Back country Bipod

[dittydogood]

Two part question
1 is it realistic to use a bipod in the back country more specific elk hunting. I used my pack to take my deer this year and was pretty happy with how it worked but that was in the plains of North Dakota.
2. If you are using a pod what brand are we talking?



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[92xj]

Yes, realistic.
Expensive option javalin
Less expensive magpul

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I've never taken taken one, but I have used my hiking sticks as a rest quite a few times.

 

[Trr15]

I used a javelin bipod with short legs to take my elk this year. It worked well shooting off a large rock. They’re carbon fiber and about the lightest option you’re gonna find. They’re pricey, but worth it in my opinion.


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[kabarNC]

I went RRS tripod for shooting and glassing off of, and will never carry a bipod in the back country again.

 

[Timberridge]

Used to use my pack as a rest, either laying down or on end. Until I was hunting on some flats without trees just sage brush and tall grass. Could not (not enough height from my pack) make the shot on a very nice 6x6. I now carry a tripod that a can used for glass and as a rifle rest, every time I go out.

 

[Jimss]

I don't use a bipod for Colo, Wyo, and Alaska hunts. I can always find somewhere where it's possible to lay prone with my backpack. In the few situations where there is tall grass or brush I've had great success using my tripod with spotting scope.

 

[BrushyHillGuide]

Sure it’s possible! That said......

Everybody has made great points and I think it really comes down to the range you’ll be shooting on a particular hunt, your shooting ability, your rifle and the way you backpack. Are you going to spend many days in the back country or are you day-tripping it i to the hills? A 12” strip of bicycle tire inner tube can turn a couple of trekking poles into a great bipod for some shots (especially sitting or extreme uphill) with very little weight penalty. If you’re taking a tripod to glass for game, why not set it up for shooting off as well? Install an Arca Swiss plate ( https://www.evolutionbipod.com/product-page/arca-swiss-compatible-bottom-plate )to the bottom of your rifle and run Arca Swiss plates on your optics along with a suitable head on your tripod. It’s an easy install using threaded T inserts in your stock and a gunsmith won’t charge much if you’re uncomfortable doing it yourself. If you use a carbon fiber tripod with a short center post (or better yet, NO center post) you can splay the legs and get almost as low as a short bipod without any additional gear besides the Arca Swiss plate on your rifle. A nice ball head makes running both your optics AND your rifle nice and smooth. Plus, a leveled tripod makes tracking a moving animal and avoiding canting your rifle much easier than most bipods. IMO

I have an lightweight Extreme Pod (https://www.evolutionbipod.com/product-page/evolution-bi-pod-with-short-legs-7-10-5 ) from Modular Evolution that uses carbon fiber legs that’s terrific but it’s still not light in terms a backpacker would use. It’s 14oz with short legs and runs around $330. Unless I was going to be taking LR (like 500yds+) shots in terrain where I thought I could easily deploy my bipod, I’m going to use a system that I’d already have with me. And even at extended ranges I could make use of one of my tripods just as easily, and with even better results, than my bipod. 3 legs is always sturdier and steadier than 2.

Everybody has their own preferences and I’d never try to deter someone from using what they feel most confident with. I’m just pointing out that there may be some creative uses of other equipment you are likely to be toting along ANYWAY; and cutting almost a pound off your pack weight is pretty nice. I tote a bipod on some day hunts and predator hunts but usually use home made shooting sticks or trekking poles with a piece of inner tube if I’m not using a tripod. My carbon fiber bipod sees most of its use on my range or shooting at a match. It’s at the bottom of my list, most of the time, for hunting.

Hope this helps in some way. Best of luck to ya!


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[CApighunter]

I’ve always used a Harris but had the legs freeze on me this year in Idaho. Not sure if those issues would be avoided with a different brand.

 

[dittydogood]

Sure it’s possible! That said......

Everybody has made great points and I think it really comes down to the range you’ll be shooting on a particular hunt, your shooting ability, your rifle and the way you backpack. Are you going to spend many days in the back country or are you day-tripping it i to the hills? A 12” strip of bicycle tire inner tube can turn a couple of trekking poles into a great bipod for some shots (especially sitting or extreme uphill) with very little weight penalty. If you’re taking a tripod to glass for game, why not set it up for shooting off as well? Install an Arca Swiss plate ( https://www.evolutionbipod.com/product-page/arca-swiss-compatible-bottom-plate )to the bottom of your rifle and run Arca Swiss plates on your optics along with a suitable head on your tripod. It’s an easy install using threaded T inserts in your stock and a gunsmith won’t charge much if you’re uncomfortable doing it yourself. If you use a carbon fiber tripod with a short center post (or better yet, NO center post) you can splay the legs and get almost as low as a short bipod without any additional gear besides the Arca Swiss plate on your rifle. A nice ball head makes running both your optics AND your rifle nice and smooth. Plus, a leveled tripod makes tracking a moving animal and avoiding canting your rifle much easier than most bipods. IMO

I have an lightweight Extreme Pod (https://www.evolutionbipod.com/product-page/evolution-bi-pod-with-short-legs-7-10-5 ) from Modular Evolution that uses carbon fiber legs that’s terrific but it’s still not light in terms a backpacker would use. It’s 14oz with short legs and runs around $330. Unless I was going to be taking LR (like 500yds+) shots in terrain where I thought I could easily deploy my bipod, I’m going to use a system that I’d already have with me. And even at extended ranges I could make use of one of my tripods just as easily, and with even better results, than my bipod. 3 legs is always sturdier and steadier than 2.

Everybody has their own preferences and I’d never try to deter someone from using what they feel most confident with. I’m just pointing out that there may be some creative uses of other equipment you are likely to be toting along ANYWAY; and cutting almost a pound off your pack weight is pretty nice. I tote a bipod on some day hunts and predator hunts but usually use home made shooting sticks or trekking poles with a piece of inner tube if I’m not using a tripod. My carbon fiber bipod sees most of its use on my range or shooting at a match. It’s at the bottom of my list, most of the time, for hunting.

Hope this helps in some way. Best of luck to ya!


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Thanks for the insight!


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[Elk97]

If you go bipod get the longer legs (20+"). Tall grass/brush limits where I can use my shorter bipod and also steep terrain.

 

[freebird]

I have a rugged ridge carbon fiber 9-14 bipod that mounts to my pic rail and I also have a hog saddle that mounts on my carbon fiber manfrotto tripod. I kinda wished I would have went with a javelin bipod. As far as using them to hunt and kill animals....don't know as the only thing I can harvest is tag soup...lol

 

[kiddogy]

learn to shoot using your knee as a rest. less junk to pack!


no point in killing anything if you didn't bring your knee with you.

 

[Mt Al]

If you go bipod get the longer legs (20+"). Tall grass/brush limits where I can use my shorter bipod and also steep terrain.

Agree! There's the stuff called "tall grass" in some places where you can't go prone or low enough to use shorter leg bipods (gave my buddy crap for that a few years ago).

I use a Harris with the tilt mount and am just used to it. Tripod mounts are killer, but can take way more time that just extending legs and sitting down. IMHO, if you have time to set up, a tripod mount can't be beat.

In the off season, , I'm going to try using my pack instead of the Harris. Setting the pack upright should work sitting, on it's side or back for prone-ish. I'm expecting it to work fine, will be bipod free. The Harris will then lie in state for observation before being committed to the trash.

 

[wilydawg]

Look at the Hatch. It's legit for prone and sitting shots. I've made kills beyond 450 and shot steel to 700+ sitting and was rock steady. Well built, lightweight, easy to install/remove and stores easily in your pack.

https://www.hatchoutwest.com/shop-products/

 

[AdamLewis]

I've used a Versapod on a few hunts but found it slower to get into shooting position with, and less versatile than, using my pack.

 

[YBPS]

I went RRS tripod for shooting and glassing off of, and will never carry a bipod in the back country again.


View attachment 136553

What model did you choose?

I went RRS tripod for shooting and glassing off of, and will never carry a bipod in the back country again.


View attachment 136553

What model did you go with?

 

[Rifleman86]

https://www.wiserprecision.com/products/quick-stix

This is the only way to fly...

I ditched the bipod. If I need to shoot prone it’s off a pack. If I need to make a quick kneeling or sitting shot I shoot off the trekking poles with quick stix, and if I have time I’ll set up the tripod to shoot off of as my rifle has an ACRA plate.

 

[kabarNC]

What model did you choose?

What model did you go with?

TFCT-24L Mk2 SOAR® Series 2 Tripod with Anvil-30 Ballhead

TVC-24L SOAR Series 2 Tripod

soar.reallyrightstuff.com

 

[rodney482]

Use my trekking poles