Bipods

[Bluestem]

I have been thinking about adding a Harris bipod to my .06 that I'm taking on an elk hunt this fall, and was wondering what some of you out there think of them.  I'll be hunting east of the divide, and from what I'm told, 200-300 yard shots are not uncommon.  I'm tall - 6'7"- and when I lay prone, and rest the rifle it is most comfortable when it is about 14" off the ground.  When I sit, the rifle is about 24" off the ground.  Harris makes a couple models that extend from 11-25" or 13-27".  What do you hunters out there think?  Are they just another expensive gadget, or do they really help?  Thanks for your input.

[Weatherby223]

I am 6"3 inches which is not as tall but i find that the (long) Harris Bipod  is perfect. I have it mounted on a 223 and when i spot a target at a distance i just sit my ass down and it gives me all the stability i need for shots exceeding 200 yards..

[Sean]

For myself I can't imagine having a bipod hanging off of my rifle while hunting. I am not familiar with the area you will be hunting, where I hunt the thick brush, etc. Would make a bipod a major PITA. I have often thought about a shooting stick or sticks. There are plans for some at one site that you can build yourself using fiberglass tent poles. There are also commercial set-ups called "Polecat" or something similar. They wouldn't help from the prone which maybe where you figure you would most likely be able to shoot from. But if you are thinking more standing/kneeling due to vegetation then shooting sticks may be the answer. Sean

[tominboise]

IMHO, bipods are more trouble than they are worth.  The rifles I've shot that were equipped with them, had the balance all goofed up, and it took more then a little time to get everything "set up".  Plus they are heavy.  I carry the folding stoney point shooting sticks, and have also used home made shooting sticks.  They are much more versatile.

Again, this is my opinion, based on the hunting I've done in Washington, Montana and Idaho.

Tom

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

I got a Harris bi-pod in the closet somewhere----good thing I got it cheap before they really jacked up the prices on them.

Its well made and all----but in the big picture----totally worthless.

Heavy---ruins the balance of your rifle----try shooting offhand with one on your gun-------and really doesn't make that good of a rest either.

Spend your bi-pod bucks on more ammo and practice practice practice.

[savageT]

I have been thinking about adding a Harris bipod to my .06 that I'm taking on an elk hunt this fall, and was wondering what some of you out there think of them.  I'll be hunting east of the divide, and from what I'm told, 200-300 yard shots are not uncommon.  I'm tall - 6'7"- and when I lay prone, and rest the rifle it is most comfortable when it is about 14" off the ground.  When I sit, the rifle is about 24" off the ground.  Harris makes a couple models that extend from 11-25" or 13-27".  What do you hunters out there think?  Are they just another expensive gadget, or do they really help?  Thanks for your input.

Have you considered shooting sticks?  The price is right!
http://www.prbullet.com/stix.htm


Jim

[matt d]

Bluestem,
I think that bipods are great tools for assisting in long shots.  I hunt pigs, blacktails and coyotes and never do it without my bipod handy.  It  increases my range a couple hundred yards.  The negatives of bipods are they tend to cause the user to use them as a "crutch."  The user must not rely on the bipod to much because there are many times it can't be used, good field shooting positions should still be practiced on a regular basis.  The other draw back to bipods are they make your rifle heavier but they don't throw everything off balance, in my opinion, the added weight on the front of the gun makes it easier to control.  I have used Harris bipods in the past ant they are ok, better than nothing but I think you should take a hard look at a Versapod.  They are better than Harris bipods for a bunch of reasons.  One, they don't weigh as much.  Secondly, there no springs that can get caught on brush and things.  Next, they provide a steadier rest and allow for a smoother, more natural reqoil.  The Versapod comes with mounts that stay on  the gun so that you can slip the bipod on and off as quick of quicker than you could get your shooting sticks into position.  Notice I said mounts, plural, Versapod gives you two mounts so that you can easily use you bipod on two guns without fussing with screws and pegs.  I only use a bipod that is large enough for prone shooting because I never used the longer ones very much, the situations were far and few between, not enough to justify the use of long sticks.  Lastly the extending legs of the versapod can be extended with one hand quickley unlike the Harris.  It might sound like it, but I am not a sales guy for versapod, I just hear everyone talk about Harris bipods and they are not the best things on the market by a far stretch.  It would be nice to check them both out like I have so that you can make the best choice for yourself.  Good luck.

[eroyd]

I've used a Harris and found them a little tricky to set up in a hurry on uneven ground. It definately takes practice. One mistake and a spring will retract and make a racket spooking game. They are snaggy when passing through thickets. They sure are the ticket though when walking the ridges and in open country.

[Lawdog]

First let me say I think Harris bipods are about the best.  BUT in big game hunting situations I found that most of the time I could not get into a position to be able to take advantage of mine.  Besides everyone says they want to keep the weight of their rifles down to 7 lbs. but then they add another 2 lbs. to the front of their rifle and bitch about the weight.  Make a set of light weight shooting sticks to use and your be money ahead.  Lawdog

[freddogs]

I have a harris bipod on my varmint rifle and it works well for me. I also have one on a 30.06 bolt action. I've used this rifle a lot hunting Wyoming and I love my bipod. It does add extra weight. I've never noticed where it gets caught in brush. The legs are about the same lenght as the barrel (folded up).
If I was hunting heavy brush I wouldn't use it. The shots wouldn't be that long anyway. Shooting sticks have weight and you have to get them out when you want to shoot. It's just a matter of choice.[/u]

[redial]

I have several and love 'em on my gopher rigs. I can get them adjusted for a good sitting position on level ground and spend the morning walking the pastures. One of life's great pleasures.

HOWEVER, for hunting the steep, dark timber in the snow, it'd be as useful and as convenient as carrying your bowling ball, IMO. Even though cross-canyon shots can get quite long, it ain't worth the weight and the aggravation to me. There's always plenty of "stuff" lying around to get a steady rest over top of where I hunt.

YMMV!

Redial
markriedl@yahoo.com

PS - Hey Omaha! Whatchoo want for that totally worthless bipod ya got there? Lemme know, wouldja?

[Rusty]

I don't like carrying the extra weight and additional "stick" protruding beyond the barrel, they get hung up when walking through the trees.  I always try to find a rest or support, such as a tree or sitting position for "resting" my rifle.  I have never tried shooting sticks, but Lawdog has a good recipe for them that sounds like they would be light and work well.

[detritus]

two words SHOOTING STICKS.....

while great for target work or the likes of stationary varmint hunting, bipods of pretty much all types and makes are a true and royal pain for the type of hunt you seem to be speaking of.  
you'd be MUCH better served using a pair of sticks made for (possibly by) YOU.  
something like SavageT linked to would seem about right for your use.

though (i think) possibly a bit higher than 24" "at the fork", the Best set for hunting i've ever seen were made by a buddy back in NC.  
don't remember all the details but it was made from a wood laminate, designed so that he could use it as a hiking staff during that portion of the hunt when he needed a staff more than a shooting aid, rubber coated at stategic places (padding the areas where the rifle might rub when used to shoot off of, and provide a grip when used as a staff), had multiple pivot points he could slip the pivot pin/bolt through, and .  kind of like a larger diameter version of one of those "combo walking stick/camera monopod" things, redesigned to be hinged like the homemade sticks in the link SavageT provided, with a couple of rubber O-rings and a rubber "cane tip" keeping it secured when used as a staff.

in other words a hiking staff/ pair of shooting sticks, designed by a redneck with a genious level IQ and a mechanical engineering Degree!

as for what you're asking about, a pair of folding sticks of the right height would probably work best.

[tjf76]

I have harris bipods on my 270 and on my 300 win mag, wouldnt leave the house without them. Just my 2 cents. :sniper:

[7mm MAGNUM]

I've got one that I use on both my 7mm Mag and my 300SAUM & I love it !

I does take a little getting used to the added weight of the thing when it is attached, and getting used to the way it handles when shooting with it.

But as is anything with a weapon you have to PRACTICE, all the time with it. I practice with mine in any scenario I can think of. The prone position is the one that really takes the time. When laying on the ground all of the weapons weight is transferred to the rear making the the front want to wander as you squeeze off your shot.

It will alter your shot placement due to not actually being able to get a good firm placement of the balance of the weapon,..and it makes the muzzle feel light like it's floating around on you. I have found that if you hold the butt of the stock very tight to your shoulder and with your normal fore-end hand being placed to the front of the trigger guard kind of pulling back and down at the same time helps to stabilize the weapon much better. This may just be a better method for me as I'm now quite comfortable using it in this way,.. but like I said it takes plenty of practice and you too will find a method that works for you.

[tripod]

Hi, I had the same question recently. Of course researched it extensively. Had to consider wife also. In general Harris gets the Nod as the best. Got the tall swivel harris and like it very much. Adds weight, think it is 1 lb 4 oz.. We love it for sighting in. Have several friends that use them regularly on Large caliber Weatherby's for canyon hunting deer & elk very successfully. As my friend at the gun store said though, Don't buy a knock-off or cheap bipod. That said, I will rarely hunt with bipod, except in very specific spots with generally well known shooting zones. Being disabled and requiring a cane to walk, I have found the cane to be a very nice shooting aid. Even surprised myself how many ways to use it. Even got a couple snakes with it. But as others have said, I too believe, You should learn too shoot proficiently naturally to cover the unexpected or close shot (a bipod can really screw things up here). These are aids to improve your ability. The best things I taught my wife were to sit correctly, breath right, and pan to shoot.

[huntin1]

All of my rifles wear Harris bipods, I live in ND where shots can be long and a bipod invaluable. Judging by the heights that you have given I would say go with the 11 - 25" it should work for you prone and sitting which is ideal. Spend the extra money and get the swivel model so that you can make sure the rifle is level when shooting.


huntin1