Thread: Bipod affecting accuracy.

Personally, I prefer shooting off a pack or with a sling, or both together. However, in all cases I grip and supportthe rifle firmly in both hands on forend and pistolgrip. I have watched a number of people shooting testing loads at ranges. Some go thru 20 rounds and get a sad face and ask for help. I give them my pack and tell them to fold up the bipod. Most times they shoot much better without the bipod especially off hard ground or bench. However I have also seen a select few who use bipod with a particular technique and shoot very well, usualky with a low recoiling cal like 223 or with a very heavy rifle like f class 12lbs+.
Seems to me that unless the shooter applies a very consistent method of using a bipod with an average weight hunting rifle that a bipod is both a weight and obstructive handicap risk to getting away a good shot. Most hunters carry a day pikau of sorts, which makes an adequate support if time permits. Proper use of a sling is very effective. (My comment for what its worth

I have a shooting bench and a 100m range I use for load development at home and after much frustration trying to find the right rest to put on that bench so you know it is not the human factor I purchased a Caldwell ZeroMax Shooting Rest and it has helped heaps in developing a good ammo as I reload my own for the 5 rifles I use. 3 have wooden stocks and 2 have good solid synthetic stocks so no floppy stock in my collection and the ZeroMax puts no undue stress on any of the rifles when doing load development so that sorts making good ammo out.
I now practice without the fancy rest so in a hunting situation you can actually hit the side of a barn at 100m for this I have set up a set of targets @ 40m and 60m as well as the 100m target for freehand and snap shooting practice and use the bench without a rest on it to try and cover all the different scenarios you come across when out hunting

An old shooting acquaintance years ago had a 338 Winchester which he loved to bits. If you could see it and had the ability to hit it, it was lights out.
BUT he did go through a couple of wooden stocks when he used the bipod. Cant remember if he got a synthetic in the end but he did say he wouldn't shoot it with a bipod on a wood stock anymore
Not quite the same as what you are referring to but I would imagine if the rifle can put stress on the stock with a bipod (not even enough to wreck it) much like Mauser308 has posted, then it could well bugger up your grouping.