Modularized Rifle Weighting?
Hey guys,
Just for fun, I've been doing some thinking about how to use a removable weighting system for my build. Has anybody else tried this or are there systems already out there? I'm trying to make a reasonably weighted rifle for carrying that can be easily modified to provide the recoil reduction benefits of added weight. I've been tossing some ideas around, but I want to see what you all think about the subject.
DIY Bike Bottle Holder Weighting System
Here are some pictures detailing the finished product. Total cost was about 35 bucks, not including the bottle.
For a 10lb rifle- 2 lb water bottle = ~20% recoil reduction, 8 lb shot bottle = ~ 50% reduction.
http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...l/IMG_6382.jpg 5" picatinny rail with a second hole drilled 2.25" from the first sling stud. This spacing allows you to take the second screw out and replace with a sling stud if you don't like the rail on the sock. Alternatively, you could use an Anschutz style rail to start.
http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...l/IMG_6378.jpg I ground down the area around the sling stud to attach my bipod. It is important to leave at least one segment of the rail in front of the stud to properly anchor the bipod.
http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...l/IMG_6389.jpg The water bottle attachment.
http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...l/IMG_6388.jpg I used a sling stud rail adapter and removed the stud. A quick release might work better, but this works great. There is plenty of room between the bottle and stock to get fingers in and tighten. A note: I did tighten the little nut in there to allow enough adjustment so that it just comes off the rail when completely loosened.
http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...l/IMG_6390.jpg Drilled and tapped the adapter to take two screws with washers to hold the bottle holder. I ground off the screws to be flush with the opposite side. It's pretty solid.
http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...l/IMG_6391.jpg Bottle attachment fits nicely behind the bipod.
http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...l/IMG_6393.jpg Bottle in holder. Plenty of room to fit your hand behind, below the action. I grip the buttstock with my off hand when shooting off a bipod anyway, so the bottle is not in the way at all.
http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...l/IMG_6397.jpg Another pic, showing that it completely clears the ground.
http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...l/IMG_6394.jpg Container of lead shot fits nicely as well. I wrapped it in duct tape so it would fit more snugly in the holder. I used an old Parmesan cheese container, it is 8 lbs. Of course, you could use a larger container, but that's what was laying around.
That should be about everything. If you have any questions or improvement suggestions, let me know!