Sinclair F-Class Bipod

[MVW]

I have been using a Harris Bipod, but have been looking seriously at the Sinclair Bipod. It seems to be very popular, but I am wondering if using it will require any modifications to my shooting style if I swtich back and forth between the two bipods? There is one review on the Sinclair web site grousing about a number of issues with the bipod, so I thought I would seek broader input before putting down $250.

Thanks, Mike

 

[jbpmidas]

I have used the F-Class and Sinclair Tactical. I shoot .308 in F-T/r matches. I greatly prefer the Tactical over the F-Class. Shooting a round that recoils as much as the .308 with 185's, I like to preload the bipod to control recoil better. I never could preload the F-Class because of the slick feet. With the Tactical, most times, my reticle never leaves the target board during recoil. With the F-Class, it would leave the target board and come back a target or 2 over. Shooting a lighter recoiling round might change my point of view completely. I enjoy shooting .22LR on the F-Class, but I usually shoot on the Tactical for consistency with my big rifle.

Hope this helps!

 

[Steve Blair]

I shoot 230 Hybrids from the Sinclair F-Class (old style) and it required getting my position correct to eliminate lateral displacement. As jbpmidas noted, if your position is not properly aligned, the muzzle will displace to one side or the other. The good news for me is that it forced me to get my shooting position right, a good thing, regardless. My bipod feet are covered with self-adhesive felt and ride on a waxed, UHMW covered board, so it is very slick and amplifies any positional problems. If you are willing to work at adjusting shooting position, I feel that this approach allows a completely relaxed aim and greater consistency. YMMV

 

[deadlyswift]

I agree with sleepygator I have 2 FTR rigs. One I have a Sinclair Gen II that I've milled out some of the metarial to drop weight. I had to do this to make weight for that rig. My other rig I use the Phoenix Precision bi pod. The weight on the Phoenix is the same as the Gen II Sinclair 2.4 oz.

I like the Phoenix over the Sinclair because of the vertical adjustments, VS adjusting the legs on the Gen II Sinclair. The Gen III Sinclair does have vertical adjustments available, but I just didn't like the one that I looked at. At this time The Phoenix Precision bi pod is my favorite of all that is out there but they are a bit more $$ than the Sinclair. With that said. My dislikes about the Sinclair are just my anal opinions. The Sinclair is a good bi pod it just doesn't fit all my needs and wants, but I'd give it 4 stars on a review.

 

[Scott Harris]

When I switched from a Harris to a Sinclair, it did require slightly different technique, but it's easy to adjust to. You can shoot great scores with either bipod, but most of the top F-TR shooters (and even a few F-Open shooters) have made the switch to a ski-style bipod.

 

[Leaddog]

Long time user of the Harris S Type with notched legs and pod lock (6-9") and tactical style rear bag. I recently went to a Centershot for a new rifle build and Edgewood rear bag and never looked back. It's so much easier to work with and my reticle never leaves the target black at 600 and 1000 yards. No more bipod hop and all that. Sure.... It's hardly 'tactical', but it definitely gets the job done in F Class.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

My rifle didn't like the Sinclair bipod. I could hold it soft, medium, or hard, free-recoil or push the feet, it didn't matter. I tried on the mat, on the ground, on a cutting sheet, on carpet, etc., and I would get occasional (1 in 15 shots) vertical flyers. Most of the time, it only opened the group up to just over 1/2 MOA. Sometimes, though, I would get a doozy. Those resulted in 9's vertically.

I chased my tail for quite some time, embarrassingly rebarreling the rifle, to find that the problem was the interaction of the stock, me, and the bipod. I still don't know what was really wrong. Right now, I'm back to the 9-13" Harris knock-off with homemade sliding feet. I have no more of the vertical problems, but I do have to rebuild the position after every shot. Things move around more than a little, but I'm getting good groups, and scores again.

I have an order in for a centershot bipod. I'm hoping that my rifle likes it - I'd hate to have to build a new stock just to get a user-friendly bipod to shoot.

YMMV,
Keith

 

[joejo]

well i took my fclass bipod out yesterday to shoot with some friends at 800 and 1000 yds. they all shoot m24's and m 40's, basically stock remmys. well, i typically out shoot the heck out of them with just the 9-13 harris, so i was excited to see how much i would improve.
i didn't! maybe it will take a while to get used to, but this being the first prone shoot with it (i shot off a bench with it) i was very dissapointed. the gun recoiled very differently, and for me, uncontrolably. i was pulling shots all over the place. several rounds missed the 8 inch 800yd target by 2 feet!. crap i could have just fired some 12ga slugs out there.
i don't know, i guess i'll have to try and load it somehow.

 

[joejo]

When I switched from a Harris to a Sinclair, it did require slightly different technique, but it's easy to adjust to. You can shoot great scores with either bipod, but most of the top F-TR shooters (and even a few F-Open shooters) have made the switch to a ski-style bipod.

could you elaborate on you technique change? my f class bipod technique definately needs adjustment.

 

[Scott Harris]

When I switched from a Harris to a Sinclair, it did require slightly different technique, but it's easy to adjust to. You can shoot great scores with either bipod, but most of the top F-TR shooters (and even a few F-Open shooters) have made the switch to a ski-style bipod.

could you elaborate on you technique change? my f class bipod technique definately needs adjustment.

Well, there is no "loading the bipod" as that is quite impossible. For the 308WIN, I make sure the buttstock is in contact with my shoulder and try to relax and just absorb the recoil without flinching, twitching, clenching the pistol grip, etc. The rifle always slides a little bit left, but I just slide it right back on target. I've used a Centershot, Sinclair, and Rempel. They are all the same concept, just different weights and adjustment means. Bottom line, I don't shoot any better with a Sinclair vs a Harris, don't shoot any worse. They each require different technique. BUT, the ski-type bipods are much faster to get back on target without having to lift the rifle ala Harris: that is the main benefit to me. They also make it easier to make small elevation adjustments. Go back to a Harris if that is your preference: nothing wrong with that.

 

[Leaddog]

When going with a 'ski' bipod, some folks have relaxed their hold on the gun with not so good results. The shooter must still have a solid shoulder hold and a firm 'handshake' grip. I shoot a .308 and 185's, so there is some recoil to deal with.

My Centershot only skis rearward less than an inch, but it tracks perfectly straight back when the shot breaks. The rifle should also be balanced with the bipod at the optimum rail position, if you have a rail.

I have shot next to quite a few folks using the Sinclair and some were disappointed to see that they still had 'bipod hop'. Some of that is certainly due to technique and bipod position, but the Sinclair is a very rigid bipod, unlike the Centershot that is lighter and has some flex which absorbs recoil better, in my experience.

 

[Heavies]

One thing that I have found when using ski bipods is that the feet need to be able to slide freely. If there is any binding it may throw shots because of the inconsistent recoil.

I use the rear carpet mat from my car. The small size of the mat stays with in the rules of F-class.
The underside of the mat is rubber and the rigidity of the rubber compensates for any ground unevenness. The carpet on top lets the aluminum feet slide rearward easily, and helps to reduce hop tendencies. Technique and setup behind the ski type bipod is very important, something akin to setting up a benchrest rig. (though I am no benchrest shooter I have used the techniques to discover this shooting style) The rifle needs to be able to slide freely completely through the recoil impulse(until the bullet is out of the barrel), body position behind the rifle so that the recoil does not push the muzzle off target, and natural point of aim where the rifle is completely still when the trigger is pulled without any 'steering' from the operator. Hard holds or light holds doesn't seem to effect much unless the body position and/or natural point of aim is off. If your body position and natural point of aim is off, no matter what kind of hold you use shot will eventually be thrown. After each shot the sights should be able to be pushed slightly forward right back on target, if at all. Perfectly setup the target will stay in the sights. Even with the recoil of a .308.

Just what I have noticed. Hope this helps.

 

[MVW]

Thanks for the input. Goes to show that there are no givens in this game.

Mike

 

[XTR]

Restating some of what has been written above, you can't load it, if your shooting heavies you need to get square behind the rifle or it will end up right or left.

I keep a firm shoulder placement, I've heard of others that have had great success with a very light, as in just shy of free recoil, contact; however, that takes a flat bottomed stock that is not going to cause the muzzle to rise during recoil.

I like my Sinclair a lot, but the style is somewhat different to the Harris.

 

[Thomas Balfour]

I just purchased a new Sinclair f class bipod but will only be using it on my custom Anschutz 17 hmr, at least no recoil to deal with, plus it will be much easier to keep the rifle level than the old fake Harris bipod that I could never get the rifle level

 

[mike a]

One thing that I have found when using ski bipods is that the feet need to be able to slide freely. If there is any binding it may throw shots because of the inconsistent recoil.

I use the rear carpet mat from my car. The small size of the mat stays with in the rules of F-class.
The underside of the mat is rubber and the rigidity of the rubber compensates for any ground unevenness. The carpet on top lets the aluminum feet slide rearward easily, and helps to reduce hop tendencies. Technique and setup behind the ski type bipod is very important, something akin to setting up a benchrest rig. (though I am no benchrest shooter I have used the techniques to discover this shooting style) The rifle needs to be able to slide freely completely through the recoil impulse(until the bullet is out of the barrel), body position behind the rifle so that the recoil does not push the muzzle off target, and natural point of aim where the rifle is completely still when the trigger is pulled without any 'steering' from the operator. Hard holds or light holds doesn't seem to effect much unless the body position and/or natural point of aim is off. If your body position and natural point of aim is off, no matter what kind of hold you use shot will eventually be thrown. After each shot the sights should be able to be pushed slightly forward right back on target, if at all. Perfectly setup the target will stay in the sights. Even with the recoil of a .308.

Just what I have noticed. Hope this helps.

Hey Heavies, There's your first like for you. I give credit to the guys that can make it track straight back. I tried for a long time and gave up. Went to a tripod front rest. Mike

 

[Joe Salt]

I gave SEB a thought a while back but he or no one else has come up with what I suggested! PUT WHEELS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DAMN THINGS,

Joe Salt

 

[longtrapshootn]

Never used an Atlas but I do read a lot of positive things about them. Have used Harris bipods, so how are the Atlas better? And are they more stable then the Sinclair F class?