Front rest setup

[Kim Merrill]

I am looking at little things in my equipment setup that may require adjusting. The question I have today is about my front rest.

1. Has there been much talk about how hard or soft to fill a front bag?
Note; At this time when I look through the scope and squeeze the tiger the cross hairs do not move. At the same time the ears do not appear to be filled completely.

2. How much pressure is applied to the side wings?

3. Do the side wings eliminate the gun from rocking?

4. Should the gun be able to rock ever so slightly from side to side. I am talking about a couple of sixteenths? Could this be caused by the stock not resting perfectly on the bag?

This is not like practicing and learning to read wind flags and mirage. I can do that alone, but without other benchrest shooters around to ask questions, well you know that all things are not inherent.

This may be too subjective or broad but I am throwing it out there.

 

[abintx]

Kim ...

Start here: http://benchrest.netfirms.com/Filling Sandbags.htm. Then go here for a bunch of examples on set-up: http://www.benchrest.com/FAQ/6.5.shtml.

Here is how I align my bags. It might be helpful.

To align my front rest and rear bag with the target, I use an old golf shaft.

I run it from my front rest stop through a line that crosses over the center speed screw and into the slot between the two ears. I stand behind that set-up and make sure I see a straight line pointing at the target.

I also have a piece of tape that I’ve placed on the golf shaft that indicates how far the back end of the rear bag should be placed from the front rest stop to match up with the length of my stock for fast and easy fore and aft positioning.

Don’t have an old golf shaft? Go to Home Depot and buy an inexpensive piece of wood dowel.

 

[virg]

Suggestions....

I am looking at little things in my equipment setup that may require adjusting. The question I have today is about my front rest.

1. Has there been much talk about how hard or soft to fill a front bag?
A. Fill till you can slightly dent the bag with your finger.

2. How much pressure is applied to the side wings?
A. Enough to hold the fore end of the rifle secure.

3. Do the side wings eliminate the gun from rocking?
A. Yes

4. Should the gun be able to rock ever so slightly from side to side. I am talking about a couple of sixteenths? Could this be caused by the stock not resting perfectly on the bag?
A. No...the rifle should NOT rock from side-to-side; even slightly. Adjust the side wings
to hold the rifle securely and still allow an easy slide backward with no rocking or tilt.

Good luck...virg

 

[Kim Merrill]

Thanks Virg

I went out this past weekend with the standard "Trial and error" mentality. I filled the bag to a firm not hard consistency. I knew that sand could always be removed at the range. I still bid not get any crosshair jump with the firm bag during a dry fire. The wings were tightened until the gun stuck then loosened to a good feel. I did not have a problem with vertical so I guess that means that they were not too tight. All-in-all it was a good day. The new Seb is rock solid and I had very good results with a new keg of 08 N133. I have gone through 8 lbs of 07 N133 and never found what I would consider consistency.
Thanks again for the response I was beginning to wonder if anyone was going to touch this one.

Kim