Decided to try to build a set of shooting sticks that provide both front and rear support for more stability than regular sticks when sitting in low chair or stool.
Started with two 50” lengths of half inch steel conduit, six 3/16” x 2 1/2” SS screws w/nylock nuts, four 12” x ¾” nylon Velcro cable ties, plus 1/8” pop rivets, 3/16” flat washers, camo duct tape, super glue, a piece of broom stick and a couple of 3” deck screws.
Cut two pieces of conduit to 43” and two more to 29”
Drill 3/16” holes 4” from end of all four pipes for hinge bolts
Drill 3/16” holes ¾” from end of pipe, opposite hinge end of the two 29” pipes at right angles to the hinge bolt holes
Drill 3/16” holes 18” from end of pipe opposite hinge end of the two 43” pipes at right angles to the hinge holes
Connect the two 43” pipes using 3/16x2” screws forming hinge 4” from top. Next, connect the two 29” pipes in the same manner. A flat washer under screw head, nut and between the two pipes make for smoother open/closing of the joint. Trim off exposed end of the hinge screws and file off any burrs.
Wrap front and rear “forks” w/camo duct tape and close top end w/plastic caps to protect finish on rifle.
The long pipes (now referred to as front legs) are joined to the rear legs, with two more 2” screws but DO NOT TRIM LENGTH. This joint needs extra length to compensate for the angles of individual legs.
ID of the conduit measured .606”, or just shy of 5/8” so used a broomstick “turned down” in my South Texas wood lathe, (otherwise known as 1/2” cordless drill and a wood rasp) to close bottom ends of the front legs. Before inserting the plugs, ran 3” deck screws in each w/exposed end sharpened to form spike. Coated these plugs w/super glue then pop riveted in place for good measure.
Pop rivet a 12” Velcro cable tie to front and rear forks to secure rifle to sticks. This enables sticks & rifle to be moved as a unit. Next rivet two 12” Velcro cable ties to right front and right rear legs to prevent over-extension until rifle is secured in place as seen in upper left hand picture.
Strapping rifle to the rests enables rifle and sticks to be quickly picked up as a unit and moved side to side to cover up to 180* field, just as you would do with regular set of sticks.
Completed sticks weigh in at just under 4# and when folded up are held together for easy transporting by the rear fork nylon tie. If weight is an issue, aluminum conduit would reduce substantially.
Looking forward to getting them out in the field for a test drive, but they work as planned on a mowed lawn. High grass or small brush will obviously hinder mobility, but you won’t believe how steady the rest is. Elevation changes are made by leaning forward or back.
Regards,
hps
Started with two 50” lengths of half inch steel conduit, six 3/16” x 2 1/2” SS screws w/nylock nuts, four 12” x ¾” nylon Velcro cable ties, plus 1/8” pop rivets, 3/16” flat washers, camo duct tape, super glue, a piece of broom stick and a couple of 3” deck screws.
Cut two pieces of conduit to 43” and two more to 29”
Drill 3/16” holes 4” from end of all four pipes for hinge bolts
Drill 3/16” holes ¾” from end of pipe, opposite hinge end of the two 29” pipes at right angles to the hinge bolt holes
Drill 3/16” holes 18” from end of pipe opposite hinge end of the two 43” pipes at right angles to the hinge holes
Connect the two 43” pipes using 3/16x2” screws forming hinge 4” from top. Next, connect the two 29” pipes in the same manner. A flat washer under screw head, nut and between the two pipes make for smoother open/closing of the joint. Trim off exposed end of the hinge screws and file off any burrs.
Wrap front and rear “forks” w/camo duct tape and close top end w/plastic caps to protect finish on rifle.
The long pipes (now referred to as front legs) are joined to the rear legs, with two more 2” screws but DO NOT TRIM LENGTH. This joint needs extra length to compensate for the angles of individual legs.
Pop rivet a 12” Velcro cable tie to front and rear forks to secure rifle to sticks. This enables sticks & rifle to be moved as a unit. Next rivet two 12” Velcro cable ties to right front and right rear legs to prevent over-extension until rifle is secured in place as seen in upper left hand picture.
Strapping rifle to the rests enables rifle and sticks to be quickly picked up as a unit and moved side to side to cover up to 180* field, just as you would do with regular set of sticks.
Completed sticks weigh in at just under 4# and when folded up are held together for easy transporting by the rear fork nylon tie. If weight is an issue, aluminum conduit would reduce substantially.
Looking forward to getting them out in the field for a test drive, but they work as planned on a mowed lawn. High grass or small brush will obviously hinder mobility, but you won’t believe how steady the rest is. Elevation changes are made by leaning forward or back.
Regards,
hps
