The right scope and bipod for the new setup - opinions please

[PUSC]

The time has finally come when I've saved up enough pennies for my new setup. I've got a Bergara b14 carbon barrelled crest coming in 6.5 Creedmoor, which I have moved into an MDT HNT-26 chassis system and paired with a titanium moderator from Freyr and Devik. The final bits of the puzzle are the scope and the correct bipod. Everything else is sorted.

The main brief is to use on the hill in Scotland on the reds. So it must be hard-wearing and decent enough glass for daytime use. A ballistic turret would be nice, as I often shoot out a bit farther than I do down south. But other than that, I am agnostic. I have shot for years with a Schmidt 8x56 and own a Z6i on my other rifles. I wouldn't want to go to a lower-quality manufacturer, as I've seen how bad the light transmission in some of the cheaper brands can be.

The bipod needs to be quiet, deploy easily, and deal with dragging across heather, as well as repositioning once prone and stalked into a group. The MDT chassis has an arca rail, so preferably an attachment that fits to that rather than the sling swivel.

The budget is approximately £2-3K - and I don't mind going secondhand, as long as there's a warranty etc.

What would you pick if you had the choice?

 

[Cyres]

See if you can buy the Zeiss Diavari on here.
D

 

[jthyttin]

Keeping to the spirit of rifle (lightweight), maybe something like Swarovski Z3 4-12x50 BT and nice lightweight rings? The scope is 410 grams and MSRP seems to be about 1500 Euro.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Leica illuminated reticle/dot in the 2nd FP.

Job done

K

 

[Stevie/P]

Wouldn’t bother stick with what you’ve got assuming you’ll be accompanied stalking if so the stalker will get you within 200 yds most won’t let you shoot past 300 8x56 or 12 power will get the job done as for light gathering you’ll off the hill long before it’s too dark to notice.
I’ve used Harris bipods no problem. Save the money for that 12 point stag.
Good luck enjoy the hunt.

 

[foxerklw]

The S&B polar 96 blows the socks off anything I've looked through regarding light transmission however, the Leica Magnus isn't far behind at all and it suits my eyes better. It's an absolute pleasure to look through and I certainly wouldn't commit to anything until you've had the opportunity to look through one yourself!

Don't get me started on bipods! What features do you require, cant/tilt obviously, pan?

 

[disco_ike]

I have arca rails on my comp rifles and wanted a bipod I can take on and off quickly so that it isn’t always on the rifle. Ended up with a budget set up of an Arca Plate from Amazon and a swivel stud and my old faithful Harris. Easy to deploy quick to fit/remove etc.

For my stalking rifle I actually just use the Harris again, easy to use no f’s given if I damage it etc.

The other option I did consider was the Spartan. There’s an arca adapter for them too.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

The bipod question is a good one. I'm not sure where I would start today if I was starting from scratch. I currently have some bipods (in various heights) that attach in the traditional manner to the stud on the fore end. I have other bipods (in various heights) that clip onto a short section of Picatinny rail that's attached to the fore end.

When I'm likely to carry the rifle slung on my shoulder, I tend to use a Harris bipod attached to the fore end stud and then attach the sling to the bipod. I have thought about putting a QD socket in one side of the fore end to allow me to use a detachable bipod on a short section of Picatinny.

At present my solutions are compromises. I will watch with interest to see what emerges.

Regards

JCS

 

[jcalleja91]

I think one of the most versatile bipods on the market is probably the Tier One ATAC.



Deploys quietly as you describe and plenty of adjustments to get level on awkward terrain. The only maybe is that the leg adjustment buttons to me represent a snagging opportunity.. I think I cover all of that in the above video.

Scope wise I love my Mavens. Punch well above their weight and glass clarity is sublime for the price. But I think you're budget would probably stretch a little further.

 

[nun_hunter]

If you're going that lightweight and want to be hiking in the Highlands then I'd go for a Spartan Javelin. Anyone who complains about losing it or having trouble fitting it quickly and quietly clearly can't be trusted to look after key and unlock a door if they struggle that much.

Choose the pro hunt with locking legs as it won't collapse like some of the much earlier models and also the legs adjust at the touch of a button. Choose a length of leg that's suitable for the heather or whatever is on the ground and you'll be shooting over. Or forget a bipod and just use your backpack

One thing is for certain, I'd not be taking a Harris bipod anywhere, even in a backpack with a QR mount on it. I've seen tangled lumps of rebar that look more comfortable and lighter than one of those archaic things.

 

[HonestJohn]

Shoot off your daypack! In highland hill grass most bipods are too short anyway.
The Schmidt polar is good advice, as is the z3 - McAvoy’s have a 3-10x42 with BRC reticle for £1k!!

 

[PUSC]

Thanks for the feedback. Regarding the bipod there's a split here between people's opinions. Not going down the bag route, I have done it plenty and want something better - will have a look at the Atac. Has anyone used the MDT bipods?

Regarding the scope I will have a gander and see what's available. Have always used FFP so SFP might not be for me. There're a few options kicking around - will have a scout.

 

[scotch_egg]

Thanks for the feedback. Regarding the bipod there's a split here between people's opinions. Not going down the bag route, I have done it plenty and want something better - will have a look at the Atac. Has anyone used the MDT bipods?

Regarding the scope I will have a gander and see what's available. Have always used FFP so SFP might not be for me. There're a few options kicking around - will have a scout.

MDT is a lovely bipod but weigh a ton. If you want seriously light weigh with similar adjustment look up mtngear bipods from New Zealand 150g and tall enough for the heather.

As for scope Z8i 3-28X50 weighs about 700g. All told above budget but you’re wanting the best.

 

[Wmjas]

As above someone’s mentioned to the light weight theme of the build. I used to have a Howa mountain rifle for serious alpine hunting out here and ended up between vortex LHT or swaro 3-18. Got the latter and replaced the swaro turret with one that just reads MOA.

Also got into spartan system which if you chasing the weight is hard to beat. I take bipod for prone shots with longer legs (can switch to shorter legs for range work) and tripod which also takes adapters for binos and spotter. They do arca adapters I believe. The beauty is that you would only need to buy extra adapters and you could use the bipod/tripod/sticks etc on all your other rifles.

 

[JH83]

A PM2 ultra short would fit well. There was one in classifieds for circa £2k of late. Obviously new it’s over budget. My 3-20 would of suited too, but it went. I’d hold out for something similar, depends how quickly you want it running.

 

[Mungo]

Harris bipod.

Bought one the day I bought my first rifle. Still use it. The single bit of kit I haven’t changed. Absolute fool proof reliability and apparently indestructible.

For the price, they have to be the best value stalking item out there, by a very wide margin.

 

[PUSC]

Thanks for the answers chaps. I will go and have a gander and see what I can come up with.

 

[Hagen]

I recently bought a new setup and went with a Swarovski Z8i 3.5-28x50 plus ballistic turret. Now owning it, I would say that 28x is overkill for stalking ranges and actually not always very comfortable to use. The eye box becomes tiny and brightness suffers noticeably in less than ideal light conditions. Swarovski seem to have an odd gap in magnification ranges where you either pick 16/18 or you have to go all the way to 25/28. I really wish they had something in between.
Nevertheless, I don't regret buying the 28x because it's still a great scope and I will just be using less than max zoom in most situations.

Had a chance to look through a dS gen II as well recently and if you're going for something really fancy... well that's definitely it. Is the ranging + ballistic calculator integration a necessity? No, for UK stalking you'll never really NEED anything like that but it is pretty fun if the money is there for it.

I went really silly with my bipod and bought a Backlanz precision long range. After the added UK VAT it was stupidly expensive but it is beautifully light and goes really well on my HNT26 setup. I only recently put it all together and have yet to test it all out in the field but I'm happy with my first impression.

Out of interest, what made you go for a B14 and then move it into a HNT26 instead of going straight for the factory Premier Elevate?

 

[NullMac]

The bipod needs to be quiet, deploy easily, and

You need to think about height as well. Harris are not my favourite bipods but for this job they are hard to beat. Others are better built but are bulky etc.

deal with dragging across heather,

You keep your rifle in the slip (partially open) drag that across the heather in one hand and only slip the rifle out at the final shooting position. You can keep lower, crawl more easily and keep the crud out the shooter.

What would you pick if you had the choice?

March. Kahles.

Beware the short designs. There is a price to pay. Good luck finding someone who actually has one in stock

 

[paul o']

UTG over barrel bi pod cheaper than the top boys but it self centre's and wont fall over! , My scope of choice is the delta Javelin works it works for me lighter than the V8 I used to have and use for the same ranges I shoot at .