Hunting Bi Pods?

[Joe Hulburt]

I just purchased a new rifle that I am in the process of getting set up. The question of adding a bi pod keeps coming to mind. I've never hunted with a rifle with one but then again I have not rifle hunted all that much as I have focused more on archery the last 25 years. Most of my rifle kills have been with my 30-30 and it's not at all happy about the recent purchase but I am getting off course.

My goal is to be able to shoot well at 400 yards in the field and to be able to shoot well enough off a bench to build my confidence.

The question I have for those of you who prefer to hunt with a bi pod on your rifle is what length do you prefer? I am looking at one that is 11" to 25" and one that is 13" to 23" primarily and I'm right at 6' for what that is worth. As I mentioned I have never shot a rifle with a bi pod so I might me off course already? Any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[WapitiBob]

I practice at 400 and have been using std oblong bags for front and rear for the last year. I just put a 6-9 bipod on front and used a V style back bag.

Night and day.

 

[Bulldog0156]

Will most of your shooting be done in a prone position or sitting? I prefer a short bipod for prone shots.

 

[pointingdogsrule]

I have a Harris that goes to "25. I like the bipod. Very nice for my 6'2" frame when shooting on flat ground. Problem... when shooting off of a slight slope the bipod is not high enough. They do have a 27" bipod. Wish I would have gone with the 27" for shooting off of a slope.

good luck to all
the dog

 

[1_pointer]

For me, there are a few times I'll pack a bi-bod, but for the most part I feel that collapsible shooting sticks and a pack are much more useful. I use the sticks for sitting/kneeling and my pack for prone. Hard to get a bipod that can do both sitting and prone. IME, sticks are easier/faster to set up when shooting across a slope.

 

[fez]

I tend to agree with 1Pointer.

Shooting sticks are a lot lighter to carry and offer a little more versatility I think.

I picked up a share of these sticks this past summer and have practiced with them quite a bit. They are helpful with the uphill/downhill shots that most of us encounter in the west. I have not been able to test them out on an animal but my brother was able to get his elk using the sticks. Without the sticks he would have never been able to get a shot off. The angle of the shot with the topography of the terrain almost made it impossible to get a shot off prone.

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[sbhooper]

I have a Harris bi-pod and it works well, BUT I prefer the Bog Pod to the rifle-attached Harris. An attached bi-pod makes a rifle front heavy and awkward. A bi-pod does not have the stability that the Bog Pod has with its three legs. I would much rather carry the tri-pod in my pack, than to have it weighing down my rifle. The Bog Pod legs can be spread all the way out and used completely prone.

Either option will work fine for you. You just have to decide which approach you want to take.

 

[RUT JUNKEY]

For me, there are a few times I'll pack a bi-bod, but for the most part I feel that collapsible shooting sticks and a pack are much more useful. I use the sticks for sitting/kneeling and my pack for prone. Hard to get a bipod that can do both sitting and prone. IME, sticks are easier/faster to set up when shooting across a slope.

I agree. I tend to use the trigger stick more than a bi pod, both have their up and down sides. . .depends on what you are hunting and where you are hunting.

 

[MinnesotaHunter]

I think alot of this will come down to personal preference, and you are probably going to have some trial and error. Here is what I use.

I have a Harris 9"-13" for prone shooting. I have used this bipod for years in the military and hunting. A couple of years ago I bought a Harris that extends to 27", so I could use it while sitting. I found that this was too high for me, so I got rid of it and got the 25" model, and that was perfect. I feel confortable shooting out to about 300yds from a sitting position. My outer limit hunting range is about 350-450 depending on the conditions. If I have the time I will always try and shoot from the prone off my bipod and resting the butt of the rifle off of my pack.

I personally have found no use for shooting sticks, as I ussually have a spotter/tripod with me. I do like the tripod over a bipod, and if I have enough time, I set up my spotter tripod and use that for a rest, it works better than the bipod, but is slower to set up. I found a shooting rest that would accept the threads for a optics tripod and bought an extra QR plate to attach it to my tripod.

I would always want to have the option of going to my bipod, but I also don't use it exclusively.

I may have just been rambling, but I hope this helps.

 

[MKotur325]

My hunting rifles generally wear a 9-13" Harris. I have shot with the 25" Harris. They are not long enough for me. I prefer a 6-9" for benchwork, but have just seen too many instances where I hunt that 9" just isn't quite tall enough

IMO Bipods are for Prone and Prone Only. Sticks or tripods for sitting or higher positions. Get something STURDY! the more sturdy the sticks the better the support they will provide. From someone who used to work retail at an outdoors store... Don't be afraid to demo them in the store!

 

[ShootsManyBullets]

I have a harris for a couple rifles and also have the Snipe Pod sticks. Snipe pod is probably more versatile and lighter weight. I've used the bog pod in the past and thought it was ok but prefer the shooting sticks which are very versatile or the harris which are useful.

 

[TheShootist.41]

I have a Primos trigger stick bi-pod. Foundit to work very well for me. It also comes in a single stick and a tri-pod. When I purchased mine the packaging was such that you could easily try them in the store.

 

[RUT JUNKEY]

If you don't mind carrying something in. . . .it works awesome. . . .It was bought for my daughter to use for turkey hunting. . . .

 

[sagebrush]

No bipod for me. I shoot over my backpack or my spotting scope tripod if the cover is so tall I must stand to shoot. I always have my backpack and tripod with me while hunting. Two piece rest off the bench. No need to carry extra gear while hunting.

 

[bjtc_brian]

If you don't mind carrying something in. . . .it works awesome. . . .It was bought for my daughter to use for turkey hunting. . . .

Do you rest your barrel like that when shooting?

 

[RUT JUNKEY]

Do you rest your barrel like that when shooting?

no. That piece slides and adjusts. Do you think im a rook? LOL.

 

[LCH]

I have a Primos trigger stick bi-pod. Foundit to work very well for me. It also comes in a single stick and a tri-pod. When I purchased mine the packaging was such that you could easily try them in the store.

+1 on the triggerstick. I prefer the tripod, pulls double duty with a spotting scope.

 

[Joe Hulburt]

Will most of your shooting be done in a prone position or sitting? I prefer a short bipod for prone shots.

I wasn't really sure at first but after much thought I decided I want one that will work on a bench and for prone shots as that is my go to position for big game hunting. I am going to give the 9" to 13" Harris a try and see how I like it.

It I decide I want more elevation I might look into the sticks.

Thanks for the input!

 

[dan.kirkpatrick]

I use the bog pod tri pod as i use the adapter for my spotting scope,,,even with a good tripod 400yrds is a long poke.