Did you sight in your rifle with the sling? If not, the aim point may change already.
Bipod, Stick or neither ?
- Thread starter Canadiankeeper
- Start date
buckbrushoutdoors
Regular
- Location
- fort saskatchewan AB/Edson AB
everyone of my rifles has a bipod attachted to it, I also always carry my bog pod shooting sticks. The only exception is my sheep rifle. its bare.
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I bought some of those hiking/walking ski poles you see people using, at a yard sale. Added a dollar store threaded cradle on the end, covered in foam. It helps me with my bad leg while walking and adds some stability for shots. Not perfect, but improves my accuracy. I find shooting sticks, bipods, and tripods to awkward, heavy and impractical for field use. Any rest you actually use is better than the one left behind.
Attached bipods are great...they prop up a rifle nicely for picture-taking purposes. 
But for actually carrying around on a hunting rifle? Not a prayer, at least not for me.
I have a few sets of homemade shooting sticks (bipod and tripod versions) and often leave one stashed in a spot where I think it might be useful. I might take a Bogpod tripod with me if I am driving to a hunting destination. But if...and it's a big "if"...I am actually going to carry something around with me while hunting, it's probably just going to be one of the collapsible Stoney Point bipods, the type that are shock-corded together and fold down to almost nothing.
But for actually carrying around on a hunting rifle? Not a prayer, at least not for me.I have a few sets of homemade shooting sticks (bipod and tripod versions) and often leave one stashed in a spot where I think it might be useful. I might take a Bogpod tripod with me if I am driving to a hunting destination. But if...and it's a big "if"...I am actually going to carry something around with me while hunting, it's probably just going to be one of the collapsible Stoney Point bipods, the type that are shock-corded together and fold down to almost nothing.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
In the bush, nothing, or just a sling. Rests are often as close as the nearest tree. Same in the mountains, rest on a rock. On the prairie or other open country, I almost always carry a set of homemade crossed sticks or a commercial collapsable aluminum version. I've used them a lot and really like to shoot sitting or kneeling with crossed sticks. I had a couple different bipods that attached to the front sling swivel, got rid of them. Can't stand having stuff attached to my rifle. They were useful for shooting gophers though. If shooting offhand in tall grass and open brush, full length "standing" tripods are nice, but I've mostly used them in Africa where there was someone else to carry them. I've used a single stick quite a bit too, they are useful for shooting running game at longer distances, you can swing and lead by pivoting the stick, unlike bi - or tripods. And you can pick up/discard them as needed.
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I'm a sucker for a gizmo but few of them have ever made it past the range to the field...
-A bipod is uncomfortable to pack on the shoulder, takes considerable time to deploy, makes the rifle nose heavy and requires the prone position in the field (most places I hunt this would be less than ideal most of the time).
-A mono pod stick I found made me even more unstable, I couldn't keep the crosshairs on a target- the worst...
-Tried the Primos shooting stick bipod thing with the pistol grip and trigger to adjust the length. It works ok as a walking stick and is easy to adjust height but you still have to spread the legs and set them...This is time taking.
-Slings are the best thing I have used as you need one to shoulder the rifle anyway. I'm a fan of military slings that you can actually use for more than carrying, a lot of the brand specific wide slings are nothing more than heavy carry straps (that I avoid).
If nature allows a natural rest great, if you have a pack of duffle with you and it will work great but most of my opportunities require a here and now response that only a sling in practiced positions allow.
Yet I still look at these new whiz bang devices that even as I'm buying them I know won't work...
Of coarse YMMV.
-A bipod is uncomfortable to pack on the shoulder, takes considerable time to deploy, makes the rifle nose heavy and requires the prone position in the field (most places I hunt this would be less than ideal most of the time).
-A mono pod stick I found made me even more unstable, I couldn't keep the crosshairs on a target- the worst...
-Tried the Primos shooting stick bipod thing with the pistol grip and trigger to adjust the length. It works ok as a walking stick and is easy to adjust height but you still have to spread the legs and set them...This is time taking.
-Slings are the best thing I have used as you need one to shoulder the rifle anyway. I'm a fan of military slings that you can actually use for more than carrying, a lot of the brand specific wide slings are nothing more than heavy carry straps (that I avoid).
If nature allows a natural rest great, if you have a pack of duffle with you and it will work great but most of my opportunities require a here and now response that only a sling in practiced positions allow.
Yet I still look at these new whiz bang devices that even as I'm buying them I know won't work...
Of coarse YMMV.
Initial sighting in of any rifle is off the bench with rifle forend resting on something very soft. After that most of my range time is shooting with sling in various field positions.......Shoot a couple of centerfire shots , then perhaps 5 or 10 with a similar bolt rifle and sling, only in 22 lr. The 22 targets are set at 50 and 75 yards, the centerfire targets farther away. In this way, the centerfire barrel does not get too warmed up........No real difference in POI between bench and shots using sling.......Groups are of course way better off the bench !!
I don't think there is any single option that works in every scenario. Assuming we're only talking "hunting"....the only thing I currently hunt with a rifle is the lowly groundhog. Target is usually small, and usually 150-300 yards away~so a rock-steady rest is req. I use a swiveling Harris Bipod, 9-13" and shoot prone. I only take maybe 2-3 offhand shots a season on close ones, so bipod weight isn't that big a concern. Being a heavy-barrel varmint gun...I sling carry it muzzle-down, so no issue with the bipod digging into my back.
I have been contemplating getting back into coyote hunting, where lying prone in the snow just won't work. So, I read this entire thread looking for opinions too. I have that "Varmint Al" page bookmarked on my home computer, and thought I might whittle-up something like that to try out.
I have been contemplating getting back into coyote hunting, where lying prone in the snow just won't work. So, I read this entire thread looking for opinions too. I have that "Varmint Al" page bookmarked on my home computer, and thought I might whittle-up something like that to try out.
I have hunted with a bipod attached for over 30 years. I sight in with the bipod.
The tall Harris is the go to model as I have to sit in hay land occasionally.
Also have a Primos adjustable walking stick but the time I should have had it . . . I didn't.
Just checked and there are five rifles wearing Harris Bipods and a spare one on the shelf that should be attached!
The tall Harris is the go to model as I have to sit in hay land occasionally.
Also have a Primos adjustable walking stick but the time I should have had it . . . I didn't.
Just checked and there are five rifles wearing Harris Bipods and a spare one on the shelf that should be attached!
