Making a set of shooting sticks, any suggestions

[pilar]

I’m in need of a set for a shooting platform here in USA @ the ranch and kinda a walking stick because it’s rocky walking
I just looked at them and $500+ is kinda not in my budget
I see tutorials on YouTube or is Amazon the place to go

 

[CBH Australia]

Try make some on dowel and see how you find them.
$20 won’t break the bank and you will have something.
That style still works and did work for years.
I have use a couple of types on loan but I don’t use sticks much but I do plan to practice over sticks with a .22 as it is still a great method when yiu have them.

 

[JimP]

Years ago I made some out of yuca stems and just tied them together with some old inner tube.

Now I just use my Bog Pod

 

[glblanchard]

I made a pair out of salt cedar. When it dries, it's hard and very stiff.

 

[mdwest]

You can make an ok set out of dowel rods for about $25… but they’re not nearly as good as even “cheap” store bought sticks in my opinion.. and they take up space, are cumbersome, etc..

Cabelas sells a tripod for $50 that collapses down compactly, is very light, and while not as rigid as some of the more expensive options, they’re rigid enough.. I’ve made 200 yard shots off of them with ease..

I bought a set almost 10 years ago and they’re still going strong..

https://www.basspro.com/p/cabelas-tripod-shooting-rest

 

[deewayne2003]

I used a set made out of Cedar to practice for Zim and as soon as I got home I bought a BOG set that I’ve used ever since.

Think they were $110 at academy

 

[E Butler]

Bamboo. Light and strong

 

[grand veneur]

I also made shooting sticks with bamboo. When it is daylight, I will made pictures.

 

[Nhoro]

I use a camera tripod and I just made a padded fork to fit on top. It is actually more sturdy than the trigger stick etc. I am sure you can find a good quality second hand camera tripod around and it will do double duty. Mine are aluminium but you can also get carbon fibre for less than the equivalent rifle sticks. Some tripods as around $25 and are pretty decent quality if you do your homework.

 

[grand veneur]

Bamboo, motorcycle brake cable and a strong sleeve to hold the cable ring together. You can put a heavy big bore rifle on it.

 

[BeeMaa]

I agree with @mdwest, if you spend $30 on a set of sticks, that’s exactly what you will have.

The best I’ve found for the money is the BOG Adrenaline and they are marked down to just over $100. Wife and I took 10 head of PG using a similar model.

The next step is either carbon fiber quad sticks or a set of ASC sticks…both of which are much more expensive. But again, you get what you pay for.

BOG Adrenaline Amazon

 

[farmer_john]

Can take your walking stick and put in your pocket and use it that way ive founds a good and quick way of getting support thats also mobile. For off hand shooting

 

[whisk(e)y hunter]

Probably the cheapest and best for that is a long forked branch you can cut the ends off, like a long Y

 

[Cucuy]

Heading to Namibia in July for first safari. Stateside I use a Primos trigger stick tripod. I was planning on taking it, but I’m looking to reduce my pack list. Since I won’t be the one setting up the sticks over there, if I can shoot just as well on multiple types then I’ll just use whatever they have. I needed a traditional design to go with my Primos for practice. Commercially, there isn’t much trad tripod action available outside of African Sporting Creations. Beautiful sticks, but I can’t justify the cost. Here’s my shade tree effort with the help of AH and other sites:

3 0.75” diameter 6 ft dowels from Lowe’s ($20.69 with tax)
Paracord (free, who doesn’t have some Paracord in stock?)
Less than 10 min

Cut 1 handwidth from middle pole. Didn’t feel like measuring.
Tie them according to animated knots dot com tripod lashing knot.
Enjoy.

They’re very stable and I would definitely hunt with them locally. I may stain/seal. They ain’t pretty, but they work!

View attachment 657666

 

[RLL]

Bamboo, motorcycle brake cable and a strong sleeve to hold the cable ring together. You can put a heavy big bore rifle on it

 

[RLL]

I made similar bamboo shooting sticks 6 years ago and have held up wheel.