Is there a consensus on the best bipod?

[MCMXI]

I have a number of Harris bipods which are fairly light, work fairly well and are a decent value but I'd like to step up to something better suited for heavier "tactical" rifles. I have an Accuracy International bipod that works well but there's no way to prevent or reduce cant since the spigot is free to rotate through X degrees. I've played with a pricey Accu-Shot model a bit but am not totally sold on the large knob to lock the cant feature. So is there a consensus on the "best" bipod available for load development, practical shooting and even hunting with heavy tactical rifles?

Thanks.

 

[taliv]

Not really. I think the atlas is better for prone shooting but like the Harris for more practical positional etc

There are some other new offerings getting great reviews but I have no experience with them

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Interesting, why do you consider the Atlas better for prone and the Harris for multi-use?

 

[loose noose]

Ok, so I'm cheap I like the Caldwell Bi-pod, I've got one on my AR-15 M-4, and it's been on there over two years and several thousand rounds and seems to do the trick. I've also got one on a S&W AR-15/22 and it too has had at least 1000 rounds thru it without incident. I believe I paid right at $50.00 each. Wish I could figure out how to put one on my Mini-14, 'cause I sure as heck would put one on there also.

Didn't know you had to spend a bunch of money to get a quality Bi-pod. Note mine only go from 6"-9" which is perfect for shooting prone, using a 20 round magazine.

 

[Skylerbone]

I own a GG&G that works well with one exception; the cant thumbscrew while reasonably sized does not fully lock position without considerable force. My bet is that there's a $2 solution waiting at a hardware store but it works well enough to not bother. Mine is mounted on an AR and came standard with 1913 attachment.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

People cannot reach consensus on what day it is, why would you expect them to reach consensus on something where anyone's favorite is the "best." With all due respect, (and expecting to get another warning from the PC police who oversee this place) I think any question such as this that is posted is not really very well chosen.

 

[MCMXI]

Steel Horse Rider, the intent of the question was to generate a debate where members talk about their experiences with different bipods. Some members here did just that. Too bad you chose to focus on semantics rather than the topic at hand.


taliv, I'll search for some of the "new offerings" you mention and thanks Skylerbone for your post. That was exactly the kind of information I was looking for.

 

[back40]

i've got a couple of harris bi-pods, and pretty much won't buy anything less. a friend of mine had his cheap knockoff come apart at the range one day, and that pretty much assured i'd never buy one.

i also run the kmw podlocks on my sivel base harris'. it's $20 well spent.

i'd like to hear some more info about the atlas, as i've often wondered what they offer over the harris.

 

[taliv]

yeah there are a bunch of posts on snipershide about the new bipods. i can't recall their name or i'd share it. seem pretty cool though and well reviewed (but then, everybody over there seems to be stepping all over themselves to suck up to the newest vendors.)

pb, because the atlas can be positioned lower to the ground, and i like the pan feature. the tilt is not so great, so you have to mess with the leg height more. but deploying it takes forever compared to harris and i have to come out of position to reach it and if i don't guess the tilt of the terrain right, i usually get into position, realize tilt is wrong, have to get out of position and fix it. takes a lot of time.

also, the harris legs are wide and solid and pointing straight forward when in the up position so if your stock forearm is round you can rest the harris legs on barricades etc if you need the space. ime, the cant and pan are fairly loose on the atlas, which i think may be addressed in the PSR model but not other atlas models. the result is, when you go to throw the rifle through the port the atlas legs are usually pointing 30+ degrees off center in some random direction, and are pretty narrow and don't feel as stiff. it's just harder to build a position. and if you have to go from prone to a window, back to prone, back to a window on the clock, forget about changing the atlas between ports.

net, if you've got all day to set up for a good precision shot, the atlas wins. if you're on the clock, i still like the harris.

 

[MCMXI]

taliv, my single biggest complaint about Harris bipods (I have five) is that it's too easy for the legs to fold forward inadvertently when you pull back on the rifle. The AI bipod is way more stable but has no cant lock. The Harris bipods tend to corrode as well but some paint would probably help mitigate that. I do have a pair of M249 bipods but they'd need to be modified to work with any of my rifles.

back40, I have podlocks on my Harris bipods as well .... big improvement.

 

[Skylerbone]

In regards to general use, the GG&G is much like the Harris and its knock-offs with the exception of having a cleaner appearance.

I mentioned what I did not care for so here's what I like:

1. Tilt to accommodate terrain.
2. Clean leg design with no springs, no noise and no pinched fingers, especially when kids are in the mix.
3. One-handed deployment. I can reach both locks with thumb for one and index finger for the other without loosing contact with the rifle.
4. Feels at least as solid as the Harris when loaded and there's a heavier duty model that I imagine to be more solid still.
5. QD mount making it completely tool less.

I checked GG&G's website yesterday and noted several new configurations including a model with forward rake to the legs and having rubber feet. I sometimes regret not purchasing an Atlas as both fall in relatively the same price category and the Atlas is a proven product with a great feature set but my overall satisfaction has been otherwise high.

I feel any of several bipods might make an argument as "best" depending on shooting position and need. Hope you find what works best, semantics aside.

 

[taliv]

it's too easy for the legs to fold forward inadvertently when you pull back on the rifle.

well,stop pulling back on the rifle!

seriously though, you're right and i've developed a little technique where i rotate the rifle up on one leg when i pull back for some reason. that leaves the other leg straight. so if i feel the rifle starting to collapse down, i just rotate quickly to the other leg. try it

 

[Welding Rod]

I like Harris and LaRue's modded Harris bipods with quick connect and Picatiny rail mount.