Shooting Sticks, Monopod, Bipods?

[drifter]

Greetings: I have had a bipod on my hunting rifle for the past two years and must say that I am not pleased with it. The only time it really works is when you are in a prone shooting position.

I have been researching Shooting Sticks (two attached foldable sticks for sitting or standing positions) or a Monopod (one stick - like a walking stick that collapses). I watched an Eastman's Hunting Video show a bull elk taken at over 300 yards using the Sticks.

I would be interested to hear if anyone IFISH Hunters are using these, what brand and what you think.

Thanks, in advance and good hunting. Drifter.

[chummer]

I have collapsible shooting sticks that I made from the shockcorded fiberglass tentpoles. I drilled a small hole about 3" from one end of each pole and then wired them together. when not in use they are collapsed and velcro strapped the barrel of my rifle. I can use them standing or kneeling by spreading the sticks out farther. Total cost was $10. Maybe cheaper if you find a used dome tent at a yard sale.

[Rusty]

I made my own and it works OK, but I just purchased a Stony Point bi-pod from Fisherman's and I love it! Adjustable from sitting to kneeling position, rubber feet for stability, and it folds up to about 13". Cost about $35.00.

My $.02.

Rusty

[ 01-29-2004, 06:29 PM: Message edited by: Rusty ]

[Freighter Bait]

I've got a polecat walking/shooting stick. I'm getting old and shaky so I love it. Also works great for resting my 10x binoculars for extended spotting sessions.

[salmurai]

I carry "shooting sticks", the ones made from aluminum and they're shock-corded. Work great during practice but I've never used them in an actual hunting situation. I just sit down or use something handy for a rest. I figure if I get into a situation where there isn't anything to use for a rest, I've got the "sticks".

[ScottD]

I used my brother's Stoney Point bi-pod a couple of times to kill deer. The area we were hunting had high grass (about 4' high) so sitting or shooting prone would have been difficult. The Stoney Point bi-pod extends so that I could shoot while standing; it was real steady and I was able to take a mule deer in the neck while resting on it.

[billc_sbio]

The BEST bipod I've ever used is one made by a fellow here in Oregon!

I'm not sure if they're still available or not.

I have and use the nice Harris "swivel" model ones on my varmint rifles, but this other one is MUCH better for hunting rifles!

When available the guy will sell just the bipod head, it's made out of very sturdy moulded plastic.

It has a concave arc as its base and you glue a strip of Velcro onto that, then a "pad" of the opposite type Velcro onto the forend of your rifle stock.

You can make your own bipod legs out of PVC pipe with the endcaps glued on the ends for feet.

The whole thing is carried in a little quiver (mine has 2 sets of legs in the quiver, prone and sitting length). It doesn't fold up or anything, but takes just seconds to put together then can be "stuck" onto your rifle and it won't fall off! It works well on uneven ground as it's self-levelling (which is the MAIN "problem" with most commercial ones).

I've used this for taking varmints, Coyotes, numerous Deer and a couple of Antelope over in Central and S.E. Oregon. It's really light and weatherproof...one of the best shooting buys I've ever made!

I'll call over and see if they're still available...if they are, I'll post it on here. I've got several friends who want to get one also!

[ 01-30-2004, 04:19 PM: Message edited by: billc_sbio ]

[Old Coot]

When my dad was in his 70's he decided that he needed some extra support for his .243, so he made a set of shooting sticks out of 2 1X1 garden stakes and 6 inches of twine. Total cost was about 25 cents. He used them to whack another half-dozen muleys before he died. Man, could he shoot!

[Fishbone]

Harris makes a bipod with 13 1/2" - 27" legs. Works from many shooting positions.

[Ras]

My ol' man has a SnipePod, at it seems like a pretty sweet deal! Very light weight, and as versatile as any other pod on the market from what I have seen.

Ras

[Artwo]

Where we hunt both deer and elk the chances for some long shootin is very high. I wanted a bipod that I could use while shooting in a sitting position and this one has legs long enough to do that. The other thing I like is that I can take the legs off and carry them in your pack when walking around. It's called a Versa-pod and I bought mine at Sportsman's. Go to versa-pod.com to check them out, I really like mine.

[ 02-04-2004, 04:58 PM: Message edited by: Artwo ]

[ajfishfinder]

Look up Delbert (Del) Piper in Lexington, oregon. Over by Heppner for those who don't know it. He makes and sells the PVC rests talked about above. He also makes a pretty nice shooting bench. One other real good sorce is Varmint Hunters Magazine. You won't find it on the shelf cause they don't like to add fuel to the "bunny huggers" fire. You have to be a member to get the quarterly magazine. I think it is $36 or $38 a year. Well worth it if you like looking and reading about killing critters!!!

[drifter]

Does anyone use a Monopod or walking stick as a rest? It seems to make sense - but how do you carry your rifle and use the stick also? Drifter.

[chummer]

cabela's sells a walking stick that has a small notch on the top that is designed as a monopod.

[northriver1]

Used the guide's shooting sticks this year on my antelope. I will not go out in the desert again without my own. Certaintly helped me.

[ 02-11-2004, 09:21 PM: Message edited by: northriver1 ]

[Irish Pennant]

I resurrected this thread because I'd like to hear some more. I was thinking about putting a bipod on a Rem 700 30-06 but after reading some of these post I'm having second thoughts.

[baltz526]

i have killed dozens of critters off shooting sticks. i am now using a monopod i really like both

[ehunter]

We went to the monopod this year for my son and I must admit I really like it. It works ok not as steady as 2 sticks I am assuming but gosh I like have a trecking pole. Now if I can find some man servent to carry my gun so I can carry pole all the time I am in like flint..

[Hawk]

I just bought, but haven't yet tried, the Polecat Rapid Pivot Bipod System from Stoney Point. It is a bipod with a quick detach commection. I went that route so I can pick the gun up to swivel, and the bipod is attached to the foregrip, so it moves too. With regular shooting sticks you have to pick up the gun and sticks separately, or use your hand to hold them together. Plus, the Stoney Point system can quickly be detached from the foregrip when you don't need the sticks on your gun. It was like $50 at SW.

[BW]

I have a Stoney Point bipod. Makes a good walking stick also. Don't leave home without it.

[drifter]

Irish - interesting to see a thread I started 2 years ago. I have tried them all and now use a stoney point bipod, with the additional monopod and attachment, to make them a tripod.

The monopod alone was a great walking stick, but the rest (for me) was not much better than shooting offhand. If you are hunting in timber, don't bother - unless you want it primarily as a walking stick.

The stoney point bipod (not attached to the rifle - just two sticks) gives a little more stability. However, I tested it at 100 and 200 yards and still found it lacking stability, when compared to a true bipod (mounted on the rifle) or prone position.

Upon adding the third stick to make a tripod (stoney point sells the attachment) the stability increased dramatically. I can shoot easily at 300 yards, from a sitting (or if necessary a kneeling position) with the tripod. You can also use it standing (but I personally would not go beyond 200 yards.)

The tripod is still light and can fit on the side of my hunting pack. I can also use it as a walking stick if needed. It is not for quick shots. It is for open ground, with few available rests. With practice, I can get my pack off, set up the tripod and make a decent shot in 30 seconds, if necessary.

So, for me, comes down to where I am hunting, availability of natural rests, distance to shoot, etc. In open country like eastern oregon, I carry the tripod.

Good hunting. Drifter

[Cornbread]

Has anyone tried the taller Harris BiPods? Like the 13" - 26" ones that are meant to be shot from sitting or kneeling? If you have what did you think of them?

[Irish Pennant]

Originally Posted by drifter

Irish - interesting to see a thread I started 2 years ago.

I did a search first and like many things the more I read the less certain I was. So instead of asking a question that had already been axt I be ax'n again with your thread. Thanks for the update.

[Rank Amateur]

I use a Stoney point bipod for dog hunting, I think it provides very good stability as to compared to natural rests. I shot a sub 1 1/2 inch group the other day with them with the new AR at 200 yards.

I like having the unattached bipod because if you do need to swing off of them for a shot, they will not foul you up. Mine are for sitting only.

[Antlershed]

Originally Posted by Cornbread

Has anyone tried the taller Harris BiPods? Like the 13" - 26" ones that are meant to be shot from sitting or kneeling? If you have what did you think of them?

I have the one that goes up to either 25 or 26". I bought it after this years deer season, so I have only been able to use it for target shooting. I previously had the short one, but being able to take a laying down shot isn't very likely. With this one, I can sit flat, which also makes it a lot more steady. With the legs being that long and skinny, they flex a little, but I am still accurate with it. Hopefully I can put it to the true test next season.