New F-Class Bipod

[puddlejumper]

Just thought I would see what kind of mail I could stir up with this bipod design. The guys I'm working with will probably have a cow for me posting this.....currently this will weight in just under 1 pound. Made of carbon fiber and aluminum. The carbon legs will be much more rigid than an aluminum counter part. I should have the first proto-type done in Jan.

Thanks for looking......

 

[memilanuk]

I'd consider making the feet longer... like the 'skis' on the big Canadian bipod. Ask John to show you his if you need an example

Monte

 

[puddlejumper]

I've seen John's and he has asked for a longer foot. Easy to change out the feet. Can also change out the mounting style with bolt on top,currently just a spacer). I just need to get one together so he can put it through it's paces. I want to go to a lighter lower tube, and think I can but need to get one built so we can play with it. Working on the CNC programs now.

 

[Obtunded]

Choice is always a good thing, but I sure see alot of "inspiration" from Mr. Remple's design!

 

[puddlejumper]

No doubt the inspiration. But his weighs a lot more than one pound. Usually the best design come from refining something that already exist. I am an engineer in the Northwest working for Trucking and Airplane manufacturers, so I have a lot of opportunity to apply modern materials to something and hopefully make some changes to an already good design. These changes come from necessity. You cannot make weight with a F/TR rifle and Nightforce scope when your bipod weighs 3 pounds.
I'm not sure you can make weight with the Sinclair.

 

[memilanuk]

You can... just not w/ anything much heavier than a medium Palma contour barrel,assuming 30" length here). Darrel used the new Sinclair bipod, and I thought John either used the old Sinclair or his Canadian one w/ the 12 Palma rifles. Those rifles *are* on the light side, though. Sacrifices have to be made here and there to make weight if a person wants to use the big scope and a big barrel... lightweight rings & bases, etc. Having to start 'surgery' on the stock or other pieces of equipment to make weight is never fun... but then I guess I never planned on sticking a truck axle on an F/TR rifle either.

 

[puddlejumper]

I guess hogging some material out of the stock would help. I am putting one together now and am using a McGowen bull barrel, same contour as the factory rifle but using a composite stock, it's lighter than the wood stock, hopefully performs as well. Using a Sightron SIII, also lighter than the Nightforce.

 

[Obtunded]

What system are you using to affix the bipod to the rifle?

 

[puddlejumper]

T-nut for the common rail system inlet into the stock and a weaver style mount.

 

[kcomeau10x]

Any idea yet about the selling price?

 

[puddlejumper]

Not yet. I need to get them done for the US team so they can take them to England in June. I should have the first one done by the end of Jan. Currently looks like about $80-100 for materials. Not sure about labor. I have most of the programming done just need to start cutting metal and Carbon. I will put some pictures on here as I progress.

 

[puddlejumper]

Here are some pictures of the first one. Under 2 pounds should be down to 1.5 when finished. I now have a carbon knob and different feet. Works great....