Bipod Advice

tbox61 · Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 10:58 am Post subject: Bipod Advice

Afternoon all!

Have been toying with the idea of putting a bipod on my predator calling rifle.

Need some sound reasoning why or why not I should have one.

Have heard that they might change the POI of a rifle after you put one on. I like the ones that articulate and pivot to catch those coyotes that don't come in head on.

Took a gander at several at Sportsman's Warehouse, Caldwell and Harris to be exact. Don't really need a reason to get another accessory, but want to make sure I get someone's opinion that has used them to make sure I am not making a $90 mistake.

Thanks for your help!

Tim

Al_Sohlstrom · Member Joined: Aug 30, 2005 Posts: 75

Hi

As a long-time Harris bipod owner and enthusiast, I'd say DO NOT GET A TRIPOD!

GET THREE BIPODS!!

Bench rest height, Low/prone height, and sitting height.

If you can get a gizmo that lets you swap them out quickly and quietly, well, so much the better!

Sight your firearm in from a bipod rest, too, instead if a sandbag. You'll probably want to free-float that barrell, as well, if you haven't already.

For low/prone shooting, get a pair of good quality tube socks. Put one inside the other, fill it with dry sand, then tie it shut with a few wraps of heavy twine. Use that as your rear rest instead of any mechanical widget. Squeeze the sock to lower the point of impact, relax your hand a bit to raise it. Great little trick that.

If you're going to do any stalking... ANY stalking... DO NOT GET THE BIPOD WITH SPRING-LOADED LEGS! Yes - push a button and they whip out to shooting length. Also, press a button and produce a mechanical, whhhstTAK that you can hear easily across any clearing, in any woods, anywhere. Get the ones you have to PULL out: More work, less noise.

Me, I like my bipods to fasten down solid and tight, so I don't have the swiveling veriety. A few friends of mine won't have anyhting BUT the ones with swivels. You pays your nickel, you takes your newspaper. I suspect that if my shooting were more HUNT-ey and less TARGET-ey, I might look on the swivels in a better light.

DO NOT PUT YOUR BIPOD ON YOUR FORWARD SLING STUD!! There's just too much leverage on the stud with your sling, the weight of the weapon, and the height of the bipod body. Put another stud on the stock JUST for the bipod (Harris makes a pretty full line of bipod adapters for a wide range of weapons, stock types, and existing mounts). If you're using a Ching Sling, that'll be THREE swivel studs on the fornt of your stock! Don't count, just DO it.

Last thing: Clean them as you do your weapon! A bit of old, dry mud from the LAST shoot will surely make THIS shoot miserable!

I love my bipods. I've had Harris, off and on, since you had to order the thumb-wheel tensioning screw as an after-market product! Mine are mostly of the push-a-button-scare-the-livestock type, but my targets don't care much about the noise. As such, I say, yes. Buy bipods.

Bye bye, pods.

SwampFox · Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 12:37 pm Post subject: Re: Bipod Advice

I have three pods, two Harris and one Versa-pod. I bought the Versa-pod last. I like the V-P just as well as the Harris. All pods add quite a bit of weight to your already heavy rifle, but what I like about the Versa-pod, other than the $60 price tag is that the pod comes off the mount with the push of a button. The V-P also folds forward or back. THe Harris only folds forwatd. I have the Versa-pod mounted on an AR-10.

Once you get used to the bipod, they become quite the "have to go with you" item. I use the bench/prone bipod on my guns as I figured out that any other position, I would be using a tree, we have a lot of trees here bouts.

Point of aim change, nope. Not if tou have a free floated barrel and mount the pod to the front sling swivel stud. It is just like shooting off the bench.
Ed

Crackshot · Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 2:06 pm Post subject: Re: Bipod Advice

I have not had any problems with change of impact because of my Harris bypods. I say go for it!

george20042007 · Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:25 pm Post subject: Re: Bipod Advice

I have several rifles with bipods, none have altered accuracy. You may want to consider shooting sticks. I think they aren't as restrictive as bipods.
Keep it coming...

skb2706 · Member Joined: Apr 10, 2006 Posts: 269

I would consider the range that you would most often shoot, the mobility you need and the possibility of multiple targets. After that I would then forget the whole idea of a bipod if you are talking coyotes. Shooting sticks are far handier should the opportunity of a long, moving shot come up. Short range shots seldom allow me time to setup, position and put into action any kind of bipod. JMHO

I have several bipods and they are great for pds, paper targets and anything else that requires long precision shots at stationary targets....I just don't think coyotes fit that decription.

ripper007 · Member Joined: Mar 05, 2006 Posts: 199 Location: Colorado

I have a bushmaster 223.

I have thought about putting a bipod on it. just have not done it yet.

the bipod i have looked at are the ones at wallmart for 39 dollers.

are they any good or worth useing ? if not, I will probley not get one.
I have a hard time convincing myself to buy a bipod for much more money.
figure I can just get use to shooting the gun and learn how to hold it steady with out them. but I do keep thinking that it would be nice to have a bipod for target shooting and prairie dogs if I ever go hunting them.

hope to see some more feed back on this topic. would like to know how most of the guys here like or dislike the bipod.

Crackshot · Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 7:53 pm Post subject: Re: Bipod Advice

If its one that clamps to the barrel it will change your POI. Spend the $$ and have your hand gaurds (If its an AR) fitted for a good bypod maybe even put a free float tube on for better accuracy.

george20042007 · Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 10:03 pm Post subject: Re: Bipod Advice

ripper007, as was pointed out already, you may be better served with shooting sticks.

Keep it coming...