I don't give time or thought to loading the bipod while hunting . There's many videos on this , I think it's mainly for long range to be able to see your shot impact / vapor trail . On my trg bipod and smith enterprise pushing forward while centered behind the rifle prone or sitting loads the bipod to a very steady position and it gives straight back recoil - not so much with my Harris - it doesn't feel the same or give the straight recoil
Bipod shooting while hunting
- Thread starter daka
- Start date
A couple times a year I'll see guys at the range with their Harris bipods on backwards. They take some weird bounces when you do that.
More interesting is the owner's reaction. Some get all cross-threaded about it.
I've witnessed that as well, then offered them some advice..........they were most thankful.
Does your bipod model swivel & cant ? (2 axis movement). Horizontal movement on non-swiveling bipods (or ones that have their action screw too tight) creates a huge amount of torque on even the best stocks. If you aren't directly lined up with the target, and pull/push the rifle over, it will over torque the stock causing POI issues.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
If the bi-pod doesn't instill confidence for you, there is little point in continuing to use it. However, as with all things, there is a right way and a wrong way to do things, and there are times in the field where the use of a bi-pod might be appropriate and other times its not.
I only use bi-pods with short legs, so their usefulness in the field is very limited since there are usually rocks or vegetation blocking the shot from prone. When I do use them, I lean into the rifle to load the bi-pod legs, which allows the rifle to recoil the same way from shot to shot. I usually have some intervening material, usually a work glove under each foot, keeping them off the ground. This prevents the bi-pod from recoil induced sinking into the ground if its soft or sandy, and it reduces vibration if the ground surface is hard. The only time when using a bi-pod in the field is appropriate is when you have an unobstructed view of the target, and plenty of time to get set up for the shot. The bi-pod should allow you to cant the rifle, but once its in position, it should be tight enough to stay put without flopping back and forth.
If you are shooting a bi-pod with long legs, it might be beneficial to use crossed sticks to support the butt of the rifle, a couple of cleaning rids work well, and you can jam your pack under one leg and a rolled up jacket under the other to stabilize your position if you're shooting from sitting.
I only use bi-pods with short legs, so their usefulness in the field is very limited since there are usually rocks or vegetation blocking the shot from prone. When I do use them, I lean into the rifle to load the bi-pod legs, which allows the rifle to recoil the same way from shot to shot. I usually have some intervening material, usually a work glove under each foot, keeping them off the ground. This prevents the bi-pod from recoil induced sinking into the ground if its soft or sandy, and it reduces vibration if the ground surface is hard. The only time when using a bi-pod in the field is appropriate is when you have an unobstructed view of the target, and plenty of time to get set up for the shot. The bi-pod should allow you to cant the rifle, but once its in position, it should be tight enough to stay put without flopping back and forth.
If you are shooting a bi-pod with long legs, it might be beneficial to use crossed sticks to support the butt of the rifle, a couple of cleaning rids work well, and you can jam your pack under one leg and a rolled up jacket under the other to stabilize your position if you're shooting from sitting.
I dont tighten mine overly tight. When i sight them in using a bipod 6" to 9" i only use the rifles weight on the front and support the rear of the stock with my other hand. It works for me whether theyre in use or folded and im free handing my shots. When i use my 13-24" bipod ill push the rifle forward and keep weight against the bipod. I find it seems to pull the front of the stock downward or at least apply downward tension so the stock doesnt touch the barrel. When doing this i have no poi shift when free standing shooting. I prefer to use a bipod whenever i can because i shoot more accurately when stable. Whether laying prone or leaning over a fallen log or even using the bipod to rest against a tree being held by my non shooting hand. For the little weight they add they arent a negative in my type of hunting
I dislike bipods for the hunting I do. I have a Harris that I will put on the .22-250 if I go looking for groundhogs in the summer.
But all other hunting I use bogpod shooting stix and recently got a Primos trigger stix gen 3 tripod that is rock solid even when standing. Its heavy but I like stix better for deer or coyote hunting.
But all other hunting I use bogpod shooting stix and recently got a Primos trigger stix gen 3 tripod that is rock solid even when standing. Its heavy but I like stix better for deer or coyote hunting.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I had a couple of Harris bipods, long and short, and sold both. I know they do aid accuracy while shooting from the prone position at targets way out there, but I don't shoot from that position or at that distance any more while hunting anything. I got my experience shooting copious amounts of ammo at gophers on the wide open Saskatchewan prairie. Loved it at the time, but never will do that again. I much prefer stalking in close to any critter, and when that's not possible, I shoot from improvised rests and with a sling from sitting, or kneeling. I also like and use African style shooting sticks, both bipod and tripod. All methods have their advantages. I will take a long range shot when that's all that's offered, and if I have an adequate rest, but I just can't stand to have all that bipod junk attached to my rifle any more. I have no problem with those who like 'em, and know how to use 'em, but attached bipods not for me.
Yotarunner
CGN Regular
- Location
- Eastern Alberta
It all comes down to your style of hunting and practicing with it.the majority of my game hunting is for coyotes and I prefer the use of a swiveling long bipod for use when sitting. I have tried using various versions of sticks and they were so frustrating it's a miracle I didn't pitch them in a bush.
I prefer simplicity over everything else so when a coyote comes in way off to the side it only takes one hand to get the rifle into position. With sticks I found I was causing way too much movement trying to grab the sticks . When moving over it went kinda like this. lean over to grab sticks, spreadegs, get legs caught in bushes trying to spread the legs,throw the sticks down and shoot offhand, miss the coyote, throw sticks in anger.
My coyote guns are all sighted in WITH the bipod sitting on the ground so point of impact change is not a factor.
I never worry about loading the bipod because my shots rarely are over 300 but if I'm taking a long shot I will take my time and load it properly.
I prefer simplicity over everything else so when a coyote comes in way off to the side it only takes one hand to get the rifle into position. With sticks I found I was causing way too much movement trying to grab the sticks . When moving over it went kinda like this. lean over to grab sticks, spreadegs, get legs caught in bushes trying to spread the legs,throw the sticks down and shoot offhand, miss the coyote, throw sticks in anger.
My coyote guns are all sighted in WITH the bipod sitting on the ground so point of impact change is not a factor.
I never worry about loading the bipod because my shots rarely are over 300 but if I'm taking a long shot I will take my time and load it properly.
I really like the trigger sticks. I always sit on a chair and have found the trigger sticks to be quite handy. You can press the trigger and move those legs to just about position a guy needs. I did have one kinda quit working on me. I cleaned it up and oiled it up and it was like new again. Pretty good deal those things.
My primary rifle is a steyr scout, the bipod is built in to the factory stock. There is no poi shift from deploying and using the bipod.
Can not speak to a your specific issue, but obv something is wrong if you can shoot well from a rest but not the bipod. If everything checks out mechanically, it's you.
Will give it a try, thanks man
Love the details and run into the same issues with sticks, usually end up carrying them around and not using them when chance present itself.
I guess we all have different experiences with guns and equipment we use.
I used to use them when hunting but not anymore. Any decent bipod is significant added weight - on the wrong end of the rifle shifting the center of gravity toward the muzzle resulting in an unbalanced load when slung.
The rifle muzzle as a result always tends to pull noticeably backwards and down when when rifle is slung (North American carry) which is 99 percent of the time. Some hunters are used to it while others hate it. I hate it and prefer that the rifle load be as vertical as possible while slung.
I've trained to shoot off my pack whenever I go prone - terrain allowing. I use a proper shooting sling or shooting sticks when shooting sitting which is most of the time. Seldom do I use standing but would use the shooting sling if that was the only option.
To me a bipod is extra weight in the wrong place that is not worth the effort if you tend to do a lot of walking when hunting.
The rifle muzzle as a result always tends to pull noticeably backwards and down when when rifle is slung (North American carry) which is 99 percent of the time. Some hunters are used to it while others hate it. I hate it and prefer that the rifle load be as vertical as possible while slung.
I've trained to shoot off my pack whenever I go prone - terrain allowing. I use a proper shooting sling or shooting sticks when shooting sitting which is most of the time. Seldom do I use standing but would use the shooting sling if that was the only option.
To me a bipod is extra weight in the wrong place that is not worth the effort if you tend to do a lot of walking when hunting.
