Stick, Bipod, Tripod

[tjdwillis]

I have a Harris prone bipod on my .243, and always stalk with a stick.

 

Recently I have started to realise that a bipod is of little use in woodland stalking, and I dont have enough confidence to shoot of the stick unless Im very close.

 

Im thinking about investing in a sitting/kneeling bipod. Whats the best option?

[Baldrick]

I don't use bipods for woodland stalking, as I think they are too heavy. I use a stick - nothing special, just a straight length of hazel. I also prefer the speed (and silence) with which I can take an aimed shot off the stick, rather than cocking about with a 27" bipod.

 

Practice shooting off whatever support you choose, until you are confident in your stance.

[Tommo]

Get more shooting in mate (at a target etc.) , l'm another with a bit of Hazel, 7ft long straight as a die. I used to shoot with set of Bi-pod Pole cats, good bit of kit, but keep it simple - simple + speed = accuracy and results in my book!

 

T

[Harnser]

I allways use a short bi-pod . I find i can rest on just about anything in the field . Most of the time i use it unfolded so that the legs are parralel with the barrel . You can rest it on wire fences ,fence poles ,tree stumps ,sheep hurdles and just about anything else . Fold it down if you have the time for the longer shots if you are laying prone or crawling on your belly . I think that there are more advantages having one on the rifle than not having one .

Harnser .

[lapwing]

I use a separate aluminium tripod with telescopic legs. You can get pretty quick with practice, and just use it as a single stick if you dont need the extra support. Where it really wins for me is the complete flexibility in height, and if you set up with something else by your elbow you are rock steady. I have a heavy moderator on my .270 so shooting freehand is pretty much out of the question. Used to use two 7 foot hazel sticks, but find the telescopic much easier to keep in the land rover as it just gets dumped behind the seats between outings and is only about 30" when collapsed.

 

I think BushWear have a picture on their website

[Tiff-TRG]

I tend to use my sling and if possible always adapt natures natural rests. Failing that I've found plenty of time in the gym, helps me hold my 15lb rifle stead enough using a 3 point sling.

[scolopax]

I do most of my woodland stalking with a short bipod fitted but find I use it very infrequently. Most of my shots are off sticks, two B&Q garden canes. I do have a long bipod which I fit when I know I am going to be sitting and waiting for a shot, which I find very useful in such situations. But for normal woodland stalking I find a standard short bipod more of a hinderance and will probably not bother in future.

[ferretmanabu]

How do you use the stick to help you shoot? Do you rest it on the stick in some way?

[Bleeh]

How do you use the stick to help you shoot? Do you rest it on the stick in some way?

 

There's alot of books that cover this subject quiet well, but I'll try and cover it in text.

 

The first way is you use your lenght of stick, and grip the stick, while postioning your hand so you can hold and rest the forend on the same hand, and otherwise lean into position as you would resting it on anything else.. If you find a stick, take it outside and have a few pot-shots at some targets, you'll soon find a postion you find comperble with accurate shots.

 

The otherway is to have two sticks tied together at about 1-2ft from the top. When you want to take a shot you simply spread the sticks out and rest the rifle in upper cross section produced.

 

You can use anything for this, my old shooting poles used to be a pair of alimiumium tubes that I found lying about, but being lightweight (and already strapped together with some sort of heavy duty elastic band) I found them perfect for the job at hand.