I got a spartan 300 bipod on a 2nd hand Sauer 202 which looked nice in the photos, easily fits in a pocket or looks dinky and unobstrusive on the rifle when not in use, but in reality I found it as usefull as t!ts on a fish. The minimum height was 6", maximum height 9". The 9" height was just is no where near high enough for the shooting I do in Scotland... even a grassy field the 9" was marginal. In heather, forget it.
They are now discontinued (well only available as a Sauer Flexpro Carbon at £625!).. and looking at the other bipods available from Spartan even the "long" versions are still really low. I also have a 9-13" Harris and that got used on 13" 95% of the time.
So I decided to modify it... how hard can it be!? I ordered some 14mm and 12mm carbon tube and set to work. The 12mm tube was juuuuust too tight to fit inside the 14mm tube, but a bit of wet and dry to reduce the OD of the 12mm tube and we were good to go.
1st off I pulled the original to bits, then cut the carbon legs, then drilled out the remaining original carbon tube from the feet, then from the top swivel piece, then the telescoping fitting in the middle. Took a bit of guts to make the 1st cut but once you start you are all in so I just pressed on. Could have done with a 12mm, preferrably a 1/2" drill for some bits but I managed to make a decent job of it in the end with what I had in the shed. Currently waiting on the epoxy to dry (I am gluing it in 3 seperate phases to ensure its all aligned nicely) but I will put some photos up once its done.
Now on the "low" setting it will be about 10", on the heighest about 18" if my maths are correct. Increase in weight will be equivialnt to a sparrows fart so no problems with that, especially on a chunky 202. I guess it will just be a bit harder to store in a pocket or similar. That said this model is designed to fold up ender the barrel and remain fitted at all times. Might make a belt loop holder arrangement for it... see how I get on.
Cost - £30. Time, about an hour and a half.
Cheers
Mike
They are now discontinued (well only available as a Sauer Flexpro Carbon at £625!).. and looking at the other bipods available from Spartan even the "long" versions are still really low. I also have a 9-13" Harris and that got used on 13" 95% of the time.
So I decided to modify it... how hard can it be!? I ordered some 14mm and 12mm carbon tube and set to work. The 12mm tube was juuuuust too tight to fit inside the 14mm tube, but a bit of wet and dry to reduce the OD of the 12mm tube and we were good to go.
1st off I pulled the original to bits, then cut the carbon legs, then drilled out the remaining original carbon tube from the feet, then from the top swivel piece, then the telescoping fitting in the middle. Took a bit of guts to make the 1st cut but once you start you are all in so I just pressed on. Could have done with a 12mm, preferrably a 1/2" drill for some bits but I managed to make a decent job of it in the end with what I had in the shed. Currently waiting on the epoxy to dry (I am gluing it in 3 seperate phases to ensure its all aligned nicely) but I will put some photos up once its done.
Now on the "low" setting it will be about 10", on the heighest about 18" if my maths are correct. Increase in weight will be equivialnt to a sparrows fart so no problems with that, especially on a chunky 202. I guess it will just be a bit harder to store in a pocket or similar. That said this model is designed to fold up ender the barrel and remain fitted at all times. Might make a belt loop holder arrangement for it... see how I get on.
Cost - £30. Time, about an hour and a half.
Cheers
Mike
