Bipod, Monopod or a close Rock or Tree?

[Charlie]

I think in the pursuit of a steady clean shot over the years I have used each of these items. With a rifle that weighs in the neighborhood of 11 lbs I switched from a rifle mounted bipod to a set of shooting sticks. I looked at everything on the market and finally settled on a custom made brand. For me, unless I was on a stand, it seemed to take to long to set up and get off a shot. Currently I use an adjustable monopod that I purchased at Sportsmen's Warehouse. I can get on it quickly and it is a nice tool to have when I descend from a steep incline. 
I was just curious what everyone else uses if anything??

[CP]

Sometimes I use a ski pole, double duty monopod/walking stick.  I haven’t found an adjustable monopod that I like.

[Antlershed]

I have had a Haris Bipod on my gun before, but I never shot anything using it. I usually just look for a stump.

[NW-Eric]

before i switched to archery i always used a stump or a low branch, big rocks. other than that i have a bi pod on the 22-250 and its nice but still not as solid as a convientently placed stump imo

[HawkenBob]

I have shooting sticks and think there fumbly too. Especially in a quick scenario. Ive been looking at the same one you bought. Its basically a walking staff with a y on top. Adjustable to 68" I believe?

Is it noisy? Ive heard mixed reviews.

[Bofire]

 :)All fo the above depends on the country.
Carl

[700xcr]

I use a Stoney Point Rapid Bypod. The seating-knealing one. Heres a link.
http://www.stoneypoint.com/products/bp_rapid_pivot_bp_sitng_knlng.html

[Charlie]

I still own all of the devices I have purchased over the years and they still have an application depending on where I am hunting. I don't think anyone makes a device that will meet my needs in every situation. If I have a choice, I will always pick a solid object such as a rock, stump or tree.

[wf70gonehunting]

I use shooting stick. I like them. Thats when i dont forget them in the rig!  

[Antlershed]

I'm thinking about trying one of the pivoting bipods on my Sendero. That way I don't have to adjust the legs to get the rifle level.

[Charlie]

Is it noisy? Ive heard mixed reviews.

The only noise I have heard is when I am going through large rocks. Like basalt slides or creek beds. The monopod has a rubber end that works well but if you get into large rocks it can hit on the metal side. I generally colapse it and stick it under my pack belt until I get through those areas. It only takes a couple seconds to stow it. Another benefit of a monopod is that it only has one point of contact so if the ground is uneven, no problem. I usually have it extended most of the way out for straight ahead level shooting. That way if time is a factor I can scrunch a little for shots above me or angle the monopod to make a shot below me. If time is not a factor it just takes a couple seconds to extend or retract it. I have found it to be the most versetile rest I have owned. But, to each their own right?

I'm thinking about trying one of the pivoting bipods on my Sendero.

There are several good pivoting bipods out there. Most look good online or in magizines but many can be weeded out if you can actually look at them and touch them. Again, with the weight of my rifle, I didn't want to mount any additional weight to it. I also didn't want to get anything that made noise or took time getting it set up. The monopod works for me and the type of hunting I do. You may have entirely different needs. What ever that is I hope you find it!

[HawkenBob]

I'm thinking about trying one of the pivoting bipods on my Sendero. That way I don't have to adjust the legs to get the rifle level.

My bud Rich has a pivot style bi pod on his sendero. We were just talking about it yesterday. (were building me one maybe) He says he really likes it allot. He used it this season and had great results. He actually shot a Montana Anty at 813 yrds. Took 2 shots with a 13.5 foot drop. First fell low.

But yea, he's had great results and really likes his.

And thanks for the reply Charlie. Seems the monopod would be great for non set up quicker shots. Most of the ones I never have a steady enough rest for...

[ICEMAN]

Everything.

I usually start the deer, elk and bear hunt with a Harris Bipod on the rifle. Have only shot two animals with the Bipod deployed. Have shot many more with nothing to bear against. If I get no game by late in the hunt, I usually get pissed and take the Bipod off, leave my pack in the truck and hunt only with gun and ammo. 

Turkey gun I have a monopod on the shotgun for the hunt. Shot my turkey with the monopod not deployed. Too excited and forgot about it.

Over the years, I have shot using stumps, trees, or nothing. Seems like all my planning goes out the window when it comes to shootin' time.

[high country]

I have a badlands 2800, that pack is the perfect height to shoot off of. I used to carry bipods, and still do in open country, but in the mtns I found I was taking my pack off th get to my shooting stics or bipod and just ended up off my pack. I did build my own shooting stics out of carbon arrow shafts and aluminum shafts for the joints, tent shock cord inside to keep it tight and surgical tubing to connect them. it works good and is super light, but my pack works just as good. I will almost always take a solid object if it is available.

[Antlershed]

I'm thinking about trying one of the pivoting bipods on my Sendero. That way I don't have to adjust the legs to get the rifle level.

My bud Rich has a pivot style bi pod on his sendero. We were just talking about it yesterday. (were building me one maybe) He says he really likes it allot. He used it this season and had great results. He actually shot a Montana Anty at 813 yrds. Took 2 shots with a 13.5 foot drop. First fell low.

Thanks for the info Bob.

[Charlie]

Sometimes there is no time.

Exactly! These are the situations I try to avoid if possible. I will and have taken a shot offhand but greatly prefer a rest if at all possible. I have used my pack before and it works well for me too.

[Intruder]

I use a Harris pivoting bipod.  I really like it although I don't like the weight and how it throws off the balance of my gun.  It is rock solid shooting prone, pretty decent w/ the legs extended just a lil shaky.

I've never been able to shot off a monopod very well. 

It'd be nice have something that is solid from prone to standing.

[Antlershed]

That's the only time I don't like having the bipod on, is if I have to take an off-hand shot. The gun is so off balance it is hard to hold steady.

[dbllunger]

Harris Bipods....use them all the time...and every chance I can. 

[bowhunterforever]

Harris bipods!

[whacker1]

I only use the Harris Bi-Pod in very open country.

I don't like the extra weight at the front end of the barrel.  I typically look for something - stump, rock, etc.  I have been practicing using my pack more often.  The frame works good for a kneeling shot as well as prone. 

The road hunting answers.... Truck window & hood

[Pathfinder101]

Hunting the southeast corner of the state, with our wheat/CRP/bean fields, sparse trees, long shots etc... one of the first modifications I made when I moved here was to add a Harris Bipod to my rifle.  I found though that the short legs of the model I chose didn't get me up above the CRP grasses (usually about knee-high) here.  I borrowed a buddie's rifle that had a Versa-pod on it and found it was perfect.  Long, extending legs so I could shoot from the seated position, swivels nicely, and the bipod can be removed from it's base on the rifle with one button.  When I bought my new Remington that year, I outfitted it with a Versa-pod.  THat was 2004.  I have shot 5 deer with it, every one of them off my bipod, including a running shot (trotting actually) at 235 yards.  Last year was the first time I have missed a shot, and it was because the grass was too high and I tried to shoot without the bipod.  Deer was running past me, and in retropect, I should not have tried the shot (especially off-hand).
I am considering buying a pair of shooting sticks though, for times when the grass is too high for my bipod.

[KillBilly]

A well adjusted sling does the trick for me. Learned to use a sling very effectively while in the Corps. It is way lighter than a bipod and it is always with me.

[Pathfinder101]

I learned the sling trick from a buddy of mine that was in the Corps.  It is effective, and I use it when I do military qualification ranges (the Army is now required to shoot offhand from the kneeling position-new for us), but I still have trouble hitting the 300 meter target every time.  For hunting though, I think the bipod is worth the extra weight.   

[KillBilly]

I have NEVER been a place where I had the luxury of laying down on a ground sheet and scope and spot animals. That is the only condition that I find a bipod usable. Now shooting stix are more adaptable to taking a quick kneeling rest. Tall stix are hard to get set in a hurry and are still a little unstable just because of length. I still have to believe that a sling gets you into action sooner and with less noise and movement. Just

[ICEMAN]

Ive deployed my harris bipod for my bear and one deer so far...worked great.

[Pathfinder101]

Killbilly,
I know what you mean.  Growing up in NE WA, and hunting thick timber I never bothered with a bipod.  Out here in wheat field country though it is a different story.  Of the last 6 deer I shot out here, 4 of them were spotted at over a half mile away and I either had to run to cut them off, or stalk them bedded. 
None of them were shot from the prone position.  The grass and brush (even wheat stubble) is too high.  My Versapod has long, fold out legs.  Now, when I spot an animal, I immediately flip out the bipod and drop into a seated shooting position.  It lowers my profile and I am ready for a shot if need be.

[mossback91]

never used any such thing as a bipod or others......tken two animals at prone and the rest off hand

[huntnfmly]

I just p/u a tripod from sportsmans that is very solid it adjusts from30-70inches and is made by mossback.Cant waet to try it out

[firecrotch]

i use a harris bipod when im hunting our snake river ranch. most of the time there really isnt anything to get a good rest on. when im hunting the mountains i dont bring any sort of rest just because there is usualy a stump a rock or a side of a tree to firmly rest the gun. plus i dont like having the extra weight or something extra to lug around walkin the steep terrain.