Javelin Lite TL

[Bowhunter50]

Hi everyone, I’ve never used a bipod before. Always shot off my pack for prone shots and use wiser quick sticks for seated shots. Mostly an elk hunter. I’ve only shot two elk prone - both at 400 and both happened to be in the 2024 season. I like the idea of being prepared for longer shots, so I’m looking to extend my range. I’ve noticed I’m not super consistent shooting off the pack at 500 at targets. Wondering if a bipod could help with that. I’m not looking to spend a ton and think the spartan javelin tl fits what I’m looking for and what I would like to spend. It’s adjustable from 7 1/4 to 9 1/2 - not sure if this is the optimal height range. Honestly wondering if I even need a bipod and just need to practice more. Equipment doesn’t always buy results… Started a poll. Let me know what you think.

Here’s what I like about the Javelin TL:

• $170 price tag
• Weighs 6.3oz - weight is important to me
• Detaches from gun

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I like them far better than any other bipod. I will say that the legs aren’t the easiest thing to adjust one handed in the prone (unlike my old spring-loaded Harris bipod). I need to practice that more.

I believe in having multiple and redundant systems and practicing with all of them. I have my backpack set up with a Molinator strapped to it and a Jellyfish inside the pack. Where I hunt, however, it doesn’t always make sense to carry a backpack. When I do have a backpack, I find it faster to set up than a bipod. But the Spartan lite fits nicely on my LBV and is easy to access.

I will note, however, that when I went prone to shoot a buck yesterday, I didn’t bother with my bipod. Time was of the essence and I was able to get stable enough without a bipod.

 

[ElPollo]

I have a TL and love it, but I only use it with the long (19-42”) accessory legs. Basically it’s like a set of buffalo sticks or a pair of looped hiking sticks for seated and kneeling shots when terrain and vegetation don’t allow shooting prone off a pack. When prone is an option, I keep a lightweight shooting bag attached to the back of my pack and use my bino harness or whatever is available for a rear rest. My opinion is that it’s faster, more stable, and more flexible than using a bipod. The issue is that many field situations don’t allow it.

Hence the long TL. I keep it in the side pocket of my pack, set to my normal seated height for flat ground shooting. Down hill, uphill, or kneeling just requires a quick leg adjustment. Pull your pack against your chest or under your armpit for a rear rest and you’re off to the races. Will a set of hiking poles do this? Yeah. But for me, this is more stable and faster.

Spartan makes the Springbok for this type of usage, but the TL with long legs is a huge improvement. The Springbok has a flexible silicon head. It sounds quicker and better. But you have to put pressure into that head with your shooting hand to get on target, which means the head is putting pressure back into the gun away from the target. This is contrary to good shooting fundamentals and results in more recoil bounce, making it harder to spot your impacts.

I think the TL with the long legs is the bees knees for field shooting and hunting.

 

[Tobe_B]

A fellow rokslider and hunting buddy got me introduced to the Spartan stuff and I love it. I currently use a Pro Hunt TAC with the long legs for a bipod. They are spring loaded, which makes it very easy for one handed adjustments in the field. They are not good for using on a shooting bench, way too tall for the most part. I also do not like the standard attachment that screws in to the swivel stud on the stock. I much prefer using the gunsmith adapter that’s seated in the stock, much sturdier and more reliable.

We don’t get a lot of prone shots where I hunt, generally we are seated or kneeling. I have an ascent woodland tripod for those. I keep it attached to my pack and can quickly set my pack down and utilize the tripod and pack together without taking it off the pack and get a really steady rest that way. Buddy shot a bull at 515 yds last year using that method. The tripod legs also double as trekking poles, so it’s one less item I know have to carry around with me.