Quality Requirements for Front and Rear Support in Relation to the Precision of a Bolt Action, Big Calibre Precision Rifle

Abstract

The aim of our study was to identify which support conditions result in producing the best accuracy with a bolt action, large calibre firearm, even over long distances. Precision is the feature that shows how closely impact points are grouped relative to each other.3 According to Litz, precision is primarily determined by non-deter-ministic coefficients. He also states that the choice of the right equipment is pri-marily aimed at reducing the uncertainties of the shooter as much as possible. He says: “The challenge is if the shooter wants to use the same equipment for different purposes, because then the shooter has to make compromises.”In our study, a total of 11 different front and rear support combinations were tested. For each method, we varied weapon support strategies and surfaces. We fired five shots with each method and investigated the precision, weapon displacement characteristics, and the group of shots as a putative determinant of precision. The data obtained showed significant variation in the precision of each method. There was also a significant difference in the values of the recoil length and the post-firing backward slide of the shot. The rear support was a combination of a rice bag and a gripped monopod, or a rear eared shooting bag. In terms of retention, both sliding and controlled handling were effective as compared with a pinched grip.