I was reading a post on another forum which stated that in sighting in a hunting rifle from the bench it is preferable to rest the forearm on your hand and your hand on the front rest. This is because the rifle will shoot to another point of aim in the field if you don't. Just wondering what everyone's experience had been on this topic.
Personally, I follow Warren Page's advice in "Accurate Rifle" which doesn't use a hand under the forearm. My only exception is when shooting my BLR with it's narrow stock which torques pretty good when firing.
Anyway, I'd like to hear some feedback. Thanks

I doubt if I do it right, but here goes. I adjust the rest/bags so the crosshairs are on the center of the target with out touching it. I lightly hold the pistold grip with my trigger hand. I come under the gun and pinch the stock/rear bag with my other hand. Both feet facing the target, flat on the ground.Both elbows resting on the bench. I do not seem to index the gun with this method. You get alot of felt recoil this way. I would not /Could not shoot anything much bigger than my 338-06AI like this. Fact my 8lb 280AI is prety violent shooting it free recoil like this. Off hand and prone it is a pussy cat.

Bi-pod I hold the pistol grip tight, hold the sling aginst the rear swivel and pull it snug in my shoulder, Me square with the gun

Westernmassman, I like to shoot my rifles simlarly to the way I will hunt with them. typically against some type of a rest, whether across a ledge in a deer stand/blind, or cradled against a tree or resting on my pack, or off of a bi-pod. I typically shoot my rifles for load development and sighting adjustment on sandbags with the rifle snug against my shoulder, or off of a Sinclair front rest, buttstock in rear 'small bunny ears' bag and stock snug against my shoulder. I try to position the rifle the same for every shot to maximize consistency, and allow me to focus on the differential between loads, not technique.

I have had good success with my rifles attaining very similar poi with field positions, as I get off of the bench.

One thing I have found that is very expedient, and gives great results, is the Harris bench model bi-pod, it has little bitty fit that project from the spring loaded legs, instead of retracting when activated. It has little notches in the legs that can be selected to get the right height. I have the model that tilts (or swivels) and it is easy to get the crosshairs good and square and steady off of this setup. It is also very close to field positions for me, sometimes I shoot off of a bi-pod when hunting, for example antelope. It's worth a try, and is real easy to take from rifle to rifle, as long as they have a sling swivel up front on them.

Good Shooting--Don

I use the method that you describe for the reasons that you stated, and it works. Kudude

In some rifles-usually ones that are not free floated, have light-weight barrels, or 2-piece stocks (TC's)-the amount and placement of forend pressure will change POI. I've found positioning the rifle on a rest just forward of the action (under the chamber portion of the barrel) produces the best consistancy. When shooting from the bench, my left hand (I'm a right-handed shooter) is holding and adjusting the rear bag and not on the rifle. If you really want to get picky, remove rear swivel stud while sighting in as it will usually snag on the rear bag during recoil and affect bullet placement.

If I am shooting off a bipod I like to "load" it, or push against it, this will help against bounce and you will stay more consistant shot to shot of the bipod.

I use a sand bag at the fore end on a 4x4 piece of wood and have another sand bag under the stock. I then aline the sights up with the target and hold the rifle with my trigger hand. and fire. Hard recoiling rifles sometimes jump up a little.

Hard recoiling rifles I shoot like I hold them in the field. I grasp the wrist firmly and pull it tightly against my shoulder. If its a real heavy hitter, I use my off hand to pull the forearm down into the front rest and back. I'll set up the front rest and toe bag so the cross hairs are slightly below the bullseye and then when I mount the rifle, I fine tune it by pressing down on the butt of the rifle.
A medium hitter, I grasp firmly but I use my off (left) to squeeze the toe bag.
Since that's not the way I shoot them in the field, I don't shoot my hunting rifles free recoil.

I use benchrest technique when working up accuracy loads, and zeroing my rifles. Then, a couple of shots standing using the posts that hold up the roof over the shooting benches, maybe a few kneeling using the post--just to verify it shoots where I want it to.