Balancing a rifle

[fairchaser]

Anyone try to balance their rifle front to back and side to side? I think this is important when trying to manage the recoil straight back so the reticle doesn't move appreciably off target.

This could be difficult with a hunting rifle and probably not necessary but with a match rifle, I would think this is important.

 

[mr.big]

For sure. My bench rifle has a place in the rear of stock to add weight and I tried 3 different weight barrels before I got it like I want it and be right under the 13.5 pound limit. First try I put all the weight in the bbl and that didn't work well. I have settled on a hv bbl at 24 inches and about 18 ounces of lead shot in the rear and it tracks really well where I was gettin vertical with the front heavy bbl

 

[fairchaser]

My FTR rifle is pretty well balanced front to back with the bipod but since it's a right handed bolt but I shoot lefty, too much weight is on the right and I can't get it to track regardless of body position. So I added a little weight to the left side of the bipod. Now I can balance the rig between two chairs and it doesn't roll either way. But I haven't tested it. I hope this helps.

 

[kamml]

The Marlin 336 is just about perfect with the balance point right at the center point on mine. Makes it real handy to climb with too.