Need Advice On Bipods Vs Shooting Rest

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tibbettsistough

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Looking for advice on what type of bipod for a 700 VLS 26" target bbl. Is the swivel bipod as stable as sand bag rest such as Shooters Ridge, Hoppe's etc. I have a shooters ridge rifle rest and find most times after the shot you have to re-adjust for windage and or elevation.
Thanks
 
I have Harris bipods on most my rifles, and a Versa pod coming on a new one, Versa's seem to be a step up over the harris. Both swivel and I have had excellent accuracy with them on the range and field. A sand bag, or table top rest are just tools, accuracy comes down to the man behind the rifle. I personaly prefer a bipod, I shoot with others that prefer a "Girly rest", you know the one's you dial up, If you arent holding it your arent shooting it, but to each thier own.:p If you are going to use a bipod, dont go cheap.

Just an opinion
 
I can't tell much diffrence in accuracy between using the two methods. However, in the field or on the range (LR) a bi-pod is sure a lot easier to carry along when moving between different firing points. Besides, it'll work just as well. I just leave the bi-pod on my rifle now, even when working up loads on the bench :cool:
 
The tripod mechanical rests are excellent rests for repeatability and they allow the rifle to move freely during the recoil process.

Bipods offer an excellent portable means of support. The Harris Swivel has been around as long as the hills and is a very dependable unit. Shooters Ridge bipods (Chinese clones of the Harris) aren't the same quality level but they offer a very good and economical alternative. I suspect once they iron out the little bugs (which may have already been done) they will be really good.

On light recoiling rifles I have found the Harris type bipod to perform extremely well and the difference in accuracy between it and the tripod bench mount style was basically zero. However, for real accuracy work I would go back to a mechanical rest which stays put on the bench.

All typical rests require that the rifle be repositioned to fire a second shot etc....

A locking lever kit (### Int - available at Russells, P&D Enter... etc.) helps you adjust the ease of swivel on the Harris or Shooters Ridge bipods. They normally come equipped with a knurled knob which doesn't allow for tighter clamping to stiffen up swivel movement. This becomes more of a concern when using heavier guns (heavy barrel units) typically equipped with larger, higher powered scopes which raises the center of mass and promotes tipping.

The Harris and Shooters are designed to be portable units as mentioned earlier and work well in hunting / varminting applications.

Off the bench, using a rear bag for the toe of the stock is also a good idea.....
 
For ultimate accuracy, tripod/pedestal front rest, properly fitting bag, proper rear bags, stock that fits the above. Bench rest set ups look a certain way for a big reason - controlling recoil and repeatability. Stock shape plays a very important role in this too.

If just looking for varmint/plinking accuracy, just about any will work. A bipod is a great field rest but will bounce and wiggle on a concrete bench. I used to use a swivel Harris for my field rest but found a Uncle Buds bag rest to work much better, heavy but better.

For field shooting, I usually use my backpack as it affords a larger rest. So overall, I use my bipods very little. I always have a backpack so carrying the extra weight of the bipod on my rifle is a waste.

I know a few shooters that have figured how to use a bipod very very well and I am always impressed with their accuracy. you will just have to learn how to hold and shoot with it.

Jerry
 
tibbettsistough said:
Looking for advice on what type of bipod for a 700 VLS 26" target bbl. Is the swivel bipod as stable as sand bag rest such as Shooters Ridge, Hoppe's etc. I have a shooters ridge rifle rest and find most times after the shot you have to re-adjust for windage and or elevation.
Thanks
Click to expand...

If you are on a shooting line competing against me, I'd rather see you with a bipod than a tripod.:D

NormB
 
For reliable repeatability it is hard to beat a bunny ear sandbag strapped onto a tripod type stand, with use of a rear support bag. The rifle should "ride" the bags straight back, and for some rifles there is very little human contact with the rifle, allowing it to do what it wants to each shot, there is no stock pulling or pressure exerted on the stock if used correctly. Bipods are fantastic field accessories, but of limited value on the bench as they tend to chatter backwards on recoil if the rifle is of heavy caliber or worse bend/break.
I no longer carry the Harris bipods, they are ok basic gear, but have now switched over to the Versapod line. These are copies of the famed Parker Hale bipods that many military and police units use, but at a far less cost. They run about the same money as the Harris, but are far more rugged and user friendly. The other nice thing that the Versapod has is instant on/off mounting. I carry mine in a loop on my belt while hunting, that way I do not alter the balance and swing of my rifle, in the event of something close popping up, but if it is a shot at distance, takes under 2 seconds to install and be useful. It is quieter that way as well
 
i like my versapod over the harris.i have had my fingers caught in the harris and it just adds to my dislike.as far as stable rests in the field or at the range,i find shooting of a pack way more suitable and hence my bipods are sitting in a box
 
alberta tactical rifle said:
For reliable repeatability it is hard to beat a bunny ear sandbag strapped onto a tripod type stand, with use of a rear support bag. The rifle should "ride" the bags straight back, and for some rifles there is very little human contact with the rifle, allowing it to do what it wants to each shot, there is no stock pulling or pressure exerted on the stock if used correctly.
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BUNNY EARS!! TRIPODS!! REAR SUPPORT BAG!! VERY LITTLE HUMAN CONTACT!!, All your missing is the string to pull the trigger for ya!! RICK I THINK SOMEONE HACKED INTO YOUR COMPUTER AND POSTED UNDER YOUR NAME!!!!:eek: :p :p :p :p :D :D :D, For reliable repeatability practice good marksmanship skills.

IF YOUR NOT HOLDING IT YOUR NOT SHOOTING IT, To me it's the same as masterbation, results might be nice, but did you realy take pride in the way you achieved them?



Just an opinion to stir the ####:D :D :D :D :p :p :p
 
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Rick, didn't versapod have a history of premature failures. I seem to recall them breaking. The boys at Milarm mentioned this and I don't know if Versapod remedied the situation or not. Based on your experience it sounds like they have. Your the first person to talk about bent legs or damaged harris bipods.....I guess the guys I know are easier on their equipment.

I have seen guys who have experienced problems with the Shooters Bipods but I imagine like with most Chinese products they will iron out the small issues with time. Where are the Versapods made?
 
I agree with long range Canuck. I have said all this before, but I will continue to use a bipod no matter what people come up with for rests. F-class is turning into ###-class and that's fine. Each person can choose what they'll be.
 
Hey Richard!

How is Manitoba :)

Enjoy your vacation, if you do some shooting send me the vids.
Pics of your new project too :)

ps; should be called Richard .50 by now...
 
Joe Versapods are made in CHINA says so on the box.
To date I have sold over 1000 this year alone, including the 13 that were on the 50 cal rifles I have built this year. NOT 1 failure to date. I use 3 different length versions on my own 50, that weighs 61 lbs. If a 61 lb 50 bmg won't break 1 I don't know what will. And even if I did break 1 so what, the Versapod warranty is unconditional lifetime. I tried a Harris on my McMillan 50 when I had it and the bipod folded up after the 2nd shot. Harris would do nothing , hence my not doing business with them now.

LRC I agree that for the most part that having a rifle on tripod supported bags does not really show what the shooter is capable of, but certainly is helpful when trying to find the greatest accuracy load and to get a scope dialed in precisely, so to work up the rifle with the least amount of human error removed makes sense to me. Then let the shooter impress me.
 
Well that sure is a conflicting report from what I have heard. I'll have to look into this further. Since the versapod report I heard was so poor and Harris bipods had always worked well, I just ignored dealing with product, but I can see I'll have to get a first hand glimpse of one!

Rick, are they as compact and light as the harris?

I'd say the Harris bipods are designed for lighter rifles, probably in the maximum neighbourhood of 15lbs. and I wouldn't think they were designed with the .50 cal in mind. If thats the case, it sure would be nice to see some weight/caliber restrictions on the bag!!

What great story and reason did Harris give you? This should be interesting...
 
Rick I see they are available in different materials. Is your experience with the steel version or their light version. I believe the problems I heard with with respect to the light version and the issues were castings breaking.

One aspect, I don't like about the standard Versapod mounting style is the cantilever off the swivel stud. Not really sure if that would be an issue or not, but it adds a variable that the Harris doesn't have.

I haven't had or seen a Harris fail yet.... but then the rifles in my circles don't usually exceed the .338 cal or 16lb range.
 
F-class is turning into ###-class and that's fine.
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F-class was always about shooting round circles at long ranges within a prescribed time, much like TR and benchrest. Practical, precision, sniper, hunting is about shooting known/unknown distances, still/moving targets, and snap targets quite often without a prescribed time. These disciplines are vastly different, and so they should be.

F-class like other shooting disciplines has become highly refined. The ability to place a bullet into a 12 inch circle (probably soon a 6 inch circle) consistently requires finite skills that are not easily obtained without considerable practise and coaching. Using the best equipment makes sense.

Using the best equipment for a bipod style of shooting is also recommended.

So I'm asking...would you keep the intolerant remarks to yourself, afterall aren't we all just having fun shooting?

Terry Perkins
 
I'm about to invest in a couple of bipods and my only experience (all good) has been with Harris. I would appreciate some facts and opinions on the Versa Pod:confused:
 
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