Bi pods or Shooting sticks

I teach a long range hunting course and we focus on front and rear support for the new students who don't much have experience with positional. This year I was demonstrating the use of a tripod and my back pack for rear support. Its surprisingly easy to ring a 12x12 plate at 800 for the students once they set up right.

Whether using a shooting a stick or tripod it is still important imho to get the rear of the rifle stabile.

I use a fiesol 3342 carbon fiber tripod and a feisol 50mm ball head with arca swiss rail. I have my spotting scope and bino's set up for the tripod as well. The whole thing is 3lbs!!! At the school I went 4 for 4 at 1000 standing with a trigger stick for rear. The plate was large tho. 21x20.
 
shooting sticks....
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trigger stick tripod
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bipods
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Where is all shooting from?
 
I've been hunting and shooting for probably 60 of my 75 years. I read all I can to improve my skills. And now I am trying to decide on the purchase of either a bi pod or shooting sticks. In the past I have relied on using the best available rests: trees, fence posts, cushioned rocks, and the list goes on. Which rest do you use - bi pod or shooting sticks - and why?
I have both but use my bipod the most it is an atlas bipod with pan tilt and quick detatch the reason I use it most is the way I'm shooting mostly prone long distances from what you've described trees fence post etc. you may benefit more from shooting sticks that is just my opinion
 
I've been hunting and shooting for probably 60 of my 75 years. I read all I can to improve my skills. And now I am trying to decide on the purchase of either a bi pod or shooting sticks. In the past I have relied on using the best available rests: trees, fence posts, cushioned rocks, and the list goes on. Which rest do you use - bi pod or shooting sticks - and why?


I would think shooting-stick would be a much better option overall.
 
Quick StiX
BACKPACK HUNTING STICKS SOLUTION:

I've found Quick StiX from Wiser Precision to be the lightest fast way to form hiking poles into a stable bipod.

Quick StiX are made of a Delrin-like engineering grade high impact polymer. About the diameter of a silver dollar the male and female pieces each fit on a hiking pole just under the handle. They snap on and are tightened down with the included stainless screws.

Quick StiX can be set to 45 deg., 67.5 deg. (best) and 90 deg. positions. The pole with the male section fits into the female piece on the other pole and a short twist gives you a solid rest.

Eric B.
 
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or, you can throw away the adjustment stop screws and have a fully adjustable set. Mainly because it is rare for a shot to present itself where the stops would be set for the correct height.
 
Hollands Shooter Supply carries these sticks from Denmark. My friend hunted with them in South Africa and bought them stateside. We tossed this gun up on them and checked them out for rigidity. Very impressive. Can be folded up to be used as walking sticks quickly. Front and rear support for rifle. One more option...
 

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I've been hunting and shooting for probably 60 of my 75 years. I read all I can to improve my skills. And now I am trying to decide on the purchase of either a bi pod or shooting sticks. In the past I have relied on using the best available rests: trees, fence posts, cushioned rocks, and the list goes on. Which rest do you use - bi pod or shooting sticks - and why?
You and I have similar years behind a rifle stock. I would like to answer this based on hunting experiences. I have tried bot, but i find that as we age, finding a good/quick way to get down behind a bipod gets more difficult. I just got back from 5 weeks in South Africa, and there no self respecting PH would go hunting with a client without two things--a good tracking dog and a set of sticks. Hunting with 4 different PHs I got to use four different types--traditional three stick leather bound about 10" from the top, a portable fore and aft rest like a bench rest atop a tripod, Jim Shockey trigger sticks and Bog Pod, and an accordion style with about six pieces all hooked so the fore-end and the butt are supported.

This was my fourth trip to SA. I can tell you a rock is better, as is a tree, but the tripod comes in second. All of the 4 types worked on a variety of game at distances beyond 400 yards and on flat and mountainous terrain. I would NOT buy the Jim Shockey trigger shooting sticks--I have a set and both mine and the guide's in SA have not held up. The legs release on their own and the swivel can't be locked and wobbles. Not a good combination. The last animal I took was a running zebra of another guides borrowed Bog Pod--the trigger sticks were by then relegated to the trash bin.

I like the traditional bound set or a Bog Pod--both are sturdy and won't shift just as you start to pull the trigger. The Bog Pod I think should be a tall set so you can use it standing or sitting.

I don't know about you, but at 71 my ability to shoot freehand standing isn't what it once was. But with a tripod, I have a rest anywhere. I took some big animals while in SA, some were running, most moving at all at distances from 75 yards to over 450. The difference on both the running and distance shots were that the rifle was stable.

I took an eland, kudu, sable, roan, red hartebeest and a blue wildebeest at 300+ yards, with one shot kills. The gun, (a 300 Win Mag), is accurate,
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especially coupled with Swift A-Frame in 180 gr., but I wouldn't have had a prayer without the tripod. Back home I carry one anytime I hunt when I'm not in a permanent or portable deer stand. I think it's as important as a clear set of binos.
 
I used a Harris bipod with my 30.06 and killed a bunch of animals mostly antelope and mule deer from sitting and prone. Last year I used a guide's tripod and it worked fine in taller cover where you have to shoot over brush. My buddy swears by the 3 legged trigger stick so I bought one to try this year.
I often use three dowels tied together for a tripod when I'm turkey hunting so I don't have to move my gun far.
 
My POI changes too much when I attach a bipod (338RUM), compared to prone off my pack. I'm going to try shooting off sticks and see if the POI is similar.
 
I've been hunting and shooting for probably 60 of my 75 years. I read all I can to improve my skills. And now I am trying to decide on the purchase of either a bi pod or shooting sticks. In the past I have relied on using the best available rests: trees, fence posts, cushioned rocks, and the list goes on. Which rest do you use - bi pod or shooting sticks - and why?

Both have their place as well as Pros and Cons.
With the bipod you need to be able to get close to earth unless you can snuggle up behind a nice big boulder or have a version with longer legs. They also have tilt capabilities for an additional cost, a bit more complexity, and weight.
But their constriction makes end-shake minimal even though they aren't always lightweight.
Shooting sticks, IMO, don't offer the same stability since they are of lighter construction and less rigid overall. At least the set I own.
Of course you could employ a pair of walking sticks, ski poles (IDEAL for anchoring in the ground) or a couple of smooth, straight, sticks you pick up during your hunting travels, etc.
That said, kneeling or maybe almost standing behind them has advantages, too, (higher elevation to see over intervening terrain comes to mind) but holding them secure to the forearm, coming out of recoil momentum, turning loose of the sticks (sorta) to manipulate the bolt, don't make for a steady platform when trying to spot the fall of your shot and reloading to reengage if the need arises.
Those, plus storing off-gun, in a pouch off your belt, attached to your pack or secured inside said pack doesn't all them to be brought into action if a quick shot is required.
That said, setting up on the side of a hill, glassing and able to make a fairly leisurely shot they STILL have merit and usefulness and, IMHO, where they REALLY shine!
In closing I have and use both depending on the circumstances and need.
Before buying either, borrow both from your fellow hunters/shooter Buddy's and see what best fits YOUR needs.
Good Luck, God Bless and let us know about your experiences and ultimate decision, Pardner.
Overnout
 
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