Shooting sticks?

[Jacks Grampa]

Not as steady as I used to be. Is a bi-pod much better than a mono-pod given the extra weight? Thanks, James

 

[Bill K]

Bi-pod or even the tri-pod, much steadier.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I made a set out of stainless 3/8" tubing. Drilled and put a 8-32 screw in em. Heat shrink on top. Works great.

 

[5spd]

Yes sticks (easily made) or bipod/tripod is much better than any monopod.
I use sticks I made.
I made a lot of sticks using fiberglass 3/8 elect fence posts, tubing that slids over stick ends, arrow tips in one end so they don't ever slip and very low cost. They work perfectly for sitting on the ground or on a stool.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Yes sticks (easily made) or bipod/tripod is much better than any monopod.
I use sticks I made.
I made a lot of sticks using fiberglass 3/8 elect fence posts, tubing that slids over stick ends, arrow tips in one end so they don't ever slip and very low cost. They work perfectly for sitting on the ground or on a stool.

Yes easy to make and I got paid to make mine on the company dime.

 

[Toddmack]

If you don't want to make your own, try the Primos trigger sticks Bi-pod or tri-pod. They're pricey but if uneven terrain is what you're in, I think they're worth it.

 

[MClark]

Another vote for the Trigger Sticks.
I always used wood sticks I made myself but bought a set of trigger sticks and they are better.

 

[JFW]

Trigger sticks a yes.

 

[pirate ammo]

With the tripod you can hang your rifle on it while you wait.

 

[370bc]

This is similar to my set up.

Very steady.

 

[Jacks Grampa]

This hunt will be glassing and stalking. Weight is an issue and a tri-pod is just too heavy. Thanks for the input though.

 

[SGK]

Lightweight quad sticks are the answer

 

[MrMajestic]

I have successfully used the BogPod to 400+ yards on Woodchucks. Get your back up against a tree and it is pretty stable. Of course a 1/2 lb. trigger helps a bunch...

 

[Kermit in Va.]

Started using shooting sticks when the kids was too little to
hold the gun up. Worked good...now I feel like I have to have'em...


Kermit

 

[JEFFPPC]

Yes sticks (easily made) or bipod/tripod is much better than any monopod.
I use sticks I made.
I made a lot of sticks using fiberglass 3/8 elect fence posts, tubing that slids over stick ends, arrow tips in one end so they don't ever slip and very low cost. They work perfectly for sitting on the ground or on a stool.

I have also used electric fence post put together with a piece of bicycle inner tube. Have used it from Pa.groundhog hunting to Idaho big game hunting, light weight, fits in your rifle case when flying, and cheap. I have used them to shoot deer to near 600 yds., works fine. Slide the inner tube up or down to adjust heigth.

 

[Stepsjframe]

Guess everyone has their own opinion. I don't need mom to hold up my pants or steady my rifle but still use shooting sticks. i used rifle mounted bi-pods for years and struggled getting them set up into good shooting positions on hillsides and uneven ground. When I used my first set of shooting sticks it was one of those moments that was ...... Duhhhh this is so easy, why didn't I think of it before?

 

[Brians356]

When I used my first set of shooting sticks it was one of those moments that was ...... Duhhhh this is so easy, why didn't I think of it before?

Marksmen have been using shooting sticks for centuries. There's nothing new under the sun, some bard once opined.
-

 

[K22]

A bi-pod is far superior to a mono pod. A tripod is even better. However I use a simple home made system of two sticks bound together with 1" velcro which give me a classic "shooting cross stick". This provides the best compromise of a portable - easy to adjust - an precise shooting aid for my style of hunting which involves both stalking and stand hunting.

The sticks are made of 1/2" diameter solid aluminum rod cut to a height that accommodates me for shooting while sitting on a portable sportsman's chair. One end of each stick is covered with 12" of 1/2" ID rubber heater hose to protect the stock and secure the rifle from slipping. The other ends are ground to a sharp point for a secure implant into dry ground.

This system give me for points of contact, elbows resting on knees and feet flat on the ground. It also give me a large field of view since I'm sitting on a chair allowing me shots that are impossible from a prone bi-pod or even sitting on the ground with a bi-pod. It's work very well for stalking, I can set up and be on target in less than 30 seconds. By adjusting the spread of the sticks I can adjust for height easily without having to fumble with trying to adjust the legs of commercial sticks. It also works well sitting on a stand as the chair provides a comfortable sitting position.

My homemade sticks are light weight, do not flex under recoil, and are of a length that specifically accommodates me. The best part is the total cost is under $20.

I now use this system for all my hunting, i.e. varmints, predators and big game.

 

[AWS]

I used shooting sticks for years. I used to use my ski poles while winter hunting in MN and now use trekking poles on dry land(getting old sucks) just flip the wrist loop over the other pole and you have a very serviceable set of shooting sticks. They are adjustable for length, you can get a pair of them for $20. at Walmart. They are long enough to steady your binocs also.

 

[boltfluter]

The quad sticks look like the perfect solution to me.

Paul