I guess I should have clarified. I know that having something on the barrel won't have an impact as long as it is already there. But I know from experience that even using a bipod, versus bench will have a different impact point. So my concern was, for example. . . buying a .416 Rigby (free floating the barrel and pillar bedding, if that is done on DG rifles), mounting a removable variable Swarovski, and zeroing this beauty (without a sling on it), for 100 yards. And shooting enough to learn that it will shoot 3 inches low at 200 yards (I don't have one, so don't know the exact ballistics). Well, while looking for something big in Africa, we happen upon a beautiful bushbuck at a little over 200 yards. We're busted, I can't get to a tree, it's now or never, so I take an arm loop through the sling, kneel, and touch one off. . . and shoot right over the sucker. Probably not a big deal, because from what I've read, bushbuck aren't exactly scarce. But still, I HATE missing. And like I said, I don't know if it would have that big of an effect, but it would mess with my head, and could hurt my confidence.

I love rifles and part of my psche is that everything has to be perfect. My equipment has to be top notch, and I have to have complete confidence, or it messes with my head, and that ain't good. I've parked a lot of money in my .300 RUM so that I'll have confidence in it. I've parked a lot of money into an M4 type AR-15 so that I'll have confidence in it. So I guess my concern is that I would want to eliminate any factor whatsoever, regarding my equipment, that would hurt my confidence in that weapon.

Here are some groups from my two favorite rifles. Here's a .300 RUM group. Not great, but keep in mind that I'm not a really great shot. Competent in the field, at best, hopefully

and the rifle itself. Notice the camouflage tape on the barrel, that has been there since day one.

And here is a group from my AR, at 100, with 4x Trijicon

and the rifle with my wife behind the trigger

And the whole point of my AR setup

Bake