Best Procedure for shooting off sand bags- What's your method?

[mkgeorgetown]

Hi all,
Just curious, what method do you use say for sighting in or shooting off sandbags or a rest in general? Do you hold the front end? Do you let it go free? Do you slip your hand underneath the forearm, then lay your hand on the bag (this makes the most sense to me, you will be holding the forearm in the field guaranteed). I have done it several different ways, just curious as to what you all have found to be the most consistent especially with a handi. I know for these it is best to rest on the bag with the trigger guard pushed slightly into the front bag.

Mark

[cwlongshot]

For me it takes three bags. Two under the hinge and one smaller one under the butt.

 How I hold it depends on the caliber. On lite recoiling calibers, I barely hold the gun at all. Sometimes just shouldering and "pinching" the trigger. On Heavy recoilers, get more "hands on".  Usually just a couple fingers up in front of the scope.

CW

[Oldshooter]

While I was replying CW beat me to it and I agree with what he said, I do like my forends to sit in a valley or notch.

[Rustyinfla]

  Look on some of the benchrest sites and you'll pick up a lot of little tricks that can make a big difference. Each rifle is all it's own they all require just a little bit different touch. The most important thing to remember is, is to be consistent. Make the rifle be consistent too.

[quickdtoo]

LeadSled DFT!! 

Tim

[Chas.]

I grasp the grip firmly with my right hand, then rest the grip, with right hand attached, in the palm of my left hand, sight, close my eyes, grit my teeth, pull the trigger, and hang on for dear life.  Oh, yea, it's a BFR 45-70.

My handi I just lay on a couple of bags as close to the hinge as possible.

[mkgeorgetown]

Thanks all for your input!

[OneShotTx]

With the NEF, I use 3 bags....stacked 2 and then one on top....put my hand on the forend under the rifle as close to the hinge as is comfortable. For some reason, the NEF's don't shoot as well without your hand under the forearm, and not too close to the barrel.

I also will use one bag...sometimes....to steady the rear stock....but always have my hand under the forearm.....to duplicate what I will be doing when hunting.

I make my bags from the legs of old blue jeans, and cat litter. Makes a great shooting bag. Not near as heavy to tote around as a sand bag.

[michaelt454]

I use an Uncle Buck's Bull Bag and on the bigger calibers I add a bag under the butt to keep from pinching my shoulder or trying to steer a shot with my cheek. Michael T.

[Westbound]

I put the bags right there at the hinge in front of the trigger guard.  I shoulder the butt and put my other hand on the forearm ahead of the bags.  I should probably follow Tim's lead and get a sled.  Those potent 45-70 loads like to kick, and from the bench they like to kick straight back and push me around.  But then again, that's half the fun of the 45-70