Which bipod versa or harris?

E

elmerdeer

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I am looking to buy a bipod for mostly longrange hunting and some longrange target shooting, I have a mcmillan rem hunter edge stock with 1 sling stud in the front.
I want to be able to remouve the bipod easily as I might also be on a stand or in a blind, I also want to be able to set up fast and on some uneven ground. Which one and which model do you guys suggest?
Thx
Elmer
 
The VersaPod will be quicker to put on and take off. Also the way the VersaPod mounts they are FAR less likely to rip your front stud out of the fore end.
If you opt for the VersaPod make sure you get the newer version that has pan and tilt control screws, the early 1s were really sloppy.
The 7 to 9" is the most popular height we sell as it works well for prone shooting.
 
alberta tactical rifle said:
The VersaPod will be quicker to put on and take off. Also the way the VersaPod mounts they are FAR less likely to rip your front stud out of the fore end.
If you opt for the VersaPod make sure you get the newer version that has pan and tilt control screws, the early 1s were really sloppy.
The 7 to 9" is the most popular height we sell as it works well for prone shooting.
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I went through two sling studs with my versapod. I had to get a gunsmith to make me a custom reinforced stud so I could use the bipod.

It is easier to take off though thats for sure and is simpler to use in terms of its parts.

The one benefit of the harris though IMO is that the harris has a lot less front to back movement when deployed. My versapod, even when tightened properly was very wobbly front to back.

I went with a BT Industries Atlas Bipod and love it. Not much more than the pan/tilt versapod
 
ceriksson said:
I went through two sling studs with my versapod. I had to get a gunsmith to make me a custom reinforced stud so I could use the bipod.

It is easier to take off though thats for sure and is simpler to use in terms of its parts.

The one benefit of the harris though IMO is that the harris has a lot less front to back movement when deployed. My versapod, even when tightened properly was very wobbly front to back.

I went with a BT Industries Atlas Bipod and love it. Not much more than the pan/tilt versapod
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Will the Atlas bipod mount on a single stud like I have on my Mcmillan? They sure look solid, where did you get yours from?
Thx
Elmer
 
my 2 cents... Versapod for sure, quick detach bases let you swap rifles in seconds... can buy the bases separate... rock solid on 3 different guns I have used it on. Have owned harris in past, sold it.
 
elmerdeer said:
Will the Atlas bipod mount on a single stud like I have on my Mcmillan? They sure look solid, where did you get yours from?
Thx
Elmer
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They require a rail, which can be had from the same manufacturer. The rail is installed via the two forward sling studs on your stock. That is IF you have two sling studs forward, which many models now have.

Then it screws onto the rail similar to how a scope right attaches to a picatinny rail.

I got mine directly from BT industries. I called Kasey the owner. Amazing guy, we chatted for over an hour on the phone and I'll be getting another one for my next rifle hands down.

The ATLAS is by far one of the most easy to use and versatile bipods out there. it can be locked in 4 positions instead of just two or three. Fwd folder, back folded, straight down deployed, and also on a low angle, giving you much more range of heights.

They are easy to lengthen and replace and all are pan and tilt with a good range of motion.

I can't say enough good things about the bipod.

Accushot004.jpg
 
Not sure if I'd want a Chinese knock-off of another bipod, which is what the Versa-Pod essentially is.

I'd go with the Harris, or with the one Versa-Pod is trying to imitate (Parker-Hale). The Atlas seems interesting, although I haven't tried it first hand... How is the leg height set? Are there notches on that thing or what?
 
redman said:
Not sure if I'd want a Chinese knock-off of another bipod, which is what the Versa-Pod essentially is.(Parker-Hale).
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The VersaPod is an EXACT copy of the Parker Hale in their standard bipod and their improved version has pan and tilt friction controls, which is something that the Parkers have always needed.
I somehow doubt the steel used in the Parkers is any better than what is used in the VersaPods.
I KNOW that the warranty on the VersaPod is hands down the best in the industry. If it breaks or malfunctions, the warranty is simple," here is your new 1 we are sorry for the inconveinence"

Personally I have been using the VersaPods for years on my 50 cal rifles, including my 78lb bench gun, to date NO failures.
If it will take this.

DRT50.jpg

DRT502.jpg


I imagine they will take almost anything:D
 
We used to carry the older model Versa pods (aluminum only) and we we generally satisfied but had a few break on us in hard use. I also didn't like the sloppiness in the mount as I had a hard time holding steady on long shots. We haven't brought in any in the last several years so I can't comment on the newer ones. We have have sold over a thousand Harris bipods and have never had one returned for problems. Phil.
 
alberta tactical rifle said:
The VersaPod is an EXACT copy of the Parker Hale in their standard bipod and their improved version has pan and tilt friction controls, which is something that the Parkers have always needed.
I somehow doubt the steel used in the Parkers is any better than what is used in the VersaPods.
I KNOW that the warranty on the VersaPod is hands down the best in the industry. If it breaks or malfunctions, the warranty is simple," here is your new 1 we are sorry for the inconveinence"

Personally I have been using the VersaPods for years on my 50 cal rifles, including my 78lb bench gun, to date NO failures.
If it will take this.

DRT50.jpg

DRT502.jpg


I imagine they will take almost anything:D
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Perhaps so, but the Parker Hale's are deployed by armies worldwide considering that it's the standard offering with all AI AW rifles... People call them sloppy - I don't get why: you just lean into it when you find your aiming position and it doesn't move anymore. Plus you can get accessories to make it better (spigot friction lock, rubber feet).

I guess on a more subjective level, you seem to build rifles that are highly touted around here (never tried one firsthand), so it kind of seems misplaced to put a Chinese knockoff on what are, anectodally, some of the best rifles on these boards.
 
redman said:
Perhaps so, but the Parker Hale's are deployed by armies worldwide considering that it's the standard offering with all AI AW rifles... People call them sloppy - I don't get why: you just lean into it when you find your aiming position and it doesn't move anymore. Plus you can get accessories to make it better (spigot friction lock, rubber feet).

I guess on a more subjective level, you seem to build rifles that are highly touted around here (never tried one firsthand), so it kind of seems misplaced to put a Chinese knockoff on what are, anectodally, some of the best rifles on these boards.
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I take it you are "anti chinese product" oriented??
There are some areas where saving a few hundred $$ is not going to affect the use.
The difference in cost and the availablity of the VersaPod to me makes sense, if I can save a couple hundred $$ on a bipod and use that $$ for something that you can not cheap out on, why not. I have a couple of Parkers and they do EXACTLY the same job as a Versa will.

I DO build some of the most expensive bolt action rifles on the market, and will only endorse products that work and that I have found the manufacturer to stand behind.

The VersaPods are used by some U.S. military units, which is why they are an ITAR item.

I honestly do not care where something is made, it is all about the quality.
NF scopes for example and made in Japan, are they inferior to scopes made in North America or Britain??
I do not think so.
 
alberta tactical rifle said:
I take it you are "anti chinese product" oriented??
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I'll admit that, yes, but it's only lately, as I've been noticing just how more and more of the things I buy end up getting returned/replaced due to materials and/or workmanship. At the same time, more and more products are coming from the Pacific rim. This is obviously just personal observation, but the trend is there for me, so I try to stay away when possible or economically feasable...

alberta tactical rifle said:
There are some areas where saving a few hundred $$ is not going to affect the use.
The difference in cost and the availablity of the VersaPod to me makes sense, if I can save a couple hundred $$ on a bipod and use that $$ for something that you can not cheap out on, why not. I have a couple of Parkers and they do EXACTLY the same job as a Versa will.

I DO build some of the most expensive bolt action rifles on the market, and will only endorse products that work and that I have found the manufacturer to stand behind.
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Granted, you do, and the .50 BMG game is not cheap, which makes me wonder just how much of a difference a couple of hundred $$ will make.

alberta tactical rifle said:
I honestly do not care where something is made, it is all about the quality.
NF scopes for example and made in Japan, are they inferior to scopes made in North America or Britain??
I do not think so.
Click to expand...

My personal thoughts are that there's more of an incentive to create a fine product for a manufacturer coming from a place with a tradition of quality workmanship in a given area, i.e. Italian shotguns, Swiss watches, German optics, etc.

Boils down to what it's worth to the person buying, I guess...
 
Use whatever you can your hands onto the cheapest; either one will work. I've used harris's most for the simple reason that I can walk into WSS, TSE, or what have you and they'll probably have a harris in stock that I can buy and go. The Harris' have served me well.
 
I have used Harris pods for quite some time but I am going to switch to the Versa pod.

As far as I know, the Harris does not offer feet other than the round rubber pegs..... and these tend to sink into soft ground when you put it under a heavy rifle.
The Versa can be had with much more stable feet designed for that kind of terrain.
I think they call them "ski-feet". Maybe not completely fool-proof, but definitely an improvement.

150-020_2.jpg


Harris is fine when sitting on top of a bench, or on a solid surface, I suppose.

DSC02702.jpg
 
popcan said:
I have used Harris pods for quite some time but I am going to switch to the Versa pod.

As far as I know, the Harris does not offer feet other than the round rubber pegs..... and these tend to sink into soft ground when you put it under a heavy rifle.
The Versa can be had with much more stable feet designed for that kind of terrain.
I think they call them "ski-feet". Maybe not completely fool-proof, but definitely an improvement.

150-020_2.jpg


Harris is fine when sitting on top of a bench, or on a solid surface, I suppose.

DSC02702.jpg
Click to expand...


Hey is that not an M40eh?1:p
 
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