Recommendations for shooting sticks?

[Dolch]

I'm looking at and elk hunt and possible an Africa hunt in the next couple years.

Anyone care to share their recommendations and experiences with shooting sticks.

Figure something light enough to hike with, and with a design thats not going to be a problem when i need it to perform.

Planning to get some and start practicing shooting off sticks.

 

[liber]

I have had this one for about a year, but have only used it twice. So far, so good, but it's not as heavy duty as a Primo, it's probably lighter. I can use my pack to shoot on, but I find this style easy to adjust as it uses one button to move it up/down, and it's quiet enough. I often use this with one walking stick, which I keep in my pack. I find bipods, and especially tripods to be a bit clumsy for me to carry.

If I go to Africa, that's gonna be the job of my PH, don't they typically carry shooting sticks?

EDIT: these Amazon pukes keep adding a tag onto the URL, I have removed it three times and it keeps coming back. I don't think it's harmful, but I don't like it when vendors add tracking or tags onto the URL, slap Bezos. I am NOT an Amazon Associate, but maybe Len Backus is.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084BKWSYK?tag=lrhmag19-20

Here's the Primos version, it says lightweight, but it weighs a pound. (.52 kilo)

https://www.amazon.com/Primos-Trigger-Stick-Monopod-21-30?tag=lrhmag19-20

 

[liber]

@Dolch

Yeah, the tags for from LRH, if you look at this page is shows them using Googletagmanager and PayPal on this site.

https://sitereport.netcraft.com/?url=http://longrangehunting.com

 

[yogibearmech]

I like the Primos trigger stick. I have used the bipod and tripod both. I prefer the bipod.

 

[liber]

I like the Primos trigger stick. I have used the bipod and tripod both. I prefer the bipod.

I think they're a bit stronger than the one I have, although I'm not sure either would take a stiff fall on them.

I think my walking sticks are stronger. I was thinking to get one of those doo-hickeys that allow you to connect and use them as shooting sticks, but decided the monopod style is simpler to use. The monopod straps to the pack frame inside the flap for me.

 

[Rick Richard]

How about trekking poles with the Wiser attachment. I have these and really like it.

Should add it may not be suitable for standing position though.

 

[mnoland30]

If you're not shooting past 400 yarde, a light pair of MIdway's Swagger Stalker Lite Shooting Sticks in a sheath on your belt work great, and are very quick to deploy. For longer range, when you usually have more time to deploy, I like a light tripod. Almost all of my shots are from sitting position to get above the grass.

In the rocky country I hunt, walking sticks are way too noisy. I carry them in my pack for the hike out with meat.

From what I've read, most shots in Africa are from standing, which is very different.

 

[DocGlenn]

These are expensive, but they provide really good support on both the front and rear of the rifle. Used them in Africa last year and they were great. Use them around the farm all the time to deal with pests. Like I said, not cheap, but if I lost mine today, I'd order a new set ASAP. These really work best when standing, which is what you will most likely be doing in Africa.

17 VIPER-FLEX shooting sticks - Styles: ELITE SERIES, JOURNEYMAN, & JOURNEYMAN XL

VIPER-FLEX shooting sticks are simply the FINEST standing shooting stick on the market. The front and rear support for your rifle (and the 3rd leg option) increases one’s steadiness in the field for those difficult off-hand shots. I have tested and used these shooting sticks with students in...

www.hollandguns.com

 

[khart1988]

With elk hunting, if you're gonna have trekking poles with you already, just make sure to have them easily accessible, practice getting them out for a shot, then use those.

I have a primos single platform stick for shooting off my lone wolf tree stand, and my dad has the bipod-style. While nice for a stand or blind, those are far too heavy/bulky for me to want to carry them around otherwise. I can always lay my pack down or stand it up to shoot off of.

 

[BrentM]

I'm looking at and elk hunt and possible an Africa hunt in the next couple years.

Anyone care to share their recommendations and experiences with shooting sticks.

Figure something light enough to hike with, and with a design thats not going to be a problem when i need it to perform.

Planning to get some and start practicing shooting off sticks.

Trekking poles and wiser mount is the perfect solution for that. I pack a tripod most often but if weight is a concern that pole kit is what I take.

 

[med358-boise]

So much of it is personal preference and preferences regarding tradeoffs. Some folks will swear by heavy tripods with vise grip saddles and some folks will swear by wiser trekking pole clips and if your under 5'10" or so you can likely extend your trekking poles and flex your knees so that the work for standing.

For africa, I would go down to your garden supply and get three bamboo poles and make a trip using a vacuum cleaner belt as a giant rubber band at the top. it is unlikely, you will be transporting any shooting sticks you buy here over to africa. The ones I described are likely to be very similar what the PH will have in africa.

For elk hunting, I have found these three products combined represent an optimal mix of sitting/kneeling and trekking pole use. Also, learn how to use your daypack/backpack to support your strongside elbow.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006LZNOKG/?tag=lrhmag19-20

Amazon.com

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AU4RTU/?tag=lrhmag19-20

Feel free to PM if you want more info

 

[btpaine]

I have primo's trigger sticks but I highly recommend a serious look at Gunstix, they support the front and rear of your rifle and are height adjustable from kneeling or sitting to standing and solid as a rock.

 

[BrentM]

I'm looking at and elk hunt and possible an Africa hunt in the next couple years.

Anyone care to share their recommendations and experiences with shooting sticks.

Figure something light enough to hike with, and with a design thats not going to be a problem when i need it to perform.

Planning to get some and start practicing shooting off sticks.

Re-reading your message. Africa, talk to the outfitter, they almost always have what you need on hand and carry it for you.

Elk- Every platform has the potential to work just fine. The issue is they work at different levels and distances in a wide range. The reason people carry a good tripod is the simple fact it's the best platform you can get above ground level. Front and rear support in the field for long range is way is under rated and to be clear, most people have no clue since they don't practice. If you gave me the option to shoot off the best sticks on the planet or a arca tripod for a coyote at 1000, I will take that tripod all day, every day. My longest kill off my tripod on a yote is 1125. The issue with tripods is that most people don't know what makes a tripod stabile. Its the base. The bigger the base platform the more stability it drives in to the system. This is why the competition tripods are expensive and heavy. If you are able to justify the expense and carry 3.5lbs extra gear I'd suggest you look at fiesol 3342 and 50mm ball head with arca rail set up. I have killed a pile of wolves, yotes, and a few lions off that thing. I guide and have had several hunters use my set up when theirs failed them

This is photo I took just after killing a wolf at 515. Tripod, trigger stick for rear support, my backpack. That is essentially the kit that goes with me everywhere. I was 2 miles up that dang hill in thigh high snow and yes it sucked.

 

[med358-boise]

Re-reading your message. Africa, talk to the outfitter, they almost always have what you need on hand and carry it for you.

Elk- Every platform has the potential to work just fine. The issue is they work at different levels and distances in a wide range. The reason people carry a good tripod is the simple fact it's the best platform you can get above ground level. Front and rear support in the field for long range is way is under rated and to be clear, most people have no clue since they don't practice. If you gave me the option to shoot off the best sticks on the planet or a arca tripod for a coyote at 1000, I will take that tripod all day, every day. My longest kill off my tripod on a yote is 1125. The issue with tripods is that most people don't know what makes a tripod stabile. Its the base. The bigger the base platform the more stability it drives in to the system. This is why the competition tripods are expensive and heavy. If you are able to justify the expense and carry 3.5lbs extra gear I'd suggest you look at fiesol 3342 and 50mm ball head with arca rail set up. I have killed a pile of wolves, yotes, and a few lions off that thing. I guide and have had several hunters use my set up when theirs failed them

This is photo I took just after killing a wolf at 515. Tripod, trigger stick for rear support, my backpack. That is essentially the kit that goes with me everywhere. I was 2 miles up that dang hill in thigh high snow and yes it sucked. View attachment 634564

Very interesting, never thought about doing it in reverse. tripod in back pack in front