Bipods yes or no

[Mungo]

My journey went the other way. Started out using a bipod, it gave me confidence, wouldn't have dreamt of trying to shoot without it. It wasn't until I bought my 270 and found it really didn't perform well off a bipod that I tried without and found that not only did it shoot better, but I was quite capable of shooting it, without. And what's more, I liked it. Nicer to carry, more versatile to use.
(I now know that it only takes a bit of fettling of the barrel channel to get an old P-H to perform well off a bipod, but I didn't know that at the time).
Similar story with moderators. When I bought my first centrefire it was a few months before I even fired it because I had no mod. It had become so ingrained in me that a mod was an essential bit of kit that I was bloody terrified at the thought of pulling the trigger without one.
A few years later I bought another rifle that wasn't screwcut, used it as it was, and discovered how liberating that is not to be encumbered by a great lump attached to the end of the barrel.
So while I accept that moderators and bipods have their place, and I still use them on some rifles, I find stalking much more pleasant (and just as successful) without either.

I love stalking with a good classic wood stocked rifle with no mod.

Sadly, it’s just not appropriate for conditions I mainly stalk in and the type of stalking I currently do.

Though nothing to stop me getting one again for when I’m on my own time…

 

[ejg]

Slings mounted on the side is helpful when using a bipod. I don’t use stick as I never got on with them. Might consider a tripod with a bag on top. So far I am happy with Harris, have three different sizes in the car and just what suits best.
Edi

 

[Bowland blades]

Not much point if the grass / rushes are up to you knees ! shooting in thickish forestry for flighty little muntjac etc
I open a question here , How many practice taking quick standing shots straight off the shoulder no sticks or other aids ? If you are one that doesn't you should because we all need to take them even out on the hill at times .

 

[CastleStalker]

Another for Spartan in a holster, Javelin Pro Hunt Tac Long Version. I don't use it much but it's always there when i do need it.

 

[leej]

Same for me

 

[Bouncingoffthelocks]

For those that are do I? Don't I? Where shall I store it? How shall I attach it in a hurry? Get a steyr scout! Bipod is always there for those rare opportunities you need a bipod and always out the way when you don't, and you will never forget it! The caveat is that its only really any good for keeping the rifle out the mud

 

[limulus]

I think I bought my limulus sticks at the Kelso stalking fair, must have been maybe 2013?
They have shot, oh, probably 200 deer just on those sticks alone. It’s been a
Long and complex relationship - some deer I’ve been able to get a good steady shot at because of them, other deer I’ve not because of the wood clattering, fumbling opening them, or the legs getting stuck in vegetation when needing to move/track a deer that’s feeding. They’ve pulled roe through the legs many times, they’ve pulled sika and reds with one person each end. They’ve been tossed into woodland out of frustration the noise/clattering from the legs when moving in on a a deer. They’ve been thrown into a stream in frustration. Brought to the recycling centre - yet, always recovered and not let go of….

A true love hate relationship

lol that made me laugh

Perfect preparation prevents a **** poor performance

It’s satisfying to see you’ve shot so many deer (foxes too?) from them.

It amazes me just how many deer have been shot at distances previously outside the “comfort” zone on quad sticks. I believe it was 2013 you bought your sticks at Kelso. I recall taking 52 sets with me, selling 51 (wouldn’t sell one set as I identified a shank in one of the sticks) and walking away with orders for a further 40sets!
Other makes have since made an impact on the market but I still stand by the design I use.

I don’t market them as much as maybe I should but a very busy business and fishing/shooting/beekeeping etc etc keeps me busy enough

Atb
Tony

 

[stubear]

Never bothered myself - my long range target rig has a bipod which I always shoot off but none of my stalking rifles do. It’s just extra weight and bulk.

I’m either in a seat in which case shooting off a rest, walking in which case shooting off sticks or if I am lying down I’ll rest the rifle on my roe sack. Sorted

 

[tozzybum]

Use quad sticks on c.f but have " mini stick bipod " like Vss well ok a total copy of Tims .
2 garden canes with an inner tube section hinge.
Fits in a belt loop ,ideal for bunny bashing.

 

[HonestJohn]

lol that made me laugh

Perfect preparation prevents a **** poor performance

It’s satisfying to see you’ve shot so many deer (foxes too?) from them.

It amazes me just how many deer have been shot at distances previously outside the “comfort” zone on quad sticks. I believe it was 2013 you bought your sticks at Kelso. I recall taking 52 sets with me, selling 51 (wouldn’t sell one set as I identified a shank in one of the sticks) and walking away with orders for a further 40sets!
Other makes have since made an impact on the market but I still stand by the design I use.

I don’t market them as much as maybe I should but a very busy business and fishing/shooting/beekeeping etc etc keeps me busy enough

Atb
Tony

Tony, for what it’s worth, I still have them and they still come out with me every outing. One thing I miss in them, is the ability to reduce them to sitting height. I’ve overcome this by drilling holes and putting a string in halfway so they stop opening, and creating a halfway
‘Stop’.

They’ll be coming out to stalk tomorrow as well FWIW

 

[homer]

Suppose it depends on the type of ground you have. My ground is fairly open with plenty of rocks and hillocks, so always plenty of places to lay with a bipod. If I were to use sticks, I'd be seen too easy. So for me, a bipod works. I use a Harris, takes 2 seconds to deploy when needed. Not like these detachable ones that by the ti.e you've got it out your pocket, fixed it to rifle, adjusted it to height, the deer is long gone!

 

[Devon Stalker]

Hi, when out stalking do you always go with the bipod attached even when shooting from sticks or go without the bipod altogether and rely on sticks? My bipod tends to always stick into my shoulder blades when it’s slung and can get annoying.

Never had one, never needed one, although the Spartan bipods are very tempting…!

 

[Mr. Gain]

It depends on the ground and the deer. Where I am, shooting roe and muntjac, I do almost all of my shooting off quad sticks.
If I decide to sit and wait, I remove the rear rest section, slip a couple of 16ga cases over the ends, and use it as an ad hoc bipod.
In thick cover, I leave the sticks behind and shoot off-hand, lifting the rifle to the target and shooting as the cross hairs come to bear.

 

[RoryB]

Quad sticks with the extra leg (I guess that make them quintet?). I use anywhere from just 2 deployed; close range, where I might need better tracking on a target to 4 where undergrowth can be a pain if the 5 leg is deployed. To all 5, steady long range when time and ground permit. To 3 to form a triangle to hang my kit on when gralloching.

I also swear by my Wiebad fortune cookie bag, it is marvellous off the car: bonnet, roof, window ledge, spare wheel, off fence posts, high seat rails, off the ground for Range work, you get the idea, they are great! It is especially good for static position fox work and provides a very sound base for the longer range jobs!

 

[Sheamus]

Not much point if the grass / rushes are up to you knees ! shooting in thickish forestry for flighty little muntjac etc
I open a question here , How many practice taking quick standing shots straight off the shoulder no sticks or other aids ? If you are one that doesn't you should because we all need to take them even out on the hill at times

First of all let me make myself clear im not looking for an argument over this. I have never practiced taking quick standing shots with out the aid of any type of support. Nor will I ever practice taking this type of shot.
I can only recall ever doing three unaided standing shots in twenty plus years. All these were on poorly shot deer when guiding shooting acquaintances.
Things happen and instinctively you should know how to deal with them. But taking a quick standing unsupported shot is not for me.
I'd much rather wait and do a calculated approach any time of the day.

 

[Bowland blades]

First of all let me make myself clear im not looking for an argument over this. I have never practiced taking quick standing shots with out the aid of any type of support. Nor will I ever practice taking this type of shot.
I can only recall ever doing three unaided standing shots in twenty plus years. All these were on poorly shot deer when guiding shooting acquaintances.
Things happen and instinctively you should know how to deal with them. But taking a quick standing unsupported shot is not for me.
I'd much rather wait and do a calculated approach any time of the day.View attachment 369910

As would / should almost everyone. When the offhand / standing shot is required though , its really needed ! Shooting rifles well from all stances is of course a perishable skill that needs regular maintenance to be of use.

 

[Longstrider]

With a lower back problem that prevents me from being able to lie on my front and raise my head in any comfort, shooting from prone just isn't an option for me. Consequently a bipod would either need to be massive or a complete waste of time. I use a set of quad sticks for 99% of my stalking shots, and a short set of sticks for foxing when I'm sitting (high-tech they are ...2 bits of hazel and some paracord )
Even before my back 'died' I found that what I saw most of when prone was grass and undergrowth .. very rarely my quarry.

 

[Erik Hamburger]

I never use a bipod on a stalking rifle, only on my longer range ambush setup.

Never used a bipod yet to cull a deer. Useful on the range and when zeroing, but not much use when out Stalking. If you have the time and visibility downrange to go prone (again, a rare occurrence) just use your Roe sack, or a rolled up coat. If you are on an elevation shooting downhill AND there is no long grass/crops AND you are ambushing deer that may appear, it can work.