bipod, front rest, front bag?

MrBitey

MrBitey

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I'm new to shooting beyond 25 yards and would like something better than a backpack to use when shooting at 50, 100, 200, and maybe 300 yards. I'd like something I could use for the forum's 50 yard rimfire challenge, and also with an AR15 at 100/200/300 yards. My only optic at present is a 1-6x LPVO.

Any advice?
 
Me. said:
Harris swivel bipod.

Nothing cheaper.

Don’t be swayed by more “modern” options.
Click to expand...

This is true.

I would also say that a line of bipods I am directly involved with also meet your needs:

www.sportridge.com

HEAVY DUTY BIPODS | Sport Ridge

The best bipod for competition, hunting, and tactical use. We offer sling stud or picatinny rail mounting options for AR15, AR10, and Ruger Precision Rifles.
www.sportridge.com www.sportridge.com

If you have any questions, please ask.

2ndly,

On the AR-15 I would go with The MagPod floor plate. Its the only tool I use outside of my MK12 Mod1
 
Bipods are great for field work, expedient setups, etc. where you’re not taking the time to really set up.

For bench shooting or whenever you’re able to take time, nothing is more stable than a bag or mechanical front rest.
 
Tim said:
Bipods are great for field work, expedient setups, etc. where you’re not taking the time to really set up.

For bench shooting or whenever you’re able to take time, nothing is more stable than a bag or mechanical front rest.
Click to expand...
I never was a fan of "lead sleds" until a year or so ago. Since then I enjoy them alot
 
Husky open top tool bag with metal bar top handle. Range bag and bench rest all in one. Link below is not mine which is discontinued and was $19. Thanks Joe Biden.
www.homedepot.com

Husky 17 in. 18 Pocket Open Top Tool Bag HD70017-TH - The Home Depot

The Husky 17 in. Open Tool Tote offers an Open Top with a Rotating Handle allowing for full access to tools stored inside. This item also offers reinforced pockets for durability through years of use.
www.homedepot.com
 
I like the ease of a bipod. I’ve got a Harris on one rimfire and a Magpul on another. The Harris seems a little more stable, but the Magpul works fine for a rimfire. I’ve got a Caldwell like this too:

Shooting Rests | Rifle & Pistol Gun Rests | Caldwell

Shop Our Diverse Collection Of Shooting Rests - We Are The Authority For Shooting Bags, Sticks Tables, Rests, Benches and Bipods
www.caldwellshooting.com www.caldwellshooting.com

Good for sighting everything in, but I usually just use the bipods. If we can get out in the next week or two I’ll bring them for you to try.
 
Me. said:
For those that have spent time with it… how do you feel about “pan” capability?

Having lived without cant for decades, and finally getting cant capability… I find I can‘t live without cant.

The few “pan” bipods I‘ve played with I felt were flimsy, but they were cheap so hard to judge what a quality one would be like.
Click to expand...

Pan is a pain in the ass to me. Cant is great. Pan is not needed for any shooting I do for PRS style matches. If I need to move side to side then I turn the rifle so I am behind it still and bipod is as well.
 
Me. said:
For those that have spent time with it… how do you feel about “pan” capability?

Having lived without cant for decades, and finally getting cant capability… I find I can‘t live without cant.

The few “pan” bipods I‘ve played with I felt were flimsy, but they were cheap so hard to judge what a quality one would be like.
Click to expand...
I have one that does pan and cant. I love it but I have not seen the mfg company name in years.

Edit- this is not what I have but same mfg company. Comes in other versions.
Amazon product ASIN B00QJ9W7GG
 
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Me. said:
Having lived without cant for decades, and finally getting cant capability… I find I can‘t live without cant.
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Can you tell me more about why cant is important? Is it important when shooting from a bench? Is it something you fine tune and lock down?
 
My similar thread topic and research in thread linked below:

Shooting rest / bag recommendations?

I'd like to get a new set of shooting rest / bags or rabbit ears. Use initially is going to be sighting in my new CZ 457 .22 and I hope to try to do some of the rimfire challenge stuff here on CFF, so no lead sled type setups. I do have a RPR .308 that I'll likely use with this at some point...
carolinafirearmsforum.com carolinafirearmsforum.com
 
MrBitey said:
Can you tell me more about why cant is important? Is it important when shooting from a bench? Is it something you fine tune and lock down?
Click to expand...
If your reticle is not level, then any wind age/elevation adjustment you make or holdovers you attempt will be catty whumpus.

A bipod that adjusts for cant means your ground doesn’t need to be level.
 
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BlackGun said:
Husky open top tool bag with metal bar top handle. Range bag and bench rest all in one. Link below is not mine which is discontinued and was $19. Thanks Joe Biden.
www.homedepot.com

Husky 17 in. 18 Pocket Open Top Tool Bag HD70017-TH - The Home Depot

The Husky 17 in. Open Tool Tote offers an Open Top with a Rotating Handle allowing for full access to tools stored inside. This item also offers reinforced pockets for durability through years of use.
www.homedepot.com
Click to expand...
LOL that IS my range bag. Never thought about shooting off of it though.
 
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JBoyette said:
I never was a fan of "lead sleds" until a year or so ago. Since then I enjoy them alot
Click to expand...
Neither was I until I got a Tikka T-3 lite in 300 WSM. Quickly become my best buddy for sighting in and confirming zero on the light weight Tikka. Recoil from that thing was crazy.
 
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Started precision shooting in 1996. There has been very few times that I’ve used the pan feature. However, depending on distance, dope adjustments, or hold overs cant is an invaluable feature.
 
Average Joe said:
Started precision shooting in 1996. There has been very few times that I’ve used the pan feature. However, depending on distance, dope adjustments, or hold overs cant is an invaluable feature.
Click to expand...
Yup I started in 1993 and have shot movers in matches from 50 yards to 800 yards and many course of fire and never found a real need for pan but cant is a must.
 
MrBitey said:
Can you tell me more about why cant is important? Is it important when shooting from a bench? Is it something you fine tune and lock down?
Click to expand...

It’s important from shooting anywhere long range. Not all benches are perfectly level. Yes with the Harris and pod Loc you can find level and lock it down but I usually like to set the pod lock at a place it’s just snug enough so I can adjust to get level from behind the rifle and it stays there. After messing with it a while you will find it also.
 
This item has served me well for several years.

Caldwell DeadShot Boxed Combo Front and Rear Bag with Durable Construction and Water Resistance for Outdoor, Range, Shooting and Hunting
Amazon product ASIN B002APAWY2
 
Me. said:
Exactly this!

@JBoyette, one of the bipods you posted looks to be a copy of the Harris with an add-on pod-loc type lever.

www.sportridge.com

Heavy Duty Rail Mount Bipod | Sport Ridge

Heavy Duty Bi-pods directly connect to a rail section. Individually adjustable legs lock in the extended position quickly. Notched adjustments provide positive position lock at multiple points, allowing the shooter to shoot at various heights. Heavy-Duty springs ensure fast and robust...
www.sportridge.com www.sportridge.com

How would you say the quality is, compared to a Harris? The price is certainly better.
Click to expand...
I have Harris and some of the copies like Sport Ridge. What I notice is the leg extension design is different on some, like spring extend vs. spring retract. I've taken to removing the springs out of mine. Otherwise, they're built pretty similar. FWIW
 
georgel said:
I have Harris and some of the copies like Sport Ridge. What I notice is the leg extension design is different on some, like spring extend vs. spring retract. I've taken to removing the springs out of mine. Otherwise, they're built pretty similar. FWIW
Click to expand...

Yup they make both. I don't like the spring retract with the friction lock as they can retract when you don't want them to. That's why i like the spring extend with the notched legs as once they drop in a notch they are not moving without you pushing the button. Also they aren't always under spring tension so you can easily adjust them. Only spring tension when fully retracted.
 
I’ll still contend that a good quality bag - heavy and filled properly - is a far superior option than any bipod.

Of course it depends on purpose and use case. Specific rifle and caliber come into play as well regarding weight and recoil.

But if we’re talking precision at any distance, you really need to “load” that bipod for good results. And they’re bouncy which may not be a problem for first shot, but requires the shooter to realign for subsequent shots.
 
You don’t have to load a bipod and with the rifle set up properly they don’t bounce and you can make multiple shots without resetting. Bags and tests obviously work as the whole BR crowd uses them but don’t dismiss bipods for making accurate shots.
 
Tim said:
I’ll still contend that a good quality bag - heavy and filled properly - is a far superior option than any bipod.
Click to expand...

I was all about the bipod for anything precision until I started messing with bullpups that absolutely refuse to work well with a bipod; switched to a front bag. It was like cheating. Off a bench using a heavy front bag supporting a lot of the rifle and a rear bag it's way easier to make those single precision shots. I can't figure out how to 'load' a bag to keep the rifle in line but if I'm not worried about spotting my own shots or taking a quick follow-up, I'm using the bag all the time.

I wouldn't drag it around in the field, but would feel pretty confident using a backpack as a platform that I probably wouldn't have been comfortable with prior.
 
Jayne said:
I wouldn't drag it around in the field, but would feel pretty confident using a backpack as a platform that I probably wouldn't have been comfortable with prior.
Click to expand...

Yup a pack can work great for shooting off of in the field. I use it if I need more height.

ASC4_5-45_zps7dbfeec5 (2).jpg

Or bipod and a prop. LOL
ASC1.jpg
 
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I have owned many Harris swivel bipods. They are cheap and reiable. They do every single thing I have asked of them. I also have the B&T Atlas with some of the gucci gadgets. Yup, they are nice, yup, they are expensive. As for the shooty bags. I have one of many sizes from Armagedon Gear. They are great baggy bags, but pricey.

Just my two cents but, get the Harris Bipod in whatever model your heart desires and get some inexpensive shooting bags. I have spent a freaking fortune on these items and there is nothing they can do that the cheap ones can’t do with a little ingenuity. Pics below. If you are running and shooting long distances at different stages spread out along a mile then yeah get the lightest thing you can afford, otherwise maximize your budget.

image.jpg

image.jpg
 
Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm about ready to buy the Harris S-BRM, Pod-Loc, and some sort of QD mount like the LaRue LT130. But when I add that all up, it's getting close in price to the Atlas CAL 2:
www.accu-shot.com

Accu-Shot Monopod Precision Shooting Rifle Rest Magpul PRS Rail

Accu-Shot precision monopods, Atlas bipods and rifle accessories provide a high-degree of accuracy for long-range hunting, law enforcement or military duty.
www.accu-shot.com www.accu-shot.com

Both look like good options, but since I'd like to be able to move the bipod between rifles I'm leaning towards the Atlas CAL gen 2.

Edit to add: btw, the Atlas CAL 2 also uses the Pod-Loc. From their website:
We chose to support a legend in the shooting sports by using the original KMW “Pod-Loc™
Click to expand...
 
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MrBitey said:
Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm about ready to buy the Harris S-BRM, Pod-Loc, and some sort of QD mount like the LaRue LT130. But when I add that all up, it's getting close in price to the Atlas CAL 2:
www.accu-shot.com

Accu-Shot Monopod Precision Shooting Rifle Rest Magpul PRS Rail

Accu-Shot precision monopods, Atlas bipods and rifle accessories provide a high-degree of accuracy for long-range hunting, law enforcement or military duty.
www.accu-shot.com www.accu-shot.com

Both look like good options, but since I'd like to be able to move the bipod between rifles I'm leaning towards the Atlas CAL gen 2.
Click to expand...

FYI the last few things I’ve ordered from LaRue have been backordered with no expected date. And they don’t tell you that until you get an email about 24 hours after placing the order. I called last time and they were honest, told me they had no clue when they would have the product and let me switch it to something they did have in stock. If you go with your first option I’d call to make sure you can really get what you need.
 
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Me. said:
What’s the point of the QD mount? Seems like a waste of money and space.


For less that the LaRue adapter you can get the whole shebang from the link @JBoyette posted earlier.

www.sportridge.com

Heavy Duty Rail Mount Bipod | Sport Ridge

Heavy Duty Bi-pods directly connect to a rail section. Individually adjustable legs lock in the extended position quickly. Notched adjustments provide positive position lock at multiple points, allowing the shooter to shoot at various heights. Heavy-Duty springs ensure fast and robust...
www.sportridge.com www.sportridge.com

For me, I’d much prefer a non-QD sling swivel. They are light, small. A sling swivel is already QD.
Click to expand...

Maybe it isn‘t always about the $. Some people just like good stuff that works. With less risk of hassle and issues.
 
Me. said:
Agreed. That’s why I asked @JBoyette above about the quality of the product he mentioned.

I think the Harris is great. The Caldwell knockoffs are not as good. They are so similar, yet the Harris is just better. If Jboyette thinks the other brand is the equal of Harris, I’d like to hear it.


My view of the Harris may be skewed and might not even be accurate, as mine‘s old. I haven’t had a new one in many years. I don’t know if a new one is as good as the old.
Click to expand...

True, but OP was leaning towards the Atlas. Different price point and sounds like a no brainer as far as quality goes. Overkill isn’t always a bad idea.
 
For fun and just a different point of view. For reference I am no where near a precision shooter.

I have trouble getting away from my pack. It's an actual back pack so if I screw with it enough. The rifle will rest on target on the bag on its own. I find it very intuitive to use just tossing it down and putting a rifle across it. I use that same bag to test reloads. On most days every rifle I load for does under an inch.

A specific example of why I trust my bag. I have a Ruger American "all weather" in .308, it will shoot under an inch all day long off my pack. When I was working up loads for it I got a Harris and it wouldn't group for crap. Loads I knew were gtg were bad.

Turns out the stock is so bendy. A bipod made it contact the barrel and turned groups to crap. But resting the mag well across my bag kept it under an inch with good ammo. I currently have a load that on a good day off that same pack, will go under 1/2" at 100yds.
 
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Atlas are nice and well made and I tried one and went back to my Harris. Not a fan of them. Don’t like the feel as it doesn’t feel as stable or the way you have to push buttons to close the legs. Just personal preference but OP just get a Harris and pod Loc and no QD needed.
 
Me. said:
That makes sense. I thought you were talking the difference between a Harris and the Sport Ridge.

I can’t see why anyone would want an Atlas, at the prices they charge. I say that though without ever having used one.

I just can’t imagine what extra it brings to the table for the money. It’s a couple of sticks to prop up the end of a rifle. That costs more than a couple of cars I’ve owned.


One of the more famous long-range instructors agrees with you.

Click to expand...


With all things there is a pride of ownership deal. And but good stuff and reduce your risk of disappointment. Everyone‘s situation is different. And their attitude. If I had the funds I would make far fewer compromises in life.
 
Since I'm mostly a belly shooter shooting from 300 to 900 yards and having to deal with both accuracy and precision at the same time, I've had no problem with a Harris bipod with cant. In fact, when shooting F-TR a bipod is mandatory. I use both a soft bag and a Protektor style rear bag depending on the situation and the rifle. I'm beginning to believe that the rear bag is as critical as the front rest. And is it just me but it seems like a lot of precision style stocks are not really conducive to a rear bag. I've had to add bag riders which is kind of dumb when you spend hundreds on a stock to begin with.
 
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