Spartan Precision SpringBok Bipod Review

[Q_Sertorius]

I have the Pro Hunt Bipod. I was thinking of getting longer legs at some point. If I want them, the Springbok seems like a good way to get them.

I got a secondhand Springbok and javelin lite off the classifieds here. That’s the most economical way to get them.

It’s a bit funny to me that a new pair of long legs is more expensive than buying a new Springbok.

 

[UnckleBob]

I got a secondhand Springbok and javelin lite off the classifieds here. That’s the most economical way to get them.

It’s a bit funny to me that a new pair of long legs is more expensive than buying a new Springbok.

I got my bipod off the classifieds here. It was a great deal and came with enough adapters to use on all my rifles and then some.

Realistically, the Springbok length legs looks like they would be perfect for hunting out a ground blind, a tower blind or from hiding behind a tree.

 

[112Savage]

@Happy Antelope i was having trouble being high enough to get over the bush and being steady enough on this 18* downhill shot. So I took the spigot off the springbok and planted it into my left cheek. And no guys, it’s not in my prison wallet. It helped get my legs more steady. I ended up not shooting because a bull never appeared. The PH did get a good laugh though. Here the springbok quad would have been more steady and I think I will trade my African three legged sticks for a quad of some kind.

 

[Happy Antelope]

@Happy Antelope i was having trouble being high enough to get over the bush and being steady enough on this 18* downhill shot. So I took the spigot off the springbok and planted it into my left cheek. And no guys, it’s not in my prison wallet. It helped get my legs more steady. I ended up not shooting because a bull never appeared. The PH did get a good laugh though. Here the springbok quad would have been more steady and I think I will trade my African three legged sticks for a quad of some kind.
View attachment 1060339

Ok....Coming soon.....The "Rear Guard" Adapter.....This is hysterical! I'm so glad you got a photo of this! - Jen

 

[Q_Sertorius]

This is awesome to hear! Reach out if we can help you with your Spartan needs! We have the Springbok Holster by FHF if you need it too! - Jen
Happy Antelope Limited

I might be the only person on the planet who feels this way, but I would really like the Springbok Holster if it protected the legs better. Obviously not when fully extended, but when at the shortest length. Something more akin to the level of protection provided for the javelin lite by the Aspis system.

That would be better than this janky system I have on my assault pack.

 

[nm.otter]

Coming soon.....The "Rear Guard" Adapter...

A MagnaSwitch tac table would do it.

 

[Bluumoon]

I just got a javelin lite and some long legs (the old extendable 36” or so). No offense, but I can’t see a use for something less stable like the springbok head. Using a pack as a rear rest I’m already struggling to get stable for shots past 300 yards on 12” targets using the rigid javelin lite and long legs. At and under 300 yards I’ll just use my vertical standing pack as a front rest.

 

[Happy Antelope]

I just got a javelin lite and some long legs (the old extendable 36” or so). No offense, but I can’t see a use for something less stable like the springbok head. Using a pack as a rear rest I’m already struggling to get stable for shots past 300 yards on 12” targets using the rigid javelin lite and long legs. At and under 300 yards I’ll just use my vertical standing pack as a front rest.

I hear you on the stability front-shooting 12" targets past 300 yards with the long legs definitely pushes the limits of an ultralight system.
The main reason you're likely struggling compared to a traditional setup is that the Javelin Lite uses a magnetic 'hold-open' system. It’s great for saving weight, but it doesn't provide a rigid lock. For those longer shots, you really want to look at the Pro Hunt Tac head.
Unlike the Lite, the Tac head has a mechanical locking gate. Once those legs are clicked into place, they are physically locked open. This creates a much more rigid frame that doesn't 'give' when you load the bipod or under recoil. It effectively turns that long-legged setup into a rock-solid tripod when paired with your pack as a rear rest.
If you're hunting for precision at distance rather than just counting every ounce, the mechanical lock on the Tac head is the game-changer for that 'locked-in' feel you're currently missing

 

[Bluumoon]

I hear you on the stability front-shooting 12" targets past 300 yards with the long legs definitely pushes the limits of an ultralight system.
The main reason you're likely struggling compared to a traditional setup is that the Javelin Lite uses a magnetic 'hold-open' system. It’s great for saving weight, but it doesn't provide a rigid lock. For those longer shots, you really want to look at the Pro Hunt Tac head.
Unlike the Lite, the Tac head has a mechanical locking gate. Once those legs are clicked into place, they are physically locked open. This creates a much more rigid frame that doesn't 'give' when you load the bipod or under recoil. It effectively turns that long-legged setup into a rock-solid tripod when paired with your pack as a rear rest.
If you're hunting for precision at distance rather than just counting every ounce, the mechanical lock on the Tac head is the game-changer for that 'locked-in' feel you're currently missing

I prob should have bought the TAC head the guy had, wasn’t sure. From what I was seeing w what I have I think it’s actually the inn

I hear you on the stability front-shooting 12" targets past 300 yards with the long legs definitely pushes the limits of an ultralight system.
The main reason you're likely struggling compared to a traditional setup is that the Javelin Lite uses a magnetic 'hold-open' system. It’s great for saving weight, but it doesn't provide a rigid lock. For those longer shots, you really want to look at the Pro Hunt Tac head.
Unlike the Lite, the Tac head has a mechanical locking gate. Once those legs are clicked into place, they are physically locked open. This creates a much more rigid frame that doesn't 'give' when you load the bipod or under recoil. It effectively turns that long-legged setup into a rock-solid tripod when paired with your pack as a rear rest.
If you're hunting for precision at distance rather than just counting every ounce, the mechanical lock on the Tac head is the game-changer for that 'locked-in' feel you're currently missing

I'll keep working with it and maybe the Pro hunt head is the move. From what I can tell so far the movement I'm getting is from this smaller diameter part of the legs when extended even partially-flexing front to back. Essentially, I'm trying to replicate crossed hiking poles up front, but faster to employ.

 

[nm.otter]

Springbok legs are definitely a bit springy

Haven't tried Woodland legs on the Pro Hunt yet, but the tripod setup will drop to 9" so maybe I'm just doing that instead.

 

[ElPollo]

I love the long legs on the Javelin. It’s a great system for shooting quickly while seated or kneeling on steep slopes and over vegetation. I use it all the time and keep it on my pack for quick access. I have Spartan adaptors on all my bolt guns and gas guns. I like this set up way more than using trekking poles. I am faster with it and find it to be more stable, particularly when using my pack upright against my chest or under my right arm as a rear rest. I have never used the Javelin with the factory legs. If I’m going to shoot prone, it’s generally off a backpack or a molinator bag attached to my pack.

But my springbok head went in the garbage. I think it goes against everything I’ve ever learned about marksmanship and accuracy with rifles. The marketing information touts it for getting on target fast and particularly for being able to shoot up and down slopes. In actual practice, those weird angle shots require you to put pressure on the gun with your trigger hand to force the spring silicon head to where you want it. That makes your natural point of aim and good trigger control pretty much impossible. And then after the shot, the springy silicon head causes the bipod and the gun to bounce like a basketball, making spotting your shot through the scope harder and slowing recovery and follow-up shots. Honestly, I like Spartan as a company, but I do not understand why anyone would want to use the springbok.

 

[Happy Antelope]

I prob should have bought the TAC head the guy had, wasn’t sure. From what I was seeing w what I have I think it’s actually the inn



I'll keep working with it and maybe the Pro hunt head is the move. From what I can tell so far the movement I'm getting is from this smaller diameter part of the legs when extended even partially-flexing front to back. Essentially, I'm trying to replicate crossed hiking poles up front, but faster to employ.

Have you checked out the Springbok Tripod? Watch how you can twist the head to "lock" it down...but yet you still get the full flexibility of the Springbok.

 

[Happy Antelope]

I love the long legs on the Javelin. It’s a great system for shooting quickly while seated or kneeling on steep slopes and over vegetation. I use it all the time and keep it on my pack for quick access. I have Spartan adaptors on all my bolt guns and gas guns. I like this set up way more than using trekking poles. I am faster with it and find it to be more stable, particularly when using my pack upright against my chest or under my right arm as a rear rest. I have never used the Javelin with the factory legs. If I’m going to shoot prone, it’s generally off a backpack or a molinator bag attached to my pack.

But my springbok head went in the garbage. I think it goes against everything I’ve ever learned about marksmanship and accuracy with rifles. The marketing information touts it for getting on target fast and particularly for being able to shoot up and down slopes. In actual practice, those weird angle shots require you to put pressure on the gun with your trigger hand to force the spring silicon head to where you want it. That makes your natural point of aim and good trigger control pretty much impossible. And then after the shot, the springy silicon head causes the bipod and the gun to bounce like a basketball, making spotting your shot through the scope harder and slowing recovery and follow-up shots. Honestly, I like Spartan as a company, but I do not understand why anyone would want to use the springbok.

Thank you for the detailed feedback and for being such a dedicated Spartan user. It’s great to hear the Long Leg Javelin has become a staple for your steep slope hunts. That’s exactly the kind of versatility we aim for.
Regarding your experience with the Springbok, we completely understand your perspective. It is actually our highest selling product, though we recognize it’s designed to solve a very specific problem: moving targets and extreme tracking. Unlike a traditional bipod built for a static Natural Point of Aim, the silicon spring head is intended to allow for active shooting where you can track a walking animal or transition between multiple targets without repositioning the legs.

You’re right that it requires a different technique than traditional marksmanship. For shooters who prefer a rock solid, static rest like your Javelin or a bag, the lively nature of the Springbok can feel counterintuitive. The bounce you mentioned is often the tradeoff for that extreme flexibility. But our customer base overall really loves the adaptability it gives them! - Jen

 

[Bluumoon]

Playing a the lite/long legs (8oz) more, I think w some practice on my end they’ll be worth carrying. Not sure if slightly thicker legs would help the front to rear flex.

 

[112Savage]

I’ve posted this before just showing speed and muzzle movement as a comparison to the video above

 

[nm.otter]

Playing a the lite/long legs (8oz) more
Not sure if slightly thicker legs would help the front to rear flex.

That flex makes it difficult to load into. Marginal usefulness without a rear support IME.

 

[ElPollo]

That flex makes it difficult to load into. Marginal usefulness without a rear support IME.

You can’t load into trekking poles either. The concept of loading into a long bipod is not a real thing because of physics. If you had one capable of that it would be too heavy to pack around. Also, I don’t see the javelin/long leg combo as particularly helpful without near rest. Personally, I try to get front and rear support whenever I can. Am I arguing you can reliably take a 1000 yard shot off this set up? Hell no.

Is this javelin/long leg set up a compromise? Yes. In my opinion, with a rear rest, it does is to get you a relatively stable position in cases where prone is not an option, e.g. sagebrush, tall grass, or steep slopes. Is it as stable as prone over a backpack with a rear rest? No. For me it’s a bit quicker and steadier than dealing with trekking poles and a pack because you are dealing with a couple less variables under time stress. You don’t have to loop the wrist straps and you have a consistent connection to the gun. Is the Javelin/LL more stable than a tripod? Not even close, but it’s way faster. I’ve used tripods in practice, but have had few cases in my hunting where the set up time was reasonable to get off a quick shot.

The thing Spartan touts with the Springbok is the ability to track moving game, right left or up down. I think this largely comes from African and European driven hunts, but can have some application to eastern woodland hunting. However, if you insert the javelin head into the tripod head into the socket backwards, you can get probably 30 degrees of right left tracking. I plan on using this next fall when I go back east to hunt whitetail does. As for the argument for up-down flexibility with the Springbok, I don’t find the juice worth the squeeze due to the springy head putting pressure back into the gun. I would rather adjust up-down using forward and back motion. If you need more than you can get with that, the pressure from the springy head starts to affect accuracy.

I do think the Javelin head could use a little tweaking. Particularly a stronger magnet for use with the heavier legs. But it serves the purpose and I don’t thing Spartan’s heavier bipod heads would help much given the flex of the legs.

This set up is a compromise that works for me and my hunting. Your situation may be different. I am not denigrating the Springbok either. It’s a brilliant idea and inexpensive (at least the head) for quick and close shots in the conditions I described above. But I don’t think it’s a great choice for my hunting or open country western hunting in general.

 

[ElPollo]

I’ve posted this before just showing speed and muzzle movement as a comparison to the video above

Nice work with the sling. Have you tested how the pressure from the sling on the forend may affect your POI? I would think you would get substantial flex on a factory Tikka stock like that. But if you float it for storage of a sufficient number of dead cats it could alleviate that pressure.

 

[Bluumoon]

You can’t load into trekking poles either. The concept of loading into a long bipod is not a real thing because of physics. If you had one capable of that it would be too heavy to pack around. Also, I don’t see the javelin/long leg combo as particularly helpful without near rest. Personally, I try to get front and rear support whenever I can. Am I arguing you can reliably take a 1000 yard shot off this set up? Hell no.

Is this javelin/long leg set up a compromise? Yes. In my opinion, with a rear rest, it does is to get you a relatively stable position in cases where prone is not an option, e.g. sagebrush, tall grass, or steep slopes. Is it as stable as prone over a backpack with a rear rest? No. For me it’s a bit quicker and steadier than dealing with trekking poles and a pack because you are dealing with a couple less variables under time stress. You don’t have to loop the wrist straps and you have a consistent connection to the gun. Is the Javelin/LL more stable than a tripod? Not even close, but it’s way faster. I’ve used tripods in practice, but have had few cases in my hunting where the set up time was reasonable to get off a quick shot.

The thing Spartan touts with the Springbok is the ability to track moving game, right left or up down. I think this largely comes from African and European driven hunts, but can have some application to eastern woodland hunting. However, if you insert the javelin head into the tripod head into the socket backwards, you can get probably 30 degrees of right left tracking. I plan on using this next fall when I go back east to hunt whitetail does. As for the argument for up-down flexibility with the Springbok, I don’t find the juice worth the squeeze due to the springy head putting pressure back into the gun. I would rather adjust up-down using forward and back motion. If you need more than you can get with that, the pressure from the springy head starts to affect accuracy.

I do think the Javelin head could use a little tweaking. Particularly a stronger magnet for use with the heavier legs. But it serves the purpose and I don’t thing Spartan’s heavier bipod heads would help much given the flex of the legs.

This set up is a compromise that works for me and my hunting. Your situation may be different. I am not denigrating the Springbok either. It’s a brilliant idea and inexpensive (at least the head) for quick and close shots in the conditions I described above. But I don’t think it’s a great choice for my hunting or open country western hunting in general.

My above video is meant as encouragement for some tweaks to product as you’ve described. I’m making hits at 300 (missed 1 smaller target) and 450 pretty easily w a little practice. Wouldn’t take much to make it an even more usable product for western hunting.

I already carry a tripod, hiking sticks, and pack. Hiking sticks work, I’m just slow to set them up.

 

[Bluumoon]

Nice work with the sling. Have you tested how the pressure from the sling on the forend may affect your POI? I would think you would get substantial flex on a factory Tikka stock like that. But if you float it for storage of a sufficient number of dead cats it could alleviate that pressure.

Simple test would be showing 10 round groups shot w it. I haven’t used a sling in years.