Pack or Bipod?

[mwkelso]

I'm curious to know what major advantages there are to a bipod over using a pack as a rest, mainly while prone. Consistency, accuracy, etc.

The weight of a bipod is negligible, to me anyways. My long range setup weighs in at 15lbs and only comes out on flat-land hunts or cross-canyon hunts. Otherwise I have a synthetic stock that I pack.

 

[7magcreedmoor]

My experience is that a bipod is more consistent if I am able to get square behind the rifle and load it a bit. Resting the rifle on my pack gives a stable sight picture, but will allow a little more variation in how the rifle tracks through recoil. In a sitting or kneeling position using my pack (standing on its bottom) or my trekking poles rigged as shooting sticks is very helpful, but never as good as prone with the bipod. If I put the sticks at the front and use the pack as a rear bag things will tighten up a little more, but it is still not a shooting bench. Any rest is generally better than no rest, and the firmer and more consistent the rest the better the shot.

 

[UplandFreak]

I'm curious to know what major advantages there are to a bipod over using a pack as a rest, mainly while prone. Consistency, accuracy, etc.

The weight of a bipod is negligible, to me anyways. My long range setup weighs in at 15lbs and only comes out on flat-land hunts or cross-canyon hunts. Otherwise I have a synthetic stock that I pack.

Where you are really going to see a difference is out past 400 yards or so. I still use my pack even though I have a bipod, put it under the butt of the gun if I need to to get really stable. Its a night and day difference when you talk about shooting out past 500 yards.

 

[Rick Richard]

Where you are really going to see a difference is out past 400 yards or so. I still use my pack even though I have a bipod, put it under the butt of the gun if I need to to get really stable. Its a night and day difference when you talk about shooting out past 500 yards.

Yep.

 

[mwkelso]

Where you are really going to see a difference is out past 400 yards or so. I still use my pack even though I have a bipod, put it under the butt of the gun if I need to to get really stable. Its a night and day difference when you talk about shooting out past 500 yards.

This is good to know, thank you.
The other thought I had was to eliminate the bipod for bulk, but then had the thought of doing a quick-attach setup. If the affect is mainly 400 and beyond, that should give me adequate time to attach a bipod, get set up and land a good shot on an animal.
And also, the bipod puts me 2oz over 16lbs. So if a warden were to unexpectedly check rifle weight, well, you know...

 

[UplandFreak]

This might be an option:

Javelin Lite Bipod®

Our compact, ultralight bipod with MagnaSwitch™ quick detach. Perfect for weight-conscious hunters exploring rough terrain. Robust fixed height legs, reliable materials for backcountry hunting. Ensures stability on any terrain.

javelinbipod.com

 

[mwkelso]

This might be an option:

Javelin Lite Bipod®

Our compact, ultralight bipod with MagnaSwitch™ quick detach. Perfect for weight-conscious hunters exploring rough terrain. Robust fixed height legs, reliable materials for backcountry hunting. Ensures stability on any terrain.

javelinbipod.com

That would definitely be an option. I had it in my head that the Spartans were pretty expensive, but this is very feasible!
My other option was a Magpul. For the extra $25, I think I will give this one a go.

 

[UplandFreak]

That would definitely be an option. I had it in my head that the Spartans were pretty expensive, but this is very feasible!
My other option was a Magpul. For the extra $25, I think I will give this one a go.

These ones attach to the rifle magnetically.

 

[mpayne]

Pod always

 

[BrentM]

I carry a pack, tripod, and bipod. I also use a trigger stick but that is used for supporting my binos when covering terrain vs just sitting and glassing.
Since I have a pack always, it's a scabbard pack with internal frame. It gives excellent support. I use the pack for both front or rear support in a multitude of positions.
Here is a pic shooting off the pack while wolf hunting. Shot a yote at 500 in that pic.

 

[UplandFreak]

I carry a pack, tripod, and bipod. I also use a trigger stick but that is used for supporting my binos when covering terrain vs just sitting and glassing.
Since I have a pack always, it's a scabbard pack with internal frame. It gives excellent support. I use the pack for both front or rear support in a multitude of positions.
Here is a pic shooting off the pack while wolf hunting. Shot a yote at 500 in that pic. View attachment 199014

I love my trigger stick for glassing with binos.

 

[BrentM]

I love my trigger stick for glassing with binos.

It's a nice tool. I use it often for rear support when using the tripod as well. I've shot steel out to 1000, standing with the tripod and trigger stick for the rear support.

 

[8x68s]

the bipod puts me 2oz over 16lbs. So if a warden were to unexpectedly check rifle weight, well, you know...

where and why is this a factor? didn't know there were weight limits on hunting rifles...??

 

[BrentM]

where and why is this a factor? didn't know there were weight limits on hunting rifles...??

There are. Idaho is 16 lbs