Gentleman,

Please excuse my ignorance on a subject so common to you Westerners but I am from the very flat (and wet) lands of coastal SC so therein lies the basis of my questions. It is on my bucket list to do several western/mountain hunts for mulies and elk hopefully before my health and age run out. For now I would like to become accustomed to shooting with a bi-pod. We literally have no need for them here given the topography (or lack of).

My first question is what is the best all around bi-pod length (extendable) for prone shooting on flat ground such as at a range and yet still be suitable for most mountainous hunting applications. I guess another way to ask would be if you had but one extendable bi-pod for hunting out west in mountainous states, what length range would you pick?

Second, would it be swivel or rigid mount?

Thanks for your advice,

P-Man

I don't use bipods but I have guided many friends, family and guests who did bring rifles equipped with bipods. I can remember only a couple of times that the bipods were used to take an animal. Most of the time, the vegetation was too high or the terrain required finding a higher rest.

The two exceptions were with pronghorns. Even then, one young man had to rest his fully extended bipod on my back and butt, as I lay prone, to get a clear shot at the buck that he wanted.

I just don't think that the return for the cost and the weight is great enough to justify carrying them on a rifle for mountain hunting. At our shoot over in the Tonto Basin a few weeks ago, a couple of the guys had to use a weed eater to clear the range so that they could use their bipods in the turkey rim shoot. The ground cover there is what I would call sparse and certainly shortgrass.

YMMV.

Bipods where I live are generally not doable. Ground cover in most areas is too tall. I use an extendable walking stick with a V on top. Most bipods simply aren't tall enough. I've never taken a prone shot here in 30 years. Prone is nice when plinking in a designated spot, but our sage is generally too tall.

Used a bipod three times on a lope hunt, worked great in that country.

Forgive me for going off-topic. I've hunted for decades in NC and since 2003 in Arizona. I have never shot, nor seen any one else shoot, in either state, a game animal that could have been taken with a bipod. I have not hunted pronghorn.

I use this:
http://www.huntsinc.com/m-5-gun-claw-rifle-vise.aspx

Out here a tripod is a must anyway. My last big game shot with a decent tripod and this device resulted in a turret-steady hold at 613 yards. I was seated using the tripod adjusted accordingly. The shot went as planned. Terrain would not have allowed a bipod.

However, for practice and fun a bipod may be a hoot.

Regardless of gear, I wish you the very best in western hunting.

I would go with the 12-25"(or the 13.5-27"), either way get a swivel model.


http://www.midwayusa.com/product/572600/harris-s-25-bipod-sling-swivel-stud-mount-12-to-25-black


I really like a bipod for some of the country I hunt, been using them since I was a little kid. Shot several pronghorn and mule deer using one.


Use the shorter version for all my load workup and prone target practice.

Offshoreman,

My bipod is a B-square because they are very light and work. Last year I used one that was 13"-27" but was too high for easy prone. That one is the one the guide thought was best. Now I have one that starts at about 11" and goes to 15". Because the ends are threaded I can add as many 6" tube as I wish.

It stays in the backpack most of the time.

P-Man,

I know you specifically asked about bipods, but you might take a serious look at shooting sticks such as these;

[color:#FF0000][b]Bog-Pod[/b][/color]

In the last couple of years I have learned to appreciate the steadiness of these sticks and they can double as a walking staff.

Ed

I know many hunters around Tucson that use a Harris bi-pod. While some use the 9-12", more use the 25S as mentioned earlier.

We all hunt coues wt and shoot them at long distances. I also like to use the bi-pod buddy instead of a small bag. http://www.bipodbuddy.com/index.html I use the big buddy.

I often carry the bi-pod when elk hunting unless I know I will be stalking the wooded north facing slopes.

We practice with bi-pods all the time shooting rock rats, jackrabbits and the occasional coyote as well as long range steel. When calling coyotes I have found the bi-pod to be a handicap.

This guy has a great tutorial on how to he uses a bi-pod.

http://www.6mmbr.com/TacticalFroggyA1.html

9-13 Champion pivot lock bipod for about $79 at Sportsmans.

Agree with you Sam....

I like Harris swivel model the best. I also use cross sticks quite a bit...

I like the Harris swivel.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014VQ0RG/ref=pe_385040_30332190_pe_175190_21431760_M3T1_ST1_dp_1

I told Amazon that is wrong pick and they said I was wrong.
Harris can get the pic right.
I have lots, and I like the 9-13" S model
http://www.harrisbipods.com/

I have a number of aftermarket "pod lock" handles. They are all good.


Harris S:
Better than the non swivel Harris.
Much better than the imitation Harris bipods.
Barely better than the much more expensive Atlas bipod

Exactly. Hard to beat a Harris swivel, add a pod lock and you're good to go. Sticks for the tall stuff, bi-pod for most of the rest.

Btw, there is a big difference between the cheap Harris knock off bi-pods and the real thing. Spend right the first time, a top of the line one is a great investment.

Generally, for mountain hunting, the bipod will add quite a bit of weight. That being said, if you do have one, it can be a great help at certain times.

I have a Harris and it works well, when it is indeed usable. I have used my backpack for a rest on elk hunts and had good results.

If I had the money to throw at it, I would be tempted to buy the bipod that Bob Beck sells in his Long Range Hunting Store. It is versatile and light.

Thanks Guys - you all gave me alot to think about

I have a caldwell swivel style , that came with a lock on it and all I did was tighten up some of the nuts and loctited them in place. They don't have notches like some Harris models but other wise perfectly serviceable.
I really only use Bipods east of town(Prairie, antelope jacks, pds and such) west of town(mountains., mostly elk ) I take them off.....
I can only remember one antelope I have shot without a bipod, but the grass here is short and sparse and the rolling terrain perfect to use a 9-13" model. And I have used 6-9' models successfully.

I've been practicing lately for next month's hog and sheep hunt. On level ground I discovered 13" is about right for me.

I really haven't found much mountain mule deer and elk country where they were actually necessary,despite a lot of hunting for both. The terrain is frequently uneven,vegetated, and they are slow to set up so I never use them. I don't use sticks either but consider them faster and more versatile and I'd be mrelikely to carry those rather than a bipod,

In some country they can be useful. I am looking for a good lightweight model as most are ridiculously heavy and awkward attachments to a rifle. I have been using one at the range for 500-600 yard shooting. 400 yards on in I can't see a use for them on any BG animal the size of mule deer and elk. But I don't shoot much game at 600 yards anyway and my 500 yard elk have been killed prone over a pack or a pair of bins stuffed onto the ground.

For most el and mule deer hunting any decent field rest or a pack should suffice. I'd spend the money on a good stick like a Stoney Brook and get used to that instead. Can be used from the sit and gets above vegetation.

Another thing I don't like about bipods is depending on the things.You can't always use them and I'd rather find ways to hit effectively without them, like field positions or a sling, which I can use under more conditions than a bipod.

We use bipods quite a bit in eastern Montana hunting but when we head to the mountains the bipods come off and the shooting sticks come with. Can't remember a time when I could have used a bipod while in the mountains. Either there's to much vegetation or the snow is to deep. At least if you throw your pack down and use it for a rest it will sit up on the snow better than the legs of your bipod.

look no further than Snipe-Pod......

huntsman" Ok thanks!

My son in law uses the 25" Harris very successfully when near game the legs are extended and he folds them down quickly on the way to a kneeling or seated position firing as soon as he is on target. If you like a steady hold good to 500+ yards or want to help a rookie they really do work - in the mountains too. But prone shooting is the rare exception not the rule where we hunt deer or elk.

Last year I carried a trigger stick tall tripod that I never used to shoot but it made a great walking stick. I practiced out to 800 yards with it getting ready for the hunt but the benefit was keeping upright and falling way less than a normal trip.

Everyone has their preferences..I hated the snipe pod.may as well use sticks.

I've also tried the 300$ "EOL" , hated it.

Seen lots of compromises, but nothing rivals the Harris. JMO

What was wrong with the EOL?

I didnt care for the adjustments. they work fine, just seemed much slower to get set up.

I use shooting sticks.

Nothing can beat the Harris for stability, but for mountain type hunting they are heavy and cumbersome.

I've been using the Snipepod for many years and for me, it works well. Easy to take on and off when you don't need it and takes up very little space in the pack or pocket. It goes with me every time I pack a rifle.

Like any bipod or sticks, you gotta use them and become comfortable with them.

I live in the west and hunt typical Rocky Mountain west terrain. 90%+ of my shots are from a bipod, when the ranges extend past a few hundred yards.

Unless I am shaving ounces for a serious climb, I will take a bipod.

^^^^This. I don't leave home without one.

Offshore, The only time I use a bipod (old Harris) is for pronghorn/PD's/Rock Chucks or gophers. I do use, a lot, a good leather military style adjustable shooting sling properly adjusted. As one generally needs a sling anyway I just use it. I have used shooting slings, both for small bore and highpower formal target shooting for about 50 years and it is just natural for me. Bipods are indeed nice if topography/vegetation/or non-weight concern's permit. My short one (7.5" legs) weighs .688#'s and my 13" leg model weighs .855#'s. The lengths are fully compressed and both are non swivel models. -Muddy

Yep. Atlas all the way. Shot my elk off a bipod last season. Could have done it off a pack just as well, but then I wouldn't be able to use the pack for body stabilization. The Atlas and its mounting rail combined are 4oz lighter than a Harris bipod and better in just about every way, IMO.

I use the 25" Harris when hunting antelope. Fully extended I can use it in the sitting position, while fully compressed it works for prone.

Climbing poles for Mtn hunting have your hand through the strap turn hand upside down and use your thumb to grip pole adjustable for height. And you have them any way for Mtn hunting. Try it!

like many stated if determined to get a Bipod get the Harris I have them on my 338/378 bee, 338 lapua TRG, 338 lapua IM Tactical, 6.5x284 . work great.

While I have multiple HArris bipods of different sizes, the thing I use most is a tall Primos tripod, which I use as a walking stick as well. I have a Primos bipod as well but the tripod is must more stable.

I shot a deer with my Atlas bipod in 2013

The other 21 deer and 2 antelope I have shot with Harris bipods.

What is wrong with Atlas is it costs too much and takes too long to set up. I think... maybe ok for snipers, but not hunters.

But is is very well built and more versatile.

I've all but quit using a bipod for hunting. They're good if vegetation and topography are suitable but it seems it's rarely the case where I've been. I find myself shooting over my pack most of the time. In fact I don't remember ever killing a deer with a bipod, definitely no elk.

I've considered trying shooting/walking sticks, or even the primo's pod or whatever it's called, but it also seems like more junk to pack.

I won't call coyotes, cats, etc. without a bipod tall enough for sitting with a bolt gun. A .22-250 on a bipod can be pretty amazing.

I've used the shorter Harris bipod for years. It was fantastic when lying prone, and 200 yd plus shots were generally one-shot kills. My only complaint was that in tall grass it was too short, when in a sitting position.

Last year I bought a Harris that goes to about 36" or so. It should work great when shooting from a sitting or kneeling position.

I also carry a light weight, collapsible, monopod for instances I have to shoot standing up. It also comes in handy for steadying my spotting scope.

BH63