I am back in the varmint business with a 223 and I'm thinking about putting a bipod on it. I will be using it primarily on ground hogs and coyotes from the sitting position or off a bench. I normally use shooting sticks while deer and elk hunting. Should I just stick with those or is a bipod worth the extra cost? What bipod would you recommend if I go that route?

Thanks
RH

My experience says whatever I bring with me is wrong for the shots I get. What I need is what I left back at the truck. If I have the BR-height bipod planning to shoot prone, then I need the taller one to sit and shoot over the grass. If I have the taller sitting bipod, then I need to shoot prone and it's way too tall.

I don't know 'bout you, but my back doesn't bend well, so even though I'm only 5'8", I can't use the tallest Harris bipods (27" legs) except for shooting downhill, I just can't bend forward far enough to be able to see through the scope with them. I need about 2-3 more inches of leg length on the bipod. I haven't messed with shooting sticks a lot, that's next.

Y' might try a monopod. A gal at work gave me one for Christmas. I was a little skeptical but at least at .22 rimfire distances it's worked pretty well. Mine is branded Remington, telescopes from maybe 16" to tall enough to use standing, and weighs somewhere around a half pound I'd guess. I've used it on walk-in varmint trips with the 10/22 with much success.

I haven't tried this yet, but my guess is the ideal setup is a short or medium bipod in case a prone shot presents itself, and a set of good shooting sticks for sitting.

Tom

Bipods might be somewhat more stable than shooting sticks, but are a pain to use sitting while predator hunting....not enough mobility on moving targets. I have at least a half dozen Harris bipods in different height "s" models, but only use them in controlled environments for varmint hunting or damage control work on deer. Mostly I opt for some Stoney Point shooting sticks.
1D

I like bipods, Harris in particular. But the new Tripod Trigger Stick from Primos looks interesting.

Harris if you don't mind the extra weight

I also use Harris's in varying lengths.

The most important part of of a tall front rest support from sitting isn't the bipod, but a backrest...IMO. I am a walking coyote hunter and rarely drive much on the ranches i hunt. I like the walking aspect of hunting these days, so i have to carry all my gear as portably as possible. But i don't compromise my sitting system for calling. What i did was i got a soft-sided stadium seat from K/Wal-Mart. I then customized it by reattaching the female end of the side straps closer to the seat so i can tighten it to my back better. I also covered it with a burlap bag for better camo. I then attached another Fastex snap to the ends of the side straps so i can carry it around my waist hands-free. The seat also doubles as a shooting mat also. One of the best aditions to my hunting gear i've ever made.

Another thing to do is to try and get ahold of an article written by John Antanies in Varmint Hunter Mag. concerning the shooting system he uses from a tall bipod, that is almost benchrest steady (i've tried it, and it works).

I personally prefer shooting sticks. They give me more flexibility. I have used several and have settled on the "Predator Sniper Styx". If you do go the bi-pod route, I concur with the Harris recommendations.

Good Hunting,

Bob

For walking around and shooting PD's, gophers, woodchucks, or crows I prefer a Harris bipod.

For calling, shooting sticks are the best IMO.


Travis

Like the above posts I like the Harris bipods. But the reality is that my most consistent hits on varmints have come from shooting sitting slung with natural terrain rests or going prone. I'm currently using shooting sticks but I haven't gotten used to them so I'll go back to using natural terrain and my sling.

sscoyote could you show us a pic of your seat? Your seat sounds like a great idea.

himmelrr,
After reading your post more carefully it sounds like your going to set up a bench for chucks and be sitting while coyote hunting correct? If that's the case then you might consider getting a bipod for the bench shooting. I use the Harris 6-9" swivel on the bench and will probably add a pod lock sometime in the future. It's not as solid as bags but still pretty good with a rear bag, I use the dog-gone-good rear bag. The owner gave me one to promote years back. It doesn't look like much but it's been real handy for bench shooting. It's rectangular shape gives you three different heights so it's like having three different rear rests. I'd carry it more in the field but I don't want to lose it, so it sits in my drag bag ready for bench shooting.