Shooting sticks or bi pods

M

Merchant

New member
I can't decide on what to do... I had a Caldwell bipod on my ar 15 and it broke and I can't decide whether to by another or go to shooting sticks.....
 
There's pros and cons for each. I started out with the bipod but changed 10 years ago to shooting sticks and haven't looked back. Just takes a littel getting use to.
 
I loved my sticks until I used them on ice. I use both depending on the situation. If we have a lot of soft snow i'll use my sticks. Its easier to adjust quickly, especially if I need a quick shot. Although I have started carrying a shotgun on most stands too, so it is easier to use a bi-pod then.
 
Originally Posted By: Yote Yoda USMCYou might want to look at a Caldwell Field Pod or a Vanguard T62U Tripod.
+1 on the Field Pod
 
I've used 15 different brands of sticks and I hated them all. Never could get used to them. Never felt stable. I recently purchased a short and long Harris bipod. I haven't hunted with them yet but have worked with them at the range. They feel much more stable as a shooting system, and appear very well made. Harris has the S model which cants side to side, plus pod locks are available to adjust how firm or loose it cants, and they also have an attachment that swivels 270 degrees. These add on will cost u any extra $40 per bipod but I like them so far. The only negative I've heard lately is that the feet can get stuck in brush sometimes if you have to reset your position in a hurry. But I haven't experienced that yet.

Oh, another difference is that the tallest Harris was 27", and was not tall enough for me sitting in a low turkey chair. I had to get a seat cushion and sit in the ground to make it work. I'm 6'1".
 
Originally Posted By: WhoCaresOh, another difference is that the tallest Harris was 27", and was not tall enough for me sitting in a low turkey chair. I had to get a seat cushion and sit in the ground to make it work. I'm 6'1".

And that right there is my main problem with bipods. For my big game rifles, I like and use them because I try to shoot prone or at least as low as I can. When calling, it's often in brushy areas that prevent me from getting down low (at least if I want to see coyotes coming in), so I prefer to sit on my "dove bucket" with taller shooting sticks. I've become quite fond of Primos Trigger Sticks for this application. They're nice because I can also use them standing up, which is handy when you decide that your only real option for a stand is to back into a yucca or mesquite and stay standing.
 
I have a tall Harris bipod that I love but not for predator hunting any longer. I was up again a hill when a nice red came straight at me on the side of the hill. I repositioned the rifle from looking into the open field to try and get on target on the hill side and the one leg hit the side of the hill and I couldn't get on target.

I'm going to sticks. When you want it off your rifle, it's gone faster than trying to fold up a leg with a red sitting there looking at you. I might be slow, but I try to learn from my mistakes.
 
I have several bipods, mostly Harris and they work well. However I made a set of shooting sticks out of 1x2 with spikes on the bottom and silicon rubber where the rifle rests and they work much better for where I hunt. Like Clay I sit on the sides of hills quite often and bipods aren't tall enough to get the rifle up where it needs to be. I also made a provision on my sticks where I can open them clear up and use them prone if need be. They are just a lot more versatile, faster, and they don't add weight to the rifle when you're carrying it.
 
I used the Caldwell bipod on my AR last season...It made the gun obviously heavier, and wasn't as versatile as I would have liked. I switched to using a monopod actually. I had no problem balancing the butt of the gun on my lap. It was a lot lighter to carry and I could easily swing to the side if I had to.
 
I have 9-13" bipods on all my calling rigs BUT use sticks 99.9% of the time. I use the bipods for the ones I need to lay flat & hold steadier on when they hang up out there OR when I am laying at the crest of a hill/knoll.
I made all my own sticks also, on ice is simple...I have nails attached to the ends so they don't slip any place.
 
Originally Posted By: JPH sand hillssnipe pod look up kramer design Terry Kramer makes these very light easy to use

This will be my next bipod. Pretty much good reviews unless you shoot prone.
 
I prefer using shooting sticks myself. The thing I don't like about the bipods other than that they don't sit right on your shoulder when you have them on a sling, is that they feel clumsy to me when you have to change the direction your facing if one comes in behind you.
 
Sticks here too. I feel bi-pods limit my movement and take too much to adjust on the fly. With sticks I can move a leg in or out and raise or lower my shooting position with minimal movement.
 
Quote...I also made a provision on my sticks where I can open them clear up and use them prone if need be.

Got any pics or info on what your provision looks like...
 
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