Bipod

[cbrgator]

I just bought a Shooters Ridge Rock Mount 9-13" bipod. Anybody know anything about em? Good? Bad? Terrible? My first impression when I opened it was that it didnt seem beefy enough for a 30-06 but I could be wrong. I bought it at Walmart more for the intention of playing around and learning, then returning, but if it's good, I'll keep it. Thoughts...?

 

[Sunray]

Bipods on .30-06 hunting rifles just add weight. However, the much more expensive Harris bipod looks pretty much the same. Had one on my .243, but took it off. Too heavy to lug around.

 

[ZombiesAhead]

Bipods just add weight? I just bought a DSA FAL (STG-58, .308/7.62x51, 21") and haven't shot it yet. It came with a bipod. Should I lose the bipod and train solely without it? I'm honestly surprised to hear this but I've never used one before.

 

[cbrgator]

it isnt something I plan on using a ton, just want to have one. I know it adds weight and its not something ill often need but i just want one. I am just looking for advice on which bipod, not whether or not I should use one.

 

[CB900F]

Fella's;

I'm with Sunray. A hunting rifle needs a bipod like feminist needs a burqua. If you don't feel that you can shoot adequately without one, well then, have at it. But, come on out to Montana, I'll let you personally experience thousands of reasons why they're less than truly popular here.

900F

 

[Gord]

I have a cheapo universal one on my .22, just so that I don't have to scrounge around for a rest (or lug around a bunch of sandbags) when I'm shooting from my truck bed.

Does its job (holds up the rifle's front end) but it does add a lot of weight - plan on using any gun with a bipod for rested shooting only.

 

[elmerfudd]

Bipods can be a real aid to accuracy, but I probably wouldn't want one on a hunting rifle. The biggest problems with a bipod in the field are that they add weight and cannot be used most of the time, but when you do have the opportunity to use them they're the next best thing to a benchrest. Usually when you're in the woods there is just too much vegetation on the ground to use one however. Once you get down to within a foot of the ground you'll suddenly notice all the grass, ferns, bushes and everything else that is between you and your target.

I like the Harris benchrest bipods that tilt from side to side. The taller you make a bipod the less steady it becomes, but of course if you want to see over the aforementioned vegetation you might need some height. Bipods also should not attach to the barrel or push against it via the handguard. They work best on bolt action rifles with free floated barrels or AR's with free float tubes.

 

[Quack]

i have both Shooters Rigde and Harris bipods.. they are pretty much the same as far as i can tell. i have a Harris (9-13) on my varmint AR, and a Shooters ridge (6-9) on my 10/22. i also have a Harris (6-9)on my Savage w/ Shilen barrel (bench setup), but it's in my safe at my old house. i also bought a FN PBR that came with a bipod, and i'm guessing it's a Shooters Ridge (6-9) because of the markings on it.

that being said. i don't use them for hunting. when i did hunt, i never used one.

 

[bensdad]

I use my Harris on the range. It aids in stability. Between that and sandbags, everything gets solid so I know I'm checking the rifle's accuracy and not my blood/caffeine content.

Out hunting? Don't know how I'd use one. But everybody should have one for bench work and shooting off of level surfaces.

Unlike Elmerfudd, I don't like the ones that have some swivel. One of my shooting buddies has one like that. I don't feel like it stabilizes the gun as well. Maybe it's just in my head.

 

[elmerfudd]

I like the swivel because I often go target shooting out in the woods and the swivel can compensate for uneven ground. Sure you can adjust the legs, but that's a real PITA. Off a bench, a swivel is probably a hindrance.

 

[Sunray]

Hi. Learn to shoot your FAL without the bipod. It's a PBI battle rifle. PBI battle rifles don't get used with bipods. Bipods are slow to 'deploy' too. You really will find shooting it more enjoyable if you don't use the bipod. No resting the mag in the dirt either.
If you find you get single shots only, look at the gas plug. It may be set on 'grenade launch'. It's a fabulous rifle, but it has some quirks. Mind you, most battle rifles do and it doesn't have whatever it is that an M1 rifle has.
http://www.surplusrifle.com/fal/index.asp
Read "Mr. Nielsen and the FN C1 Rifle'. Finn's a good guy. He's a real "CSI" firearms type too.
I spent 6 years in the Queen's Service when we used FN C1A1's, long ago. Never saw any need for a bipod on the rifle. I did find the rifle a bit long for me with most 'normal' butt stocks. The 'short' was too short. Instead of using the forestock, used the front of the mag. Eventually, found a 'normal', on my MIU, that fit me perfectly though. Still used the mag instead of the forestock. Took second in a match. The guy who took first was a DCRA long range shooter. Both of us 'civilian instructors' at the time. Did officer courses with him later. He could shoot, but his fieldcraft was lacking. Good guy though.
The only bipod equiped firearm the CF let me play with was the C2 LMG. Same firearm, but with a much heavier barrel, larger mag capacity(it would use regular 20 round mags too though) and select fire. It could be fired without the bipod, but it was an LMG.

 

[EdLaver]

The Shooters Ridge Rock Mount bipods are great. They are like a cheaper more affordable version of a Harris bipod with the same durability. I like them, and when it comes to saving $50 bucks...why not?