Best $100-ish bipod

[Overkillphil]

I've owned cheap bipods in the past, and they always seemed like garbage, but I also understand technology advances things. I personally have a BT65 CAL on my Tikka. My buddy is building a long range shooter in 6.5 on a very tight budget, and needs the best bang for the buck on a bipod around $100 (bonus for being less). I need opinions on what you believe is a solid piece. Please, no speculation though. I need input from shooters that have used those bipods. He has options of both sling stud mounted and picatinny rail mounted. Thanks fellas!

 

[Rocketvapor]

How's he gonna shoot?
PRS, Prone, movement or stationary?

 

[2aBaC̶a̶]

Magpul

 

[Steel head]

The magpul is pretty decent.

 

[Colorado S14]

Harris for a smidge more. Decent foundation and you can modify as you go forward.

 

[Overkillphil]

Prone whenever possible. He'll be doing long range shooting, as well as some hunting

 

[CageFighter]

i'd agree.....Magpul.

 

[The DFC]

Magpul-easy one there.

 

[b6graham]

save up for a cal gen 2 if you want an honest opinion

 

[bribassguy]

Don’t buy a $100 dollar bipod, shoot off a sandbag until you buy a used Atlas.

 

[Rob01]

Harris BRM-S will put him right in that area. Mount it to the sling stud and it will hold just fine. You don't need to spend three times as much to hit at long range.

The Magpul would be my second choice.

 

[DownhillFromHere]

I bought both my Harris bipods used for about $75 out the door at my LGS. The 6-9" HBRMS, updated with a Podlok and RRS ARCA clamp, has seen far and away the most use (the other one is 9-13").

I used my short Harris bone-stock for my first year of competition, attaching it to my rifles via adapters (MLOK/swivel stud on MDT-chassis'ed Tikkas, RAT rail/stud on MPA-chassis'ed custom). In terms of stability, the biggest benefit by far -not quite a necessity, but close - is to spend $30 for a Podlok.

I also have an Atlas BT65-NC CAL, which comes standard with a Podlok, and I put an RRS ARCA clamp on it also. It was a late Christmas present so haven't used it in competition, but I have quite a few hours' range time with it.

So my Harris and Atlas units have exactly the same tensioning and attachment functionality.

I don't get why people trash Harris. I find the stability difference between my Atlas and Harris units minimal, especially if you consider the $100-170 price differential. For competition, the Harris has a narrower footprint, which has been useful on narrow props. The Harris legs' spring-loaded up-down function has been useful moving from, say, the hood of a prop vehicle to shooting through the vehicle window frame. I'll choose the Atlas for pure stability when footprint space and folding aren't in play.

I've handled a Magpul bipod in a LGS but never experienced one actually mounted on a rifle... no real opinion.

 

[b2lee]

For $0 he can shoot off his backpack while prone. Then he can save up for an Atlas. I won't say an Atlas has made me a better shooter after converting over from a Harris...I'll just say it made me less of a bad shooter.

 

[Strykervet]

I like Harris too.

Atlas is okay, I don't get the fascination with 'em, I have one but LRA beats the shit out of it, too bad it only comes in HUGE. Great for the .50 though.

The best all around has to be the TBAC FWIW. A member recently sent me lots of pics of the new one and it's just slick as hell. Probably goes for a bit more than $100 though!

But you can get a used Harris like was mentioned, I just picked one up similar to his --segmented legs, podloc, etc., $50. And I can probably find a few more out there if I actually went to a few stores. There are knockoffs of Harris that look almost identical for half as much but I can't say if they're as good or not. I saw one recently that was only missing the Harris stamp, holding 'em side by side I couldn't see a difference.

Nothing wrong with the Harris and a lot of cases, AR's and such, I actually prefer one. They'll stand up to a lot more abuse than people give 'em credit for and they're fast and easy and get the job done for practically no weight. And there's always a used one laying around now it seems...

 

[Midwestside]

I liked Lowlight's December post about the Harris:

Harris is pure crap...

its the lowest common denominator and should only be used as a placeholder until you can afford a better bipod

I find it comical guys will stress about handloading and work on brass all day, and then think an out of Square bipod is gonna work to help them and is not, in fact, hurting them....

Probably hurt a few feelings

 

[BillyNg]

Magpul. My son's build was more of a budget build (under $2K so we went with the Magpul). Mine was not a budget build. I got an Atlas. I often regret that decision. Not all the time, but often.

 

[Mechdesigner]

I am currently using a magpul...I much prefer the magpul over the harris. With that said I am saving up for an atlas. I should have saved up for an Atlas to begin with but the magpul got me out shooting competitions quicker. I hope the Atlas is worth it because the magpul is performing really well out to trans-sonic for me

 

[Mechdesigner]

Magpul. My son's build was more of a budget build (under $2K so we went with the Magpul). Mine was not a budget build. I got an Atlas. I often regret that decision. Not all the time, but often.

The decision to get the magpul for your son or to spend more in the Atlas for yourself?

 

[BillyNg]

I am currently using a magpul...I much prefer the magpul over the harris. With that said I am saving up for an atlas. I should have saved up for an Atlas to begin with but the magpul got me out shooting competitions quicker. I hope the Atlas is worth it because the magpul is performing really well out to trans-sonic for me

I have both as mentioned in my previous post. The Magpul is far lighter, and accordingly feels cheaper. But deploying it is as simple as smacking the legs with your hand. Extending the legs is also much faster on the Magpul. The tilt tension is far far better on the Magpul. The Atlas always has more resistance in the center of travel (vertical) than it does on the ends of the tilt. So when I'm a few degrees canted to one side and I just want to bring it back to vertical, I often end up fully tilted to the other side. It's a terrible game and often annoying.

The only advantage I see for the Atlas is the multi-position legs, and the build quality. It is far harder to move the legs from collapsed to deployed and back again. Knowing what I know now, I likely would have gotten the Magpul over the Atlas, regardless of cost.

 

[BillyNg]

The decision to get the magpul for your son or to spend more in the Atlas for yourself?

The decision to get the Atlas for myself. The Magpul is a really nice piece of kit.

 

[srt-4_uk]

I have both as mentioned in my previous post. The Magpul is far lighter, and accordingly feels cheaper.

People really need to stop saying that. MFG specs are
Magpul bipod - 11.7oz
Atlas CAL - 12.87oz
Atlas V8 - ~11oz
All are the pic rail versions.

 

[lobohunter]

I have pretty much sworn to GG&G bipods and BUIS sights.

Not the least expensive but excellent features, options and selections

 

[Jefe's Dope]

Magpul. Better than you would think it is. Wish they had an Arca Mount option. I'm sure it can be done somehow, just haven't looked into it. I normally run an Atlas. There are definitely times the Magpul is a better option than the Atlas. If I can only have one, the Atlas for now. But the Magpul is a great option at $109 in black or FDE.

 

[Spicerack]

$98 Amazon Magpul Bipod

Hope that code voodoo works; just trying it out (trying to change the link into something more understandable). Anyway, now I'm interested and found one from Magpul on Amazon for $98.

(ETA: Yay, it worked!)

 

[Overkillphil]

Thanks for all the input fellas! It's greatly appreciated!

 

[Bergara 6mm]

I have only had Harris notched bipods with the podlock in the past. Bought the magpul and it seemed flimsy to me. I was told that’s because I don’t preload it when I shoot. Seen many great prs shooters with Harris. It’s the old standby.

 

[redbullitt]

Notched leg Harris with pod lock will do it well enough without paying for an atlas. I have a few laying around and have no trouble tossing one on and going to shoot.

I would avoid the smooth leg ones. I hate them...

 

[Jefe's Dope]

I have only had Harris notched bipods with the podlock in the past. Bought the magpul and it seemed flimsy to me. I was told that’s because I don’t preload it when I shoot. Seen many great prs shooters with Harris. It’s the old standby.

It does feel flimsy at first in hand. It preloads easily and actually works well. But, I can absolutely see where someone might not consider it adequate due to the loose or flimsy feeling. Play with it while actually putting shots downrange and it works well once you get the 'feel'.

Harris is also a quality bipod with some advantages like speed and ease of deploying. An actual Harris will cost a bit more than the Magpul.

 

[BoulderE89]

Buying a used Harris off here is a solid choice for the money

 

[IronmanDaremo]

Since I have only owned a Harris (6-9" HBRMS), I don't have the clout to speak to others. In other words, I don't know what I don't know. BUT .... it has worked well for me, and since I want to try my hand at some local PRS stuff, it came recommended from the PRS crowd. Plus, I wanted to stay on a reasonable budget (so I wouldn't end up sleeping on the couch when the wife sees the invoices).

 

[JakeM]

Shoot off a bag until he gets an atlas, the bag is better than the Harris.

 

[Rocketvapor]

"My buddy is building a long range shooter in 6.5 on a very tight budget, and needs the best bang for the buck on a bipod around $100 (bonus for being less). "

PSB,

Less than $100

 

[260284]

Buying a used Harris off here is a solid choice for the money

^^^This^^^ and add one of these for $8.50 instead of a Pod-Loc.

http://t-nuts.com/product_info.php?cPath=73&products_id=229

Get a leg notch Harris and run it. I have the 6-9 and the 9-12 that I have run hunting and in matches. I did pick up a GenII CAL and I like it better than the Harris. It is more than twice his budget though.

 

[BoulderE89]

^^^This^^^ and add one of these for $8.50 instead of a Pod-Loc.

http://t-nuts.com/product_info.php?cPath=73&products_id=229

Get a leg notch Harris and run it. I have the 6-9 and the 9-12 that I have run hunting and in matches. I did pick up a GenII CAL and I like it better than the Harris. It is more than twice his budget though.

Oh I didn’t know about those pod loc replacements. That’s good value if it can last.

 

[260284]

Oh I didn’t know about those pod loc replacements. That’s good value if it can last.

I have 5 of them on mine and my sons' Harris. Some are metal, some are a polymer, no troubles with any and some are 5 plus years old.

 

[JakeM]

I liked Lowlight's December post about the Harris:



Probably hurt a few feelings

This is one of the reasons I threw mine away and shot off a bag until I got an atlas. It’s also a pain in the ass to get perfectly square to the target without muscling it then in recoil it throws shots off.

 

[Rob01]

This is one of the reasons I threw mine away and shot off a bag until I got an atlas. It’s also a pain in the ass to get perfectly square to the target without muscling it then in recoil it throws shots off.

That's a shooter issue. Not a bipod issue. Many people, myself included, have no issues shooting a Harris accurately and returning on target easily.

 

[Rob01]

Oh I didn’t know about those pod loc replacements. That’s good value if it can last.

I'd rather support @Terry Cross at KMW who came up with the original Pod Loc product.

 

[JakeM]

That's a shooter issue. Not a bipod issue. Many people, myself included, have no issues shooting a Harris accurately and returning on target easily.

It was visibly out of square dude, when you looked down the end the legs did not match up and it pushed recoil to the left.

 

[Rob01]

Then there was an issue with mounting or a defect in the bipod which should be brought to the manufacturer. Not a normal condition. None of mine are out of square.

Seems like a lot of people who want accuracy use Harris and have been for a while.

Rifle Bipods & Tripods – What The Pros Use

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This post reviews the bipods the best precision rifle shooters are using. This data is based on a su...

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[JakeM]

It didn’t come out of square. I shot it on .308 6.5cm and .300wm, the most being on the Creedmoor.

 

[Rob01]

Don't know what to tell you. I have a Harris bipod I have used for about 15 years in matches and on all the above rifle calibers as well and still works like a champ. Quite a few others over a decade old and the same.

 

[Terry Cross]

Oh I didn’t know about those pod loc replacements. That’s good value if it can last.

Most of the Chinese knockoffs will last especially if not used hard.
The thing to watch for is increased chance of breaking the threaded rod that holds the Harris body together.

None of the Chinese versions have the bell shaped dust cover extension that the actual Pod-loc has. This feature protects the threaded rod from breaking or bending when impacted from the side or from below. Harris voluntarily replaces a lot of the threaded rods annually on bipods fitted with the T-nuts type levers.

If KMW was smart, all of the Pod-Loc components would start coming from overseas. With the annual quantities of Pod-Locs shipped, KMW could increase its margin/profit per kit and still sell cheaper than T-nuts. But then again the users would still have crap in the end.

KMW chose to have everything made in the US and are happily living with the reality that some shooters will spend $2K to 5K on a rifle and the same for a good scope then turn around and buy a T-nuts with all Chinese parts in order to save $10.00. Free markets will always have trade offs.


./

 

[JakeM]

Don't know what to tell you. I have a Harris bipod I have used for about 15 years in matches and on all the above rifle calibers as well and still works like a champ. Quite a few others over a decade old and the same.

Good for you, I would have liked it to work for me as it would have cut costs in half. It just didn’t work out and the atlas works very well for me.

 

[isaidme]

I had the Magpul but had issues with the knob shooting loose over time and allowing my bipod to pan. Just shooting off bags for now!

 

[CaptBrian]

I've owned cheap bipods in the past, and they always seemed like garbage, but I also understand technology advances things. I personally have a BT65 CAL on my Tikka. My buddy is building a long range shooter in 6.5 on a very tight budget, and needs the best bang for the buck on a bipod around $100 (bonus for being less). I need opinions on what you believe is a solid piece. Please, no speculation though. I need input from shooters that have used those bipods. He has options of both sling stud mounted and picatinny rail mounted. Thanks fellas!

Don’ put cheap feet on a long range precision shooter it won’t end well. If your buddy can afford a cheap $100.00 dollar pair of shoes he can exercise a little patience, save over a little more time and purchase a quality ATLAS or similar product for a little north of $300.00. Do yourself a favor, your buddy will end up a better and probably happier shooter because of the wait. Stay safe...

 

[drum13]

It was visibly out of square dude, when you looked down the end the legs did not match up and it pushed recoil to the left.

What's this "out of square" thing and how do the legs not match up?
The bipod was the reason your rifle recoils to the left?

 

[spife7980]

I had the Magpul but had issues with the knob shooting loose over time and allowing my bipod to pan. Just shooting off bags for now!

I didnt know this before I sold the magpul but you can actually lock the pan out.
Start at about 30 seconds

 

[JakeM]

What's this "out of square" thing and how do the legs not match up?
The bipod was the reason your rifle recoils to the left?

Yes, the bipod was the culprit. Out of square means the rifle is on one line and the bipod is going across that line of the barrel and the legs weren’t square. I don’t know how to explain this and it shouldn’t be hard for you to figure out what I am talking about.

 

[JakeM]

Like this, square pushing recoil straight back.