I don't know jack squat about bipods - advice please

[flashhole]

I'm looking from advice from all the bipod gurus. I have three rifles that I would like to outfit with a bipod, a Kimber Longmaster Classic (100% factory), a Rem 700 outfitted with a Boyd's Thumbhole Laminate stock, and a Ruger #1V (100% factory). The Remington and Ruger have a wide forestock but the Kimber has a slim forestock.

Take the Harris line of products for example. What model(s) could I choose from and what are the differences? I get the obvious difference like height ranges and weight but what do I look for with regards to gun attachment?

 

[Sky]

I have three bi-pods purchased from optics planet. They cost $37 Or $57 each sorry can't remember. They have the springs on the side and extend to 13" with rubber stopper feet??...Really does not matter. The way you mount them does. The ones I purchased came with a block that screws and fits over your sling stud. Extremely easy to attach and remove. When you find what you like read the fine print on attachment...Hope this helps.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Do you want to shoot prone, off a bench, or sitting while using the bipod?

Do you prefer that the bipod attach to a swivel stud or to a picatinny rail?

Answer those and good choices will be easy.

 

[flashhole]

Both prone and off a bench and have no need to accomodate a picatinny rail.

 

[leatherneck448]

Id start with a harris 6-9" adjustable.
Its relatively compact and it gives you plenty of travel in the legs to get the job done.

 

[Hunterdad]

I just put a Caldwell bi-pod on the Savage .22mag. A buddy of mine has a Harris and I honestly can't tell a difference.

 

[madcratebuilder]

What Leatherneck said. The Harris is versatile, can mount with a single stud, Very easy to move from rifle to rifle. You can buy a knock-off for much less if you don't mind supporting China, some of the knock-offs are OK quality wise.

If you want something better than a Harris then look at the Atlas bi-pod. Best you can buy IMHO.

http://www.accu-shot.com/atlas_bipod.html

Be prepared for a eight week wait for the Atlas. The Atlas bi-pod used with a accu-shot mono pod is the best set up I have used for bench shooting.

 

[Redlg155]

If you want a Harris, consider the S series. These models can adjust to uneven ground or bench conditions without having to adjust the legs in order to have level crosshairs. I have the SLM model, with the swivel and leg notches for adjustment instead of tension.

 

[Legionnaire]

Yeah, get a Harris S version, and then add a PodLoc. Absolutely the best for shooting from uneven ground.

 

[esheato]

And don't forget the Pod-Loc.

 

[Legionnaire]

^^ Ha! Beat you! (Great minds think alike)

 

[esheato]

Honestly, I was surprised that thread went as long as it did without the Pod-Loc suggestion.

Great minds definitely....lol

 

[Damon555]

Id start with a harris 6-9" adjustable.
Its relatively compact and it gives you plenty of travel in the legs to get the job done.

What he said...

I'd like to add that if you are just shooting off the bench and prone on flat ground don't bother with the swivel model. The 6-9" BR will work great.

On the other hand if you have hunting in mind the "S" model will work great. I took my 2 BR Harris bi-pods on a recent prairie dog safari and was sorry I didn't have the swivel model. My buddy had an extra that was the bees knees for sure.

Harris is the only name you need to know. They may cost a little more but there is a good reason for that.

 

[flashhole]

Thanks guys I think I have this figured out now.

 

[flashhole]

If you want something better than a Harris then look at the Atlas bi-pod. Best you can buy IMHO.

http://www.accu-shot.com/atlas_bipod.html

I was looking at the Atlas and all I saw was a rail mount bipod. Won't work for me.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Atlas and its few competitors are rail mount only.

Harris, although dated, is a very useful and effective bipod, high quality, made in the US and not too expensive at $60-100. For your uses I would get a Harris. I would not get the Chinese-made clones like Caldwell - you're not saving much money and the quality isn't the same. The Harris bipods truly feel like quality, and have seen a lot of actual military service.

 

[flashhole]

I spent some time reading the reviews on Midway. I will most likely buy a Harris in the next week or so.

 

[J.Boyette]

This is the best one of the Harris Brand

LINK And get the pod-loc as well.

I run right now 6 of them and the 6-9 is all you will need for all situations.

 

[taliv]

I may just be dense here but I have yet to figure out how the atlas justifies the price. I just don't get it. I've seen a lot of people raving about it but I don't see where it's easier or faster than the harris or more stable. You are all cleared hot to educate me as I haven't held one yet.

I also run the 6-9 s with notched legs and a pod loc

 

[J.Boyette]

Taliv,

I think the main deal is its low profile, better quality of workmanship and stronger design overall.

I do not own one, I have used some. I like it. I have shot in matches before where a harris lost a screw and legs went a flying.

for guys like us, its non-point because we got a sling but ofr others its a show stopper.

I think its just a over built piece of equipment. If you got to have the top tier, thats it. but two legs that support the rifle and is durable works just fine in my book.

John

 

[jpwilly]

If your on a budget the Caldwell 6-9" pivot model for $49 is nice enough mine has been sturdy. Mines is as sturdy as the Harris...I also have a couple of non pivot 9-13" $39 ones from Walmart they are okay but the Caldwell is a good value for $49 IMO and I happily use one.

 

[flashhole]

Not ready to let this thread die yet.

Lots of comments about "6"-9" is all you will need" but on a couple of the online stores they say the 9"-13" is the best seller.

Any more comments?

 

[taliv]

put a ruler under your barrel and try to get in any position you can think of to shoot. (obviously, follow safety rules)

There's two reasons you need elevation. The first is to clear some obstacle like you're shooting in high grass, in which case you need the gun horizontal, but higher up. The second is if you're shooting way up hill and you only want the muzzle up and the buttstock down.

Regarding the latter, I can only remember once in my life (thunder valley precision's Intimidator course) have I had a shot where 9" wasn't enough bipod. I was laying halfway down a hill, facing down, and my target was at the top of the next hill over. I just removed my rear bag and tossed something (i forget what) under the bipod legs to get the elevation I needed. But in that case, my neck was contorted so far out of comfort, that if I had to go any higher, I would have slung in and switched to a sitting position.

Regarding the former, if you stick the whole gun up horizontally 13" off the deck, think where the rest of your body will be. How will you hold the rear up? 13" is too short to sit and too tall for prone. Now, they do make bipods that are 2 feet tall so you can sit behind it with the butt in your shoulder comfortably, but that won't collapse far enough to shoot prone. So I would only use one of those if I knew I needed to shoot like that.

as to why 9-13 is popular... i cannot imagine.

that's just my experience though... you may live in some terrain or shoot some course of fire substantially different than mine

 

[Jon_Snow]

Personally, I find I shoot the best when I'm as low to the bench or ground as I can get. I use the 6-9" bipods exclusively and never extend the legs except when I'm shooting prone. Even then, I only extend them about an inch or so. I can't think of any stable positions where I'd want an extra 3" and that includes some 'unconventional' shooting positions used when varmint hunting.

 

[Skylerbone]

Taliv, I couldn't make it through the Atlas web site without giggling at the first couple paragraphs. Maybe they really do work, I don't know. I know the Counter Sniper scopes work (so do Tasco scopes: ) because people have actually spent big money on them and reviewed them. I think those people have no idea what sort of quality could have been had for the $600 or so they spent. Anyway my impression of both sites was the same, hokey, "shrouded in mystery" get it before the "government overruns" run out and our stock is depleted supplying our countries "snipers" (GG&G won that contract). I don't care for the sales pitch but it seemed well built. Maybe Dr. Piazza, D.C. will give all his students one with their free pistol and a certificate for a 1/2 price future rifle course!

I do know their Accu-Pod monopod for the buttstock is touted by a few guys around here and is stocked by E.A. Brown of MN (boutique builder and accessories seller). I do trust them so perhaps Atlas just needs a better angle but I'd buy a GG&G if I needed a railed version.

To the OP, I don't use a bipod but I do plan on purchasing one in the near future. I am anticipating field shots of longer than normal (for me) distance. The Harris seems the most practical choice and will work for both my rifles. There are exceptions and adaptors to acommodate most everything from barrel band to tubular mag to 1913 rail. For your particular situation I would not forsee needing anything more than the bipod itself.

Military prefers the notch leg versions, you may get more info from others on this subject and the subject of height. My guess is the 9"-13" is more popular because they're resting on the hood of a truck??? I'd stick with the BRM for bench and the 13"-27" for sitting shots if you're tall or 25" if you're average height.