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Q:
What do you guys like better for your rifle shooting rest an attached bipod, shooting sticks, backpack, nearby limb or tree, offhand or whatever?
Question by ishawooa. Uploaded on March 21, 2009
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Answers (27)
Ish, you know better than that, shooting sticks and such are for the stay it at home watch the golf ball game crowd!
The best choice is a good old fashion 1 ¼ Military sling shooting in kneeling or sitting position.
I agree with Clay but Have shot prone as well, resting on my pack. Have also use limbs, tree, offhand, etc. I have learned to Always use a rest when a Buck has my Heart-rate up. So i use whatever is readily available. Avoid offhand shots.
Not everyone is the shot Clay is. I always use whatever is available. If I have sticks I use them. If possible shoot from prone, sitting,or kneeling position in that order. Last position you should use is unsupported offhand and it's probably used more than any other by people that don't know better. I have made some really long shots shooting offhand but do not recommend them. BTW back in 1970 at Ft Jackson I was on the firing line prac..err..training with an M16. There was IMS 100 firing points and the range tower NCO screwed up. He raised the 300 meter targets while he had us in the offhand position. Only me and 1 other trainee knocked down our target. These are pop up targets that fall if hit for you civilians.
Attached bipods are the best thing since sliced bread. When I see a deer out at 200 yards I just fold down my harris bipods, lay down, and bag my deer. They are very well built, light weight and you can attach your sling right to them, so you really have nothing to lose... Except about $60 dollars which is a steal.
I agree with hunt_fish_sleep. I use the Harris Bi-Pod and get a lot of shots past 200 yards ...
I prefer a bench, but whatever is available. The only time I've used a bi-pod is with a walking varmint rifle. These were long enough for sitting shots - growth too high for prone. Got folding sticks but don't carry them anymore - too much time to pull out and set up. Would be nice if you had a guide or handler with them during safari, though. I don't have a rest on my tree stands but the shots are close enough to fire offhand - most are used for bow anyway. Last shot of last season was off one knee in thigh deep snow - no supports available. Hasty sling has pulled the shots off with some of my rifles but is nice on the ones where it works. Go for any rest, if available.
I will use a tree or tree branch if it's there.I haven't used sticks of a bi-pod, I never have liked the idea of adding more weight to my gun and the sticks, well that's just something else I have to carry.
Whatever is readily availible. I prefer bipods though. Often times I do use the sling wrapped arownd my arm.
I've always used what I have around me like my knees or a branch or tree (don't rest directly on the branch - put some meat between live wood and gun wood/barrel). If I have time, I get down to prone, and hopefully have a pack or something to rest on. Usually it's not that easy and you just have to make the shot.
I just bought a single telescoping shooting stick - like a monopod. I figured it would be faster than 2 wiggly shooting sticks. We'll see how that goes. Haven't used it yet.
I would only consider a bipod on a varmint rifle. Maybe a goat rifle. Probably still wouldn't get one. Tempting sometimes, though.
Brother Del
As a Firearms Instructor, what I teach is the basics for all situations and if you don’t have the basics down then it makes what is at hand much harder to do and far less efficient!
Question and food for thought, why is my Grandson Alex making those 250 yard shots at age 9?
What if you don’t have a rest?!? Then what!!!
By the way
I like to see someone use a bipod with my 338 Win Mag with my loads. It will eat your lunch!
All of the above. I'm kind of with Clay on the Bipod I have heard they will bouce a little on hard surfaces like shooting benches. I like shooting off my pack or a bean bag the best.
i like rifle shooting rest an attached bipod its easier to am at a big game like a elk.
I say the best rest is the one you have at your disposal when a shot is given. On occassion I carry shooting sticks but have never used them on game. On the range I prefer bean bags.
I can add one thing about bipods. Shoot paper with the bipod attached and without it. Decide if you are going to use the bipod in the field or not then adjust your scope accordingly. I used one on my .280 and the variance at 100 yards was just over 3 inches with or without the bipod. I pulled the stock off and noted that the front sling swivel was slightly pressing against my barrel. Apparently the bipod attached to the swivel further elevated the barrel. I backed the swivel off a turn and the difference was still over an inch.
Stony Point makes some take down sticks that hang on your belt, weight next to nothing, and go togather with a simple flip of the wrist. Not as steady as a bench but better than wind blown sage brush.
im going to have to go with my bipod
i shoot with a rifle and it is more easier to shoot with a bipod because you can get your cross hairs on the animal that you are shooting.
I've never tried a bipod or sticks but I won't refuse the use of a sapling. I like the kneeling position too. For some reason I'm accurate and very fast in that poition.
I tried a bipod with a Sako TRG-S Warbird off a bench just to see if the groups shifted. Don't remember it bucking anymore than it did off a Rock rest. Didn't like carrying it attached to the gun, so the bipod never got taken out of the pack. I quit packing it. If it works for you, great!
I just neel and rest the arm that's holding my rifle on my knee.
May Dad taught me to still hunt for squirrels when I was very young. He used a walking stick made from bamboo that was very light and just over head high. He would shoot off of the back of his hand while gripping the stick. I still use his method even when still hunting for other species and use a shorter version when in a blind. It works well and also can be used for lots of other tasks (in the long version) like snake removal and checking the depth of mud holes...
i like a comb walk,shotting stick
just try to sit on one of your heals
whatever is handy is the best.as long as you dont miss.
A bi-pod but i have taken rest off of my grandpas back many times
You guy's all need The STANDBAG rifle rest, it goes anywhere and everywhere, it's portable, affordable, and durable. Field and Stream don't have it? They should get it for their catalog.
I use a bipod and i have not missed. A lot. but seriosuly it holds the gun steady enough to shoot 320 yards close to the heart on a elk
Post an Answer
Not everyone is the shot Clay is. I always use whatever is available. If I have sticks I use them. If possible shoot from prone, sitting,or kneeling position in that order. Last position you should use is unsupported offhand and it's probably used more than any other by people that don't know better. I have made some really long shots shooting offhand but do not recommend them. BTW back in 1970 at Ft Jackson I was on the firing line prac..err..training with an M16. There was IMS 100 firing points and the range tower NCO screwed up. He raised the 300 meter targets while he had us in the offhand position. Only me and 1 other trainee knocked down our target. These are pop up targets that fall if hit for you civilians.
May Dad taught me to still hunt for squirrels when I was very young. He used a walking stick made from bamboo that was very light and just over head high. He would shoot off of the back of his hand while gripping the stick. I still use his method even when still hunting for other species and use a shorter version when in a blind. It works well and also can be used for lots of other tasks (in the long version) like snake removal and checking the depth of mud holes...
I agree with Clay but Have shot prone as well, resting on my pack. Have also use limbs, tree, offhand, etc. I have learned to Always use a rest when a Buck has my Heart-rate up. So i use whatever is readily available. Avoid offhand shots.
I prefer a bench, but whatever is available. The only time I've used a bi-pod is with a walking varmint rifle. These were long enough for sitting shots - growth too high for prone. Got folding sticks but don't carry them anymore - too much time to pull out and set up. Would be nice if you had a guide or handler with them during safari, though. I don't have a rest on my tree stands but the shots are close enough to fire offhand - most are used for bow anyway. Last shot of last season was off one knee in thigh deep snow - no supports available. Hasty sling has pulled the shots off with some of my rifles but is nice on the ones where it works. Go for any rest, if available.
I will use a tree or tree branch if it's there.I haven't used sticks of a bi-pod, I never have liked the idea of adding more weight to my gun and the sticks, well that's just something else I have to carry.
I can add one thing about bipods. Shoot paper with the bipod attached and without it. Decide if you are going to use the bipod in the field or not then adjust your scope accordingly. I used one on my .280 and the variance at 100 yards was just over 3 inches with or without the bipod. I pulled the stock off and noted that the front sling swivel was slightly pressing against my barrel. Apparently the bipod attached to the swivel further elevated the barrel. I backed the swivel off a turn and the difference was still over an inch.
Stony Point makes some take down sticks that hang on your belt, weight next to nothing, and go togather with a simple flip of the wrist. Not as steady as a bench but better than wind blown sage brush.
I tried a bipod with a Sako TRG-S Warbird off a bench just to see if the groups shifted. Don't remember it bucking anymore than it did off a Rock rest. Didn't like carrying it attached to the gun, so the bipod never got taken out of the pack. I quit packing it. If it works for you, great!
I just neel and rest the arm that's holding my rifle on my knee.
i like a comb walk,shotting stick
Ish, you know better than that, shooting sticks and such are for the stay it at home watch the golf ball game crowd!
The best choice is a good old fashion 1 ¼ Military sling shooting in kneeling or sitting position.
Attached bipods are the best thing since sliced bread. When I see a deer out at 200 yards I just fold down my harris bipods, lay down, and bag my deer. They are very well built, light weight and you can attach your sling right to them, so you really have nothing to lose... Except about $60 dollars which is a steal.
I agree with hunt_fish_sleep. I use the Harris Bi-Pod and get a lot of shots past 200 yards ...
Whatever is readily availible. I prefer bipods though. Often times I do use the sling wrapped arownd my arm.
I've always used what I have around me like my knees or a branch or tree (don't rest directly on the branch - put some meat between live wood and gun wood/barrel). If I have time, I get down to prone, and hopefully have a pack or something to rest on. Usually it's not that easy and you just have to make the shot.
I just bought a single telescoping shooting stick - like a monopod. I figured it would be faster than 2 wiggly shooting sticks. We'll see how that goes. Haven't used it yet.
I would only consider a bipod on a varmint rifle. Maybe a goat rifle. Probably still wouldn't get one. Tempting sometimes, though.
Brother Del
As a Firearms Instructor, what I teach is the basics for all situations and if you don’t have the basics down then it makes what is at hand much harder to do and far less efficient!
Question and food for thought, why is my Grandson Alex making those 250 yard shots at age 9?
What if you don’t have a rest?!? Then what!!!
By the way
I like to see someone use a bipod with my 338 Win Mag with my loads. It will eat your lunch!
All of the above. I'm kind of with Clay on the Bipod I have heard they will bouce a little on hard surfaces like shooting benches. I like shooting off my pack or a bean bag the best.
i like rifle shooting rest an attached bipod its easier to am at a big game like a elk.
I say the best rest is the one you have at your disposal when a shot is given. On occassion I carry shooting sticks but have never used them on game. On the range I prefer bean bags.
im going to have to go with my bipod
i shoot with a rifle and it is more easier to shoot with a bipod because you can get your cross hairs on the animal that you are shooting.
I've never tried a bipod or sticks but I won't refuse the use of a sapling. I like the kneeling position too. For some reason I'm accurate and very fast in that poition.
just try to sit on one of your heals
whatever is handy is the best.as long as you dont miss.
A bi-pod but i have taken rest off of my grandpas back many times
You guy's all need The STANDBAG rifle rest, it goes anywhere and everywhere, it's portable, affordable, and durable. Field and Stream don't have it? They should get it for their catalog.
I use a bipod and i have not missed. A lot. but seriosuly it holds the gun steady enough to shoot 320 yards close to the heart on a elk
Post an Answer