Debating whether to get a bipod for prone or sitting. What do you shoot?

wahoowad

wahoowad

Member
I'm checking out the bipods and adapter mounts available for my AR. Looks like I need to decide (
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) on a tall or short bipod (going with Harris and their swivel adapter mount). It isn't clear which one is best for my need.

The 9" to 13" model seems (to me, but I dunno) to be if I plan to shoot mostly prone.

The taller 13.5" to 23" one would seem better for sitting even though they say this one is good for prone (13" sounds kinda tall to me for shooting prone).

Do you shoot most of your groundhogs prone or sitting? Frankly I haven't used the AR for this a lot, instead shooting other rifles in different ways (supported by tree limb, fence post, monopod while sitting, knee, off hand, etc.) but not much time prone. But I also haven't been trying to stretch out my yardage like I plan to do with the AR.
 
Wahoowad,

Depending on how you hunt groundhogs, you can do / use all the above. Most of the time I use a bench with sandbags, set up on a knoll somewhere overlooking a good area, and take the shots as they come.

When Corey and I did Shenandoah Groundhogs, I followed him along as he stalked them. He hoofs it over hill and dale and covers a lot of territory. Most of his shooting is done prone.

This summer I am dedicated to rimfires only, and so far got one prone, one sitting in a chair with a back rest, and another off a Harris bipod extended up quite a bit while in sitting position.

I guess it pays to have a variety of items available, but mainly use what your hunting method requires.

Corey uses the 9-13" Harris Swivel bipod with the leg notches. That's a really nice one, one that I would like to get as well. I think you are probably right that the 9-13" would work well, especially if you do most of your shooting prone or from a bench.

David
 
I have both the Harris models. Prone and sitting. I am not sure of the exact length. Both models are rock solid. Very easy to dial in on a prairie dog at 300 yrds. . I really like both and they have come in handy on different hunts. I think if your going to be shooting alot of groundhogs I would go with the prone. Just my $.02.

coyoteman23
 
Originally Posted By: wdchuckhuntrWait for a Harris S-25C to be on sale and buy one. You won't regret it.

+1; got 2, both on bolt guns. Very solid & easy to get set-up. The only drawback is finger placement when retracting the legs; been pinched a couple of times.
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I'm a BIG man so shooting prone with the longer legs is comfortable for me; and it only takes a turn of a screw to remove for shooting off a bench.
 
I have both a 13-20 (or so?) and a 6-9. I like the 6-9 best. the Harris 6-9 is the tilt model, so if you are on unlevel ground you can level the gun/scope (REALLY NICE!!). I recommend this type of scope also.
There is also a Caldwell tilt model about 75% of the cost of a Harris, but haven't used it so can't comment on performance.
I actually think 9-13 is even a little tall at 9" for prone - probably personal preference or type of gun/scope combo might matter wtih that also.
I just got done with a prairie dog shoot and we shot off tables & chairs. The longer bipod was way too tall for that, but the short is perfect! I also don't like sitting on the ground to shoot and would rather go prone.
However, I suppose if you are shooting in taller grass and need to sit - the longer one would be necessary.
 
Originally Posted By: wdchuckhuntrWait for a Harris S-25C to be on sale and buy one. You won't regret it.

Any recommendations on where to keep checking for sales?
 
Midway has been running sales on them lately for $99-100ish. I think I got my last one through Grafs at a heck of a deal. Other than that, a good search of the web may turn up a good deal.

The Shooters Ridge bipods are a nearly identical knock-off of the Harris but I've found the build quality to be less than the Harris.

Wideners has a good price. Here's a link

http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=1184&dir=16|35
 
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I use tripod shooting sticks. Height is changed by spreading out legs. Very sturdy. I have 5 Harris and a $29 13-20" Chinese made bipods. Naturally Harris is best but you know how the Chinese copy things. Can't tell them apart by looking at them side by side. Bought cheapie on ebay. Watch the classieds here and on 24hourcampfire.com. That is where I bought most of mine. I have one of the pivoting Harris bipods. It is my favorite by far. If you are buying just one I would pay extra and get pivoting model. Bob
 
I learned this lesson the hard way,,just so ya know,,make sure when shooting prone with a 9-13 bipod that the barrel, not just the scope is obstruction free.

I drilled a little roll in the ground x2 and was feeling like a total fool.

But it was funny afterward.....................X
 
Interesting range of opinions. I can't get comfortable prone anymore. And there's always some vegetation or elevation in the way. I find that sitting works best for me. It isn't as stable as prone, but it's more comfortable.

To answer the question, shooting sticks, nothing attached to the gun.
 
Bog Gear Bipod and their Tripod. Either one works great from sitting to standing. Super quality products. I like the Bipod when covering a lot of different stands, and like the Tripod when using a stool.
 
I use Harris sitting and prone models with the swivels, which work very well, and also Versa Pods, which are very handy as they snap onto an adapter, so you can carry both tall and short bipods and snap on which ever one you need for the situation. They are not quite as solid feeling as the Harris, but sometimes the handiness makes up for it.
 
I have 1 of each with and without the swivel part. The short one I feel works great off a bench or on really flat ground but if you are shooting down hill at a pretty good angle then they don't go high enough. And the tall model is good for shooting from a sitting position if you are on flat ground but as above if there is a good size hill and you are shooting from one side hill to another they don't seem high enough. I like the taller model if am shooting from the top of a terrace or laying right at the break of a ridge and can get the bipod just over the crest from the prone. But the one that I like the most is the stoney point bipod for sitting and the harris for prone. JMO
 
Originally Posted By: 4eyesI use the taller Harris for shooting sitting, and my backpack for shooting prone.

+1 Sometimes I have to sit to shoot to get a shot. This option allows both prone and sitting.
 
Here's my system--

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That's a soft-sided stadium seat covered in burlap and customized by attaching the side straps closer to the seat such that it can be cinched up tight. This way i can get super-steady from the sitting position with the taller Harris pods. Attach another snap on the side strap ends for hands-free carry around the waist. It also doubles as a 3/4 shooting mat. With a rifle it's the steadiest sitting position possible and has allowed me to make successful 1st-shot connections to 1000 yds.
 
I like to hunt the field edges where I need the height to clear the weeds. The few times I find myself prone I just compensate.
 


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