Ok, I'm going whitetail hunting this fall and I am looking to buy a good set of shooting sticks for my trip. I will need something that is light enough to carry for short distances (less than 1 mile), allows me to get into position quickly for a shot and will do a good job steadying my pistol. Shots should be between 50 and 150 yards and the pistol is an XP-100 in 7mm br. Will be spot and stalk scenario not a blind or stationary set. Any good products that you would recommend?
Shooting sticks for pistol hunting. Need help.
- Thread starter Djasi1
- Start date
snert
Silver $$ Contributor
Buy two pieces of fir 1x1, 38 inches long. Four inches from top drill a hole thru both. Put a bolt, washer and wing nut thru/on. put a one inch wide strip of rawhide or thin weatherstrip foam on the inside of the X that is created when you spread the bottom out (on top). Makes a fine rest for sitting and kneeling. The foam/rawhide keeps the stock settled and "sticks" a bit. Sharpening the legs or placing a nail in the end makes the legs dig in the ground.
I'm w/ Snert. build your own. I like a modified Tri-Pod design. Sometimes, I fashion one right out in the woods from a rag, sticks & paracord. At home you can get fancy with hardwood dowels & drilling into the creation. Do find a way to connect the legs about 1/3 of the way up from the bottom to prevent catastrophic spreading at the wrong moment in time. mike in ct
If you're going to make you own, check out this attachment for one; Double Rifle Tripod Rest from African Sporting Creations.
There use to be a rest that is no longer in production called a PSR (Precision Shooting Rest). I believe it was made by BOG. I liked the looks of it and made a prototype. After making some changes along the way to the prototype, I made one I use today. Adjustable, very solid.
Prototype
Finished Product
There use to be a rest that is no longer in production called a PSR (Precision Shooting Rest). I believe it was made by BOG. I liked the looks of it and made a prototype. After making some changes along the way to the prototype, I made one I use today. Adjustable, very solid.
Prototype
Finished Product
itchyTF
Gold $$ Contributor
My variation -
5/8” diameter x 48” long aluminum rod covered with 5/8” heater hose (about 13”) with a 20” piece of 3/4” velcro to hold them together. Had to use some “lubrication” to get the hose on. I think it might have been soapy water. They don’t budge now. Very light and adjustable.
If you need a wider stance ‘X’ loosen the velcro a little.
The rods are pointed.
5/8” diameter x 48” long aluminum rod covered with 5/8” heater hose (about 13”) with a 20” piece of 3/4” velcro to hold them together. Had to use some “lubrication” to get the hose on. I think it might have been soapy water. They don’t budge now. Very light and adjustable.
If you need a wider stance ‘X’ loosen the velcro a little.
The rods are pointed.
This is the exact type of sticks I built some 20+ years ago except mine have a pointed bottom end on each stick and are construction of 1/2" diameter solid aluminum rod. They are lightweight, highly portable and extremely effective. They are also much easier and quicker to adjust in the field and don't flex like a lot of commercial offerings.
I've taken close to 2,000 ground hogs and over 100 predators with this arrangement and it works marvelously, especially for stalking. You can adjust the height simply by adjusting the spread of the sticks. For large height adjustments, simply move the Velcro band up or down.
I shoot off a highly portable, lightweight sportsman's chair which significantly increases my performance and field of view. While I hunt exclusively with a rifle these days, there is no reason why this system won't work just as well with a pistol for long range shooting.
The best part is I made mine for under $20.
3Sigma
Silver $$ Contributor
Standing shots or sitting?
While I think a DIY solution is likely best, I went the commercial route to start.
Sitting, I used this last year to take a doe: https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/cabelas-kwik-stik-bipod-shooting-rest
It works in a chair and kneeling, but too short for standing, and too tall for sitting on the ground.
I also have the short pole cat:
The pole cat is the better rest, but the cabelas one packs up better and lighter. I can use the short one from sitting on the ground to kneeling, to a chair. Best part you can get one taller as needed.
While I think a DIY solution is likely best, I went the commercial route to start.
Sitting, I used this last year to take a doe: https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/cabelas-kwik-stik-bipod-shooting-rest
It works in a chair and kneeling, but too short for standing, and too tall for sitting on the ground.
I also have the short pole cat:
The pole cat is the better rest, but the cabelas one packs up better and lighter. I can use the short one from sitting on the ground to kneeling, to a chair. Best part you can get one taller as needed.
Absolutely agree - it took me some dedicated practice time with the shooting cross sticks to become proficient for varmint and predator hunting. I do all my shooting at the range off the sticks except for load development, initial scope sight in, or to unravel a suspected equipment problem.
Also, at least for my rifles and me, they shoot to a slightly different point of impact off the sticks than a bench w/ front and rear rests. However, for beginners, I would suggest using the bench sight it as your initial sight in then as you become more proficient with the sticks you can make the adjustments if needed but you need at least a few strings of five to detect any gross tendencies before making any scope adjustments. Also, stay off the bench - spend your range time perfecting your field shooting skills with your shooting aid that you have chosen.
Check out the Primos tri legged, with the fast adjustable lever. A simple semi-V top piece. I use the long model, which adjusts to allow me to shoot either sitting or standing.
It is not to heavy, makes good walking stick, when moving and sets up pretty fast. ( I think it is a model Shockey endorses)
It is not to heavy, makes good walking stick, when moving and sets up pretty fast. ( I think it is a model Shockey endorses)
Anyone use hiking poles? The wife bought a set, used them once and probably wouldn't notice if they went missing. Would love to use my XP-100 in the field but the field of view with the old Redfield scope is tiny and almost impossible to maintain on target. The best description is twitchy. Tried from a deer stand last year and burned two factory rounds with zero to show for it. Guess it is time to look for a new scope.
SSL
Gold $$ Contributor
Somewhere in the dark recesses of my closets I have a walking stick/gun rest (made by MTD if I remember correctly) that is basically a cane with an extra little arm that ratchets up or down the shaft for adjusting the arm as a rest. Not sure anyone makes one anymore, but that's what I used for my XP100s for years. Adding a sling stud to the rear of the stock (I am assuming a center-grip stock) allows you to loop a sling from the rear of the stock, over the shooting shoulder and back to the stock to allow a 'pushing' tension that I found to really help when using the rest in the field. Especially when kneeling.
Yes.
And here's a product that allows for quick coupling and decoupling of the poles.
It's also adjustable.
I have a couple of fiberglass electric fence stakes connected with a couple of castrating bands. Very stable from kneeling or sitting position. The first time I tried this, I had wrapped the sticks with thin fleece fabric to cut down on noise and prevent scratches. The cylinder flame from my 460 lit the fleece on fire….
wildcatter
Silver $$ Contributor
sapling 6' long as a walking staff with a Y at the top, have for decades and it works standing or sitting just change the angle it is on for your desired elevation. Then when you make your kill, it makes a great handle to tie your drag rope to and two guys easily make the recovery. But at my age today I have found new uses getting around in rough terrain,,, best thing is I picked the perfect one for me, and it was free!
Coyote season's coming up. Most years for fur season I use a 17FB XP-100 pistol and then switch to a larger SP like my 243 XP-100 or 243 WSSM Savage Striker or even a 6.5 WSM XP during calving season to get to longer ranges. I walk miles out here in the prairie of Colorado and the best portable setup i've seen so far is just a regular tall Harris bipod, and tight stadium seat that snaps around my waist while walking. Super steady system for sitting and if I have to go prone I slip a PVC plumbing T in the leg stops on the base of the bipod that pushes the legs forward a bit netting me a much more comfortable lower setup from the tall bipod which is too tall really for shooting a center grip SP with an LER optic prone.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.