Bipods?

[headspace]

I'm a little curious about bipods.

Having been absent from shooting for some time, it seems as though bipods have become the latest "thing".

The only weapon I ever used with a bipod was an M60 machine gun or the heavy barrel version of the SLR known as the AR or Automatic Rifle. I know one thing for sure though, a bipod tends to bounce around a bit when the weapon is being fired.

That's not a problem when you're on full auto because there's stuff going all over the place anyway. But it seems to me that a bipod can have a number of negatives.

It can cause vertical stringing, it snags on branches when you move though the scrub, and it adds weight. There have been plenty of reports about accuracy problems with Hogue equipped stocks, and I'm wondering if some of that can be due to the bipod.

If I need a rest for the rifle in the bush I'd use my hat or a rolled up sweat rag, even my backpack. But never a bipod.

John.

[Baldrick314]

I've not used my bipod in the field yet but off the bench it reduced my groups as well as felt recoil. I have an Atlas BT10 and it's as solid as a rock. Before that I used a cheap Harris clone that was flimsy and before that I used a rest which wasn't ideal.

With a solid bipod you can load them up with your weight and have a dramatic effect on felt recoil which translates to a more confident shooter and better groups

[Chronos]

You raise an interesting point. I think you'll find the rise and rise of the use of bipod a coincides with the rise in popularity of affordable high magnification glass and the growth in popularity of shooting among younger shooters

Take dads or grand dads sporterised .303 with iron sights hunting (as would have the norm even 20 years ago) and the optimal hunting range might be 50-100m, probably standing or kneeling.

Now take a modern example, say a heavy barrelled varmint rifle in .243 and a 6-24 power scope your effective range has gone to 500m and almost anyone could take a fox at 300m. This kind of rifle and the style of shooting lends itself to the use of a bipod, in fact it becomes a necessity.

Does the use of a bipod have an effect on accuracy? Absolutely, it would halve group sizes at a guess so I can't see any down sides other than the occasional shot taken at too long a range for effective and humane kills and the general reliance on it that sees off hand shooting skills lost or never attained.

Chronos

Edit: without wanting to sound condescending I would like to point out that as a purely civilian shooter I dislike the tendency of ex servicemen to use the word weapon to describe firearms. I understand that its a cultural thing as in the job that's exactly what it is however to the general public and especially the media it sends a negative signal, reinforcing their own negative view that firearms are dangerous and something to be afraid of wen to us they are a tool like hammer or chainsaw or a piece of sporting equipment like a set if golf clubs.

[Prios]

There is definitely some hop due to the bipod on my 30-06.

I normally shoot off the bipod of it's convenient or otherwise snuggled into a backpack.

Off the backpack I get the rearward movement from the recoil obviously, but the muzzle rise is a bit smoother and at an even rate with the recoil.

Off the bipod the muzzle rise faster and sharper, due to the hop mentioned. I haven't done comprehensive testing both ways but groups off the pod I think are a little larger.

[Aster]

Prios,

You should experiment with loading the bipod with some forward pressure (some prefer pulling back on the rifle instead of forward, but that's a pain IMO).

It won't necessarily be as good/accurate as shooting off a rest or flat platform like you're bag, but most people find it takes a good portion of the hop out, making reacquiring your target easier after the shot, and can tighten up your groups a little.

It's something worth trying.

[Pilch]

I'll +1 for forward loading your bipod.

It took me a while to consistently get it right and be comfortable on it, but it definitely makes for better shooting IMO.

[tom604]

i use my bipod at the range, but never when im hunting..i use a tree or a rock or my knee doe's anyone use them in the field?? saying that if i was sniping over a warren i would use the bipod. anyone use shooting sticks??

[VICHunter]

I used to keep mine on always when hunting, for the shots where I found myself waiting for something to come along.

These days I prefer it off for the weight saving instead.

You can always find a tree or log or something to use as a rest if you're sat in waiting, and it makes my free-hand shots steadier without the additional weight on the front end.

[headspace]

Hi Chronos,

Mate I take your point about terminology; the term "weapon" is pressed into the skull of Army vets constantly. It's either a rifle or a weapon definitely NOT a gun. Old habits are hard to shake but I would beg your indulgence here because I slept with the bloody thing and it was cleaner than I was most of the time.

I agree with you ideas of the rise of the bipod. In my case the first centre fire hunting rifle was a 303/25 with a peep (sorry aperture) sight. We shot a lot closer then too, and took a lot of pride in doing it. That's not to say I'm against long range shooting, but I just think that getting close ensures a clean kill and an easier follow up if you blow it.

John

[Aster]

The media do love the word "weapon" don't they.

There was a piece the SSAA submitted to one of the major newspapers a while ago now. Obviously the terms 'rifle', 'firearm' etc. were used throughout.

The paper wanted to publish it, but only if they could change all instances of the above to "weapon".

Sad that seemingly everything they do has to be so inflammatory.

[Chronos]

Hi Chronos,

Mate I take your point about terminology; the term "weapon" is pressed into the skull of Army vets constantly. It's either a rifle or a weapon definitely NOT a gun. Old habits are hard to shake but I would beg your indulgence here because I slept with the bloody thing and it was cleaner than I was most of the time.

I agree with you ideas of the rise of the bipod. In my case the first centre fire hunting rifle was a 303/25 with a peep (sorry aperture) sight. We shot a lot closer then too, and took a lot of pride in doing it. That's not to say I'm against long range shooting, but I just think that getting close ensures a clean kill and an easier follow up if you blow it.

John

No problems mate, No need to beg anyone for indulgence as I said for those who have carried one for their country it is a whole different culture than it is for us civies.

Chronos

[Yelp]

Sad that seemingly everything they do has to be so inflammatory.

It wouldn't do to report things as they are. Wouldn't sell enough papers...

[Dirtdart89]

the term "weapon" is pressed into the skull of Army vets constantly. It's either a rifle or a weapon definitely NOT a gun. Old habits are hard to shake but I would beg your indulgence here because I slept with the bloody thing and it was cleaner than I was most of the time.

New army is a little more relaxed nowadays, depending on unit etc. most of my mates just refer to em as "gats" I personally rate bipods very highly though the extra weight isn't much and it halves my groupings as long as I put the forward pressure on it. Do agree with a lot of posts about relying on em to much though. And finally I couldn't agree more my rifle was cleaner than me for about 7months of last year haha.

[Atter]

"gats" lol

Do they hold them sidewards while shooting as well?

[Dirtdart89]

Ha ha.

On the urban cqb course they will fire sideways upside down or literally any effective position to fire through holes in walls etc. but other than that I once saw a guy try to fire a 9mm all "gangsta" style, he actually managed to hit a man sized target twice out of 13 at 10m. Which I thought was pretty good since it looks so stupid.

[Blackened]

Do they hold them sidewards while shooting as well?

And everyone says controlled feeds are unnecessary.

Who looks silly now...

[agentzero]

Who looks silly? Uh, still the people shooting them sidewards?