1 at the butt ..I prefer left handed but I shoot left or right .Does not much matter for me ...My younger son is like me and the other is right handed ..I hold the grip with my left and squeeze the bag with my right ..I find this the most accurate way of shooting my guns in ...plus your breathing and squeezing the trigger are factors too when shooting in your rifle ...When in doubt when you or someone else is denying they are not jurking the trigger place an empty in the gun and see what happens next 

[Jim the Plumber]

There's no set in stone technique for benching a rifle, drive it the way that works best for you. I can careless what anyone else is doing. I shoot a rifle the way I know works for me. Unless its a detecated bench rifle, all my shooting is done off a bipod and a rear bag. When you've shot distance enough this way you will notice a change in zero/impact between your bipod resting on soft soil or hard concrete.

Or you can go pay for the online shooting classes at Snipershide.com. I get a chuckle out of that. Wonder how much one has to pay to realize you need to be straight behind the rifle and not to torgue the rifle. And don't forget to "load" the bipod and on, and on, and on.

Online Shooting Class, now that is new.  How is someone suppose to look at your stance, stockweld and everything to tell you what to correct?

The on line training class is run by some of the best shooters in the industry.
 Having taught several hundred if not thousands of shooters, the insructors  know what works, and what the average enthusiast can do with their training methods.
There are several hundred shooters that take their on line class and having watched a few shooters that have, their improvement is remarkable.
 To the OP, if you are trying to sight in and practice for hunting, get off the bench and onto the ground. Practice like you hunt. Basic fundamentals  of building a natural point of aim, breathing, trigger control etc, will take a lot of hop out of the recoil and give you confidence in the field.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=11&page=1

[MuleySniper]

Thanks. Yeah I find my original technique just fitting for myself. I was just wondering if there was a more proper way to gain accuracy by using the method stated in my original post. Sounds like there is no real answer as it depends on the style and preference of the shooter. Thanks guys.
MS

[Biggerhammer]

There's no set in stone technique for benching a rifle, drive it the way that works best for you. I can careless what anyone else is doing. I shoot a rifle the way I know works for me. Unless its a detecated bench rifle, all my shooting is done off a bipod and a rear bag. When you've shot distance enough this way you will notice a change in zero/impact between your bipod resting on soft soil or hard concrete.

Or you can go pay for the online shooting classes at Snipershide.com. I get a chuckle out of that. Wonder how much one has to pay to realize you need to be straight behind the rifle and not to torgue the rifle. And don't forget to "load" the bipod and on, and on, and on.

Online Shooting Class, now that is new.  How is someone suppose to look at your stance, stockweld and everything to tell you what to correct?

The on line training class is run by some of the best shooters in the industry.
 Having taught several hundred if not thousands of shooters, the insructors  know what works, and what the average enthusiast can do with their training methods.
There are several hundred shooters that take their on line class and having watched a few shooters that have, their improvement is remarkable.
 To the OP, if you are trying to sight in and practice for hunting, get off the bench and onto the ground. Practice like you hunt. Basic fundamentals  of building a natural point of aim, breathing, trigger control etc, will take a lot of hop out of the recoil and give you confidence in the field.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=11&page=1

Haha! Saw you logged in taking the courses not to long ago.