Would there be much difference if any regarding the size of a grouping using either bipod or simply resting the weapon on something like a sand bag. Im learning at moment and i've noticed when firing my .243 ruger on a tripod i still need to grip the front of it due to the rifle wanting to rotate oposite the direction to the bullet going down the barrels rifling. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Not much difference really, when I am sighting in I will normally use a Harris bipod with a sandbag under the buttstock and when shooting later using a sling the point of impact doesn't move from where it was in the benched location. What you do have to be careful about is putting undue downward pressure on the rifle when using a bipod. I have notice that shooters tend to really bear down hard when shooting a rifle off the bench and unless your barrel is free floated with plenty of clearance this pressure can cause group size problems. This is normally caused by improper bench design that allows a shooter to get over the top of the rifle. When seated at a bench ideally the height of the seat should place the rifle at the same height as it is presented when shooting offhand.

I use a Harris bi-pod w/ no support under the butt, except for me. Great 1 ragged hole 5 shot groups out of my .308 at 100 yards. I use a simple rest for Rifles that don't have Bi-pods. I like to make sure the rifles butt is secure against my shoulder. Jim

I personally use/prefer sandbags to provide support on both ends of the rifle when sighting it in. Allowing the stock end to lie on the sandbag and my left arm (I'm right handed) lying under the rifle on the bench. This keeps me from causing unnecessary twitches. Keep in mind though with too large of a caliber the rifle will jump out of the sandbags using this technique. The 243 won't have this problem.

If you plan to hunt though, remember that you won't be shooting off of a bench in the field. It's best to sight in with a steady rest but then practice the shooting positions that you are likely to encounter while afield.

I like using bi-pods, since I hunt with a bi-pod, I like to keep things as similar as possible.

Matt has a good point, but I guess I spent to many years doing the bench rest thing from sandbags. I sure agree with Matt about keeping things as similar as possible for game shooting and practice from your bipod is sure something you want to do. As for pure accuracy sandbagged rifle rests are going to give you the best accuracy, that's why you see bench rest competition shot that way. Ideally the gun should be able to stay exactly on target with no input from the shooter except stroking the trigger.

Bottom line is best rifle accuracy off the bench comes from heavy duty rests and sandbags. Field accuracy reflects how well you do with the bipods or other methods you use when our hunting.

Here's the way I'm set up for sighting in and accuracy testing. In case your wondering this was an old exercise machine my hunting buddies wife was throwing away. With the attachment of a piece of 4 by 4 tubing to hold the table at the right hight it works great as an impromptu bench rest.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/faucettb/Guns/Benchrestattherange.jpg

Here's the way I have my coyote rifle set up for field use.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/faucettb/Preditor%20masters/coyotesetup.jpg

I'm really thinking about getting this setup for coyote sets. It would get me up off the ground and with camo on would work as well as sitting down with a better field of view. As long as I can get some brush behind me I think it would work well.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/faucettb/Preditor%20masters/i226480sq04.jpg

As I get older and the fact I'm crippled up pretty good getting down on the ground and up is both painful and hard for me to do. I'm thinking this shooting aid might make a dandy Christmas present for me this year.

I love the place for yer coffee...lol...

there is a technique to shooting off the bipod. a bag under the rear and squeeze it with your off hand to control elevation. push foreward into the bipod with your shoulder.

when i first started shooting off the bipod, my groups were strung vertically but after a while i could shoot about the same groups as off the sandbags. it took awhile, but i wanted to get it figured out so i could shoot as well in the field as at the range.

monty