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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:)
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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:thumbsup: 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
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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.