Bipod opinions needed

[OHW]

Looking for advice on bipods. It will be mounted to a freefloat guard with picatinny rail.

Questions for those with experience are;

If you find them useful in the field as on the bench?
What height is most comfortable to engage targets from 4" to 4' high?
Are most of you shots on game from other positions? Like tree support or kneeling.
Are shooting sticks a better investment?
Cheap ones that are good enough? UTG NCstar?
Is pivot lock in left/right axis a must have option?
What do you have?

 

[RubenX]

Never used one but the few actual hunters I've talked to said that for the field is a PIA. On the bench tho, I've been using sandbags but I've seen *many* bipods. Seems practical to keep the rifle steady with the muscle pointed in a safe direction while reloading on during cease fire... but mostly I want one because it looks badass.

No idea how you get that installed tho. Are you supposed to unscrew the sling mount and screw the bipod there? Or do you have to remove the barrel, drill some holes, etc?

 

[UtopiaTexasG19]

I am the type that likes to save up and get the best on the market rather than spending money on less than adequate options. In the long run it's actually cheaper than buying multiple units of the same type and ending up spending as much or more than if you bought something of quality in the first place. I have my AR set up for close use and far off shooting by using the LaRue tactical quick release levers on both my Harris Bipod and 3x9 scope. I can take the scope and Bi-pod off in mere seconds and then use the flip up iron sights if necessary and re-mounting the Bi-pod and scope takes less than a minute. On the Harrid Bi-pod I bought the unit that tilts to the right and left in case the ground is not level and also the legs that are spring loaded and actually click in place as they are extended in increments. At my age and eye sight the bi-pod has improved my shooting tremendously and I should have bought one a long time ago!

 

[Poodleshooter]

Looking for advice on bipods. It will be mounted to a freefloat guard with picatinny rail.

Questions for those with experience are;

If you find them useful in the field as on the bench?

I use them on the field, and from the range firing line floor, but not from the bench. On the bench I use bags.

What height is most comfortable to engage targets from 4" to 4' high?

I use one 6-9" for prone, and one 11-25" for sitting. The sitting one gets more use in high grass. The prone is good in a cut down field.

Are most of you shots on game from other positions? Like tree support or kneeling.

Yes. For big game, it's either tree branch, tree stand or plain quick offhand with no sling.

Are shooting sticks a better investment?

I've never been able to get used to shooting sticks. I like having my offhand for controlling the rifle butt in my shoulder, especially prone with a rear bag.

Cheap ones that are good enough? UTG NCstar?

I have a Midway/Caldwell model that I use for my .22. It's inadequate for a heavier centerfire rifle IMHO. I wouldn't want to use UTG, NCSstar or other airsoft type brands.

Is pivot lock in left/right axis a must have option?

It's handy, but not a must have. With a Harris type pod you can adjust the legs manually to level the rifle. It's just a PITA to do so,and the swivel eliminates the problem, making it a one handed, quick operation to level the rifle.

What do you have?

Harris and Caldwell

 

[madcratebuilder]

Bipod opinions needed
Looking for advice on bipods. It will be mounted to a freefloat guard with picatinny rail.

Questions for those with experience are;

If you find them useful in the field as on the bench?
What height is most comfortable to engage targets from 4" to 4' high?
Are most of you shots on game from other positions? Like tree support or kneeling.
Are shooting sticks a better investment?
Cheap ones that are good enough? UTG NCstar?
Is pivot lock in left/right axis a must have option?
What do you have?

You can use a sock filled with rice, a sand bag or a rolled up foam pad as a rest and be more economical. Not all of use are economical though.

From the bench I like the Harris S-BRM 6-9". This is the model that swivels, I add a pod-loc. You can DIY the pod-loc very cheaply.
You well need these parts from McMaster-Carr

Die Cast Zinc Teardrop Adjustable Handle #64835K32 - $6.00
Black-Finish Aluminum Unthreaded Round Spacer #93013A220 - $1.04

Beats the $20+ for a commercial one.

The 6-9" works for me when shooting prone. I use a QD (ADM) on the bipod and it moves from rifle to rifle as long as it has a rail to attach to.

Attached to a M1A

If you want to spend the money the Atlas is the king of bipods. GG&G makes a nice bipod plus a few others.

AR10 with Atlas bi pod and mono pod.

IMHO a swivel feature is important, especially when shooting prone from uneven ground.

When I still hunted I did use shooting sticks on occasions when I knew I was going to be shooting at longer ranges.

A bi pod does add weight and I would not use one if hunting and walking a lot, more for a stationary hunt.

You also have the military style bipods, these tend to be a barrel clamp style that may have an effect on accuracy.

 

[ak2323]

I have the couple and they're good for range work but in the field I prefer a sling and if I can find a tree or a rock to augment it, that's great. Slings seem to be very old fashioned these days but they work.

Bipods add a lot of awkward weight to a rifle unless you're going to sit yourself down and get situated. IMHO.

 

[ndking1126]

Depends on where you hunt. The first time I went hunting out here in CO I didn't have one, but my hunting partner did. He put down a nice antelope buck on his first shot at about 375 yards using his bipod. We were hunting some kind of a plowed up area that was flat. I, not having one, missed on my first shot. Not proud of that, but having a bipod would have been a huge help. I told him I wouldn't be hunting again until I got one.

Now I've got a standard Harris 9-13" (no swiveling) that I've found to be very versatile and extremely sturdy. I think they are worth every penny. I would get this size unless you specifically know of a situation that will call for the shorter or taller sticks.

I guess I had to get those jitters out of the way.. I had spent my time at the range shooting the longer distances, but that was my first shot at an animal that was more than about 100 yards. The antelope I saw later in the day wasn't so lucky She was about 330 yards away, I was shooting prone unsupported.