Folding bipods vs shooting sticks

[lot21]

Hello friends. I've saving up for a new rifle for my boys and I this Christmas. Thinking of a Savage 93 in the .17 HMR. Anyway, I was intent on getting a folding bipod for it but now am having second thoughts. They seem a little high priced and I question their practical use in the field.
I live in West Central Ohio (Mercer county) where the land is very flat and the farm fields in witch we will be varmint hunting always have underbrush and crops in various stages of growth. Shooting from the prone position will almost always cause of loss of line of site to the target.
I'm thinking shooting sticks that can be used standing or sitting/kneeling would be more practical for our needs.
I've never used either, any advice would be great.
Thanks

 

[rcmodel]

I made a pair of shooting sticks out of 36" x 3/8" oak dowel rod and some scrap leather.
Cut the leather strap long enough to cradle the rifle and punch holes for the sticks to go through.

Elevation can be set by spreading the legs apart at various distances.

They work great for setting or kneeling over ground cover while coyote calling & turkey hunting.

Bi-Pods attached to the rifle are more TackyCool no doubt, but two dowel rods are way lighter to pack around on foot I betcha!

Another option I have used is a heavy-duty, adjustable leg, camera tripod I bought at a garage sale. I made a padded rifle rest that attaches to the camera screw mount.
It also works pretty well as a mono-pod while standing up.

rc

 

[lot21]

Thanks for ideas RC. I remembered I had an old tripod from a Mead telescope we don't use in the garage. A few modifications and now we have a fully adjustable shooting base. It's not perfect but it's free and gives us some good ideas to build upon.

 

[rcmodel]

Sounds good!

Glad I could help!

rc