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ARCA Rail Questions

lazyMlazyK

Silver $$ Contributor
Question for the PRS guys on here - How much do you really use the "adjustability" function of your ARCA rail? Have you found that you use it more than just a place to clamp your bipod on as a static piece? Do you move your bipod around on the rail a fair bit, and feel that having the ARCA rail gives you an advantage? I'm looking to upgrade my bipod, but can't make up my mind if I'll be happy with a static picatinny mount, or if I'll be kicking myself down the road for not going ARCA right away. I know there are adapters that can be used to attach a picatinny mount bipod to ARCA, but I'm pretty sure that adds some extra height to the bipod. Right now, I'm looking at the Accu-Tac SR5 G2 (I know it's a bit heavy).
 
Not so much sliding during stages, but being able to mount different accessories at different spots is very important IMO. If you are somewhat serious about PRS, you do not want to be without one.
 
I prefer picatinny for bipods. More often than not, I find that bipods slip on arca rails. There's a reason why we have so many arca locking adaptations.
 
I prefer my Arca rails over my picatinny's. I like the ease of removal and fast adjustment for placement on say tops of barrels and such. Stays put and hasn't loosened. Now if I take one of my rifles with an Arca rail on it and shoot f class it will usually loosen a little once. But remember, 3 relays, sighters and 20 for record usually means around 70 rounds for me. I just keep an eye on it.
 
Arca has a great advantage for comp, and hunting. For comp, you are able to move your bipod in if you are limited on space on day a rooftop.

Also, it’s a much wider platform for simply building a position with a bag. It’s flat and you can be more stable than a non arca gun.

Now for hunting. Imagine a shot across a canyon, with the ability to move the bipod in, you have a heck of a lot more height in the front and less room to make up with a rear support.
 

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I was a long hold out going to Arca and only changed over in the past 3 years. Used my Harris on a sling stud for 16 years in matches before that but my buddy who is always on the cutting edge of trends was on me to change. I got some Area 419 adapters for my Harris bipods and installed Arca on my Manners stocks and I can say it does add to the flexibility of the rifle in matches. I am glad I made the change over. Being able to easily take the bipod on or off or move it back and forth or add a plate for extra stability on bags makes it a more stable system. If you are thinking about doing it then just do it.
 
Thanks for all the replies, folks! I think I'll go the ARCA route and be done with it. The only bad deal is, I can't find anywhere that has the Accu-Tac SR5 G2 with ARCA mount in stock!
 
I liked the concept of the Area419 Arcalock. Truthfully I’ve taken the pins out of the Area419 clamps which defeats the incremental locking design, but dont seem to have any issue with the clamps sliding. Like someone above said. I don’t move things during a stage, but the flexibility is nice during stage prep. For a single, one vs other rail type, Arca all day.

On the flip side, I also would consider a short (3”) pic rail section for the bipod and a short (6-8”) Arca section for bags, etc. I don’t know if the AccuTac will do so, but the reverse 45* leg angle of the Atlas bipod design can make up for a significant amount of positioning on an Arca. And the QD Pic rail mounts from KMW are lightning fast to ditch a bipod mid stage, if that is your game plan.
 
Having two different rails is just a recipe for a mess. There are times you want/need to slide the bipod back closer to the magwell. Having a full arca rail helps. No reason to do it with everything out there now in bipods and other attachments for arca.
 
I was a long hold out going to Arca and only changed over in the past 3 years. Used my Harris on a sling stud for 16 years in matches before that but my buddy who is always on the cutting edge of trends was on me to change. I got some Area 419 adapters for my Harris bipods and installed Arca on my Manners stocks and I can say it does add to the flexibility of the rifle in matches. I am glad I made the change over. Being able to easily take the bipod on or off or move it back and forth or add a plate for extra stability on bags makes it a more stable system. If you are thinking about doing it then just do it.
You old dog! Look at you, learning new tricks. What's next a Ckyepod? Dasher? :)
 

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