Questions about Bipods

[farmer_john]

I have noticed that alot of higher end rifles dont have a visible means of attaching bipods. Most likely because alot of folks shoot off sticks. That said I was wondering what are the best mounting solutions for a solid bipod on a nice rifle other than sling swivel stud that also looks good? Or are there even any other options? I only ask because I can put a good bit of flex on a bipod and I don't feel the swivel stud is the best option and I can ding the stock with the bipods torque.

also If you guys have pics would be great as well.

 

[samson7x]

You will see arca commonly used these days. Picatinny also works well. What is your primary application?

 

[Betterinthebush]

As high end as my bolt rifles go are two Dakota 76’s. I’d never considered a bipod, and never would. I’m curious to learn if others have as well.

 

[mdwest]

Define "nice" rifle first..

If we're talking a more "modern" type rifle.. something with a synthetic stock, etc.. the best solution I have found is to mount a swiss arca plate to the rifle and then use a bipod that uses the arca system and attach it to the rifle.. super stable.. and super versatile.. but.. youre definitely not going to catch me drilling a couple of extra holes into a finely figured walnut stocked gun so that I can screw a 3.5" long plate on the bottom of it...

if youre looking at improving the bipod mount on a more traditional wood stocked gun, honestly the sling stud has been the best option I have found that wont damage or alter the firearm in any way..

the key is.. dont cheap out on the tripod.. there is a world of difference is say a $59 caldwell bipod and a $150 harris bipod in terms of stability.. and an even bigger difference when you step up to something like the Atlas PSD (about $300 I think currently)..

that said, most of the Atlas units use a pic mount, not a sling stud.. but there sling stud adaptors out there that you can buy that allow the pic rail to mount via the sling stud.. and then you mount the bipod to the pic rail..

I should also say... all arca is not created equal.. dont cheap out there either if thats the route you go.. the rail itself isnt that big of a deal.. go cheap if you like.. but the ball head that is part of the bipod (or tripod) is HUGELY important.. you need one robust enough to handle the weight of your rifle and need one built with tight tolerances that wont have any wobble in the parts.. you want the ball head to be smooth, but have a solid grip on the gun..

there are "mini" versions as well as full sized versions of the arca system.. I have a mini tripod that I sometimes use inside a blind or at the range (good for table top work).. as well as a full sized tripod that can extend up to 71" tall..

this one isnt outrageously expensive and has worked well for me for guns up to about 11lbs (Ive got an AR10 with a thermal on it as well as a suppressor that weighs in around 11lbs that I use for hog hunting)..

FANAUE ST-3620-65 Carbon Fiber Tripod With Arca Swiss quick release pl

Compatible with Arca-Swiss System: This tripod features a quick release plate clamp compatible with Arca-Swiss dovetail slots, ideal for use with various mounting systems. The quick-locking mechanism includes a unique safety stop to prevent your gear from sliding off due to strong impacts. The...

fanaue.com

this is the "mini" that I use for the range and the deer blind occasionally...

Leofoto LS-223C X Version Mini Ranger Series Tripod Up to 10% Off w/ Free Shipping — 2 models

Shop Leofoto LS-223C X Version Mini Ranger Series Tripod | Up to 10% Off 5 Star Rating on 2 Reviews for Leofoto LS-223C X Version Mini Ranger Series Tripod + Free Shipping...

shop.opticsplanet.com

 

[farmer_john]

You will see arca commonly used these days. Picatinny also works well. What is your primary application?

Hunting and longer range shooting. on my tactical rifles its not an issue. But I am looking at adding it to my BDL and eventually getting a nicer wood stock and I would like to have the option that also looks decent with a wood stock and a little bit more robust an attachment than a single sling swivel, I have never seen a arca or pic rail on a fine wood stock before. https://www.rifletalks.com/equipment-reviews/luxury-338-lapua-fanzoj-hunting-rifle/ is the only one I have seen a bipod on and I am not entirely sure what the attachment for it is or how its anchored to the stock. But in that vein but much much lower budget lol. eventually ill put prolly a grade 6 or 7 stock on my Remington ( if your using the Rigby big game rifle configurator) as a grading example.

 

[farmer_john]

Define "nice" rifle first..

If we're talking a more "modern" type rifle.. something with a synthetic stock, etc.. the best solution I have found is to mount a swiss arca plate to the rifle and then use a bipod that uses the arca system and attach it to the rifle.. super stable.. and super versatile.. but.. youre definitely not going to catch me drilling a couple of extra holes into a finely figured walnut stocked gun so that I can screw a 3.5" long plate on the bottom of it...

if youre looking at improving the bipod mount on a more traditional wood stocked gun, honestly the sling stud has been the best option I have found that wont damage or alter the firearm in any way..

the key is.. dont cheap out on the tripod.. there is a world of difference is say a $59 caldwell bipod and a $150 harris bipod in terms of stability.. and an even bigger difference when you step up to something like the Atlas PSD (about $300 I think currently)..

that said, most of the Atlas units use a pic mount, not a sling stud.. but there sling stud adaptors out there that you can buy that allow the pic rail to mount via the sling stud.. and then you mount the bipod to the pic rail..

I should also say... all arca is not created equal.. dont cheap out there either if thats the route you go.. the rail itself isnt that big of a deal.. go cheap if you like.. but the ball head that is part of the bipod (or tripod) is HUGELY important.. you need one robust enough to handle the weight of your rifle and need one built with tight tolerances that wont have any wobble in the parts.. you want the ball head to be smooth, but have a solid grip on the gun..

there are "mini" versions as well as full sized versions of the arca system.. I have a mini tripod that I sometimes use inside a blind or at the range (good for table top work).. as well as a full sized tripod that can extend up to 71" tall..

this one isnt outrageously expensive and has worked well for me for guns up to about 11lbs (Ive got an AR10 with a thermal on it as well as a suppressor that weighs in around 11lbs that I use for hog hunting)..

FANAUE ST-3620-65 Carbon Fiber Tripod With Arca Swiss quick release pl

Compatible with Arca-Swiss System: This tripod features a quick release plate clamp compatible with Arca-Swiss dovetail slots, ideal for use with various mounting systems. The quick-locking mechanism includes a unique safety stop to prevent your gear from sliding off due to strong impacts. The...

fanaue.com

this is the "mini" that I use for the range and the deer blind occasionally...

Leofoto LS-223C X Version Mini Ranger Series Tripod Up to 10% Off w/ Free Shipping — 2 models

Shop Leofoto LS-223C X Version Mini Ranger Series Tripod | Up to 10% Off 5 Star Rating on 2 Reviews for Leofoto LS-223C X Version Mini Ranger Series Tripod + Free Shipping...

shop.opticsplanet.com

Cheaping out is not the issue. I have used the gamut of tripods in the military and really like RSS will get one as my Christmas gift to myself. But lets say a several thousand dollar wood stock that's not currently what's on it but will be. I don't mind pic rail or arca I have just never seen one on a nicer wood rifle i'm ok with something custom as long as it looks good. I am sure no one here would bolt a $40 tactical pic rail on a Rigby or griffen howe to use a bipod.

 

[mdwest]

Hunting and longer range shooting. on my tactical rifles its not an issue. But I am looking at adding it to my BDL and eventually getting a nicer wood stock and I would like to have the option that also looks decent with a wood stock and a little bit more robust an attachment than a single sling swivel, I have never seen a arca or pic rail on a fine wood stock before. https://www.rifletalks.com/equipment-reviews/luxury-338-lapua-fanzoj-hunting-rifle/ is the only one I have seen a bipod on and I am not entirely sure what the attachment for it is or how its anchored to the stock. But in that vein but much much lower budget lol. eventually ill put prolly a grade 6 or 7 stock on my Remington ( if your using the Rigby big game rifle configurator) as a grading example.

something like this might be your solution:

https://www.amazon.com/HUNTPAL-Picatinny-Aluminum-Attachment-Anti-Slip/dp/B091NWTN28/ref=sr_1_7?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.stGqBv2DJxy4HQLEtEn7_Xa4YoyCXduqTlPQJxs1EDiq2ALfv61L06YVuSd4hTWZPczJneyyt398Hn4IUNNhqe2SmXWsMdJnvUOHLxJ8KMMMIHzwpDzvgBiisaq8axWqSm65YGMpppuJWYBHgs00dleC3-zamfqdl14FDXjJtj5AG5USiM9K3uviGqu_ET2otvCs4SHEqLm6ARU61pdKN3Ne_x7qXTkOcq69y0XHVtMxJo4SOUj9JLhaFdeyzHRgUkKmH0daFRiSY2NQlujMKsRy-KIHgPM6pXlHUlFme6w.KG6C1b2OFO4jF5wMyFKkj4VvRp1RmBc9IQTempOMUq8&dib_tag=se&keywords=rail%2Bmount%2Bsling%2Badapter&qid=1761774638&sr=8-7&th=1

it screws into the sling std hole and puts a small pic rail on the gun that you can then attach a quality tripod or bipod to..

when you dont want to use the tripod, just unscrew it and put the original sling stud back in..

its not the 100% most stable option out there.. but its an improvement over a simple sling stud attachment for the bipod.. and it doesnt permanently alter the rifle in any way.. easy to remove any time you like..

 

[mdwest]

I am sure no one here would bolt a $40 tactical pic rail on a Rigby or griffen howe to use a bipod.

I completely concur..

but at the same time I am pretty sure that no one shooting a rigby is going to want to use a mounted bipod.. all the rigby owners I know (and I know lots of them) are traditionalists.. they are going to shoot off of sticks.. or off a pack.. etc.. theyre not really looking for the same solution that I think youre looking for..

 

[farmer_john]

I completely concur..

but at the same time I am pretty sure that no one shooting a rigby is going to want to use a mounted bipod.. all the rigby owners I know (and I know lots of them) are traditionalists.. they are going to shoot off of sticks.. or off a pack.. etc.. theyre not really looking for the same solution that I think youre looking for..

I agree. This is more for hunting north america than africa. Only fine rifle ive seen with a bipod mount. But i also dont have saphire encrusted rifle money

 

[slam8031]

Take a look at spartan. They utilize a magnet system that is inserted into the sling attachment. Works with a tripod mount or they have short bipods and a longer set available.

 

[slam8031]

Spartan Bipods

Spartan Precision Equipment offers precision bipods for all your shooting requirements. Explore our spartan bipods collection now.

javelinbipod.com

 

[Hogpatrol]

I attach a picatinny rail to the forearm and use a Harris 13-27" bipod with the quick detachable unit. Sitting in my predator chair or on the ground, I'm rock solid.

https://www.harrisbipods.com/product/rba-1-adapter/

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I use the previous generation of this bipod.

Extreme GEN3 Pod (Bipod) 7-14

The Extreme Store offers you the best long range hunting gear in the industry, including optics, bullets, brass, shooting accessories & more!

www.extremestore.us

 

[Franco]

Interested to see what you come up with. My hunting has been primarily in Africa, with "traditional" wood stock rifles - bolts and doubles; but I am not a big fan of sticks. Given a choice, I'd use a tree or a pack unless sticks are the only option.

My synthetic stock rifles all have pic rails. @NIGHTHAWK's setup looks like it would work.

 

[Franco]

I use the previous generation of this bipod.

Extreme GEN3 Pod (Bipod) 7-14

The Extreme Store offers you the best long range hunting gear in the industry, including optics, bullets, brass, shooting accessories & more!

www.extremestore.us

View attachment 723317

Sweet