Bi pods or Shooting sticks

I've been hunting and shooting for probably 60 of my 75 years. I read all I can to improve my skills. And now I am trying to decide on the purchase of either a bi pod or shooting sticks. In the past I have relied on using the best available rests: trees, fence posts, cushioned rocks, and the list goes on. Which rest do you use - bi pod or shooting sticks - and why?

both....

For me, when hunting, it's shooting sticks. I find it's more comfortable shooting from my knees or standing. The other thing is where I typically hunt, I usually don't find myself in a position to use a bi-pod very often. If I do find myself in a position where a bi-pod would be a great choice, usually my jacket or backpack is stable enough for a good rest.

different tools, different uses.....

After experimenting with several different bipods and shooting sticks/tripods, I have settled in the harris S25 12-25 swivel. Works for prone, sitting and kneeling. If I need lower, I just use a pack as a rest. If I am sitting and need a little higher I put the bipod legs on my toes and can move them up or down. I have killed a lot of animals with this bipod. My coyote guns all have the taller 13 1/2-27 since I am almost always sitting down. I like the bipods because they are attached to the rifle and one less thing to worry about forgetting in the heat of the moment.

Both, keep the bipod on the rifle and use shooting sticks as hiking poles as you walk/sneak around. The sticks make 50-200 yard offhand shots easy.

I have used lots of different bipods and shooting sticks. I wanted to use the Harris 13"-27" but it was too short for me so I sold it. Bought a Swagger that I really like because it is long enough to use on a ditch bank or sidehill when calling coyotes. I have all kinds of shooting sticks I have acquired over the years, but the ones I use most are a homemade pair I made to a customer length for me. Cost me maybe five dollars.

Straight Shooter said:

I have used lots of different bipods and shooting sticks. I wanted to use the Harris 13"-27" but it was too short for me so I sold it. Bought a Swagger that I really like because it is long enough to use on a ditch bank or sidehill when calling coyotes. I have all kinds of shooting sticks I have acquired over the years, but the ones I use most are a homemade pair I made to a customer length for me. Cost me maybe five dollars.

Click to expand...

I'd love to see a picture of what you constructed since I've been considering the same option using fiberglass rods and neoprene tubing.

fiberglass sucks. think carbon fiber.....

43, two legged shooting sticks weren't very stable for me. I bought a tripod which adjusts from sitting to standing due to grass and brush being too high most often. If the situation presents itself, I shoot prone with the attached bipod. I'm almost 70 and like Two Tracks, the tripod doubles as a hiking pole which I don't do much of.

Two-legged sticks are more than stable, when used properly...

Gibbshooter, that is exactly what I used and have had them for years. Couple of fiberglass poles, some green castration bands, and a piece of 5/8 inch fuel line hose. Your neoprene tubing might be better if it stays flexible in cold weather.

Shooting sticks made from arrows lashed together with surgical hose slid over the top 5-6" . Really nice walking through the woods knocking spider webs down too,got tired of eating them.

shooting sticks....








trigger stick tripod


bipods