Legionnaire
Contributing Member
I’ll check them out. Thanks.
Best bipod for the money?
- Thread starter viking499
- Start date
- Status
If you’re spending any money beyond a $100 Harris you recommend a $1000 bipod next?
Varminterror
Member
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2016
- Messages
- 14,883
Yes.
You’re not getting anything new, despite spending hundreds of dollars more, until you get to that $700 Cyke pod. Atlas has 45degree legs, but in general, you’re not gaining 3x the value there. The Cyke pod puts a leg anywhere you need it, so if your life involves a frequent instances where you need a leg where a conventional bipod can’t put one, then it’s the next worthwhile investment.
How do those compare to the Harris?
gunmechanic
Member
Harris is your best bet ,i also like the magpul bipod .
Skylerbone
Member
I know several responded with Harris knockoff being the answer for casual or hunting but I strongly disagree. When it comes to activities involving shooting, ammo expense is considerable over time. The amount of money spent hunting is also no trivial amount, let alone my desire for a successful, humane harvest.
Pursuant to the above, I would strongly recommend the Harris being the first rung on the ladder and that’s not speaking ill of Harris, simply noting in my mind the recognizable uptick in durability, design, and and value.
Pursuant to the above, I would strongly recommend the Harris being the first rung on the ladder and that’s not speaking ill of Harris, simply noting in my mind the recognizable uptick in durability, design, and and value.
It's not rocket science to reverse engineer a bipod. The Harris sling-swivel mount pods aren't very complicated. If you don't need the rapid deployment and adjustability features that the PRS shooters like then a knockoff might work just fine.
These days, I mainly use a bipod as an alternative to a front rest when shooting off of a bench. I recently got a carbon-fiber CVlife and it is as stable as my Harris.
These days, I mainly use a bipod as an alternative to a front rest when shooting off of a bench. I recently got a carbon-fiber CVlife and it is as stable as my Harris.
That is correct. But there is still a noticeable difference in the quality of the knockoff bipods versus the Harris bipods. I can definitely tell the difference between my Harris and Caldwell bipods. The Harris is more solid and stable.
That being said, the cheap knockoffs will work okay for casual use from a bench or prone positions and occasional hunting use.
I did some research a while back and pretty much every review listed the CVLife as one of the best despite the very affordable price. I have no complaints.
I admit I've only used 6-9" knockoffs, but I don't see much difference in stability, maybe taller ones are different. What I do notice is the sloppy tolerances in the sling swivel attachments. When I pull the cheap one out of the range bag invariably one or both of the ears have flopped around and I have to fish them back thru the slot it's a slight PITA.
How the bipod mounts to the rifle is part of its stability too. So looser tolerances at the sling swivel mount will lead to less stability. And when comparing my Caldwell to my Harris, there are differences in how tight or loose the legs are too.
They're fine once you get them attached, the PITA is getting it attached. The sling swivel mount pods all have the same or at least very similar rubber lining to keep from marring the stock.
I have no idea, never used one, but at that price I wouldn't be afraid to try one, everything else MDT I have used has been very good.
Varminterror
Member
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2016
- Messages
- 14,883
I have and have had Caldwell, Blackhawk, and “Winchester” branded Harris knock-offs; 6-9”, 9-13”, and 13-27” ballparks; some for only a few years, some for more than 25yrs. I haven’t struggled to shoot small from the knock offs, but I also have felt the wiggle and shift of the mounts, and the yielding give of the legs when I preloaded. The differences are real. Substantial? Eh, guess it depends on how demanding you’ll be of your gear - like I mention, I have a Kmart sold, Winchester branded 13-27” knock off which would be ~25yrs old, and I’ve killed handfuls of deer, and hundreds of coyotes and hogs from it over the years. It’s not as rigid as my Harris version, but I paid $93 plus tax in the late 1990s for the Harris, and only paid $49.99 for the “Winchester” a few months later… both still work for the tasks I ask of them. Do I recommend the Winchester/knock off? Nope. Do I recommend the Harris? Highly. I can’t really say my knock off has held up this long because of quality, but maybe moreso because of recognition and concession - I don’t baby my gear, but I do spend extra attention to avoid breaking stuff I might consider to be breakable.
And at the other end of the spectrum, at the PRS Midwest Regional Finale last month, someone in my squad had a squib round and lodged a bullet 3” down his bore… seeing us tapping with rocks on a cleaning rod, one of the guys from the squad behind us brought over his MDT double-pull Cyke Pod and used the arca clamp like a hammerhead to drive out the bullet… might not have been my first thought with an $1000 bipod set up, but he swung it like something was gonna give, or something was gonna give…
And at the other end of the spectrum, at the PRS Midwest Regional Finale last month, someone in my squad had a squib round and lodged a bullet 3” down his bore… seeing us tapping with rocks on a cleaning rod, one of the guys from the squad behind us brought over his MDT double-pull Cyke Pod and used the arca clamp like a hammerhead to drive out the bullet… might not have been my first thought with an $1000 bipod set up, but he swung it like something was gonna give, or something was gonna give…
Nature Boy
Member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2015
- Messages
- 8,247
I have but they’re usually priced close to what a new one costs. If you run across one priced close to what a Harris cost you better be quick about snagging it.
Like most have already stated, the Harris is the best bang for the buck. I’d forego the knock-offs. They just don’t hold up, therefore, it’s no bargain
I’ll throw this into the discussion- I have these two bipods from Leapers/UTG and I’ve been impressed. That being said, I shoot from a tabletop at the outdoor range. They are solid, all metal, and I really like the included sling stud/rail adapter, which can also be purchased separately. I ordered a half dozen or so, and just leave them on the rifles. The overbore takes up some real estate on the bench but it’s rock solid. They both are.
- Status
