Harris bipods set-up ? for hunting

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cath8r

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Let me start by saying I feel really dumb having to ask this.

Real dumb.

I have a Harris bipod for my varmint rifle. When I set it up at first I left it how it came and it was wobbly on the stock but allowed me to twist and swivel in the field. I sighted my rifle in off the bipods and proceeded to kill 2 coyotes off of said bipods easy enough.
I looked and noticed that the little clip has another setting that would allow the bipods to fit up nice and snug. "this feels better!' I said.
I then went to verify the zero and it was 1" higher than before off of the bipods. Which is cool so far. I realized though that the reticle seemed crooked and it was ALOT harder to cant the rifle so the reticle would be straight. 'I'll have to remeber this and cant it when shooting at coyotes.' I said.
I missed two easy shots in a week and a half trying to get the reticle straight on the bipods aiming at 'yotes.
I said bad words.
Today I got the rifle level and plumbed the crosshairs and the idea was going to be to put bipods on and shim them so all would be nice and plumb off the 'pods. I'm having a bugger of a time getting everything good again but have a friend with all the tools and knowledge to use them go over everything with me.

So to the point of this thread:

Are Harris bipods supposed to be 'snug' or a little loose to accomodate off camber positions in the field?
 
Knob on the front is probably too tight, I'm a little confused which model you have and what you're asking, but the bottom nut should be tight. I never tighten the front one.
edit: By bottom nut I mean the one that attaches to your sling point. A Harris will not let you "turn" the rifle to follow a running dog, at least not much. You say bipodS... please tell me you don't have two on one rifle...
 
The knob at the bottom that attaches the bipod to the sling stud should be tight and the adjustment for the swivel action at the front of the bipod can be left loose if desired. Can get a pod lock for this too so it can be adjusted during use;) No question is too crazy when it comes to proper use. If you have a picture of your set up it might help too:) If you have a standard non swivel model you may want to upgrade to allow for the offset swivel stud on your rifle...
 
Get the short one where the legs have notches and pop out/down when you push the button... you'll thank me later. BRM or SLM.... can't remember now.
 
Sounds to me like you are causing pressure/contact between the forestock and barrel from trying to twist the rifle. Are you sure the bipod is uneven, or do you have your scope mounted canted to one side? Most people can not mount a scope with the cross hairs square to their action, which is why I ask. BTW, the attachment needs to be tight to the stock.

I use the 1A2 models, and am used to making small adjustments to level it in the field, however, after a fiasco I experienced this season with it, I must admit that the S series (swivel) is likely more useful for hunting.
 
I've been using Harris bipods for hunting for years! Never leave home without one on my rifle ('cept, of course, my Marlin).

I do all my sight in and bench shooting with a bipod.

Always should be tight to the forearm!

Prior to owning my first one with a built in swivel, I've always had to adjust one leg or the other a tad and lock it with the set screw to get a rifle to sit level as judged by the crosshairs. (Obviously the scope should be mounted with crosshairs squarely aligned to the rifle itself, forget about bipods.)

When hunting, and I hit the ground prone to use the bipod, and there isn't time for messing around (probably including messing with a bipod in the first place...), I'll go with only one leg settled on solid ground if that's what's required to quickly level the rifle for the shot. The main thing for me is that the rifle is stable for shooting long range. Propped even on one leg will still accomplish this in a pinch.

I definitely will second the advise given above to get one with legs that pop out!

Also bear in mind that the swiveling bipod is somewhat heavier and bulkier, albeit not ridiculously so. For varmint shooting and the like, no big deal. For carrying on your shoulder for hunting, maybe yes.

Lastly, Harris still makes the best quality bipods, IMHO...as opposed to the "offshore" built knock offs.
 
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Just get the swivel version and avoid the hassle of fumbling with the knobs.

I like the 25 (not 25C) because it is the right height for prone unextended, and sitting extended.

I have been considering shooting sticks though, they seem much quicker to adjust and allow following a moving target without torquing the forestock. Not as stable as a bipod, but plenty stable for all but the longest shots.
 
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