Tripod Shooting POI Shift

[scotch_egg]

If the rifle is clamped in hard to the hog saddle the recoil pulse will be affected. The rifle won’t be jumping in the same manner. Really heavy rifles will be less affected by attaching to a clamp than a lightweight rifle.

If you follow the likes of Modern Day Sniper et al they seem to have migrated to placing bags on top of the tripod.

 

[Tim.243]

It's something I'm struggling with at present. I'm shooting better groups with my CZ 22 off 4 sticks than 5 sticks. What I've also noticed over the years is that some of my centrefire loads seem more tolerant of being shot from different positions than others. It's definitely an issue but I'm not sure what the answer is.
Regards
JCS

The reason I found when using a remote stick with my quads (as a test) also my elderly friend likes to tag along so brings my the stick which he uses on any rough ground.

The rifle .243 was on quads with the drone 10 on as I was changing rounds so wanted to see if they went any where else (no they didn't ) but I noticed the group was to the opposite side to where the stick was being held as I had the 5th stick locked off in my hand on the front off the quads to the right (not much of an angle) but makes a solid 5 point contact.
I worked out why as the 5th stick was making the quads bias to the opposite side of the 5th leg...

 

[Bowland blades]

I shot a decent 5 shot group in my usual way of the roof of a truck before trying the tripod. All was fine till then and was after as I shot agson after the tripod effort.

I could only suggest std checks , starting with stock contact points and none contact points . Crown inspection , cleaning , action screws etc etc .
Sometimes we miss the wind especially when dealing with contours . I have this issue a fair bit on my range , the firing point is very sheltered and i need to watch the grass to be sure of direction and strength .
try this though get on your range and get a mate to put each bullet into your mag , 0ne of which should be minus primer and powder . if the gun remains on target through your sights each time its found your all good but if it moves then you have started to flinch - it happens ! no movement , no faults apparent in the rifle go back and try with a 5 mph wind no more at 12 0'clock in your face or 6 o'clock following
Scope moving internally or a loose mount ? after that you have missed more than the shot , so repeat

 

[Greenmist]

Rifle recoils differently in the tripod, although I'd focus on your shooting position/stance, using a tripod you tend to lean into the rifle less and have slightly different cheek weld

 

[jall55]

Make sure you have the tripod levelled

 

[ChesterP]

Level check and forend grip check would be the two first things I'd do. I occasionally shoot off a vanguard tripod but ensure that the forend isn't gripped and free to recoil as it would from prone when resting on a bag, often resting my hand under the fore-end without gripping it (making a fist usually). POI is much the same as for off a bipod as long as the forend rest point coincides with the bipod connection point. It would take pretty obvious cant to throw you off 6 inches though but a forend if not allowed to recoil in the same way as you shoot using the truck rest or prone will affect barrel harmonics and POI. As already said above, you need to consider how you zero the rifle and adapt the same rest positions and free recoil conditions as that if using a tripod and that includes how you grip the pistol grip. I only use very light grip using the vee between trigger finger and thumb without locking the thumb around the grip and a light support from the other fingers with the trigger finger squeezing the trigger with the rest of the hand held relaxed (ie pressure taken up in the back of the loose "vee"). Then consider how much shoulder pressure you apply and use the exact same for all methods of rifle rest. Consistency is the key.

 

[3.5mag]

I shoot my .223 off the bipod, quad sticks & Reckon Tripod with no discernible difference unless I'm off form & wobbling.

 

[Heym SR20]

Level check and forend grip check would be the two first things I'd do. I occasionally shoot off a vanguard tripod but ensure that the forend isn't gripped and free to recoil as it would from prone when resting on a bag, often resting my hand under the fore-end without gripping it (making a fist usually). POI is much the same as for off a bipod as long as the forend rest point coincides with the bipod connection point. It would take pretty obvious cant to throw you off 6 inches though but a forend if not allowed to recoil in the same way as you shoot using the truck rest or prone will affect barrel harmonics and POI. As already said above, you need to consider how you zero the rifle and adapt the same rest positions and free recoil conditions as that if using a tripod and that includes how you grip the pistol grip. I only use very light grip using the vee between trigger finger and thumb without locking the thumb around the grip and a light support from the other fingers with the trigger finger squeezing the trigger with the rest of the hand held relaxed (ie pressure taken up in the back of the loose "vee"). Then consider how much shoulder pressure you apply and use the exact same for all methods of rifle rest. Consistency is the key.

Agree with the consistency.

Personally I can never get on with lightly holding a rifle. I suppose my technique comes from growing up shooting side by side shotguns, spring air rifles and then bigger recoiling rifles including 303s and big game rifles. Lightly holding any of these results in your face getting whacked. I take a firm hold and squeeze both hands. It’s the old fashioned technique but it works for me.

It’s probably why I can’t get on with a light trigger. A firm grip of the rifle and a light trigger pull just doesn’t compute. Hence I like a crisp 3 pound pull weight.

I am sure rifles can shoot very well when firmly clamped to a tripod. But don’t expect them to shoot the same with a different technique. In the same way some zero in a firm shooting bench - led sled etc - again I would expect the rifle to shoot differently when shot a different way.

Big game rifles are shot and regulated from a supported standing position, because that is how they are used. And a double rifle built for a very stout client will shoot differently for somebody tall and skinny.

But as you say consistency is key.

 

[Heym SR20]

I shoot my .223 off the bipod, quad sticks & Reckon Tripod with no discernible difference unless I'm off form & wobbling.

No surprises there as a 223 has minimal levels of recoil. Try same with a 270 or 30-06 and you will probably get a different result.

 

[3.5mag]

No surprises there as a 223 has minimal levels of recoil. Try same with a 270 or 30-06 and you will probably get a different result.

Quite possibly, but I only use mine for ambushing foxes & the largest calibre I use on a windy night is my .243 Varmint & the OP did specify his foxing rifle, so .223/243 /22-250etc would be the norm.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Buy yourself 4 B&Q sticks, make up a set of quads as set out on this site on more than one occasion, relax, practice setting up for and taking of, shot and always stick with the quads. Shoot rabbits, foxes, deer etc……..
Simples.

 

[Smellydog]

There is free floating and err free floating.
Some think that if you can slip a piece of paper between barrel and stock it's free floating. It's not!
Also, most high velocity rifles are not affected via a rest, the bullet has pretty much left by the time the mass of the rifle catches up in the opposite direction. Certainly not 6" worth of poi change that's for certain!
How heavy is the trigger?

 

[Andilicious]

I had similar happen to me. It was me standing off to one side of the leg that was in my way a bit. I rotated the legs a bit so I could stand in my normal position as I do with the quad sticks and that solved it.
I’m now free to leave the rifle in the tripod and wander about with the thermal spotting vigorously

 

[Herb64]

Quite possibly, but I only use mine for ambushing foxes & the largest calibre I use on a windy night is my .243 Varmint & the OP did specify his foxing rifle, so .223/243 /22-250etc would be the norm.

Should have said it is a .223

 

[Herb64]

Buy yourself 4 B&Q sticks, make up a set of quads as set out on this site on more than one occasion, relax, practice setting up for and taking of, shot and always stick with the quads. Shoot rabbits, foxes, deer etc……..
Simples.

I use quads on nights I’m walking with no problem. Just can’t work out why the tripod didn’t work first time. Will only be used on static nights.

 

[Herb64]

Some excellent advice here. Will give some of the replies a try later today week. Many thanks for the help.

 

[Overlay]

assuming scope and rifle mod etc are all put together well my two points to check would be to ensure the tripod grip wasn’t creating a pressure on the barrel float second point is your shooting position behind the scope looking for a tendency or a problem on mounting off of sticks shooting off a platform or a static point is very aligned and comfortable which is why it’s a good way for zeroing there are more variables shooting off sticks ie rifle weight and balance and most importantly eye line with scope, shooting stature and a natural comfortable shooting position off of sticks if you’ve checked out the rifle and grip point and they all good look at your shooting position and rifle are aligned as one
i practice off of sticks using my 22 rimmy as it’s the same make as my stalking rifles to get the best out of shooting off my sticks. persevere and practice may sort for you
good luck

 

[Foxyboy43]

Hmmm.
I have never used a tripod being a confirmed quads man for foxes and long-time target shooter off bipods so I cannot comment on their veracity. From watching (far too) many videos of seasoned fox shooters it does appear that they do offer great flexibility in terms of tracking and speed of target acquisition but looking hard at the pictures seen through the sight i.e. what the shooter sees it seems that even the best of them appear to be inferior to my own experience with quads in terms of stability so necessary for an accurate shot. Not a criticism more an informed observation.
That perhaps controversial observation aside and in the spirit of helpfulness I would suggest that three shots is insufficient to draw a conclusion about a POI shift - so try ten or even more. If they are indeed giving a true 6 inch shift - sell them and keep using your effective and consistent quads and bipod.

 

[Overlay]

I

Hmmm.
I have never used a tripod being a confirmed quads man for foxes and long-time target shooter off bipods so I cannot comment on their veracity. From watching (far too) many videos of seasoned fox shooters it does appear that they do offer great flexibility in terms of tracking and speed of target acquisition but looking hard at the pictures seen through the sight i.e. what the shooter sees it seems that even the best of them appear to be inferior to my own experience with quads in terms of stability so necessary for an accurate shot. Not a criticism more an informed observation.
That perhaps controversial observation aside and in the spirit of helpfulness I would suggest that three shots is insufficient to draw a conclusion about a POI shift - so try ten or even more. If they are indeed giving a true 6 inch shift - sell them and keep using your effective and consistent quads and bipod.

I have and have done for years used a carbon tripod for shooting and a couple of years ago got a carbon bog grip tripod, it has proved superb, it’s not, due to weight a unit you can carry around for stalking the head is too heavy, but for zeroing sitting on the back of the truck it is perfect, once set up it’s rock steady i even bore scope off of it and just for sitting out its a decent bit of kit, it’s like having a shooting table in the back of the truck to use

i would defo like at shooter - scope alignment and stick fit - process elimination