Do you like shooting sticks or bipod, or neither

elker

elker

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
11   0   0
Location
Vancouver Island, BC
After I missed a bear on logging rd last year, I bought primo shooting stick, a bipod. But when I practiced it at our range, I found it is difficult to stabilize itself, needless to say it does not help with shooting either. So I started online research for Harris bipod, atlas bipod. In my area, atlas bipod is useless as we need long legs. But customer reviews show that Harris bipod is not stable either.

I want to try wolf hunting this season with my savage 243. I watch the wild tv host Les Johnson of "predator quest" use Harris 13-27 inches Harris bipod, so I wonder if I should have one.

Anyone has real life experience with Harris bipod willing to share?

Thanks
 
I hunt coyotes a lot in the winter! They are small targets and require accurate shooting. I have a Harris swivel 9-13" bipod on my 223. I also carry my shooting sticks all the time. 90% of my shots I use my sticks. On longer shots 225+, If I can, I lay down prone and use my bipod.
If I could only have one of the two, I'd take my sticks hands down!
Good luck to you.
 
the Harris is just fine for shooting predators, i have a coupledifferent height ones and in deep snow i use the 13-27 with the pivot and it is great, practise a bit at the range and you should be good to go

i use a set of stony point (i think? i painted over the name) shooting sticks with one of my rifles that can't be set up with a harris, they work well too but i find the attached bipod gives me more confidence
 
They are ok to use. I feel packing them during walking/hiking hunt are a pain. If I need to I will drop to 1 knee for a solid rest....done this several times.

I have a Harris set on my 243 for predator hunting and sometimes switch it over to my wife's rifle when she comes out to hunt.

I have used them when setting up on field edged. First time was back in about 2007 when I was in a Mossy Oak hunting video and they make you use the shooting sticks...no free hand. Since then, my good hunting buddy that was in the video as well, packs them most of the time. I believe his are the tripod model.
 
Sticks. Taller, more adjustable, lighter weight. Just generally more flexible in use than a bipod.
 
Last edited:
For hunting in areas like we do (BC) I don't think bipods are the way to go.

I find them to low to see over brush and crap. A buddy of mine uses one of those telescoping staff things but I don't really like those either.

I was thinking of making a set of these: http://www.varmintal.com/abifu.htm

Higher than a bipod (and without the extra weight on the rifle) and lower and more stable than a shooting staff.

I think they'd be about the right height for getting over most ground brush and still be stable.

I use a bipod on my range only gun but I wouldn't like to pack the extra weight very far. Not to mention I could see it getting in the way and hooking on branches and chit while walking.

My 2 cents.
 
I carry shooting sticks in the deployed mode with me. A bipod is nice to shoot from but heavy and awkward to carry. My 11 year old son uses my short 9-13 bipod as the rifle is too heavy for him still. We have to get him prone to use them which limits his opportunities. (he does have 2 bucks in 2 years though). I have tried to carry my 13-27 Harris but a hassle. It is adjustable enough that I can shoot prone or sitting with it. I find that a follow up shot with sticks is difficult to get settled quickly, unlike a bipod. I find it awkward to hold the forearm of the rifle and keep the sticks organized with one hand. Practice at the range with it, but find that my hand hold situation goes out the window after recoil. If you can borrow both, try them out at the range....
 
I tried the shooting sticks, and the pouch is too floppy to use when shooting standing up. The only way I can get it to work is I lift a knee so that pouch is resting on my lap so that it's stable and doesn't move side to side. I would think that making the pouch so it can't swing left and right would be better - like making it out of leather, eg. like a knife sheath.
 
I prefer shooting sticks. On a hunt I'm not kneeling or laying in wet mud or wanting to fiddle with stuff.

Also I don't like how the bipod attach to the rifles foreends and I find them heavy...methinks the less crap hanging off my rifle the better.

I can see the draw for folks that mainly shoot from a bench.
 
Calum said:
I prefer shooting sticks. On a hunt I'm not kneeling or laying in wet mud or wanting to fiddle with stuff.

Also I don't like how the bipod attach to the rifles foreends and I find them heavy...methinks the less crap hanging off my rifle the better.

I can see the draw for folks that mainly shoot from a bench.
Click to expand...

Exactly my thinking.

I understand our needs here in BC are different than flat landers too. There is no right answer, just what works for the situation.
 
"...experience with Harris bipod..." When hunting Yogi you won't likely have time to open a bipod. Certainly will for varmints, but you may find the added weight(even though it's not much) annoying. Quit using the Harris I have for that reason. They're not stable enough for any kind of bench shooting. Certainly not for load development.
Thought about sticks, but you have to lug 'em around. Lots of convenient natural rests in the bush. Learn to use a sling and you'll never bother with bipods again.
 
If I can shoot slung up from a supported position, that is my preference over sticks or a bi-pod. I do use a bi-pod on my varmint and target rifles, a PH and a Harris. Shooting sticks don't really do it for me. I practice quite a bit off hand, and to me when I watch an African hunting video and the sticks are set up for the client, it makes me think he should have spent more time at the range. Having said that, there was a time in my life when I had the gumption to carry a walking stick as well as a rifle, and I got pretty handy at making decent shots using the staff as a standing mono-pod. The Magpul long range shooting video offers some pretty neat ideas for supporting a heavy rifle, which employs a tri-pod for the forend and crossed sticks to support the butt, with rucks and packs used to stabilize your position. If you've got half an hour to set up, it would be great.
 
07blackwater said:
Exactly my thinking.

I understand our needs here in BC are different than flat landers too. There is no right answer, just what works for the situation.
Click to expand...

Good answer. The best one is the one that's best for you. Personally I don't like a bunch of stuff hanging off my rifle as a good number of shots wind up being off hand where I'm hunting. I keep a monopod in my pack for when I need a longer shot and there isn't a handy tree or fencepost nearby. Although I also find the shooting rail on the treestands have been getting a good workout the last couple seasons.

PS- try the old sling looped round the elbow trick. Or sitting with legs crossed and knees raised, elbow on knee for a rest. Both are surprisingly stable with a little practise.
 
I have used the Stoney Point sticks for years; not the tall gangly standing ones, the ones for sitting and kneeling. They are a light and very convenient addition and I wouldn't consider leaving the house without them. If you use them to assist stability while using proper forms they make a rock steady platform. I have used them to connect on animals all the way out to 546yds and that includes quite a few in the 350-450 range.
Bog Pods are likely even better in this case given 3 legs etc, but they are considerably bulkier than my little tent pole Stoney's.
I have no use for attached pods on my hunting rifles. Varmint and target yes, but I tried the hunting thing and the shooting sticks are far better in all cases.
I agree with Boomer as well. For the average game shot at <150yds you should understand and be confident with slinging up.....that said, too many rifles have poor stocks or fore end bedding and POI changes significantly when tension is put on the sling. Again this needs to be played with at the range to determine such issues.
 
Neither... bipods add weight which I don't need to carry, and can change the point of impact if you take it off without rezeroing. I have one stand where a long shot is probable, and I leave a tripod set up there, but I don't carry 3 small trees through the bush with me.


Boomer said:
... when I watch an African hunting video and the sticks are set up for the client, it makes me think he should have spent more time at the range.
Click to expand...

It always amazes me how the animals stand for all the fiddling and movement required to set up sticks. I'm sure it's beneficial in some circumstances, but is it really necessary for every shot?
 
Bipods have never worked for me = I use my home made shooting sticks when predator hunting never carry them when big game hunting though.

My sticks are made from 2 1/2" wooden dowels strapped together with reusable camo wrap/tape.

Simple and cheap only takes minutes to put it together.
 
I prefer a bipod but in situations where you must shoot from the standing position then it's shooting sticks. My prefered shooting position is prone or sitting with a bipod. For me it's a Harris.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom