Bipod for prone and sitting shots?

[palmer_mike]

I have a Harris bipod 9-13inch which is great for prone shots, but to be honest prone shots are not very usual for me when in the field. Is there a length of bipod that would allow me to use it for sitting shots (i'm about 6 ft) and still go low enough to allow a prone shot if needed?

All the best,
Mike

 

[tjwaines]

My Harris bipod is approx 2ft long when fully extended, I'm 6'3" and can comfortably take sitting shots. Not sure exactly which model it is though.

Tom


Edit - believe it to be the S-25 model.

 

[palmer_mike]

My Harris bipod is approx 2ft long when fully extended, I'm 6'3" and can comfortably take sitting shots. Not sure exactly which model it is though.

Tom

Thats good to know Tom, does it go low enough to allow prone shots if needed? (although this would be a secondary concern for me I guess).

 

[tjwaines]

Think it's 12" when it's fully retracted, which for me is absolutely fine for a prone shot.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

I have a Harris bipod 9-13inch which is great for prone shots, but to be honest prone shots are not very usual for me when in the field. Is there a length of bipod that would allow me to use it for sitting shots (i'm about 6 ft) and still go low enough to allow a prone shot if needed?

All the best,
Mike

Mike. I am not quite as tall as you and I use one of these - Harris Bipods HB25S Adapter I don't often use it for sitting, I mostly use it fully retracted for prone shots or extend it slightly to shoot prone but get above the heather/bracken. I have in the past had one of these - Harris Bipods HB25C Adapter but found it a stretch when shooting from the prone position. Regards JCS

 

[palmer_mike]

Thanks Tom, Think I have found the one you're talking about on uttings Harris Model S-25 Bipod 12-25 Inches (Swivel Base) | Uttings.co.uk

wonder if I can get a copycat version cheaper anywhere

 

[jcampbellsmith]

..wonder if I can get a copycat version cheaper anywhere

I am sure you can get a copycat version, but if it falls to bits when you are just about to line up on a nice stag, you might regret it. As noted above, I had a 27 inch bipod and got an excellent deal when I traded down in size at Macleods in Tain. I doubt the copycat will retain much second hand value. Regards JCS

 

[User00003]

I used the long harris one for a while but found it a bugger for prone shots, I was having to lift my upper body upwards and create far to much tension in the body, so I decided to learn to shoot instead

 

[palmer_mike]

Mike. I am not quite as tall as you and I use one of these - Harris Bipods HB25S Adapter I don't often use it for sitting, I mostly use it fully retracted for prone shots or extend it slightly to shoot prone but get above the heather/bracken. I have in the past had one of these - Harris Bipods HB25C Adapter but found it a stretch when shooting from the prone position. Regards JCS

Thanks JCS, think you're right that the first would probably be a little more versatile for me.
All the best,
Mike

 

[User00001]

I have one of each in the Harris range and there is almost always a compremise, the one I used most (before moving to flat and bipod unfriendly Norfolk!) was the 9-13.

For general field use the 12-25 is probably the best allrounder, unless you are a big bloke it is a little too long for prone use on the range but ok for stalking shots when you tend not to be in the position for long.

Glyn.

 

[bewsher500]

i find sitting shots much more comfortable using the bipod legs god provided me
they are fully adjustable, very sturdy, a tad thick in places and not in others but offer the advantage of providing me with locomotion to take me from A to B

they still click a bit but not as much as trying to put up a harris in bracken/heather/****ing rain etc!

 

[stratts]

Just to throw another suggestion in the mix how about making a set of small shooting sticks from B&Q plastic coated garden canes like I use. Cost about 4 quid with a bit of pipe lagging and handy as a walking aid too.

Added bonus of being able to adjust the height by opening them up and can get set up nicely in awkward locations, ie, side of mounds, banks etc, and still sit comfy.

I ground a point into the ends so they dig in nicely and a bit of pipe lagging low down stops them clanging together. Surplus camo tape just to tidy them up a bit and make them nicer to carry.

Here's a pic with my rapid on in the grass verge along a field which is about 2ft off the ground

Here they are alongside my full size sticks

 

[saddler]

Another alternative would be the home made "sniper saddle"

Cheap to make - get any cheap but strong camera tripod - add an upper section made from a section of 4" dia pipe or something similar, fit a lit of padding & job done.
More stable than a bipod, MUCH cheaper & a good way to turn an unused bit of camera kit into a shooting accessory

 

[bow]

I used the long harris one for a while but found it a bugger for prone shots, I was having to lift my upper body upwards and create far to much tension in the body, so I decided to learn to shoot instead

i also had the 12/27 and found it a tad to big for prone shots,when retracted, so took the rubber feet off (small split pin) and chopted an inch off the legs and redrilled the holes x2 and refitted the rubber feet now its spot, on eazy job to do bow

 

[stratts]

Another alternative would be the home made "sniper saddle"

Cheap to make - get any cheap but strong camera tripod - add an upper section made from a section of 4" dia pipe or something similar, fit a lit of padding & job done.
More stable than a bipod, MUCH cheaper & a good way to turn an unused bit of camera kit into a shooting accessory

Liking that idea mate I have one in the garage :idea:

 

[jackfish]

I use the 25c which is 13-25 i think, but as said previously a pain in the arse to extend when stalked in close to a beastie.

 

[saddler]

Liking that idea mate I have one in the garage :idea:

Google "sniper saddle" for plans & some videos of them in use - dead easy to make & very stable

 

[Heym SR20]

I have a pair of telescopic sticks which are ideal for every thing from sitting to standing shots, likewise also have B&G plastic canes held together with a bungee which can be slid up and down easily for sitting / kneeling shots. In long heather etc - sitting / kneeling is the way to go. I don's use a bipod any more. Prone shots are taken off a backpack, little hillock, rock or binoculars held sideways.

 

[Milligan]

What about your knees?
Loads of ways to do sitting shots in a stable format, esp downhill shots.