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All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Air Gun Gate => Topic started by: MTSharpShooter on July 18, 2012, 05:15:52 PM

Title: Shooting a Springer from a Bench Rest, What is the Best Technique?
Post by: MTSharpShooter on July 18, 2012, 05:15:52 PM
Guys, I'm new to the sport and jumped in with both feet.  Within the last three months I've picked up two magnum springers:  an RWS 350 .22 cal and a Hatsan 125 Sniper .25 cal.  I've shot powder burners from the bench for years and always managed to be satisfied with my groupings.  What I use is an adjustable front rest (tripod with leather "rabbit ears" bag) and a leather sand bag for the rear/butt.  I figured, wrongly as it turns out, that I would be able to duplicate my small groups with the springers using this setup.  After getting disappointing groups with both rifles, I knew the problem was with my technique and/or equipment.  I've since learned that my setup is not ideal for springers.  I've read a lot about the artillery hold and how Springers don't like to be manhandled/held tightly like I was doing.  Anyway, do you guys think I would get better results using something like a sand-filled Bulls Bag (like this: http://www.bullsbag.com/Bench_Shooting_Rest_Rifle_Field_Shooting_Rests_Bulls_Bag_s/2.htm (http://www.bullsbag.com/Bench_Shooting_Rest_Rifle_Field_Shooting_Rests_Bulls_Bag_s/2.htm)?) and resting the stock on it and just lightly putting the butt to my shoulder?  Do to an injury I find it necessary to shoot almost exclusively from a bench.  Thanks for the help.
Title: Re: Shooting a Springer from a Bench Rest, What is the Best Technique?
Post by: thekid on July 18, 2012, 05:36:57 PM
Before buying anything, fill a sock full of rice, and use that.
This will tell you if the gun will like a soft bag used. Lots use a shooters bag, but rest there hand on it and the gun on their hand, with the rifle lightly touch ing the shoulder.
You want the gun to recoil freely, trying to control it will cause poor groups.
Try that and see both ways, what works best.....may save some money too :)
Title: Re: Shooting a Springer from a Bench Rest, What is the Best Technique?
Post by: MTSharpShooter on July 18, 2012, 05:41:19 PM
Thanks for the tip Kid  ;)  I'll have to try that and see how it goes.
Title: Re: Shooting a Springer from a Bench Rest, What is the Best Technique?
Post by: mcc1961 on July 18, 2012, 08:30:18 PM
I had a  Benji Trail NP and  for it  to be accurate you had to remove the butt rest and let the forearm lay in the rest only.
Title: Re: Shooting a Springer from a Bench Rest, What is the Best Technique?
Post by: rsterne on July 18, 2012, 09:02:27 PM
Check out this.... http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php/topic,26910.0.html (http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php/topic,26910.0.html)

Bob
Title: Re: Shooting a Springer from a Bench Rest, What is the Best Technique?
Post by: MTSharpShooter on July 18, 2012, 09:05:50 PM
Check out this.... http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php/topic,26910.0.html (http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php/topic,26910.0.html)

Bob

I love that idea, thanks  ;)  I'm going to Home Depot this weekend and now I know what I'll be buying!
Title: Re: Shooting a Springer from a Bench Rest, What is the Best Technique?
Post by: pappa on July 18, 2012, 09:51:58 PM
It's not a true bench rest but for the forearm, I use a tripod with a very large V rest padded with 3 inches of soft foam rubber. This thing is so good that I can usually zero a new setup within 5 shots and start getting great 5 shot groups immediately.

Other than the rest, I highly recommend the technique recommended by Rob.