Bipod loading & DIY shooting mats.....

[ALCOAR]

Hey guys, just wanted to share a little bit on loading a bipod with a precision AR, and then also doing a mat on the super cheap.

First and foremost, this post is actually addressing a number of great questions, or requests for more info in regards to what mats I use, and specifically how I incorporate a feature into them that really makes the long task of mastering the bipod load much easier for just about everyone. So hopefully some of you whom had contacted me in the past on this subject will be able to read this thread or watch the video I uploaded about it.

The whole thread boils down to what I term as a Bipod load assist bar....and essentially it's the key to turning the tedious task of bipod loading into an easy task that now will improve your shooting results when done properly.

Bipod loading is paramount to realizing high levels of accuacy/precision downrange.....and when dealing with .308 ARs, this is exponentially more important.

One can muscle a rifle onto the target for a few rounds, or one can start out like a world beater with perfect technique, either way after a mag or two....only technique and fundamentals will maintain the high marks one is most likely gunning for. Once you build up the round count, and shooter fatigue really begins to tear down the natural technique in one's ability.....mastering an effortless bipod load every single shot is extremely advantageous to say the least. The biggest end game when properly loading the bipod shot in and shot out, is the fact that the shooter essentially gains total command of the rifle's recoiling properties, and thereby can reduce all non-natural movements thus staying on target much more effectively.

This seems very simple. stupid....and it is, but don't let that fool you into thinking that this subject yields only small or irrelevant gains downrange. Rather it can truly make the difference in handling a ass kicking 16" .308 at 1000yds, or making that pinpoint shot at a few hundred yards when your beat tired. The sky is the limit once you can lock a precision rifle down in prone....perfecting your bipod load is a huge part of that equation.

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DSC09187-1.jpg

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DSC09196-1.jpg

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DSC09224-1.jpg

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac81/trident1982/DSC09234-1.jpg


Bipod loading & DIY shooting mats (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LBEMkPuaJA)

[7 RING]

Excellent post ! Thank you for the pictures. Once I started to preload the bipod my group sizes shrank considerably. I bought a mat from MidwayUSA that has material sewn on the front to assist in preloading the bipod.

I also believe that squaring up my body behind the rifle makes a difference when shooting at distances greater than 600 meters. It cuts down on horizontal stringing.

Please keep the long range shooting tips coming.

[SeriousStudent]

I love the simple cheap mat in the video. It's perfect!

I'm going to snag a outdoor carpet scrap at Lowe's or someplace, and try that out next week.

Thanks for the tip!

[rdbse]

Very cool. Looks like it works especially for a beast like the 16" MWS.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

Loading the bipod and bipod hop are really interesting. People will swear up and down that you shouldn't need stuff like this to load a bipod. I have an Atlas V8 that I used on my LMT MWS and I got hop and forward movment like crazy if my position wasn't perfect and lack of preload no matter what. I moved the same bipod to my AICS Rem 700 rifle and no issues with it hoping and no issues with it moving forward or not taking preload.

I can understand the hop issue with bolt vs gas gun, but the preload still confuses me since it seems it isn't height dependant. Is it just a slightly different angle that the legs hit??? My position is similar, loose bag on both for rear hold. I'm at a loss.

Solution? V8 on my bolt gun and a Harris on my MWS.

[Littlehendrick]

Thank you for the video. Great info, and I really enjoyed the cheapest mat too!

[taliv]

nice idea!

those might have an advantage in a pretty static environment. if you have multiple targets spaced more than a few degrees apart though, i think i would prefer the mats that have straps sewn in to hook your bipod legs into, as you could pan allowing one leg to move forward and another back as you turn while both applying pressure to the strap. i think with a solid stick, any turn and you would only have pressure on one leg.

[7 RING]

A friend of mine loops a long bungee cord under the front of his shooting mat to preload the bipod. It's cost effective, so you have more money left over for beer.

[El Cid]

nice idea!

those might have an advantage in a pretty static environment. if you have multiple targets spaced more than a few degrees apart though, i think i would prefer the mats that have straps sewn in to hook your bipod legs into, as you could pan allowing one leg to move forward and another back as you turn while both applying pressure to the strap. i think with a solid stick, any turn and you would only have pressure on one leg.
Something like this?


http://www.tyrtactical.com/products/details/belts-accessories/tyr-tactical-sniper-mat-30x62/

[rdbse]

Great info Trident!

Noticed you are now running a BABC on your MWS. How do you like it compared to the flash hider? What about changes in accuracy?

[ALCOAR]

Thanks pal. Thus far for the record I've logged far more rounds with the standard F/H than with the BABC...and observations below are based on that limited expierence.

1.) Flash suppression abilities with FGMM 168gr., and Hornady 168gr. Amax was extremely impressive when trying it out at night.

2.) I was also satisfied with the lack of real difference in the report b/t it and the factory A2. I double plug with this one rifle, so take that fwiw.

3.) Environmental disruption seems like it could be a problem depending on how/where your shooting. I'm afraid this device will kick up a sh*t cloud if shooting prone over loose dirt/dust.

4.) In terms of recoil reduction...it's a wash imho. Sure it's doing something, but most certainly not reducing $220 worth of recoil away. Most people I think buy these because of this property.

[ALCOAR]

Loading the bipod and bipod hop are really interesting. People will swear up and down that you shouldn't need stuff like this to load a bipod. I have an Atlas V8 that I used on my LMT MWS and I got hop and forward movment like crazy if my position wasn't perfect and lack of preload no matter what. I moved the same bipod to my AICS Rem 700 rifle and no issues with it hoping and no issues with it moving forward or not taking preload.

I can understand the hop issue with bolt vs gas gun, but the preload still confuses me since it seems it isn't height dependant. Is it just a slightly different angle that the legs hit??? My position is similar, loose bag on both for rear hold. I'm at a loss.

Solution? V8 on my bolt gun and a Harris on my MWS.

That's odd, as I truly believe the Atlas V8 has been critical to having success with my MWS at long ranges.

This video really shows how the Atlas has changed the game for me with a .308 gas gun at distance. By kicking the legs forward, loading properly, and maintaining correct positioning directly behind the rifle....I'm able to absorb the recoil straight back and down into me, and then it returns right back to previous loaded spot. I can't stress how much this helped me!

LMT MWS 16" CL/Rem 700 w. Krieger 26" @ 1038yds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQtP8B03XuM)

If you haven't played with the atlas leg positioning in terms of kicking em forward, I think you should definitely try that.

[IZinterrogator]

3.) Environmental disruption seems like it could be a problem depending on how/where your shooting. I'm afraid this device will kick up a sh*t cloud if shooting prone over loose dirt/dust.

4.) In terms of recoil reduction...it's a wash imho. Sure it's doing something, but most certainly not reducing $220 worth of recoil away. Most people I think buy these because of this property.

3. It is not near as bad as an actual muzzle break such as the Surefire MB556 or something along those lines, but there is a slight increase over the A2. When shooting from urban prone with the rifle tilted over, there is a huge increase in dust blowup, but still less than the MB556.

4. There is a notable decrease in recoil when using it standing such as in an action shooting match over the standard A2. I doubt there would be any noticable difference when using a bipod. Shooting off a rest, it loses much of its effectiveness (at least for me, I push the magazine well into the rest to increase steadiness when I shoot off a rest).


I have to caveat this by saying I use one on a SCAR 17S and not an AR-10 variant, but the same principles should apply.

[Ptrlcop]

A GI sleeping mat is another cheap solution. I take the straps on the mat and tie them in a knot so that they make a loop. Put the bipod legs inside the loop and apply forward pressure. This also allows for changing your angle and multiple targets. I think I paid 5 bucks at the surplus store for my mat.

[SilverBullet432]

Thanks for this most excellent DIY! Ive already got a scrap 6x3 piece of carpet, now i just need a scrap PVC! :cool:

[markm]

if you have multiple targets spaced more than a few degrees apart though, i think i would prefer the mats that have straps sewn in to hook your bipod legs into, as you could pan allowing one leg to move forward and another back as you turn while both applying pressure to the strap. i think with a solid stick, any turn and you would only have pressure on one leg.

Buy an Atlas Bi pod. ;)

[SilverBullet432]

Total cost: $10 :cool:

http://i60.tinypic.com/24yv3w6.jpg

[markm]

With this mat, I just slid some PVC into the pouch and was done.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb201/trixiebud/kmr1050_zps69ea8b32.jpg

[Onyx Z]

With this mat, I just slid some PVC into the pouch and was done.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb201/trixiebud/kmr1050_zps69ea8b32.jpg

what mat is that?

[markm]

Some Blackhawk viet nam made nonsense.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb201/trixiebud/KMRmini4_zps7bf16d25.jpg?t=1400365666

[SilverBullet432]

Used the mat for the first time today, works great! Now im just not sure if im liking the harris bipod or not.