Bi-pod vs shooting stix

M

MJM

New member
Old hunter new to coyote hunting looking to set up my 12 yo son to coyote hunt with me. He will be carrying a Stevens 200 .223 (Christmas present, can you say excited?)hunting mostly wooded hillsides and setting up in a sitting position. We have done a lot of bench shooting, and although he can handle the rifle off-hand, he could use the extra support in the field. What do you guys think would be the better choice for him for this set up, bi-pod or sticks? My biggest concern about bi-pods is the added weight to the rifle. Any opinions are appreciated.

Thanks

Mark
 
MJM, i was a bipod guy for a long time, then decided to try a set of shooting sticks. i was really impressed. very stable, can move in more directions without picking up the rifle and setting it back down. the bipod always stays on my gun for the one reason, i like to lay prone alot when hunting. the shooting sticks are so light i bring them to every stand. very versatile. just my thoughts, rob
 
Ive got 3 sets of harris bipods. they sit in my closet since I built some shootin sticks. I even made a small set of prone stick that go on my fanny pack if I need them. Save your money and get or make some sticks.
 
Stoney Point Rapid Pivot Bipod.

All the advantages of shooting sticks without the disadvantages. Pop off the rifle walking to and from the stand. Can lift and swing the rifle without the sticks falling on the ground or having to two-hand them. Still have the flexibility to adjust elevation and they pivot like sticks. It probably won't be an issue for a 12 yr old but the Harris bipods were too low for me when setting up on a hillside.

Hope you and your son have as much fun as my sons and I've had calling together. Knock 'em dead!
 
I have used both shooting sticks and bipod and I would far rather have the bipod. The shooting sticks are just one more thing you have to carry around. You will take and give some things with both but the bipod has more benefits than the the sticks in my opinion.
 
the stoney point rapid pivot would be my suggestion so he wont have to worry about holding on to the stix.
they are adjustable from 25"-45". i like mine just got to get used to them not being as solid as a bipod.

very easy on/off the gun though.
 
I like the bipod I shoot as it's light and clips on when needed and goes from sitting to nearly standing hight which works well if you shoot leaning up against a tree or brush or from a folding chair.

I used shooting sticks for years before I ran into this bipod then the company went out business, durn.

This has a nylon clip that just clips to a nylon ball that's fastened to the rifle's sling swivel. You can pick it up to move it or just twist it some and it comes unclipped.

This is the kind of accuracy you should expect off of shooting sticks or a bipod.

targetstoday-20.jpg


Here's what I'm using now, but when it dies I'm going back to shooting sticks unless I can find something simular.

bipod.jpg


If you use a bipod that attaches to the forarm sling swivel and stay there I would suggest you glassbed in a small piece of steel where the swivel goes on to take the stress of the weight. Pretty easy to tear out a small swivel bolt, I've repaired a bunch of them.
 
I have used bi-pods and sticks. I have went from the stoney point monopod, all the way up to the stony tripod.

Here is what I use.
http://www.stoneypoint.com/products/tp_convertapod_explorer_tripod.html

I will never need another stick. These things are the best sticks made in my book. I no longer have to support the stick with my hands to keep motion down. I simply raise the gun on the pod and pull the trigger.

They are completely adjustable from sitting on the ground, to stool, to standing. I never have a need to go prone, and if I did, I would use my fanny pack anyway for a rest. So all bases are covered.


The last coyote I turn the lights out on was 150 yds out when I pulled the trigger. I literally was changing to a pup distress button on my Foxpro with my left hand when I pulled the trigger. Never had to worry about keeping the pod steady for the shot. That is how solid and dependable they have been for me.

Here is the result. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff261/lenordv/Coyote12-27-07002.jpg

In fact, I use the tripod more often for sighting in and general shooting than I do with my bench. I feel much more comfortable doing that as well.
 
I use a simple stick made from a 4' piece of windmill sucker rod. I just put my hand on the side of the stick and use that for a rest- helps a bunch to angle the stick a little bit. It's not as totally steady as sticks or a bipod, but it's not bad and most of my shots are < 100 yards anyway.

The biggest problem I have with sticks or bipods is when the target appears sharply downhill/uphill, or behind me. Preset sticks are invariably too high or too low, or I have a bunch of stuff to try to swing around and it'll catch on a yucca or clatter on the rocks or whatever. With a single stick, it's easy to slide my hand down to exactly where I want it, lean forward, lean back, pivot, or whatever I need to do. If I forget or lose my stick, no problem- I can break a branch off and use that if I have to. Walking between stands, I can use the stout sucker rod as a walking stick.

And the cost- free- is good.
 
I used a bipod and switched to sticks. I found the sticks to be a lot easier to use, and quicker to make adjustments. I also have a prone bipod attached, but use it more for just setting my rifle down if I need to and not have to worry about where I put it, this comes in handy if I need to grab something from the truck of if hunting alone need to cross a fence, or when I set the caller out. i bought predator snyper styx and have been very happy with them, worth the money imo.
 
I prefer sticks when gopher hunting and my knee/elbow in the sitting position when coyote hunting. For me, sticks/bipods are not fast enough to move. [image]
Gopherhunt020.jpg
[/image]
 
My dad and I have always been bipod guys. Well after reading how many of you love them on here, he made some of his own. When we went calling the last two times, I actually used a combination. If the terrain was relatively flat, I would use the bipod. If you get a good Harris swivel bipod that is tall enough, it works on just about anything flat or slightly down hill. The other added bonus is if you are in open country, you are better off going prone, which the bipod still does and the shooting sticks won't. Nothing beats a proned out bipod for accuracy (other than a bench I suppose).

However, I used the shooting sticks at a call on a steep hill side and I liked them. What I liked about the sticks is it gave me more range of motion without having to move the sticks. I am a bit concerned if I have to move the sticks, it could get tricky, especially if I am trying to be descreet and hurry with a coyote standing out there at 100 yards looking my way. However, with time and practice this probably won't matter much as heck I low crawled and walked bent over up a mountain the other day to get a shot on a coyote watching us and he didn't seem to freak out.

I wouldn't worry about the weight as a factor for the bipod. It is going to be extremely rare for him to take standing shots with a bipod. The whole point is you get on your butt or you go prone to use it and have a much better chance of a hit.
 
I have both, but favor the shooting sticks when coyote hunting. Use the bipod mostly when shooting prairie dogs. Make a pair of shooting sticks from discarded x country ski poles, elastic band & some camo tape. Cost less that $6. I use the shooting sticks as a walking stick when heading to/from a stand.
 

My experience with bipods cost me at least two coyotes.

The FX3 and JIB were on the crest of a barren hill, calling into a large canyon below. The bipods were supporting the rifle well for the area I was calling to.
Out of the left side of me and behind me, came 4 yotes ready to snatch the JIB. I was prone and tried to swing around and get on the closest one at 15 yds. They were below me and moving fast, when they saw me. Try as I could, I could not get the rifle down far enough to get on one. I reached up and splapped one side down and then the rifle was so off balance I couldn't get a shot off. In the 5-10 seconds that I had, they were moving at full gallop right out of range. I don't need that.
You seem to remember the ones that got away, and it was 6" of crusty snow and cold that day.
Now I use a mono pod with the same rig that ELKDOG uses. Ski poles with a leather slider that I can make go up and down the poles for any hight with out slowly moving down with gravity on the rifle. The Mono pod bungies to the poles and doesen't weigh much, and the poles are great for helping me walk, and getting up after a long stand. Also I have two options of x sticks or mono pod and a walking stick.

Pack
 
Thanks to all for the great info...haven't made up my mind yet but It gives me enough info for us to try different set ups.

Crows...have property in Schoharie Co., Never hunted coyotes there but cant wait to give it a shot.

Thanks again all

Mark
 
to a point having the extra weight up front may help his stability a bit. i usually find that i hold more steady with my model 700 vls when i have my bipod attached. and i really prefer my bipod.
 
I prefer sticks. Easier to get them on a target that comes from an unexpected direction, and if they're getting in your way you can always just let them drop and shoot from whatever position is necessary without worrying about snagging your bipod on anything while changing positions.

I made my own out of some bamboo I found growing on a creek on my hunting lease down south. No idea how it got there or why, but it's light and strong. Tied the two sticks together with some bike innertube and wrapped more innertube around the tops to grip and protect the rifle.
 
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