Rifle mounted Bipod or Carry a Tripod?

[Rayland]

Hey guys!

I’m a newer hunter, and I’m currently kitting out my rifle. Before I pull the trigger on a bipod, I’ve noticed some guys just carry a tripod (like a BOG) on their packs instead.

I’m looking to ask some of the more experienced hunters what your preference is! I know they each have their own applications, but I was leaning more toward a tripod, thinking that if time is an issue, I could just shoot off my pack.

Any advice or input is very much appreciated!

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I don’t carry a tripod, but I do carry a Spartan javelin lite on my binocular harness and a modified Springbok/javelin lite combination on my pack. I don’t like the flexible head on the Springbok, but the long legs are great for seated shots in high grass or similar conditions.

Usually for prone, I use the backpack as my rest, but I keep the short Spartan option around for when I don’t have the pack.

I’m probably just prejudiced against them, but I don’t like tripods. They have very limited utility with the mobile way I hunt.

Edit - and I probably won’t ever use a rifle mounted bipod again. Too much weight on the rifle for something I only use if I really need it.

 

[Ramem7mm]

I would personally never go on a hunt without a bipod. I shoot and practice from them all the time so I am very proficient with them. I do also have tripods and I do shoot and practice with them as well and they definitely fill a gap that bipods cant fill. I do also practice not shooting off bipods and shooting off a pack as well though. If the opportunity presents itself for me to lay down and get prone to shoot to make a good shot then that's how I prefer to do it.

I have several bipods ranging from Hatch Out West, MDT triple pull, Old-school Harris, Atlas and they all are different and I use them at different times. I mainly hunt with the Hatch Out west.

 

[Caseknife]

Really depends on how you plan on hunting. Still hunting through timber and brush, bare rifle carried in your hand. Wide open country where you need support over grass or sage, if can't go prone or sitting. Have been hunting for 50 years and have killed one animal with a bipod on my rifle and that was an antelope at 280 yards sitting over low sage.

 

[hereinaz]

It all depends on the circumstances and hunting style.

I run a tripod everywhere cause it fits my location and style. It’s a mobile platform that I can adjust for anything.

 

[Matt5266]

I always carry a tripod for glassing but for shooting its either off my pack or using my Trekking poles and pack in combo for a sitting or kneeling shot. I always carry Trekking poles cuz my knees are sh*t.

 

[BluMtn]

I use trekking poles with the Quik-Stix attachment. In the conditions I hunt in where you are sitting on a slope most of the time it allows you to adjust for different heights.

 

[wapitibob]

Bipod is always on my rifle, partner uses a Javelin and plugs it in to shoot.
I use a slik sling V2 and the bipod weight isn't an issue.

 

[flyfisher117]

I carry both. Though my tripod is more of a “I could shoot of it if I had to” but it’s main purpose is glassing. I don’t like shooting off of tripods. I also can’t afford a good shooting tripod.

Where and how I hunt I won’t give up my Hatch bipod. I absolutely love it.

Where I used to hunt in north Idaho I wouldn’t dream of using either. Every animal I shot was offhand or resting off natural objects, one was prone off my pack.

Where I used to hunt in eastern MT we just carried shooting sticks and they worked well for how we hunted.