A Riddle

[Not The Brightest Bulb]

I have been shooting every morning 40 or 50 pellets a day, I have had scope problems and switching scopes etc just experimenting. Obviously this means resighting everything. Which is part of the fun and frustration program I am partaking in.

Not complaining just explaining.

Now many times I have read on this and other forums about artillery hold and how Mono/Bi/Tripods are not the springer airgunner's friend and how impossible it is to hit anything using them. Well I am at the age (70's) where steadiness of gun is not gonna happen. This morning I went out to try some freehand shooting and at 15 yards I was at least hitting an 8 by 11 inch paper but not within 2 inches of the 6 bullseyes. I did hit one bullseye but not the one I was aiming at.

Got my tripod and immediately started hitting the targets. I am curious is anybody else using pod systems to help their shooting of varmints or targets.

[Roadworthy]

Hi, Bulb.  That was quite a riddle, I'm just not sure where the point was.  What kind of tripod do you shoot from?  I know they are used for cameras and spotting scopes.  Is there a special one for shooting?  I'm curious because I can hit the paper from 25 yards but I have trouble with consistent groups.  (I'm only 67).  I normally shoot seated from a "Workmate" type bench which supports a paint roller type fixture upon which I rest the barrel, allowing it to jump if it wants.  I have some adjustable mounts on order to compensate for my "barrel droop".  When they arrive I hope to tweak things and move my groups so they pretend to be aimed at the correct target.
                     - Tom -

[CorvidKiller]

I use a bipod on my Gamo CFR and if anything it is more accurate with the by than without. Some springer guns are just not as hold sensitive as others, so there fore your gun may not be hold sensitive with a bipod.   

[ezman604]

Forward support CAN be used with springers. But it's my experience, and many others, that you can use the rest to prop your hand on. Then let the airgun sit in your rested hand and shoot accurately. But letting the springer actually sit in direct contact with a forward rest you will normally not get very good accuracy and consistency.

[Nod]

From what I get out of the OP's riddle, is that he says he has trouble holding the rifle steady so any type of rest would probably help his grouping. If he could hold it steady, it would most likely give him the best group but he doesn't have that option.

[Bullit]

Offhand shooting is the challenge, for sure.  I hate to say that I've witnessed women whipping us offhand, regularly, in our little lake BS fun shoots.   Soft touch.  I'm a big fan of a shooting bag.  You can make them from any softside bag, or even Tackle bags, if you wanna bigger one with pockets.  But still, the rifle always rests on a soft hand, or across my forearm.  Just lets them move freely and consistently, too me.

[Not The Brightest Bulb]

From what I get out of the OP's riddle, is that he says he has trouble holding the rifle steady so any type of rest would probably help his grouping. If he could hold it steady, it would most likely give him the best group but he doesn't have that option.

Exactly, when I was in late 60's offhand was fine but venturing into 70's my life appears to be a compromising program, at 1st I used a monopod for varmints and may switch to a bipod (full size not sniper type that mounts on AG) I am using a tripod for sighting and may have to use it full time.

Forward support CAN be used with springers.

Have not tried that but will the try hand on rest.

Hi, Bulb.  That was quite a riddle, I'm just not sure where the point was.

Point is when a poster makes a cross the board statement that something can't be done, it just might stop some people from trying it and missing the fun/frustation program.

[LET]

I am 67 and like all the help I can get, this is what I use.

   http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunting/Hunting-Accessories/Shooting-Sticks-Bipods%7C/pc/104791680/c/104734980/sc/104564880/Cabelas-Shooting-Pods/1398157.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fshooting-sticks-bipods%2F_%2FN-1100128%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104564880%3FWTz_l%3DUnknown%253Bcat104791680

It is a bi-pod. The head of it is kind of V shaped with soft rubber tabs sticking out for the gun to rest in. I know my gun is an IGT so it may not be as hold sensitive as a springer. I have tried shooting with my hand between the gun and the rest and the bi pod works just as well. My .02

[breakfastchef]

Now many times I have read on this and other forums about artillery hold and how Mono/Bi/Tripods are not the springer airgunner's friend and how impossible it is to hit anything using them.

I think that as long as you and the gun are setup the same on each shot, it should produce similar results. So, if you shoot off a bipod, you can have good results. If you take the same gun and try to shoot offhand, then you likely won't be able to hit the target since the hold has changed significantly.

[Not The Brightest Bulb]

Well it appears there are a few here using pods to shoot (did not know that), I personally think that practise and then more practise with whatever is being used will get the job done. 

[yoshi800]

I use this thing for plinking:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunting/Hunting-Accessories/Shooting-Sticks-Bipods%7C/pc/104791680/c/104734980/sc/104564880/Caldwell174-DeadShot-FieldPod/1209592.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FN%3D1100128%26WTz_l%3DSBC%253BBRprd1398157&WTz_l=SBC%3BBRprd1398157%3Bcat104564880

I don't use it for hunting cause I don't like to carry a lot of stuff. Works great for sighting in my scopes

[Bullit]

Well it appears there are a few here using pods to shoot (did not know that), I personally think that practise and then more practise with whatever is being used will get the job done. 

There ya go!    Best to Ya!

[Not The Brightest Bulb]

I believe I'm gonna order this rascal

[jfrey]

It is truly a riddle.   The general view seems to be that shooting the artillery hold will provide the best performance.   However, here's a link to a thread that contains over 5 pages extolling the virtues of using a paint roller as a rest for shooting springers.    Including some comments from people I've come to respect 'round here.     http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=26910.0   

In these examples the paint roller is doing a fine job replicating the tasks of the human hand in an artillery hold......    Shot after shot supporting the rifle in the exact same place each time and providing the same unrestricted recoil path.

Anything that makes helps get the pellet on target is at least worth experimenting with.    cheers

[Not The Brightest Bulb]

It is truly a riddle.   The general view seems to be that shooting the artillery hold will provide the best performance.   However, here's a link to a thread that contains over 5 pages extolling the virtues of using a paint roller as a rest for shooting springers.    Including some comments from people I've come to respect 'round here.     http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=26910.0   

In these examples the paint roller is doing a fine job replicating the tasks of the human hand in an artillery hold......    Shot after shot supporting the rifle in the exact same place each time and providing the same unrestricted recoil path.

Anything that makes helps get the pellet on target is at least worth experimenting with.    cheers

You will get no argument from me on the trying new stuff, and I definitely need help on getting the pellet to the proper place.

[Bullit]

Of course, it depends on how you figure on using your air rifle.
If you are planning on only bench shooting, you can build anything that will help you in that effort.  Its hard to master mechanics, with B/Bs for sure.  But in mastering them,, you will be further ahead in the long run.  My opinion only.
Just depends on what you wanna do.  If you know what I mean.

[OleTomCat]

Bulb, the 'pod' debate for airguns is a difficult one, the extreme shooters that want to stack pellets on top of one another at 100yds will never use a pod of any kind, with the possible exception being the paint roller, with a springer.  For the casual shooter who is not steady enough free hand and needs the added support that a pod offers but isn't interested in one hole groups the 'pods' are an alternative to the Artilery hold IF they allow the rifle to move over the top of the 'Pod' or like Corvids gun are a low power, 8fpe, tuned, fixed barrel that is not very hold sensative...

[Not The Brightest Bulb]

Bulb, the 'pod' debate for airguns is a difficult one, the extreme shooters that want to stack pellets on top of one another at 100yds will never use a pod of any kind, with the possible exception being the paint roller, with a springer.  For the casual shooter who is not steady enough free hand and needs the added support that a pod offers but isn't interested in one hole groups the 'pods' are an alternative to the Artilery hold IF they allow the rifle to move over the top of the 'Pod' or like Corvids gun are a low power, 8fpe, tuned, fixed barrel that is not very hold sensative...

With me it's not even a debate, cause I think extreme shooting is cool. It's just that there are different strokes for different folks. I was just a little befuddled because till I started this thread I had not read much good about pod use, but I knew it was working for me.

Just depends on what you wanna do.  If you know what I mean. 

Agree fully and do know.

[john]

I believe I'm gonna order this rascal

Be interested to hear how you like it.  I shoot through a cheap wooden A-frame ladder with water pipe insulation (the black foam stuff) over a rung (not a step), open off-hand palm up, while applying all the other artillery-hold rules,  the butt snuggled into a thick sweatshirt helps absorb some wobble. The foam takes the place of a bag or a roller. I do have a tripod, but only for the chrony set up in front of the ladder. I made one of HuntersVermin's home-made bipods but really haven't used it much...time i get it set up, the 'Verm" has usually "turned"...and run. Does work better than free-standing on a stationary target tho. I've been too lazy to put the time in to see if i could improve at free standing shooting.

[Not The Brightest Bulb]

I believe I'm gonna order this rascal

Be interested to hear how you like it.  I shoot through a cheap wooden A-frame ladder with water pipe insulation (the black foam stuff) over a rung (not a step), open off-hand palm up, while applying all the other artillery-hold rules,  the butt snuggled into a thick sweatshirt helps absorb some wobble. The foam takes the place of a bag or a roller. I do have a tripod, but only for the chrony set up in front of the ladder. I made one of HuntersVermin's home-made bipods but really haven't used it much...time i get it set up, the 'Verm" has usually "turned"...and run. Does work better than free-standing on a stationary target tho. I've been too lazy to put the time in to see if i could improve at free standing shooting.

Well with the vermin removal since I know usually where they are gonna show up I just get a chair, sit, quietly wait, etc. It worked with mono pod cause it's much simpler/easier to setup/change as needed. Obviously tripod triples the adjustments needed, hoping the bipod be a compromise. Monopod setup so it will handle maybe 75% of where I think vermin will show up and if adjustment is needed it can be done slowly.

Besides that it's a cool challenge, the more difficult, the more reward if it works. It's not life or death, it's a play with your toy program.