Long Shot Precision Adjustable Bag Rider Mount (RifleShooter photo)
September 02, 2022
By Joseph von Benedikt
Made in the U.S. by Long Shot Precision , the Adjustable Bag Rider (ABR) is a narrow, smooth shoe that mounts to the toe of your stock, parallel to your bore, and rides in the notch of a rear sandbag. This enables interference-free, straight-line recoil and maximizes shot-to-shot consistency. The lower half of the ABR is mounted to the upper half via dual hardened steel dowels that slide in linear bearings. It’s controlled by a thumb wheel that allows extremely precise height adjustments.
When combined, the consistent, straight recoil characteristics and the super-fine height adjustments make the ABR a valuable tool for extreme-range shooting. Extreme long range shooter James Stephens won the Thunder Valley Precision ELR match with an ABR, and he credits his consistency to the device. It’s ideal for F-Class and Tactical Benchrest shooting, too. Every ABR is CNC-machined from U.S.-sourced 6061-T6 aluminum and well-finished against corrosion and wear with Type II anodizing. Long Shot Precision offers variations for myriad popular rifle models and chassis-type stocks, including guns from Tikka, Ruger, Barrett, Accuracy International, Desert Tech, Magpul, MDT and more.
Adjustable Bag Riders from Long Shot Precision ensure straight-line recoil and enables precise height adjustments. They’re available with square- or V-bottom riders, and they work with bunny-ear or squeeze bags. (RifleShooter photo) Because it mounts to 1913-spec rails via a simple dual-screw clamp, I’ve used the Tikka T3x TAC A1 version of the ABR on multiple different rifles. It’s a great aid to accurate, consistent shooting when accuracy-testing factory ammo or tuning handloads. Any stock that has a short section of 1913 Picatinny rail on the toe, or M-Lok slots to which a section of rail can be mounted, is compatible with the ABR. The rail must be parallel to the bore.
Two types of ABR bottom—the “shoe” portion—are available. One is V-shaped and is made for use with common, popular bunny-ear rear bags. The other has a square bottom and is optimized for use with special round-back, square-notch bags made by Protektor Model. The ABR can be used with most squeeze-type rear bags as well. Rear bags with tall sides are not compatible because the sides block access to the thumb-wheel elevator. Protektor Model bags co-designed by Long Shot Precision are optimal. Several variations in height and notch type are sold on the company’s website. Multiple different ABR bottoms are available, too, with various depths and various dowel lengths so shooters can purchase exactly the height they want.
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There are even hardened dowels for use with heavy-recoiling rifles chambered in the big cartridges. When setting up, start with the ABR screwed all the way in. Adjust your front rest or bipod so your crosshairs are just above the target, then turn the thumb wheel to center the crosshair on the target. Recoil during the initial shots will settle the sandbag. Adjust the thumb wheel to compensate. Don’t hold on to the thumb wheel while firing; grasp the sandbag instead. Holding onto the wheel, even lightly, will change recoil dynamics and introduce inconsistencies.
Don’t screw the ABR shoe out past where the tops of the steel mounting dowels are level with the top of their mounting holes. If you reach that point and need more adjustment, lower your front rest or bipod legs. This isn’t a cheap product. Price ranges from $235 up to $305, depending on rifle/stock model. However, it’s an innovative tool that will help you tighten your groups and ring distant plates.