Bipod Lengths

[kis2]

hey all,

I'm looking at getting a Harris bipod. I do a lot of bench and prone shooting but I also hunt. So my question is what length of legs to get? And does anyone reccomend paying twenty bucks more for the swivel model?

thanks much

 

[Maverick223]

I can recommend the standard length (6-9") WITH a swivel unless it will be solely shot from a bench (in which case you don't need a swivel). GG&G makes a better bipod IMO, but the cost is getting up there. Harris is good for the money (skip the knock-offs though).

 

[edelbrock]

If you are going to be hunting with it then the swivel is definitely worth the extra money. It is indispensable when you are trying to get a shot off from prone in an uneven field.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

The answer is: None of the above. They are a nuisance/hindrance to accuracy at the range, relative to bench shooting from a rest, and when hunting, unless you're in a desert, they're not gonna get you high enough over the flora to shoot anyway. The grass ain't mowed in the wild like it is shooting prone at the range.

So get yourself a Stoney Point Polecat or similar collapsible bipod or tripod to carry with you for the hunt, that expands to at least 36", and forget the bipod - it's just dead weight.

 

[Maverick223]

Doc. since he mentions bench and prone, I think he wants to shoot paper too...unless he carries a bench hunting. But I have to agree that a bipod is a useless hunk of weight when hunting. Most is done from the standing position or from a stand.

 

[kis2]

sounds like you guys dont use them much hunting, and i'm certain you're more experienced than me out there. long time backpacker, short time hunter. kill plenty of paper though, not always a bench available.

in that case no reason to go with the real long legs. maybe get the 8-13" legs...

thanks again guys.

 

[Maverick223]

i'm certain you're more experienced than me out there

No, don't accuse me of that, I am not a real big hunter (I like to, but only get around to going out to hunt large game a couple times a year). I just have never been able (or really had the desire) to utilize prone shooting while hunting. FWIW when target shooting I use the prone position pretty often.

 

[41 Mag]

For the shooting you mentioned (bench, prone target, some hunting) I would say that the Harris swivel would be the way to go. I have and use several of them on various occasions. However like Dr. mentioned they leave a lot to be desired if the grass is tall.

For most of my field hunting where I know the grass will be an issue or I will be in a sitting position I use the Stoney Point Rapid Pivot Bipod. This is nice due to two factors. First I can use several of the mounts and only need one set of legs for multiple rifles. Second, they are easily set up and can quickly be adjusted by moving in or out to quickly get on target even on uneven ground. I have used them to easily make shots on game out to over 300yds. They are very stable and easily carried out of the way in a pack or with a string snugged around both ends and thrown across the shoulder.

Here is a link to them at Cabela's,
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp;jsessionid=KXASIUZI0WCKBLAQBBISCOVMCAEFEIWE?type=pod&cmCat=MainCatcat20712-cat20716-cat20774&id=0036393

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

41 Mag - Oh man, I *really* like that tripod that snaps on and off! Something else to buy....

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...&rid=&parentType=&indexId=cat20774&hasJS=true

That's the way to go, not a short, permanently-attached one. What would be cool would be to get multiple BASES for that, and one tripod, and put a base for the snap-on onto each of your hunting rifles' sling swivel studs, and voila!

 

[edelbrock]

The grass ain't mowed in the wild like it is shooting prone at the range.

It is on the farmland I hunt on. They mow it for hay and then I get a lot of time in with the groundhogs and my 6mm.

 

[41 Mag]

Dr,

your right on the money with your thought. I have 4 of the mounts, and two sets of the legs. I keep one at our place and another set at my friends place, that way where ever I head to I will have them there when I get there. I have run off and left them at the house before and wasn't a happy camper.

My grandson and I sit out atop of the flood levee at my friends place quite a bit. The bi-pod legs make it very nice to set up and wait for the hogs to come out of the wood line across the pasture. We usually have the rifle sitting on them and need only to shoulder it and aim. He will be using them this year on the daughters or "his", (depending on which one you ask,) 6.5x55. WE had it out a few weeks back hoping for the appearance of some hogs but none made it to the party. We did enjoy the company of a couple of does at about 20yds for darn near an hour. The boy really got a kick out of that.

I would at least get you one set to try out, heck if you don't like them shoot me a line I might take them of your hands.

 

[JDGray]

This works for me

6-9" for the bench, and most prone, on levelish ground.

9-13" if your shooting with any inclines.

 

[HB]

I agree they are about worthless for anything other than varmint hunting from a clearing or paper punching. The only time i used mine for deer hunting, I went prone and ended up falling asleep and 4 deer walked by my It seems to me the shorter ones are more rigid ie more accurate. I have found however, the POI changes significantly when the rifle is shot from a sandbag, then a bipod, then offhand.

HB