Offhand vs. Sticks

[Jim Golden]

Hi everyone,

I see a lot of discussion on here about using shooting sticks. I've seen some that have four sticks and these diagonal links that look really complicated. The ones I've looked at buying were either a monopod or more likely two sticks that form an "X" where the top legs of the X are about 1.5" long and the bottom legs are 5' or so.

I've never used shooting sticks before. I've either shot off a stand up bench (for the Big Boomers) or a sit down bench (for the Mortal cartridges) but most of my hunting has been either get a rest off a tree, or just shoot offhand.

It seems like a lot of the range that you shoot the dangerous stuff at is under 70 yards. I'm not saying that I'm "Super Shot" or "Annie Oakley" or anything like that, but I can hit a frisbee at 70 yards off hand easily enough. At 40 yards I could probably hit the end of a soup can.

I'm just curious as to the use of sticks for these close in shots. I would think you could simply shoot off hand and drop the critter at that range. Especially with these big heavy rifles that hold very steadily.

On my.375 Weatherby, shooting off a Rubbermaid box on the back of an ATV (that's my high tech stand up bench) I can pretty much hit a 1" square rock at 80 yards every time. Maybe I could do that off sticks....I think I probably could. And, that is better than offhand. But, at 80 yards offhand, I could keep them in a 6" circle easily enough at that range and much better if I was slow and took my time.

Anyway, I was just curious about the sticks. I don't want to come off as cynical and say they're just a band-aid for guys who don't practice enough. But, I could see them as a "portable bench" that would make it way way easier to hit a big target than just shooting offhand. I wouldn't attempt a 200 yard shot just off hand standing up....maybe sitting down with a rest on my knee. But with sticks, I wouldn't hesitate to shoot that far.

I'd like to get a set and practice with them. I don't want the four post kind with all the diagonals....I'd be happy with a simple two leg V type set and that leaves me totally free on the "behind the sticks" movement.

Anyway, just curious....

 

[mauserhunter]

Never used the ones you may see being used by ph's but can say about any stick will give a better hold then off hand, I'd want a stick you can get off of and on a moving target off hand if needed.

 

[steve white]

When you're in the zone, offhand can be magic...but jet lagged in Africa, with unexplained jitters, while shooting at expensive animals--the sticks cancel some of the jitters IMO.

 

[318AE]

Hi everyone,

I see a lot of discussion on here about using shooting sticks. I've seen some that have four sticks and these diagonal links that look really complicated. The ones I've looked at buying were either a monopod or more likely two sticks that form an "X" where the top legs of the X are about 1.5" long and the bottom legs are 5' or so.

I've never used shooting sticks before. I've either shot off a stand up bench (for the Big Boomers) or a sit down bench (for the Mortal cartridges) but most of my hunting has been either get a rest off a tree, or just shoot offhand.

It seems like a lot of the range that you shoot the dangerous stuff at is under 70 yards. I'm not saying that I'm "Super Shot" or "Annie Oakley" or anything like that, but I can hit a frisbee at 70 yards off hand easily enough. At 40 yards I could probably hit the end of a soup can.

I'm just curious as to the use of sticks for these close in shots. I would think you could simply shoot off hand and drop the critter at that range. Especially with these big heavy rifles that hold very steadily.

On my.375 Weatherby, shooting off a Rubbermaid box on the back of an ATV (that's my high tech stand up bench) I can pretty much hit a 1" square rock at 80 yards every time. Maybe I could do that off sticks....I think I probably could. And, that is better than offhand. But, at 80 yards offhand, I could keep them in a 6" circle easily enough at that range and much better if I was slow and took my time.

Anyway, I was just curious about the sticks. I don't want to come off as cynical and say they're just a band-aid for guys who don't practice enough. But, I could see them as a "portable bench" that would make it way way easier to hit a big target than just shooting offhand. I wouldn't attempt a 200 yard shot just off hand standing up....maybe sitting down with a rest on my knee. But with sticks, I wouldn't hesitate to shoot that far.

I'd like to get a set and practice with them. I don't want the four post kind with all the diagonals....I'd be happy with a simple two leg V type set and that leaves me totally free on the "behind the sticks" movement.

Anyway, just curious....

“6” circle easily enough at that range and much better if I was slow and took my time”.

I recommend you use sticks and get comfortable with them. The PH will carry them and have a set etc. I don’t bring my own.

You’re likely not shooting a still target and taking your time. You are likely on the sticks, talking back and forth with the PH about which animal, waiting for the animal to clear out from the brush ahead of it, or another animal behind it, and waiting for a better broadside shot etc. All this time you are on the sticks and take the shot a moment’s notice - usually…

This is a really long time to be in an off hand (standing position), on target, waiting for the target. I shot three position competitively - I use sticks. There are exceptions, but they are just that, exceptions.

 

[Tra3]

Sticks give you an advantage at any distance. Buck fever is more easily managed with a set of sticks. The PH and tracker would rather that your shot is slightly more accurate.
Sticks are fun to use with practice. I have come to prefer the stable sticks (4) rather that a tripod, but I’ll happily shoot off either. A tripod is better for a pivoting/moving shot.
Squirrel hunting is a great way to get used to using sticks. Any .22lr will get you quality practice with sticks.

 

[wvfred]

I use a bog pod tripod for all my practice and take it with me on safari.

 

[Vintageguy]

Don’t bother with monopod type, they stink. Here for deer I use bipod sticks but for a big bore the recoil will bounce the rifle off the rest, because you need a firm hold on the forend rather than holding the stick. As far as offhand on dangerous game, if you’re human your adrenaline will be up and your shot may not happen quickly so sticks are good for the first shot if able. Anything that helps the first shot to be the most effective is wise.

 

[Green Chile]

You will be expected to shoot from the sticks on most of your shots in Africa. It's what they do and it's a good system but many don't practice it and then you clearly fumble around in front of the PH. He will know the difference.

If you can hit a 1" rock every time at 80 yards with a 375 Wby...you are the best shooter around...anywhere. That won't be happening out in the bush.

 

[Wade J VanGinkel]

I've recently progressed to the 4 legged sticks. But they can also be used as 2 in a hurry.
Started in limpopo last year and recently bought my own.
Brain shot on a muntjac doe at over 100 yards a few weeks ago.
Like mentioned, this was while watching and being told exactly which one to shoot.

 

[mark-hunter]

Depending where you have been hunting before and collecting exoerience, it does not mean you will have similar conditions on african safari, in terms of available rests for rifle.

Rest for rifle in my opinion is must for shots over 100 meters, and welcome for shots over 50 meters.

I can reccomend jim shokey primos gen 3 tripod shooting stick.
One of the reasons is telescopic function.
This means if situation allows, you will be able to shoot sitting, kneeling, or standing.

If in kneeling position, rest the rifle, place left elbow on left knee, and yoy will be steady as shooting from a bench.

Of course, in some areas grass is tall, and will not allow you shooting from sitting or kneling positions, but as far as stick is concerned you will have all options available. Multioptional gadget.

Once getting the stick, train as much as possible. Trigger time is trigger time, you can train with any rifle, including 22lr.

 

[BeeMaa]

Shooting mid-bore and big bore rifles from the bench is crazy. I’m not sure what you are classifying as “big boomers” or “mortal cartridges”, but from .375 and up most people shoot off sticks with the exception of zeroing the scope.

Personally, my wife and I like tripod sticks and use the BogPod Adrenaline with great success. Took them to Africa and nearly every shot was taken from them, including checking zero at the range.

Practice off sticks…a lot!

 

[migrabill]

I have a RSA trip scheduled for June. I contacted my PH and asked him what sticks he will be carrying for me to shoot off of while I am there. I then went and purchased the exact same sticks so I can practice off them and get used to them. That's my 2 cents.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Practice finding the target looking over top of the scope. Then while focusing on the target slide your eye down behind the lens to keep the target in your focus.

Then shoot quickly. You will most likely gets seconds to shoot accurately. Many people take several or more missed opportunities before they get up to speed.

 

[lawrence_court]

Buy the quad sticks. There was a lot of noise about them being no good when they emerged. Thesedays, almost every pg PH uses them and some DG, too. If you're shooting pg, just buy a set and practice. You'll be as quick with them as a tripod after a few sessions. They are much easier than they look.

If you're shooting buffalo then they'll also be good, or use a tripod set. Using monpod/bipod sticks is putting you at a big disadvantage.

Good luck!

 

[Jim Golden]

You will be expected to shoot from the sticks on most of your shots in Africa. It's what they do and it's a good system but many don't practice it and then you clearly fumble around in front of the PH. He will know the difference.

If you can hit a 1" rock every time at 80 yards with a 375 Wby...you are the best shooter around...anywhere. That won't be happening out in the bush.

Chile, that was off a stand up "bench," not offhand. You guys really have me thinking now. I'd never looked at the tripod type. Only the two and four legged ones. And good point earlier about the recoil jumping off them. I hadn't really thought about that. As much as these things recoil, I want a firm hand on the forend and not trying to hold the sticks still. Might be OK on a .270 but not a boomer

 

[Jim Golden]

I will check out all of these sticks you guys mentioned. Makes a lot of sense.

BeeMaa, I was calling "Boomers" basically anything .375 H&H and up...only because that's what I have. A big .338 is probably in there too. "Mortal" is more like .300 mag and under...at least to me. I can stand to shoot the "Mortal" ones off a sit down bench.

I "made" a stand up bench by putting a large plastic cargo tote on the top of an ATV's rack and then laying carpet and sand bags over it. I can stand almost normal height with that. That's what I zero them in on. It looks like the 4-sticks rigs are basically a portable bench. I plan to build a proper stand up bench, but just haven't gotten around to it yet...

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

3 dowel sticks lashed together, the wider you open them the lower you go
the less you open the legs the higher they are for tall guys

the "mechanical" aluminium type sticks just dont last with us

 

[Berettaco]

I’ve been hunting a long time - like most here, and if there is something around to help steady a shot and improve my odds I’ll take it. If the ph has sticks readily available I’ll use them. Last safari I didn’t have sticks - I can shoot offhand just fine but I do recall several shots I wish I had the sticks. Sometimes a short sprint is required to get into position, you’ve been hiking for 2-3 days and are tired anyhow. Then throw in adrenaline and some 100 yard shots - yeah, sticks are nice

 

[Jim Golden]

3 dowel sticks lashed together, the wider you open them the lower you go
the less you open the legs the higher they are for tall guys

the "mechanical" aluminium type sticks just dont last with us
View attachment 584356View attachment 584357View attachment 584358

I like these. Simple, inexpensive. I might make one of these as my starter and go from there!

 

[russ473]

Agree with Tally-Ho, and if needed you can use 1 of the legs while sitting or kneeling to rest on for a lower shot