Do I really need a bipod?

Deer hunting with bipods - not worth it. Most of the time you're not in terrain where it can be used effectively, or the shot comes unexpectedly and an improvised position is needed. Hauling around all that extra metal on the forend isn't worth it imo. Target shooting depends on where you're gonna be. Out on crown laying on a tarp makes a bipod useful. An old backpack or rolled up blanket works too. Bench shooting for groups is better with sandbags front and rear. Its a nice to have, definitely not a need. Look up prone shooting positions and practise techniques without a bipod to see if you really need one.
 
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Unless your using a stand up bi pod or tri pod system... I much preffer my poly fill sand bag, easier to adjust to the situation, no added front weight to the rifle and easily carried in my bag or on my belt.
 
For the reasons listed above I totally agree. I found them to be mostly a waste of time and energy.

If you want some support or stabilization go to shooting sticks. Light weight easily adjusted for the situation and you can carry them independent of your firearm.
 
I use them on certain types of hunting rifles. Bolt action synthetic rifles mostly for cartridges that can reach out and bolt action rimfires. For instance my 2506 and 300wm wear bipods. My muzzleloaders and classy 458wm do not. With the flatter shooting rifles i like to watch over more open areas and im usually in a position low to the ground or behind some natural cover so a bipod provides me a more consistent and stable shot. Im still fully capable of taking quick off hand shots with them

However a sporter mauser is a trim quick rifle with generally nice lines depending on how well its sporterized. Id be less inclined to use a bipod on one unless chambered in a fast flat shooting rifle
To each their own. Similar to scoping a lever or sxs. There will be arguments for each side
 
My experiences are similar to most of the people here. I found bipods to heavy and cumbersome to haul around attached to the front of my hunting rifle. However, what I ended up getting was folding redhead shooting stix from bass pro. They are light and fold up nicely into my hunting pack and work well in conjunction with the short folding hunting stool I use. It's nice to be able to break them out when you want the extra stability for areas where longer shots may be presented.
 
I use shooting sticks I make from pieces of doweling from Home Depot. Much higher than a tripod, can be low if you want, rifle can swivel left or right with ease, they make good walking sticks for balance. A tripod makes the rifle heavy and they are slow to get into action.
 
Depends what kind of hunting and target shooting you do... if hunt using a ground blind or spot and stalk it might come in handy in certain scenarios, a taller bipod 13”-27” Harris is a good choice for hunting because if you have to go prone you will need the be elevated a foot or so or all you will see is grass, snow etc...if you take a sitting shoot you can adjust the bipod to 27” and you will be able to make that shoot. For target shooting at the range use sandbags to sight in and practice your shooting positions using the bipod.

When I started hunting I almost always used a bipod. As I progressed over the years I learned to incorporate shooting rests from logs on the ground blinds I make and if I’m hunting more open areas I set up with pop up blinds and that’s when the bipod gets used. If I’m walk hunting Normally I don’t use a bipod.

Happy shooting.
 
TrollGRG said:
For the reasons listed above I totally agree. I found them to be mostly a waste of time and energy.

If you want some support or stabilization go to shooting sticks. Light weight easily adjusted for the situation and you can carry them independent of your firearm.
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Huge +1 to shooting sticks over a bipod-on-the-rifle. I kinda went the hybrid route and had an adapter made to take a koplin style gun bracket (like what you would find on the nicer shooting sticks) and attach it to a manfrotto tripod. I like the three legs for stability when sitting and waiting, and it’s way easier to haul around the tripod separate from the rifle. Would not want to hump this for miles and miles and miles through crown land on a hunt pack trip adventure, but find it a luxury item worth its wait tromping around the half dozen quarters of private land where I hunt deer.

It’s other advantage is it’s easy to share with your hunting partner (in this case my 13yo daughter) in the spur of the moment. Can’t do that easily with a bipod.

Cheers,

Brobee
 
It depends on terrain and situation. For general hunting Id rather not have have one on the gun. Ive also got rifles that the bipod seldom comes off of. Living on the prairies will do that to you.
 
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