Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Question: Bipod vs. sticks vs. pack?

Prone off the pack, assuming time to assume that position, is probably the most stable platform. Second choice for me is a proper seated position. If you practice it (doesn't take much) and do it properly, you will be as stable and effective as you would using any support aid in the field.

So true.

Varmint Al's is the finest kind:

http://www.varmintal.com/abifu.htm

I've practiced alot with many shooting systems in an effort to compare them.
After several years, in and out of the field, and shooting with time restrictions, I've concluded that bipods are only really practical for the guy that shoots small varmits with a heavy rifle. I've shot, for instance, just as small a group at over 500 yds with a heavy rifle, a tight shooting sling and a sitting position as I have from a bipod. I've found that I'm just as fast, and shoot better groups with a combination of a shooting sling and a pack.
Bipods put you very close to the ground. Too close for a clear shot at times. The taller models, used from a sit, are too wobbly. I can do better with a shooting sling.
I've made and used a tripod out of oak dowels. It works but doesn't offer anything. They are much lighter however.
I find, that with practice, I can deploy my pack and use it about as fast as I can a bipod. If I have to shoot on a slope, to the side, a bipod can be pretty wobbly, and it puts an unaccecptable cant on the rifle. With a pack on a handy rock/log, it's a snap.
Ditto on the light rilfes shooting differently with and w/o a bipod.
I much prefer a shooting sling. My favorite being a Cobra Sling reversed using the 3 pt. CW system. Much faster than the military models. They also work very well for carrying the rifle upside down on my off side when still hunting or tracking while using my binoculars.
On the other hand, I can't imagine anyhting worse than trying to shoot quickly at a running buck or carrying with a sling a bipod equipped rifle. About as awkward as trying to eat rice with chopsticks. E

If one can assume the prone position considering the terrain, I would prefer the pack to a bipod or shooting sticks. Since I do a lot of glassing off a tripod, I have found that the Leica bino rest (similar to the Webster bracket) to rest the rifle forearm on, coupled with a set of cross sticks under the butt, makes for a real steady rest. The tripod and stix combo beats the bipod or shooting sticks alone by far, imo. Even the StoneyPoint/SteadyStix tripod beats the 2-legged SteadyStix.

I have the Stoney Point tripod with rear rest, and find the rear rest to be a PITA.

A friend is associated with "The Gun Claw" which he says is great for LR, keeping a rifle on a bedded buck, or helping a youth find the deer in the scope if you line it up and then let him look.
http://thegunclaw.com/

I've always been able to find something to use as a rest when shooting at game. Be it a rock, tree limb, pack, rolled up jacket, whatever and it hasn't failed me yet. My pack is heavy enough as it is without adding crap to my rifle or carrying a shooting stick. I've carried a trekking pole for the last 3-4 years now but have never used it as a shooting rest.

If it's a short hike to my hunting spot, say a mile from the road, I'll carry a bipod. If it's more than a mile or so, I'll shoot off a pack or use trekking poles.

Stoney point mono pod. I use it as a Treking pole when hauling gear into the high country. Then it goes for the kill with me. I retract it to what is a comfortably kneeling height shot and it slips into a custom spot on my pack. I can easily reach it for a quick shot. I'd prefer to have time to use the pack, but..

Rifle sling stays at home. I run the Kifaru gun bearer and absolutely love teh Gun Bearer.

http://www.stoneypoint.com/products/mp_explorer_monopod.html


I love this thing!!! It's my Treking pole! It's a shooting stick!!! Can remove the yoke and screw it onto either a digital camera, or a video Camera!!! Also make a killer rest for a set of Bino's during intence glassing periods!! Use it to help me balance a heavy load on the way back to camp in steep terrain!!!

In the off season the video and digital cam sit on it at my kids sporting events!! Filmed many a basketball game with it!! I use it year round. I'm 220lbs and it easily hands my fatass and 100plus pound loads in steep rocky terrain!!

Best part is I picked it up at a sportsmans show 10 years ago on the last day of the show for $10.00! It's a must have!

I've got Gun Bearer's on both of my Kifaru packs. While they work fine, a shooting sling works much better for still hunting or tracking. "Works better" means it's faster, quietier, and carry's the rifle out of the way better. When I'm on the go, I usually use neither, prefering to change positions as to how I carry the rifle which makes carrying it less tiring.
Where I really like the GB is when I'm carrying a load and need both hands free to use trekking poles. Like going down hill on a trail covered with loose rocks.
I always carry a trekking pole when I hunt. But I only use it when the going is tough. Say a steep slope, covered with ice and snow. I've tried them as a shooting aide and found them not as good as a shooting sling and a sitting position. Or using my pack from prone. They tend to be no faster and not as steady. I will not take the time to readjust them. If I did, they'd be way too slow. E

Shaq does that Stoney point have a carbide tip underneath the rubber foot?

and what about snow baskets, does it come with them, though I use a summer basket on all mine

I used a basket off on older brok down treking pole. Simply sandwich it between the last section and the tip. Works great.

And yes it has a carbide tip under the rubber foot.


This combo pack has the basket.
http://www.stoneypoint.com/products/mp_hunt_n_hike_combo.html

tks Shaq

I'd send ya a pic of my basket but for some reason our computer won't recconize our camera tonite.