Shooting Sticks & Monopods

Tried the monopod and I was more accurate without it. My Brother in law has a tripod that is very stable, but more weight and bulk than I'm willing to carry around. I've tried the Stoney point shooting sticks. They require a little practice, but once you get the hang of it they do improve shooting over offhand. They telescope quite well and don't weigh too much.

I made a set of cross-sticks out of 36"x1/2" oak dowel and cut-off 30-06 cases with seated bullets that stick in the ground.
Held at the top with a Latigo leather loop.
Another loop slides down to hold them together at the loose end for a walking stick.

Total cost was about $5 bucks

The old Buffalo hunters would be proud to use them!

rc

I've used the 36" bibod from Stoney Point. Drop to a knee or sitting makes a very stable platform. Also, keeping the legs extended and folded and the bipod can be used as a walking stick. Do yourself a favor and wear a knee pad on your strong side when shooting while kneeling.

I made a set of cross-sticks out of 48"x1/2" oak dowel and cut-off 30-06 cases with seated bullets that stick in the ground.
Held at the top with a Latigo leather loop.
Another loop slides down to hold them together at the loose end for a walking stick.

Click to expand...

I've done similarly with old fiberglass tent poles (thinking about using a set of aluminum ones for an even lighter solution), it works well and costs next to nothing.

Maverick or RC, do you have any pics of your sticks?

Best I got is in the far right edge of this gun cabinet photo.

Maybe after doctors and errands tomorrow, I can take a better picture of them close-up & unfolded.





rc

You mean there are sticks in that Beautiful picture?? Nice collection you have there!

Nevermind, I done it tonight!

Folded, walking sticks:


Unfolded, shooting cross sticks:


rc

RC, those look good. That style fits those levees nicely.

Carbine, where in SW Ohio are you located?

i use a Primos Trigger Stick monopod when i'm squirrel hunting. works for me. kinda pricey, but it'll adjust quickly and silently. i can use it sitting on a bucket or standing.

http://www.sportsmans-depot.com/products/PRIMOS-TALL-MONOPOD-TRIGGER-STICK-31%252d64-PRIMOS-65492.html

Interesting thread as I was talking to my shooting buddy at a cookout yesterday and had mentioned to him that I want to make up some shooting sticks.

rcmodel - what's the overall length on yours?

Thanks,

Jim

I don't have any photos of mine, but they look similar to RCs, just with fiberglass instead of wood, and w/o the .30-06Spd. turf spikes (which is a good idea BTW).

Mine are standard 36" hardwood dowel with cut-off 30-06 cartridges bonded on the tapered ends with epoxy.

So I'd guess about 38" long in all.

They were made for shooting setting on the ground.

If you want to stand up, they would have to be a lot longer.

rc

Bi-pods are much steadier than monopods.I see no point in a tripod for field use. When you use a bi-pod you are still technically shooting from a tripod as your body becomes the third leg. Bi-pods are faster to employ and the third leg is not in your way.
Mu bi-pod came from Gander Mountain and has a pivoting U shaped rest that pivots if you need to take a shot at running game. It weighs next to nothing and can be employed nearly as fast as a monopod. Every shooter and hunter should have one!

rc,

Thanks for the reply. I'm thinking of a set for standing so will have to go a little longer.

Jim

I use three pieces of bamboo about five feet long and 1/2'' in diameter bound together with a bungee ball 6'' from the top.
This setup weighs almost nothing and is as stable as shooting from a bench.

Cost less than five bucks and it folds itself back up when you lift it off the ground.

I use a wooden walking stick about 6'6" long when I hunt squirrels. It is not a steady as a bi-pod, but assists me with balance when I am walking over uneven terrain in the woods. I hold my .22 across my thumb and lean on a tree if it's handy. Most of the time I am seated. I have several since cutting one out of the woods is free so I have experimented with different lengths and thicknesses. Then when I am sitting waiting for squirrels, I can whittle designs on them. Who knew a stick could have so many uses?

RC - those look really nice!!

Mine aren't as fancy as RC's, because I never thought about it...I just use a couple of wooden dowels with a piece of leather tied around 'em.

I'm kind of working along sniper's line. Since ankle surgery I am using a walking stick or staff when on uneven ground. It first was about 6' but since trying it I have cut it down to just about eye level, now I can rest my binoculars on it while leaning against a tree. When sitting I can rig it in several poses and grip it with my weak side hand to rest a 22 or pellet rifle on. I'm still learning new ways to use it. For use in the yard or at a range I took my photo tripod and made a cradle for the top of it as an impromptu bench. It's kind of bulky for hunting though.

This thread motivated me to start working on some Al. ones to replace my old [and somewhat heavy, by comparison] fiberglass ones with. This one will have a ballistic nylon cradle at the top, the aforementioned Al. tent poles (that someone was getting ready to pitch in the garbage), and yet undecided spikes. Maybe some crimped bullets like rcmodel, or some old brass cleaning jags, but I'd like to find some Carbide tips that'll fit (it's right at .270in. inside diameter) so it has better longevity. I'll try to remember to take a photo when I get it all assembled.

to find some Carbide tips that'll fit (it's right at .270in. inside diameter

Click to expand...

GI 30-06 or 7.62 Armor Piercing bullets have tungsten steel core penetrators inside them.

It would take a heck of a lot of hiking to wear them off dull on the ends!

rc

Good point, but unfortunately I don't have any AP lying around. I think I'll try my local REI and see what I can come up with...then maybe look at some GI APs (if I can find any, I haven't looked recently, but I know that it isn't as common as it used to be). I bet I can find a decent use for the leftovers.