Never used one but they're used a lot here in Montana so I'm looking for input. It'll need it to swivel to compensate for uneven ground but I'm not sure how long the legs should be. Haven't shot prone since basic training in 1974 so it'll be a learning experience. Been a lot of those since we left Texas 3 years ago and loving it. Thanks, James
Bipods for hunting
- Thread starter Jacks Grampa
- Start date
Coyotefurharvester
Silver $$ Contributor
Sage,snow, mountain sides I always put my Harris that goes out to 25" on the rifle.
The only thing I hunt anymore are trophy rocks, so take it with a grain of salt. When I was shooting in the southwest desert mountains a 9-13" was more than sufficient and most of the time 'more' than needed and I did a lot of prone shooting. I'm now on the high plains and tall timber and a short bipod is mostly useless. I would do some scouting in your preferred hunt areas and check out the terrain to get an idea how you would be using it and how tall would be required.
I cannot shoot prone anymore. If I started hunting I would put a lot of money in a sturdy light (probably carbon) tripod with stretch legs that would also get me low to the ground. Just some thoughts from an old worn out man (I'm 77 11/12 years old) for what it may be worth. Good Luck with your decision.
I cannot shoot prone anymore. If I started hunting I would put a lot of money in a sturdy light (probably carbon) tripod with stretch legs that would also get me low to the ground. Just some thoughts from an old worn out man (I'm 77 11/12 years old) for what it may be worth. Good Luck with your decision.
jepp2
Gold $$ Contributor
I hunt in CO, WY and SD. I use the Harris 9-13 swivel. Works really well for me. I am very stable with it, but tall grass, terrain, etc can make it useless. I spent last summer trying to learn to shoot effectively with something taller. Primos trigger stick only works for me out to around 150 yards. Just too much movement.
I got a Bog Death Grip. Much more stable, but will not work if you are stalking in. Too heavy, and too long to set up. Would be great if you are in a blind, or can setup.
Started seeing the Africa shows they went from cross sticks, to the ones with front and rear support. I got the 4 Stable Sticks. Bingo. Can adjust height within reason, light to carry, and quick to setup. It was my answer. Prairie dogs at 200 yards are in serious trouble.
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Several years of research and development by a team of seasoned hunters have made it possible to develop shooting rods ensuring precise shots.
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Harris makes a high-quality hunting bipod. Many years ago, I used the 13" and 25" version in the prone and sitting position. Prone shooting, while the most accurate position for use with a bipod, was not a good option due to the terrain where I hunted resulting in missing too many shot opportunities. It was also difficult to obtain a comfortable position in the sitting position with the 25" bipod. So, I started searching for a more effective alternative.
I discovered a much more effective system that gave me better stability, faster deployment, and most importantly provided more shot opportunities in rolling terrain in the areas I hunt. I began using a simple set of cross sticks shooting in the sitting position off a light weight, highly portable sportsman's chair. This had several other advantages, it kept me off the ground to avoid ticks, a problem here in Eastern PA with Lyme's disease. It was much more comfortable allowing me to sit for longer periods of time, and the older I got, the more physically problematic shooting either lying or sitting on the ground became. Also, for predator hunting during which I move a lot, this system is highly portable and light weight. It also works quite well for stalking varmints.
None of the commercially available shooting sticks met my needs so I designed and build my own for less than $20 at the time. They consisted of 1/2" diameter solid aluminum rod with 12" inches of rubber heater hose at one end to stable the rifle in the cross pattern. The sticks are bound together with 3 wraps of 1" wide Velcro. Mine are cut to 44" each in length to accommodate my frame sitting on the sportsman's chair. I can accommodate changes in elevation simply by changing the spread of the sticks. With one hand on the sticks, the other on the rifle, elbows resting on the knees and feet flat on the ground, the system is capable of 1 to 1 1/2 moa if I do my part.
While it took some concentrated practice to develop and master a technique, to date I have taken 1,952 ground hogs and over 100 predators since 1999 using this system.
I discovered a much more effective system that gave me better stability, faster deployment, and most importantly provided more shot opportunities in rolling terrain in the areas I hunt. I began using a simple set of cross sticks shooting in the sitting position off a light weight, highly portable sportsman's chair. This had several other advantages, it kept me off the ground to avoid ticks, a problem here in Eastern PA with Lyme's disease. It was much more comfortable allowing me to sit for longer periods of time, and the older I got, the more physically problematic shooting either lying or sitting on the ground became. Also, for predator hunting during which I move a lot, this system is highly portable and light weight. It also works quite well for stalking varmints.
None of the commercially available shooting sticks met my needs so I designed and build my own for less than $20 at the time. They consisted of 1/2" diameter solid aluminum rod with 12" inches of rubber heater hose at one end to stable the rifle in the cross pattern. The sticks are bound together with 3 wraps of 1" wide Velcro. Mine are cut to 44" each in length to accommodate my frame sitting on the sportsman's chair. I can accommodate changes in elevation simply by changing the spread of the sticks. With one hand on the sticks, the other on the rifle, elbows resting on the knees and feet flat on the ground, the system is capable of 1 to 1 1/2 moa if I do my part.
While it took some concentrated practice to develop and master a technique, to date I have taken 1,952 ground hogs and over 100 predators since 1999 using this system.
Big_Daddy
Gold $$ Contributor
Agreed!
For Prairie Dog shooting, I use the shortest one they make with the "swivel: feature.
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DirtySteve
Gold $$ Contributor
I use the 9-13" swivel model with the Picatiney rail mount adapter.. Easy on and off...
I like the harris 9-13” with swivel and an aftermarket knob. It’s tall enough to get over the grass, and just tall enough to use from a hunched sitting position. Also it’s the right length for prone without having to extend the legs.
As mentioned Harris of course , it's been the stand by for decades.... My new choice is the Magpul bipod... Put one on a precision short barrel AR last year to try and like it , light weight and fairly sturdy.... The price is close to the Harris so it's a tough call for me but if you can get your hands on a friends to try you might be surprised.... Pan , tilt built in with the ability to lock it out if needed , pre loads very easy but only has rubber feet , no spikes , but there are kits to replace if necessary out there.... If you can try one as I said for free you might like it.... Please don't try and compare a $110 bipod to a $1100 bipod... The little bit of use I have put on mine it's still on there and I am seeing a lot of them...Once again the price is close to the Harris and I can't say anything bad about my Harris.... Just a thought, so far the Magpul has been better than a normal cheap bipod...
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Sneedvegas01
Silver $$ Contributor
If you are just planning to use them for hunting then I would check out swagger bipods. I have 2 sets of them, one is the qd version and the other is the hunter version. I like them both but probably prefer the qds.
Probably wouldn’t recommend using them if your planning to shoot prone a lot though as there probably too long, but there great if you are sitting on the ground or maybe on a stool or blind chair
Probably wouldn’t recommend using them if your planning to shoot prone a lot though as there probably too long, but there great if you are sitting on the ground or maybe on a stool or blind chair
Don't waste time with a bi-pod get a tripod,I shoot Montana ,WVa,NC,VA,and my home state hundreds of shots gh's coyotes mostly,get a Tri pod ,Bog Pod,has all you'll ever need and no more difficult to carry than a bi -pod, our swat teams uses them. If you go with a bi, eventually you'll switch.
Bipods are alot like my bucket truck, I had a 35 foot lift for sign work and it worked for strip malls and 90% of my work. I rented anything from a 45' to a 100' about twice a month. 9"to 13" works for me 90% of the time as I hunt terraced farm fields. It depends on your area, you may need more. I'm not carrying 2 in the field but I keep a larger one in the Jeep.
I would think it depends on what your hunting and what the type of terrain. A bipod attached to the rifle would just get in the way calling coyotes in brush country. Still hunting or tracking deer in northern forests you'd never have the time to use it. Using a horse, atv or back scabbard they won't fit.
Do you sit on the ground, use a stool or is the vegetation short enough to go prone?
Taking everything into consideration you should be able to answer the question
Do you sit on the ground, use a stool or is the vegetation short enough to go prone?
Taking everything into consideration you should be able to answer the question
There is a great many good bipods out there, the Harris is for sure a good and inexpensive choice. If you'd like something a little better, there are other good choices as well from B&T and Warne.
coldboremiracle.com
Rifle Bipods: Two Legs to Stand on
Rifle Bipods are an important accessory to field shooting, to day we discuss Harris bipod B&T Atlas bipod and the Warne Skyline bipod
coldboremiracle.com
I use, a 9-13" Harris WHEN,.. "Everything works, out" to shoot, Prone ( Flattish area, with NO Brush / Rocks, in way ! ).
But, I've mostly used, my Hunters Specialties, Wood Stix from, Sitting on, side hills to 400 yards or, Kneeling position when, shooting over, Sage brush to 200 yds. Got my last 2 Elk,.. One sitting & One Kneeling with, them !
Carry, the Harris in My Pack,.. just in case, tho !
But, I've mostly used, my Hunters Specialties, Wood Stix from, Sitting on, side hills to 400 yards or, Kneeling position when, shooting over, Sage brush to 200 yds. Got my last 2 Elk,.. One sitting & One Kneeling with, them !
Carry, the Harris in My Pack,.. just in case, tho !
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