ok, ok.... I'm embarrassed to show everyone what little I know, but here I go.......
would someone kindly completely explain smallbore rifle balance, why it's important, front heavy vs rear heavy, etc., etc.
thanking you in advance....
smallbore rifle balance
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smallbore rifle balance
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Re: smallbore rifle balance
In simple terms it's about stability. I think it's more of an issue for 3P, especially standing, than prone, and for smaller bodies than large. In standing your supporting hand is often fairly far back, which leaves a lot of weight dangling out in the air. Years ago, a degree of muzzle heaviness was sometimes recommended for standing, and barrels were 28-30in. Now shooters seem to want a more neutral balance. You could fit a fairly short barrel, or you can add weight at the back. The heavier rifle is more inert, but has more momentum if you twitch.
In prone, I think balance isn't so important to most adults. An average adult can reach out to (or beyond) the point of balance with their hand so the rifle is steady (and the load on their supporting arm is manageable). Running out the butt way more than is needed may impede shooters though. Juniors and small adults can struggle, especially with wood stocks, which tend to be longer in the butt. Yes, you have the sling in prone, but if your supporting hand is behind the point of balance, the sling has to be very short to hold everything steady. This can and does work, but it's often suboptimal. Some prone shooters add weight at the front to make the rifle more muzzle heavy; that might be to compensate for the extra reach of a long arm, or just because... An extension tube can count as weight. Adding weight to the butt is less common, but I know of a few who had to do this after fitting a heavy tuner tube.
In prone, I think balance isn't so important to most adults. An average adult can reach out to (or beyond) the point of balance with their hand so the rifle is steady (and the load on their supporting arm is manageable). Running out the butt way more than is needed may impede shooters though. Juniors and small adults can struggle, especially with wood stocks, which tend to be longer in the butt. Yes, you have the sling in prone, but if your supporting hand is behind the point of balance, the sling has to be very short to hold everything steady. This can and does work, but it's often suboptimal. Some prone shooters add weight at the front to make the rifle more muzzle heavy; that might be to compensate for the extra reach of a long arm, or just because... An extension tube can count as weight. Adding weight to the butt is less common, but I know of a few who had to do this after fitting a heavy tuner tube.