Everything You Need to Know About Bipod Shooting Sticks
Most hunters would agree that a good shooting stick is a godsend. Even the best shots can benefit from having a solid rest to fall back on, especially in long-distance shooting situations.
But wait: what exactly is a shooting stick?
Simply put, hunting shooting sticks are portable mounts used to brace your weapon, so you have a stable resting position. Without one, you’re more likely to feel fatigued quicker.
Like everything else on the market, shooting sticks come in a ton of shapes and sizes. What you choose will depend on your requirements and the type of weapon you’ve picked for the game. We’ll give you a brief rundown on each in this post, focusing on our specialty- bipod shooting sticks.
Shooting Sticks: A Comprehensive Guide
As we mentioned, most hunters would benefit from having a solid rest because it removes some of the human error involved in shooting. Whether you’re shivering from exhaustion or the adrenaline surging in your veins, a hunting shooting stick helps remove unnecessary movement.
However, the right kind of shooting stick will vary based on your unique circumstances. To give you a quick overview, here are the different types of shooting sticks out there.
1. Monopod Shooting Stick
This hunting shooting stick comes with an adjustable single pole. They work great for on-foot hunts where you don’t have time to extend multiple legs before a shot. You can easily pick one up, run 30 yards, get into position, and prop your gun in place again.
There’s one significant downside, though. Monopods wiggle a little from side to side, although their vertical balance is perfect. You'll have to find additional support to keep them from moving around.
2. Bipod Shooting Sticks
If the name wasn’t a dead giveaway, bipod shooting sticks have two legs. They’re more stable than their single-legged counterparts because you have another stand to take some of the flux away. But shooting bipod sticks are a little bulkier and more complex, so you’d be better off using them for prone shooting (target practice, varmint hunting, long-range shooting).
3. Tripod Shooting Sticks
You probably saw this coming from a mile away: a tripod hunting shooting stick has three legs. It’s the most stable of the lot since it controls movement front to back and side to side. That said, it does take a lot more setup and isn’t mobile. The last thing you want is a tripod leg tripping in the bushes while you’re giving chase. That’s why tripods are often suited to controlled scenarios where you have time to aim.
Benefits of Bipod Shooting Sticks
Wondering why you should add a bipod shooting stick on the fore-end of your rifle? We’ve got answers for you.
1. Eliminates Movement
First and foremost, shooting sticks bipod can get rid of the pendulum feeling of an unsupported rifle. Shots afield are rarely taken from the prone position, and a bipod will help stabilize hasty resting positions.
2. Frees Your Offhand
Not having to support the fore-end of your rifle will free up your offhand, so you can utilize it to manipulate the rear shooting support, which is designed to help move your crosshairs up or down on a target.
3. Multipurpose
A bipod can double as a monopod too. For example, if you have a shot against a fence, you can drop one leg of the bipod and press its base against the post to gain forward load and reduce recoil. Also, you can deploy your bipod legs on a rock or horizontally placed tree trunk and kneel to gain a solid shooting position. The possibilities are endless!
How to Pick the Right Bipod Shooting Stick
Now that you know why the universal bipod stick system is such a rage, it’s time to look at some factors you must take into account before you pull the trigger and purchase one.
1. Weight
It’s easy to see why heavy hunting shooting sticks are the perfect fit for long-range shooting practice. The heavier the stick, the more stable it is, and the more accurate you can get with your shots. However, if you’re carrying your rifle gear on a hunting trip where every ounce counts, lighter sticks take the cake, no questions asked. You don’t want to lug a heavy shooting stick on a three-hour uphill trek.
2. Durability
The material of your shooting sticks will play a big part in their durability. Hunting trips can rough up your equipment, especially when you’re prepping for a shot. Cheap wooden or plastic shooting sticks are more prone to damage in these situations, so it’s best to give them a hard pass.
3. Shooting Style
Your shooting preferences can also influence your choice of bipod shooting sticks. If you plan on shooting predators like hogs, varmints, elk, or sheep, you could use one with minimal adjustments. This is because you’ll be deep in the woods and can get away with some extra shuffling.
But in case you’re shooting a shotgun or crossbow at close range, even the smallest movements could spook the animals. Hence, an easily adjustable shooting stick bipod is your best bet in these circumstances.
In this regard, we must talk about Snakelook’s Universal Bipod Sticks System. Perfect for the adventurous thrill seeker, this single set of sticks can do it all and more. A few highlights of our shooting bipod sticks are as follows.
- The Loop Lock and Pinch Lock attachment methods allow these sticks to work for any tool you want stabilized.
- The sticks can be operated from the standing, kneeling, or prone position.
- They’re equipped with patented FlexBAND Technology for the utmost versatility
- They’re lightweight, compact, and the ideal hunting companion
The Bottom Line
When it comes to finding a steady shot, few things compare to a well-made hunting shooting stick. Hopefully, this post has given you some insight into the different types of shooting sticks, why bipods are a class apart, and a few things you must keep in mind while looking for your very own rifle gear.
Ready for hunting season? Make sure you never miss a shot with Snakelook’s Universal Bipod Sticks System. They’re versatile, easy to use, and rock-solid- a great pick for any stabilization scenario. Contact us to place an order or browse through our inventory of specialty outdoor equipment today!