Bipod Recommendations
BY Herschel Smith3 years, 2 months ago
At Outdoor Life.
They cover Magpul, Caldwell, Javelin, Warne and Harris.
I don’t like the Magpul, and frankly I’m not sure I really like any of them.
I do like the Accu-Tac bipod, but of course it’s more expensive. There’s no accounting for taste, except that mine tend towards the more expensive for whatever reason.
Do readers have suggestions on bipods they like, and why?
On October 13, 2021 at 10:41 pm, Wyotana said:
No love for Atlas?
Personally, I prefer the tall Harris bipods for hunting rifles. The ability to scope it all the way out for the sitting position to get over grass and brush is a deal-maker. Make sure to get the one that tilts.
Have an Atlas on one of the heavy guns. I think it’s pretty good without being quite stupid expensive. Folds into all sorts of convenient contortions. Pans.
On October 13, 2021 at 10:55 pm, Ohio Guy said:
A Champion and a Caldwell. Fifty dollars each. I only use them if there’s nothing else to steady on. In my area, a target over 600yards would be rare anyways. Now, as far as tripods, I have a BOG Deathgrip. I really like that one. Here it is: https://www.boghunt.com/pods/tripods/deathgrip-tripod/1099442.html
On October 13, 2021 at 11:21 pm, Chris said:
Accu-tac.
Predominate at Comps.
Now if ya want a Excellent Secret Squirrel type.
Elite Iron
Good Luck
On October 14, 2021 at 12:02 am, Heywood said:
I like Atlas. Have tried them all but it is my favorite by far.
On October 14, 2021 at 1:07 am, Ratus said:
Could you expand on why you dislike the Magpul.
On October 14, 2021 at 4:23 am, The Tactical Hermit said:
Harris and GG&G for your serious social rifles.
For hunting I use a Primo’s Monopod Trigger Stick.
On October 14, 2021 at 6:10 am, Russell G. said:
The biggest problem with any of them is where the bipod **feet** touch whatever surface you’re resting/shooting on. And, your compensator. (see where I’m going here?) And, whatever you have your buttstock on/in; either a monopod (like a Strike Ind.) or your shoulder. Tuning all of those will make the differences your looking for. Consistency, consistency, consistency.
On October 14, 2021 at 6:21 am, Miles said:
Harris.
I tend to go with what the Army’s SMUs select when they can pretty much buy what they want.
On October 14, 2021 at 6:37 am, anon said:
http://atlasbipod.com/
BT46-LW17 PSR Atlas Bipod: Standard height with ADM 170-S Lever
Run this on a half moa AR 10
Well engineered.
Buy 1x, Cry 1x
On October 14, 2021 at 6:44 am, Longbow said:
Harris also. They work. They’re easily adjustable. They’re durable.
On October 14, 2021 at 8:08 am, Berglander said:
I’m not a long-range shooter.
These have always intrigued me though:
https://www.eliteiron.com/elite-iron-revolution-bipod/
Has anyone used them?
On October 14, 2021 at 8:19 am, Bill Buppert said:
I am with Herschel, Accu-Tac is the best for long range and extreme long range.
I use 2x tiers of bipods on my firearms.
Inexpensive and too expensive (but I’ll do it).
All my bolt guns and 1x AR308 get a Magpul bipod; inexpensive, serviceable and limited in function but work in most environments. I have never liked Harris but folks choose what they wish. Magpul did borrow heavily from Atlas.
My two F-Class bolt guns get the royal treatment with full-length 10″ Arca rails and Accu-Tac FC-G2 Arca Spec RS2’s. Spendy but the performance improvement is worth the cost. The FC-G2 is built like a tank and very adaptable and unlike a Harris bipod, it never “bites”.
Prices at Big Daddy Unlimited:
Magpul M-LOK bipod: $85
Accu-Tac FC-G2: $326
If you have a ten dollar head, get a ten dollar helmet.
Highly recommend https://precisionrifleblog.com and apologies because there is a lot to read to include savvy comments.
On October 14, 2021 at 9:02 am, clay said:
I have yet to see a simple Harris model break. which is more than I can say of all the expensive ones except ACCU-TAC
On October 14, 2021 at 9:36 am, Riflemyn said:
If you are shooting a heavy bolt gun in the prone position, look at Elite Iron. There is no better.
I also use ATLAS on my lighter sticks. They just work.
Only issue is the cost. Elite Iron is VERY expensive but try to remember that the pain of paying more for the best fades quickly. The pain of regret lasts much longer.
On October 14, 2021 at 10:26 am, Swrichmond said:
Harris SBRM. Have several. Squeezie rear bag. As low as possible. To the extent that on my bipod-equipped AR I use 20 round mags.
I bought an Atlas and quickly sold it, too spindly.
On October 14, 2021 at 11:05 am, Herschel Smith said:
That’s the thing. I don’t want a bipod that’s too spindly, but also don’t want one like the Magpul that seems like it’s so bulky it would get in the way of everything.
On October 14, 2021 at 11:44 am, Mike said:
B&T Atlas (Accu-Tac 2nd) for a real world battle rifle you’re going to war with.
Harris for hunting rifle or 2nd level battle rifles or if budget restricted.
Magpul for lightweight 2nd level DMR/Patrol rifle or if budget restricted.
On October 14, 2021 at 12:46 pm, MTHead said:
I’m weird. I like shooting over my pack. And there’s almost no terrain it won’t adjust to. That and the fact that one packs guns much more than one shoots. The front of my guns are heavy enough.
On October 14, 2021 at 3:58 pm, Georgiaboy61 said:
@ Russell G.
Re:”The biggest problem with any of them is where the bipod **feet** touch whatever surface you’re resting/shooting on.”
Yep, that’s a factor for sure. If you are shooting with your bipod resting on a hard surface, a bench or any other hard surface capable of vibration, you’d best use some sort of padding or shock-absorber under the feet. Why? Because if you do not, the shock wave generated by each shot will cause the rifle to vibrate, thereby sending impulse traveling down the bipod, hitting the hard surface and rebounding back up into the bipod and the rifle. This happens in milliseconds, quickly-enough to cause you to miss the shot high. They call it “muzzle bounce” for short…
Fortunately, it is an easy problem to fix: Use some sort of shock-absorbing material to dampen the vibration, and you’ll do much to considerably lessen, if not eliminate entirely, the problem.
On October 14, 2021 at 4:07 pm, Georgiaboy61 said:
For your AR carbine or rifle, consider the Grip-Pod, which is a fore-grip which contains a folding hidden bipod. It looks and operates like a normal fore-grip, until you press the release button, which deploys the legs. It is not a fancy bit of gear; the bi-pod does not swivel or anything like that – but it is light-weight and works for basic prone shooting or from a level surface.
At one tactical rifle workshop some years ago, the instructor mentioned that in lieu of a Grip-Pod, he simply carries with him one or two forty-round Magpul AR mags, which are reserved exclusively for prone “mono-pod” use. Opinions are quite divided on the utility/wisdom of this method. Some swear by it, others say that it leads to failures-to-feed, double-feeds and other malfunctions due to upward pressure on the magazine. Just passing the info along….