quad sticks or tripod

[The Singing Stalker]

Quads. Can be used as quads or twin stick.
Quads for accuracy or distance.
Yes they take longer to set up as quads, but should only really be in woodland where things come out close up, in which case set them as twins. Which you will forget to do. I always forget. Heyho.
Tripod can be accurate, but the techniques used are different and require plenty of practice to enhance accuracy.

 

[palo]

What sort of shooting will you be doing ?
If your on the move quad sticks, if your set up in a static position calling foxes etc then a tripod is good.
I use both but my viperflex sticks with the 5th leg is steadier than any tripod .

 

[Deermanagement]

Twin sticks and learn how they should be used

 

[CBH Australia]

A tripod with Arca is brilliant if you’re setting up in a fixed position for a while however if you’re stalking then sticks are the way to go.

I have used Viper Flex on several stalks in Africa and found them stable. Very stable for someone who had not used them previously,

Each stalk was successful.

I have a light tripod that I tried prior to travelling.

I have used a home made set and recently purchased a Sunwayfoto CS3640 with the Arca attachment. This is nearly 3kg and more suited to sit and wait style hunting but each style has a different situation where it might work best.

In short the Quad sticks are worthwhile considering for a stalker. It seems like a popular option in the UK

 

[Heym SR20]

I would always encourage a novice to learn to shoot off hand. Plink and tim cans with the pellet gun etc. no substitute for basic rifle skills. Then use the sticks for additional support and to bring accuracy at longer range.

I think too many are too reliant on kit, not good basic skills.

And a lot depends on the ground. Often there will be perfectly good rests available all over the place - trees, fence posts, walls etc etc. once you start looking and get this into your mindset you don’t need embuggerance of carrying sticks.

And if there are regular spots were you frequently stop and wait, just find or make some suitable rests.

 

[jthyttin]

My preference is for simple pair of sticks - hazel rods tied together with paracord. Under 50p, and with a little bit of practice, good to shoot to any distance you’d be happy shooting quads to.

Actually, a LOT of practice.

Anyway like said whatever your support you need to practice with it. And take into account, that POI might differ from different supports, depending on your fundamentals and to lesser extent rifle (weight, cartridge etc)

I have set of lightish quads (4 stable sticks base model, added shrink wrap over the "rods"), different tripods incl. different rifle attachments and then also different twin sticks. Each have their place and tripods double up for spotting scope / torch at the range etc. If I was serious about longer range (than currently) mobile shooting, I might add heavier quad sticks to the mix, maybe even 5th leg (it seems a lot of faff, though).

Quad users who despise tripods, have usually not practiced with different tripods and don't know how to use them efficiently. A suitable tripod is just as easy to carry as quads, bit faster to deploy and much more versatile while deployed. But presents different challenge to the actual shot.

 

[jthyttin]

I would always encourage a novice to learn to shoot off hand.

I would advice novice to shoot from prone and bench, with solid setup (bipod, bags etc). Then advance to quads, tripod and hasty supports like tree (or upright on range). Train yourself to take only (very) good shots. Advance to twin sticks, and single stick. Periodically re-visit the more stable supports.

Just by throwing off-hand shots will be a long and painful road (mentally). Training to take only good shots will get you much faster, easier and cheaper to the level you can take off-hand shots up to XXX distance with YYY precision.

 

[HonestJohn]

I’m the dissenting voice here
Don’t like quad sticks at all. Far too much faff
Using a tripod just now but at times it’s as bad for faff
A simple pair of sticks is generally the best option

I largely agree and hate quad sticks. But! When needing to take shot on the 150-200yd range standing, it’s a game changer.
I’ve shot many deer with twin sticks, and still use them. I love my twin hazel sticks, class and simplicity, but I love the stability of quad sticks and the confidence it gives in every shot being absolutely spot on. I hate quad sticks, argh

 

[Tim.243]

I would advice novice to shoot from prone and bench, with solid setup (bipod, bags etc). Then advance to quads, tripod and hasty supports like tree (or upright on range). Train yourself to take only (very) good shots. Advance to twin sticks, and single stick. Periodically re-visit the more stable supports.

Just by throwing off-hand shots will be a long and painful road (mentally). Training to take only good shots will get you much faster, easier and cheaper to the level you can take off-hand shots up to XXX distance with YYY precision.

You can use quads as bino rest, closed as a singe stick, half open as twins or deployed as quads.
I don't go training or "down the range" just go out with the rifle.

 

[Bo Diddley]

Quads all the time.
I don't understand when folks say they are a faff to deploy. It takes a couple of seconds for me to get the sticks open and the rifle on top, even in the dark foxing. I use Bushwear.
And @Tim.243 added a few good points in the above post.
Good luck with your journey. Enjoy.

 

[Tim.243]

I prefer a pair of sticks. If the range is bit further then you either move slightly to get additional support from a tree, fence post etc. or drop down into a kneeling or seated position.

But there is no substitute for practice. Get a spring powered air rifle and shoot it off hand lots and lots. 22 lr also very good, but bit more expensive to run and more restricted where you can use it. Dry fire is also really good.

This is all well and good but out foxing in a strong wind open field no trees fence posts then with the stability of quads against being affected by the wind using a twin set is a mile apart.
They all have a use but quads will/are the steadiest platform out of all in the field, I zero from mine.

 

[Smellydog]

Tripod is plenty. If you can shoot from them.....

 

[Pete6.5]

Quads all day. You will more than make up for the few you don't get because of the time to deploy because you can take shots further and mis or muck up a lot less.

 

[JH83]

Neither.

Tripod is great from a static position, but too heavy and cumbersome to stalk with. Quads are a faff to set up in anything like a hurry.

My preference is for simple pair of sticks - hazel rods tied together with paracord. Under 50p, and with a little bit of practice, good to shoot to any distance you’d be happy shooting quads to.

I think tripods have a place - they’re really hard to beat if you’re shooting on a steep slope, or in vegetation too deep for a bipod. But they’re very much an ambush tool.

I don’t see the point of quads.

The point is that they provide rigid support front and back unlike twins/tripods, so the human error factor is reduced (emphasis on the word), similar to prone. I think that if I am leant back against something solid I shoot 90% as well off quads as I do prone. Happy to shoot out to near enough my self imposed maximum range. They are a revelation.

Speaking to multiple professionals over the last few years they all state that quad sticks have greatly reduced wounding, indeed their deer dogs hate the things.

I draw a line at 5 leg jobbies, in the field anyway, too much faff. Took a lad out with them and he fluffed several chances trying to set them up. There are a few remits for them but I feel largely unnecessary.

 

[Mungo]

The point is that they provide rigid support front and back unlike twins/tripods, so the human error factor is reduced (emphasis on the word), similar to prone. I think that if I am leant back against something solid I shoot 90% as well off quads as I do prone. Happy to shoot out to near enough my self imposed maximum range. They are a revelation.

Speaking to multiple professionals over the last few years they all state that quad sticks have greatly reduced wounding, indeed their deer dogs hate the things.

I draw a line at 5 leg jobbies, in the field anyway, too much faff. Took a lad out with them and he fluffed several chances trying to set them up. There are a few remits for them but I feel largely unnecessary.

I suppose I always look to shoot off a bipod as soon as the range stretches past 150.

I periodically think I should investigate quads more, but every time, I then see someone struggling with a set, and think otherwise!

 

[Tim.243]

I suppose I always look to shoot off a bipod as soon as the range stretches past 150.

I periodically think I should investigate quads more, but every time, I then see someone struggling with a set, and think otherwise!

This is the thing about learning, when it is a struggle people stop trying!

 

[JH83]

I suppose I always look to shoot off a bipod as soon as the range stretches past 150.

I periodically think I should investigate quads more, but every time, I then see someone struggling with a set, and think otherwise!

Very uneven boggy ground can be a little tricky, I think I have got used to looking for a level-ish place to set up. Occasionally a leg slips but even then they are pretty steady slightly canted. I really wouldn’t be without, vipers work well as a double stick (they have a wee lock device that you need to pop open into quads) and as a single in dense woods (similar device single to double as well) if that makes sense.

 

[Mungo]

This is the thing about learning, when it is a struggle people stop trying!

I’ve seen them fall apart on clients several times! That’s what’s really put me off. That and problems with tracking moving animals.

 

[HarryG]

Each to his own I guess. I’ve used hazel and b&q but could never go back, e.g no pan function. I think it’s fine if you genuinely don’t get on with quads but don’t use hazel or b&q just to save money. We owe to it quarry to use the best rest possible and the cost of quads is pretty insignificant compared to scopes etc.

 

[Tim.243]

I’ve seen them fall apart on clients several times! That’s what’s really put me off. That and problems with tracking moving animals.

Most of the problems you/I read on here come from people not being ready before they go out,
Left bolt a home
Left ammo at home
Scope loose
Sticks falling apart
Struggle to deploy sticks
There is a great deal of being practical with shooting in general which starts before you leave the house, leave things to the last minute and you pay the price.
How you are in life will/does play a big part in how you will be in the field as the life style is what you do all the time and the shooting is just a fraction of your year.
You need 4 square feet to deploy a set of sticks be it a carpet in the living room or the front lawn but lets wait until the morning stalk when it is dark to find out the above