#10MinuteTalk

Reuben Aleckson joins Jimmy and Mark to discuss “bipod bounce” and its effect on accuracy. What even is “bipod bounce” in the first place? Aren’t bipods supposed to help us when it comes to accuracy? Have you ever found yourself shooting off a hard bench or slab of concrete with a bipod and for some reason your groups aren’t what you feel you and the gun are normally capable of? If so, you’ve experienced this phenomenon - here’s why!
As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.
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[@BitsOfEternity]

When I first heard the term 'bipod bounce', I considered it to be related to when the bipod returns to the ground after a rifle is fired - because on my 270 WSM, due to recoil, the front end leaves the ground when a round is fired (no muzzle brake/compensator on it), and then it comes back down to earth, not usually in the same place.

[@arsinist7663]

I have experienced bipod bounce when shooting on a hard surface. But I have never been able to definitively say that it causes accuracy issues. I think the bullet is well on its way, before the rifle bounces. Any time I have had accuracy issues while using a bipod, the accuracy issues continue without the bipod.

[@greenstreet5287]

Good talk. Being a new shooter there’s always something new or another aspect for me to learn. It’s also good hearing different points of view from other experiences

[@jw3946]

I shoot a bipod off of a concrete bench, much bounce. I place a Teflon pad on the concrete surface using caps on the bipod rubber caps siting on the pad. The gun now slides freely. I now have total control of my shots.

[@samuelpope7798]

Acording to my 35 year old sierra load manual a high power rifle recoils ( depending on cartridge power and weight of rifle) something on the order of 1/2" before the bullet leaves the barrel. The nature and consistency of that movement will have a great effect on accuracy .

[@josephhomen]

True. Recoil/rifle movement begins before the bullet leaves the barrel. Also barrel vibration

[@bfdadventure]

Excellent topic. I’ve discovered a high and low POI change when I’m not consistently weighting the bipod. I like the advice of pulling the butt into the shoulder and then relaxing which creates consistency. I look at the bipod as a convenience tool. Last ditch effort at stabilizing a shot. Yes, a bagged rifle is more consistent, heck a shooting stick with a hand on the forend is more stable than a bipod. Also bipod use for hunting proves rather impractical as a prone position rarely gets one over the grass, rocks, etc that are usually prevalent in the field.

[@Dfleuryoutdoors]

Switching from a bipod to bags resulted In a 3 inch vertical poi shift with my 308. Sighted in from a bipod then missed a deer at 350 yards. Thought what the hell, shot from the bipod and i was dead on, shot off a bag and was 3 inches low. Did the same test with my AR and there was no difference. Every gun is different but make sure you sight in how you plan on shooting in the field.

[@jasenswalley3985]

man that's the truth. Every gun is different. Know your rifle and you should be fine. Part of why it always cracks me up in movies or something they'll pick up a rifle they've never fired before and pull off a head shot from a mile away. LOL

[@BullseyeBallistics-kf1jw]

Same here! I sighted my AR10 off of bags. I tried zeroing it with my bipod yesterday and my shots were all over the place from 3-4" at 100 yards. I took the bipod off and it was dead on with a 1" group at 100. I was wondering if moving the bipod back would help. I'm going to try it later.

[@slik560]

Just now installing a Magpul bipod on my S&W AR-10. Timely topic for me- good information. Thanks. Subscribed today 👍🇺🇸

[@wolffo999]

great vids - barrel whip and rubber feet hop - POI doesnt change for me , but it makes it hard to see my hits

[@ianservice3609]

Used my 223 and 308 on a bipod on a concrete bench for load development and had trouble getting tight consistent groups. Put pressure on the bipod improves it a little but hard to do on the concrete bench. Went to bags and much better. Didn’t change the point of impact just closed the groups up.

[@itsjustme7777]

I have spiked feet for my Harris as well as my Magpul bipods. (made by Hawk Hill Customs) The bipods "lock in" to the shooting surface so the bipod jump goes away.

[@DS-gd1xw]

Great topic gentlemen

[@Teleman01]

YES... It does affect accuracy in some cases. For me, my range uses wooden benches. So I shoot my precision rifle with a bipod off of the wooden bench. But the rubber feet on my Accutac would slide every once in a while. So I bought these spikes to keep my bipod feet in place. Well, using those spikes I got a lot of bipod bounce. And my groups opened up. I didn't know what it was it first. Once I put the rubber feedback on, my groups went back to sub MOA. I believe it helps because it allowed the recoil of the rifle to go back naturally.

[@kellym3531]

I hope that is your personal range.

[@DLN-ix6vf]

definitely a direct relationship between bipod bounce and calibre of cartridge. my .22lr doesn't have the same bounce as my 6.5 creedmoor. ps: I decided to use bags for my 6.5 creedmoor instead of any bipod ; just seams to settle in much nicer !

[@mattramirez4172]

Have you done a pod cast or 10 min on rangefinders ?

[@candiceboulanger680]

i would like to thank u guys for all the info on defreant things. i would like to no what rifle you have showen with the harise bypot.

[@michaelkelley9609]

It's the follow up shots. I'll hit 1st shot & rifle shifts for the 2nd & have to re-aquire. I think it boils down to a solid object on another solid object. Like in Marksmanship bone on bone support = no good. Bone on muscle 👍

[@nateh2652]

Bipod bounce is when the rifle jumps off of the ground, then shifts its POA. Its such a big problem in tactical shooting and long range shooting where you need to spot your hits and misses. Ive never heard of a POI shift from bipod use as bounce.

[@brucecoulthard7879]

For years I could never work out why my sporter weight rifles wouldn’t group well then ditched the bipod and they both group 1/2”. Varmint rifles it never seem to affect. I put it down to the weight of the rifle. Now I only use a bipod on my heavy barrelled rifles.

[@awsomedude9111]

I’ve seen the channel Mark and Sam Afterwork using a sliding bipod system.

[@ronws2007]

When I use a bipod on a table, whether carpeted or bare, I bring an old folded towel and set the bipod feet on that. And then pre-load.

[@rossholmes178]

@8:47 ...about time lads.

[@dwaynewood8156]

Recoil management is key I have a harris and a atlas both good bypods I prefer the Harris,I run the Harris on my .284 and the atlas on my 6.5 but I can swap them and have zero impact change , key bypod load you don’t need hard pressure just enough to hold the bypod into your shoulder that’s it it if your pushing on it it’s to hard a little pressure forward and with two middle fingers a bit back just enough to hold your gun into shoulder pocket and shoot you will be fine don’t over think it

[@JacopoSkydweller]

....What? Holy engrish.

[@jkamsing]

What does lock time got to do with? Your rifle isn't recoiling during that time.

[@freespirit5481]

I'm listening to this while free-floating a rem 700!

[@chriskakosimos2855]

My Tikka tac a1 has a lot of jump which made me recognize that the muzzle brake that you get in the kit when you buy it it's not for a .308 which my rifle is but for a .338 so you lose too much pressure thrue to the difference in caliber. On top of that there are no vents on top of the muzzle brake to reactively push your barrel down. If I drill three holes on top of the muzzle brake would it improve it or will I open a new can of worms?? Thanks guys.

[@nomad_philosophy]

The break is famously good and comes from the Sako TRG series of rifles. I use just a generic break but I've had less than a MIL of deviation from POI after shot with proper fundamentals. There's a great thread on sniper's hide from a guy that practiced shooting a 300 Norma without a break, helped me a lot. And drilling holes in the top of your break might make the issue worse, as it will push the bipod in to the ground and equal and opposite reaction etc. Sorry for rambling hope it helped

[@chriskakosimos2855]

@@nomad_philosophy Thank you so much brother. I'm gonna look for that sniper hide site. Thanks again.

[@WoodrowWoods2007]

Perhaps some b-roll of bipod jump happening would help

[@SuprChargdDoubs]

That front rifle is beautiful. What is it??

[@jakeledyard6310]

I came to the comments just to find this out! Lol

[@jakeledyard6310]

I think its probably a weatherby mark v but not positive

[@leapfrog9264]

I am new to shooting and am now really confused. Should I be pulling the rifle back into my shoulder or pushing it forward to load the bipod? Both were discussed.

[@commenter4799]

You'll never push on the rifle with your shooting hand. Pull the rifle into your shoulder, then push forward on the weapon with your shoulder by leaning into it once the bipod legs are set. You may need to lean back a bit be it in the prone or on the bench, set the bipod legs, then lean into it.

[@ianservice3609]

Bipods bounce heaps on a hard surface. Much better using bags on a concrete bench.

[@sierrapeaks8838]

If hunting, break up the ground if solid, put a sand bag for the rear for extra support

[@brandon1910]

I used to think bipods were the holy grail. I just shoot at my local range for the most part and got myself a rest. way easier to deal with and found I was more consistent with a rest vs bipod. Great discussion.

[@ooak9]

what rest did you get. Im looking for a good one

[@brandon1910]

@@ooak9 I have the Vanguard porta-aim

[@tedb.5707]

Naively I wonder if the induced torque from the bullet traveling down the barrel can cause the opposing bipod foot to lift. On a sandbag or pack the gun rotates around the barrel and forestock, but on a hard surface a bipod rotates the gun around the foot of the bipod inches away from the barrel trying to lift the opposing foot off the ground.

[@DinoNucci]

Bruh, torque from rifling is not the force you need to be worrying about. Focus in the explosion happening, by your face, that's driving the bullet.

[@dragonflyfab9703]

Bingo! Ya nailed it! One foot goes up the other foot can't go down. Barrel goes up same as the right foot. Half because the barrel is between a lifting foot and a stationary foot, and twice as much because the bipod is half way back on the barrel.

[@dilorenzopiero5162]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@marktaylor688]

So I just bought my first bipod....I’ve been hunting for 30yrs and would practice shooting enough to be proficient at typical distances for my terrain. I’ve gotten into wanting to shoot longer distances. Anyway, I have two rifles that are both tack drivers....always .5moa, but usually less. First time out w/ the bipod and I’m puzzled. Rifle #1, a custom 6.5prc, shot great. 2 different 3 shot groups at 200yds, both just under 1”. Rifle #2, also a custom .280AI, didnt shoot nearly as tight a group...about 2”. But the real issue was my poi was 3” low and 1.5” right. I shot two different 3 shot groups and didn’t let the barrel get hot. Every shot was roughly 3” low. This rifle only has 70-80 rounds down the tube and is probably the most accurate and consistent one I own. I would think it was me and my form, but I shot rifle #1 with the same form and it was right on the money. I’ve seen a Gunwerks video where the shooter says a bipod can absolutely change your POI....some rifles that is the case and some not so much. So I’m not sure what to do. I doubt I’ll be hunting w/ the bipod, so I’ll probably not adjust my scope.....or better yet just hunt with the 6.5 and be good either way. Thoughts ??

[@kylehurley5994]

I have noticed with some rifles when you load the bipod a certain way your forced can contact the barrel which easily changes POI. Maybe that's your issue? Try to keep consistent loading into the bipod by pushing your body up into the gun when prone, everytime you shoot.

[@ericb6390]

I would also say more than likely the way your bipod is loaded, and whether barrel is completely free floated, if your groups were 3 inches higher when had bipods on then the bipods could have been adding slight pressure to barrel making the poi be higher, than without

[@kentbrown7884]

Guys. I own and use both of these bipods, The surface you rest the bipod on is always relevant. A springy surface will react differently to a solid surface. Every time. No question. Also, shock waves travel faster in stiff medium as opposed to a gas. Of course the shockwave travels to the bipod before the bullet leaves, This has been measured in many internal ballistic studies. A little more reading will help you all present as experts worth listening to. Be your best and go for it, My opinion comes from thousands of hours research into internal, external and terminal ballistics.

[@johnrobert4877]

7mm rem mag video please

[@DinoNucci]

No

[@johnrobert4877]

@@DinoNucci why not?

[@austinpowers1999]

Ten minutes in only 19 minutes. Makes sense

[@ericthered7226]

New here, huh?

[@michaelhill6451]

Of course the gun moves before the bullet exits. If it didn't, there would be nothing to shooting form. For a 36" long rifle even a deviation of 1/100th of an inch at the back of the gun is a 1" error at 100 yards.

[@Rico11b]

It's those stupid rubber feet on bipods. The metal of the bipod is hard, and so is the concrete. Recoil can push downward and the rubber feet spring back up. There's your bounce.

[@davidpaulk5658]

I've never seen benchrest shooters using a bipod. Bipods must affect accuracy negatively in some way.

[@davidpaulk5658]

@Betty Cocker No. I just guess what the content is based on the title and then comment. It's kind of a form of "speed reading".

[@jw3946]

See comment above. I use a Teflon pad under bipod legs.

[@DinoNucci]

Bipods are for when you don't have a bench + rest... It's not that they are negative, they are for a situation where you don't have something better.

[@DinoNucci]

@@jw3946 um what?!

[@jw3946]

@@DinoNucci ... There are many of us that shoot 600 and 1000 yards of off bipod off of a bench. My 6 BR I shoot from a rest, but my 6CM, 6.5CM, 308 and 300 Win Mag are shot off of bipod. These are my hunting and general shooting guns. Do try Teflon sheet with plastic caps over the bipod feet. There is no bouncing.

[@Leopard_8119]

If the point where the bipod feet are touching the surface is in front of the point of attachment of the bipod to the rifle, will the bipod contribute in making the rifle move upwards? If the point where the bipod feet are touching the surface is in the back of the point of attachment of the bipod to the rifle, I believe it contribute in making the barrel raise I understand that is your body is not parallel to the surface, but your feet are lower that the bipod feet, the recoil will make your rifle jump a little