Back pack with rest

NigelM

Well-Known Member
I do a fair bit of woodland stalking with sticks and a bit on the hill without. I hate bipods with a passion, they are heavy, ugly, noisy, but when you want to get prone very useful. I recently found a very nice narrow back pack that doesn't constantly try to push the rifle off your shoulder and is just about big enough to take a spare fleece and other bits of garb you end up taking out.

The thought was, and your feedback would be appriciated, would there be any interest in a narrow backpack with a front rest built into the bottom of it, allowing you to ditch the bipod yet always have a good prone rest at hand?

Please tell me if you think I'm off with the fairys.
 
Would be a special make up, but I can do that to a reasonable standard. The ones on the elberstock site look interesting but I was looking at something far simpler - and cheaper! The fairys have one vote so far, but i might have a play anyway. At least someone thinks it might be worthwhile!
 
No no, I think it would be a great idea.

I just saw the Eberlestock stuff and wished for something cheaper in a similar style!

Fairies remain on their own!!
 
I'm a Fairy (never thought I would post that on the web):lol:

I hate bipods too :D

I have looked all over for a small backpack that didn't get in the way & settled on a ridgeline hydration pack http://images.nitrosell.com/product_images/3/533/large-ridgeline-hydro-backpack.jpg
which will take anything you need for a day on the hill (just) & then i roll up a poncho & stuff it into the elastic cross at tfront of the pack to give enough hieght for a decent rest , seems to do the trick for me.That said I would like to see a purpose built design .

Down with bipods !!!
 
I'm a Fairy (never thought I would post that on the web):lol:

Being away with the fairies - Thinking it's a mad idea!

So, your Net announcement of such was uneccessary, you are not a fairy!! :lol:

So far, it's all interest...
 
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Before we had bipods we used to roll up a rifle slip or rest on a roesack, I have shot many deer using (abusing?) a pair of Zeiss binos as a bipod. I think we are now coming full circle.

I blame moderators, we could stand the extra weight of a bipod as it had big advantages and the point of balance was not effected too badly however moderators have totally ruined that so now we are looking to shave off weight and the poor old bipod has to go! Been there, done this!

I was thinking the other day about an old rucksac that I had as a boy with a triagular metal frame, I bet it would make a reasonable roesack and a very good sitting position rest? I suspect the lower part of the frame might make slinging the rifle akward. I might have a look on eblag and, if I can find one cheap enough, have a play.

JC
 
I do a fair bit of woodland stalking with sticks and a bit on the hill without. I hate bipods with a passion, they are heavy, ugly, noisy, but when you want to get prone very useful. I recently found a very nice narrow back pack that doesn't constantly try to push the rifle off your shoulder and is just about big enough to take a spare fleece and other bits of garb you end up taking out.

The thought was, and your feedback would be appriciated, would there be any interest in a narrow backpack with a front rest built into the bottom of it, allowing you to ditch the bipod yet always have a good prone rest at hand?

Please tell me if you think I'm off with the fairys.

NigelM,

what about this Harkila Bear Rucksack Chair - which also doubles as a seat!... Three for the price of one?!!

http://www.bushwear.co.uk/nostyles.php?ProductID=111381&ClassID=47

I had not thought of using it as a tripod but maybe it would work prone?
 
Tried the Harkila chair but it's fairly wide and constantly knocks your rifle off the shoulder. Similar problem with most other packs I have tried. I have found the fell running back pack/hydration pack which are very narrow but still hold enough for the day out don't interfere with the gun at all. A bum bag is an alternative but they are never quite big enough for everything.

I was going to start by building a Caldwell front rest into the bottom of a fell running pack and seeing how it works. Might need to take the weight of the filling down on the rest as don't want to be dragging too much mass up the hill. Anyone got any ideas for a light/medium weight non absorbant stable fill material?
 
Oh, just forgot!!! I had my local seamstress,,thanks Honey:scared: stitch a strip of canvas around the top of my shoulder strap on my rucksack, with a snap-clip (thingy) ,,oh 'buckle' (new it had a name:doh:). What I do is unclip it, put the rifle strap on top of my rucksack strap, then clip it again around both - this keeps the rifle from falling off my shoulder, and actually allows it to freely switch about without my having to worry about my arm movements or the thing falling off! Because it's not velcro, it doesn't make noise either when unclipping either..try it!
 
I use a Camelbak mule with 3litre bladder and a caldwell front rest clipped to the bottom of the 'sack. Caldwell filled with polysyrene and plastic beads.Light as snuff and does not get in way. Rifle sits well on shoulders (niggloch rucksling) plus you can sit on the caldwell on cold days.
 
I use a Camelbak mule with 3litre bladder and a caldwell front rest clipped to the bottom of the 'sack. Caldwell filled with polysyrene and plastic beads.Light as snuff and does not get in way. Rifle sits well on shoulders (niggloch rucksling) plus you can sit on the caldwell on cold days.

That sounds pretty close to what I'm thinking of. Any danger of a picture?
 
Waldy, I think that your idea of getting a plastic stocked rifle is so that you can EASILY fit a bi-pod onto it instead having to spoil that lovely wood on your Steyr's. I have seen you having a crafty look at my bi-pod!

(I might be away but I am keeping an eye on you! Do you fancy coming to South Africa next year, had a couple of invites whilst I have been here?)

Phil
 
Waldy, I think that your idea of getting a plastic stocked rifle is so that you can EASILY fit a bi-pod onto it instead having to spoil that lovely wood on your Steyr's. I have seen you having a crafty look at my bi-pod!

(I might be away but I am keeping an eye on you! Do you fancy coming to South Africa next year, had a couple of invites whilst I have been here?)

Phil
Uncle Philip !
you'll make me paranoid !:suss:
A moment of weakness ! I have decided not to pursue the idea of a plastic fantastic , long live the purists !!!
Which means I will have some spare budget for a possible trip to South Africa :-D, a land free from bipods (except for those that shoot of the trucks ,simply not cricket ) .
Good Luck with the build Nigel , will be interested in the seeing the results .

Rodge
 
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