Tripod ~ Thinking Of Knocking One Up

[Guest Ditch_Shitter]

Dean O' was round here tonight ~ hopitality was mine, generosity was all his ~ and so we got talking about rifles and such. I reitterated my single minded lust for a Harris Bipod, on this rifle or the (hoped and planned for) replacement, and mentioned a crazy notion that had come to me the other night.

 

I'd been thinking about the available height ranges on the Harris and am pretty convinced I'd want the 13" Up capable version. But that this was all down to armchair theorising as I have no examples to play with and, anyway, it's hard to lay prone with a rifle and then take meaningful measurements.

 

Maybe next best thing, I'd mused, could be to simply wire two bits of timber together, with the crux at the envisaged height and try that out - for feel, if not live firing. I started explaining this to Dean and we sparked up and started brain storming the issue

 

Upshot is that, while Dean - an extremely capable and creative young man with tools and training - could probably nip out to his workshop on a whim and create his vision in welded steel with mechanical features. I'd be just as happy myself messing about with wood and wire. I only need a mock up, after all. Just something I can take round to my usual firing zones and lay down and prop the rifle on. See how it feels at the given height. How I need to, and if I can comfortably, adjust my own body to accommodate upward, level or downward shooting.

 

I decided a Tripod might be a better idea than a 'Bipod' / short pair of shooting sticks. Just two sticks would allow my own body movements to push the twin sticks too and fro. A Tripod should give a more static resting point. After all; The Harris will be fixed to my rifle and rigid, thus allowing for far less unwanted and involantary movement at the front end. I've experienced Dean's own 9" Bipod, under somewhat staged and idyllic conditions, and it was staggeringly simple to work with. I sincerely believe, for me, only a lashed up little Tripod could lend me that sense of security, so I can concentrate on how it will feel when I too have a genuine Harris Bipod attatched to rifle.

 

Any thoughts, please?

 

Thanks

[spudlington 3]

I have the shorter Harris on my .22 and the 13" -23" RockMount on my Deer rifle. If you're getting one regardless of height you should go for the swivel or pivot model that allows the rifle to cant to allow shooting from uneven ground. My Harris doesn't have it and it can be frustrating trying to adjust one leg up or down to even things out. The high leg one has it and i've found it great this season. Not too high for prone shots in longer cover or at full extension ideal for sitting shots. For shooting sticks I use two of those green garden poles, only €3 each and if you bend them or leave them in field it's no big deal. Always meaning to attach them together with a screw but i've found a couple of a young lady's hair bands around the top are just the trick!

[dicehorn 38]

  spudlington said:

I use two of those green garden poles, only €3 each and if you bend them or leave them in field it's no big deal. Always meaning to attach them together with a screw but i've found a couple of a young lady's hair bands around the top are just the trick!

 

Your best bet to attach the two (or indeed 3) garden poles is to nip down to your local friendly dairy farmer and ask him for one of the linings out of a udder suction cups. You then cut off the long bit leaving you with the bulbous bit for the sticks to fit in. That way you can easily adjust the height whether standing, kneeling or sitting - something that is awkward if you fix a screw into it

 

As for the bipod - A 13" Harris swivel is the best - out last your gun and yourself

 

Peter

[spudlington 3]

Good idea that man!

[Guest basil46]

  spudlington said:

I have the shorter Harris on my .22 and the 13" -23" RockMount on my Deer rifle. If you're getting one regardless of height you should go for the swivel or pivot model that allows the rifle to cant to allow shooting from uneven ground. My Harris doesn't have it and it can be frustrating trying to adjust one leg up or down to even things out. The high leg one has it and i've found it great this season. Not too high for prone shots in longer cover or at full extension ideal for sitting shots. For shooting sticks I use two of those green garden poles, only €3 each and if you bend them or leave them in field it's no big deal. Always meaning to attach them together with a screw but i've found a couple of a young lady's hair bands around the top are just the trick!

Those green garden poles are usefull bits of kit. Not only use them for bi-pod or tri-pod, they can also be used to hang your cammo net on. Light to carry and cheap.

basil.