Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Attached Bi-pod, or not ?

To attach, or not to attach. That is the question. How much does an attached bi-pod really help with in field shooting, or does it usually take more time and effort than it's worth? Does a set of loose shooting sticks serve just as well ?

If you are set on a stand covering a known area it's good, otherwise it's simply in the way. Carry it detached

Ditto!
G

Depends on the terrain. In open, fairly flat country, with low grass (which describes a lot of pronghorn and even mule deer country) you're likely to be able to use it, so it's handier to leave it attached.

But except for specific purposes I don't use a bipod much for big game hunting. I'm usually carrying a daypack anyway, for cameras, lunch, extra clothes, etc, so use the pack for a forend rest when shooting prone. And I'm also always carrying a set of light, sitting height sticks for when prone isn't practical due to the height of the grass, or whatever other reason. Have shot lots of animals off both.

In a lot of areas, it's useless. I am with the above, shooting sticks are way more useful.

Antelope hunting I have a set on my 6.5. Can't fit a gun in a scabbard with them. I always carry shooting sticks

IMHO and limited experience, attached bipods make a rifle very off-balance and uncomfortable to carry on ones shoulder.

However, there is no substitution for them when it comes to dead nut stability required for long range shooting. If I was making a short walk to a known spot and planned to sit on the ground and hunt, I would definitely opt for a 13-24" adjustable bipod. In my area, prone shots are almost impossible due to rolling terrain and crops.

That being said, I carry a set of lightweight sticks with me almost every hunt and can confidently kill whitetails from a sitting position out to 400 yards or more. A good back rest such as a tree or fence post greatly improves ones stability when using a set of sticks.

The Harris 25s is a great tool for hunting antelope or other open area hunting. Attached to the rifle it is quite useful. It will extend to 25 inches and makes it great for sitting shots above the sage brush. Prone works great as well due to the 3 piece legs that collapse short enough for those shots.

The 25s is a swivel that allows you to level the he rifle in uneven terrain. The 25s is a great tool to assist your steady shooting in open country...

I use a high power style shooting sling, lighter, as stable as, and necessary to pack the rifle when dragging/packing an animal out as well as only 1/4 the weight. JB is right about the day pack, used mine in Augusta, MT last month for gophers.-Muddy

I gave a Harris bipod a go for a while, on the range and in the field, and on a couple of different rifles, and found that I was at least as accurate shooting using my daypack or a similar improvised rest (over a log or stump, for example). The bipod just added weight, spoiled the balance, and got in the road, for no gain at all, and I sold it without a moment's regret.

YMMV

Climbing poles work great for shooting sticks. Put wrist thru loop hold pole and rest rifle on top of wrist. Poles adjust for height also.

This is gonna vary,depending on the shooter and conditions. Only way to tell is to shoot both ways and see.I certainly would not want to get in the habit of not being able to function without one.

I don't care for them myself but understand they can be useful sometimes. I also understand they can be a PITA and get in the way for a lot of hunting.

As stable as a good bipod???

General Field use, without a doubt, IF you know how to properly use one. Muddy

I love the combination of a lightweight rifle and a bipod. Bought my first Harris when I was about 15 years old.

People say, "oh it ruins the point of a lightweight" but I'd rather have a 7.5-8lb all-up rifle with a bipod over a 7.5-8lb rifle without one.

So a sling is as stable as a bipod? Who knew?

Cmon country_boy20 everybody knows that Mississippi folks don't need to shoot anything at 400 yards unless it's out the window of a truck.

I tote the 13-24 on my rifle on my guns unless I'm on a hill overlooking my fields.

I've used Harris off and on for years. For me, the attached bipod is much more stable than using the bungy/tent pole type sticks for sitting shots, but I prefer laying over a back pack for prone shots. The other beefier telescoping shooting sticks are about as stable but unless you are carrying them not as fast to set up. As noted, the attached bi-pod does add weight to the gun. I would say it depends on what you find less annoying the added weight of the gun or transporting the other types of sticks. I use the telescoping leg models a lot these days because I normally hunt with my son and can extend all the way up to his standing height if needed.

Lou

I'm not a fan for my own use but they really help newer hunters stay steady on target. My son in law has used them for 20+ years and is smooth quick and accurate. I've always felt slow and awkward with them attached to my rifle. The coolest thing about them to me is the built in rest off the ground when you aren't holding the rifle.

I bought a tall tripod this year "trigger stick" model that i hope can be walking stick and rest in difficult slope / vegetation or very long range conditions.

that's a schitty choice for a walking stick....