Loading the Bipod
Preloading slight forward pressure into the bipod legs so the rifle recoils straight back and settles its reticle near the original aiming point.
Loading the bipod means leaning a small, steady amount of forward pressure into the rifle so the bipod legs flex slightly and take up any slack against the ground. This light preload removes the bounce and hop that an unloaded bipod allows, so the rifle tracks straight to the rear under recoil instead of jumping sideways or skipping forward. The shooter applies the pressure through the shoulder pocket and body, keeping it consistent from shot to shot rather than muscling the rifle.
A properly loaded bipod makes recoil more predictable and helps the reticle return close to the target, which is the foundation of spotting your own impacts. It works together with a squeezed rear-bag to lock the rifle into a stable platform front and back. Consistent loading also supports clean follow-through, since a rifle that recoils straight is far easier to keep on call through the shot.