Bipod facing forward or backward?

[IronmanDaremo]

I've seen both positions being used in various images both here and on the rest of the interwebs. What is the advantage of having the legs fold forward - assuming the bipod only has a 90 degree rotation capability.

Is it so that when you load the legs, you don't run the risk of them collapsing in from the spring? I've been working on loading my Harris bipod at the range before taking my shots, and didn't think there was ever enough pressure to cause the legs to fold back?

 

[brianf]

correct harris legs fold forward so they dont collapse when rifle recoils

if loaded correctly on a low recoil or heavy rifle you can get away with them folding toward the trigger/back, but that is not the "correct way" and asking for trouble sooner or later

other bipods that have a locking pin like a atlas etc, the direction is user preference

 

[IronmanDaremo]

Got it. I'm shooting an RPR 6.5CM, so recoil hasn't been an issue. I'll flip it around for the next time I go to the range.

Thanks!

 

[ShtrRdy]

correct harris legs fold forward so they dont collapse when rifle recoils

if loaded correctly on a low recoil or heavy rifle you can get away with them folding toward the trigger/back, but that is not the "correct way" and asking for trouble sooner or later

other bipods that have a locking pin like a atlas etc, the direction is user preference

I'm sorry, but that just doesn't make sense. If recoil pushes the rifle back, and the legs rotate to the front, (e.g. Harris), then the legs could collapse given this argument.

I believe the Harris legs folding forward is so you can put some pressure into them without the chance of collapsing.

 

[Romeo458]

My legs fold forward on all my rifles so I can load the bipod. That is the way that I was taught to use a bipod. If their legs fold backwards I cannot do this.

 

[mi223]

Dont fold a harris backwards.

No one wants to be that guy...

 

[Lowlight]

A lot of the hunters do it because they don't want them to catch on everything

But it's wrong, a Harris is designed to fold forward, not backward.

 

[IronmanDaremo]

I will no longer be that guy/newb on the range ......

 

[lash]

In addition, with legs forward, you can reach the podlock with your weak side hand to adjust tension if it’s needed. With legs folded toward the shooter, the adjustment is out of reach.

 

[brianf]

I'm sorry, but that just doesn't make sense. If recoil pushes the rifle back, and the legs rotate to the front, (e.g. Harris), then the legs could collapse given this argument.

I believe the Harris legs folding forward is so you can put some pressure into them without the chance of collapsing.

A rifle should only recoil a very short distance if at all when proper fundamentals are had.

if you try and load a bipod with legs folding toward the rear/trigger...hope you like cleaning dirt out of the bore

 

[lash]

A rifle should only recoil a very short distance if at all when proper fundamentals are had.

if you try and load a bipod with legs folding toward the rear/trigger...hope you like cleaning dirt out of the bore

By the same token, if you are loading the bipod hard enough to overcome the spring tension on a Harris bipod, then you should probably revisit your fundamentals.

 

[Jrs9898]

Frank has a good video from awhile back on bipods don't hop it has what ya need to know

 

[chevy_man]

Harris folds forward to absorb the recoil. It's why the design is so easy to shoot well, as you can be lazy. They don't need to be loaded, as the legs can rock against the springs instead of hopping the legs.

Any of the locking designs you must load up and take the slack out. That slack lets it rock in the recoil instead of hop. It's also why they're much more critical on needing to be loaded against recoil.

 

[Dthomas3523]

Harris folds forward to absorb the recoil. It's why the design is so easy to shoot well, as you can be lazy. They don't need to be loaded, as the legs can rock against the springs instead of hopping the legs.

Any of the locking designs you must load up and take the slack out. That slack lets it rock in the recoil instead of hop. It's also why they're much more critical on needing to be loaded against recoil.

Sounds good on paper. But Harris bipod are notorious for “hopping” because people don’t load them properly.

Bipod still needs to be loaded, Harris or not.

 

[Dthomas3523]

Harris folds forward to absorb the recoil. It's why the design is so easy to shoot well, as you can be lazy. They don't need to be loaded, as the legs can rock against the springs instead of hopping the legs.

Any of the locking designs you must load up and take the slack out. That slack lets it rock in the recoil instead of hop. It's also why they're much more critical on needing to be loaded against recoil.

Also, fwiw, your understanding of what happens to the system under recoil is flawed.

Bullet goes one way, rifle goes the other. Any “hop” is because the shooter isn’t behind the gun properly. Either they give the gun a running start, or they are too tense and don’t absorb the recoil properly, and the gun takes the path of least resistance which is usually down and away from the shooter (causing a high left reticle jump for right handed shooter). That’s what causes the front of the rifle to “hop.”

Loading the bipod has very little to do with the mechanics of the bipod. Loading the slack out is a product of getting behind the rifle to properly manage recoil.

 

[chevy_man]

Also, fwiw, your understanding of what happens to the system under recoil is flawed.

Bullet goes one way, rifle goes the other. Any “hop” is because the shooter isn’t behind the gun properly. Either they give the gun a running start, or they are too tense and don’t absorb the recoil properly, and the gun takes the path of least resistance which is usually down and away from the shooter (causing a high left reticle jump for right handed shooter). That’s what causes the front of the rifle to “hop.”

Loading the bipod has very little to do with the mechanics of the bipod. Loading the slack out is a product of getting behind the rifle to properly manage recoil.

I didn't say it was right, but I've seen quite a few get away with it. Maybe because we have grippy rubber mats on our shooting benches the Harris feet grab.

I've had to explain to quite a few how to shoot an Atlas after they swear they broke a scope after switching from a Harris or clone.

 

[acudaowner]

for the tables that give enough room I like forward shorter tables back as long as I can lean into it a bit .

 

[seansmd]

I've had to explain to quite a few how to shoot an Atlas after they swear they broke a scope after switching from a Harris or clone.

Help me understand this statement?

 

[IronmanDaremo]

Flipped it around when I got to the range yesterday, loaded it properly, and shot at 200 yards. Felt much more reassured that things were working the way they were supposed to that way!

Average ended up being .872 MOA for twelve 5-round groups. Only my third time at the range on the rifle, first time out to 200 yards. Best group was 1.25" at 200 (.625 MOA).

All from the bench though .... still need to get prone and work on that.

 

[Centuriator]

I've always heard it is a bad idea to be loaded when shooting. I may have missed something in transmission.

 

[C4N4DIAN]

The integrated Bipod of the Steyr Scout folds "Backward" and you need to be very careful when loading it as to not make it fold.

it is never correct and potentially dangerous to fold a bipod "backward" unless it is a fixed position like the Atlas.

 

[Diver160651]

A lot of the hunters do it because they don't want them to catch on everything

But it's wrong, a Harris is designed to fold forward, not backward.

Hunters do it because they don’t really know..

Most hunters in thick brush either don’t use a bipod or if they do a long one that can’t fold backwards because gets in the way..

I hunt and shoot matches. Often, I am afraid to say “I am a hunter” just for the lack of marksmanship many casual hunters display. Generally and historically (not always) hunters can not shoot all that well or really understand their weapon systems past the distance the average lady can hit a golf ball. I say this as a super generalized statement. The ones that put in the time and have good field skills often do the same same with the rifle side. These are the ones that can shoot

 

[blindeye]

I like to load a Harris bipod on a gas gun. I find it easier to stay on target by doing this to reduce the movement from the bolt moving. With a bolt rifle I try to settle the rifle without as much load in the bipod. Is this a poor practice?

 

[SD Carpenter]

It's okay.... I was guilty of this too with my first bipod lol ?

 

[zog]

But Harris bipod are notorious for “hopping” because people don’t load them properly.

Bipod still needs to be loaded, Harris or not.

Since this is the stupid question forum, I'll ask . . . . . what is "loading" a bipod? Sounds like it means you need to be sure that it's got forward pressure, so legs are canted rearward from the stock to the feet, when you pull the trigger, so it can give a little with the recoil?

 

[IronmanDaremo]

Watch some of Lowlight's videos. See how he always lifts the stock and settles into the rifle? Applying mild forward pressure so you create a solid connection b/w you and the rifle. This is the "loading" of the bipod. If the bipod does not have a stable surface to bite into, it will move. That is also why you can get different "feet" for some bipods; to dig into the surface.

 

[zog]

Watch some of Lowlight's videos. See how he always lifts the stock and settles into the rifle? Applying mild forward pressure so you create a solid connection b/w you and the rifle. This is the "loading" of the bipod. If the bipod does not have a stable surface to bite into, it will move. That is also why you can get different "feet" for some bipods; to dig into the surface.

Thanks. I think I got it now but it only leads to the next stupid question - How do I find lowlight videos? I see from above that lowlight is HMFIC of this stuff , but didn't see how to find any videos.

And, well OK, the next stupid question - I'm purty sure I figured out MFIC, but what is H?

 

[seansmd]

Sign up for online training

 

[IronmanDaremo]

"Head mfer in charge".

You can go to Youtube, search Lowlight/Sniper's Hide, and subscribe. Tons of good videos on precision shooting. Online training unlocks more videos and really informative stuff (I still need would like to sign up, just haven't yet).

 

[zog]

"Head mfer in charge".

You can go to Youtube, search Lowlight/Sniper's Hide, and subscribe. Tons of good videos on precision shooting. Online training unlocks more videos and really informative stuff (I still need would like to sign up, just haven't yet).

OK thanks. I figured it could've been Head, Highest, Holy, Honored, Heavy, Hotshot, or maybe all of them.

I will definitely go to the online training, thanks.

 

[buffalowinter]

I fold mine backwards just so I can easily identify assholes and fuck with them.

 

[NATE40]

Thanks. I think I got it now but it only leads to the next stupid question - How do I find lowlight videos? I see from above that lowlight is HMFIC of this stuff , but didn't see how to find any videos.

And, well OK, the next stupid question - I'm purty sure I figured out MFIC, but what is H?

Head

 

[sisyphus]

I just got my Warne Skyline bipod. I noted in Youtube videos that these were made with 6 and 3 notch adjustment. Mine is the 3, so Warne must have updated the original 6 notch to that so that users had a rapid deploy.

It seems to me that legs folded toward the muzzle is correct, but on my Warne if I do that I lose the 45 degree forward setting. The 45 degree backward setting seems useless to me, tell me if I'm wrong there, but I can see the usefulness of the 45 degree forward setting. On my bipod if I want that, I will have to fold my legs to the rear if I want to enjoy the quick deploy feature.

If you guys see me at the range with my bipod legs folded backwards are you going to make fun of me? lol

 

[Texasflyer]

There is a guy on here that makes a recoil free bipod. It doesnt get hung up on things cause it has a spike and some s&m gear and a few ratchet straps. From the thread i read he is a true believer.... im trying to remember if that erector set folded or not....

 

[nealm66]

A couple years ago, I was about 4 tables down from a guy trying to sight in a new rifle with bipods off the bench . Can’t remember what brand but it was a high end in a large 30 caliber. He had a target at 25, 50 and 100. I was admiring the rifle and was curious how it was grouping. I was far enough away so he didn’t notice me checking and he went through 2 boxes of ammunition and never hit the 100 yard paper. I was watching that thing bounce when he shot. I know better than to offer advice unless asked so I just kept my lips zipped but man. I bet he called the manufacturer and made a fuss that it wouldn’t shoot. Probably a .5 rifle

 

[SauerKraut]

The integrated Bipod of the Steyr Scout folds "Backward" and you need to be very careful when loading it as to not make it fold.

it is never correct and potentially dangerous to fold a bipod "backward" unless it is a fixed position like the Atlas.

So do the bipods on the HK91/G3 and the StG.58.

 

[tinker]

I just got my Warne Skyline bipod. I noted in Youtube videos that these were made with 6 and 3 notch adjustment. Mine is the 3, so Warne must have updated the original 6 notch to that so that users had a rapid deploy.

It seems to me that legs folded toward the muzzle is correct, but on my Warne if I do that I lose the 45 degree forward setting. The 45 degree backward setting seems useless to me, tell me if I'm wrong there, but I can see the usefulness of the 45 degree forward setting. On my bipod if I want that, I will have to fold my legs to the rear if I want to enjoy the quick deploy feature.

If you guys see me at the range with my bipod legs folded backwards are you going to make fun of me? lol

You have it mounted backwards. There really is no use I could think of for 45 degree rearward. I like 45 degree forward, just a personal preference, I feel more stable and don't load the bipod. Don't feel bad, a lot of equipment comes with lackluster instructions because most manufacturers assume the customer know how to use it. That isn't always the case. I sell those Warne bipods and they are pretty nice. I think most of the Warne stuff I sell does not come with instructions.

One way to tell if a bipod is mounted correctly is the adjustment to tighten the cant, should be facing the shooter.

 

[tinker]

So do the bipods on the HK91/G3 and the StG.58.

But the HK are locked in place so they can't collapse.

 

[hlee]

You have it mounted backwards. There really is no use I could think of for 45 degree rearward. I like 45 degree forward, just a personal preference, I feel more stable and don't load the bipod. Don't feel bad, a lot of equipment comes with lackluster instructions because most manufacturers assume the customer know how to use it. That isn't always the case. I sell those Warne bipods and they are pretty nice. I think most of the Warne stuff I sell does not come with instructions.

One way to tell if a bipod is mounted correctly is the adjustment to tighten the cant, should be facing the shooter.

Imagine shooting from a position that doesn’t allow (because of its depth) yiu to deploy your bipod 45 deg forward or even straight down. A 45 deg rear option may be the difference between using the bipod and using a “field expedient rest…”

 

[tinker]

Imagine shooting from a position that doesn’t allow (because of its depth) yiu to deploy your bipod 45 deg forward or even straight down. A 45 deg rear option may be the difference between using the bipod and using a “field expedient rest…”

There is no shooting bench I can imagine that would be like that. I have shot at many ranges with many different styles of shooting benches.

 

[flogxal]

There is no shooting bench I can imagine that would be like that. I have shot at many ranges with many different styles of shooting benches.

I think such situations are found outside a typical range's shooting benches, or flat shooter zones. Pretty sure I've seen pics or video of a match stage that had a window or port, above a falling-away (declining angle) gable or roof pent. The pent/gable did not offer enough horiz distance for 90 deg. Odd situation, and not sure 45 deg rearward was best idea but I saw it.

 

[hlee]

There is no shooting bench I can imagine that would be like that. I have shot at many ranges with many different styles of shooting benches.

I was at a match where one stage required the shooter to shoot from an un-mounted car tire. It was a smallish tire and my bipod was too far forward to sit on the forward section and allow a rear bag on the rear section. A bipod with rear canted legs would have been a good solution. It was also elevated enough to require a kneeling shooting position. I settled on using the pump pillow that I would have used under my shooting arm elbow as a forward rest. The light fill is not ideal for a front bag, but it worked.

I have since moved to a full length arca rail and can put my bipod wherever it makes sense to be. But, not all shooting positions are range benches.

 

[tinker]

I was at a match where one stage required the shooter to shoot from an un-mounted car tire. It was a smallish tire and my bipod was too far forward to sit on the forward section and allow a rear bag on the rear section. A bipod with rear canted legs would have been a good solution. It was also elevated enough to require a kneeling shooting position. I settled on using the pump pillow that I would have used under my shooting arm elbow as a forward rest. The light fill is not ideal for a front bag, but it worked.

I have since moved to a full length arca rail and can put my bipod wherever it makes sense to be. But, not all shooting positions are range benches.

That is actually surprising.

I was kidding thinking you were referencing a combat situation, So joking that was why I said "never seen a shooting bench like that".

Sounds like a challenging match at the very least. I would be open to trying something like that, provided they would give me a golf cart and cold drink served by an umbrella girl

 

[FMS]

You have it mounted backwards. There really is no use I could think of for 45 degree rearward. I like 45 degree forward, just a personal preference, I feel more stable and don't load the bipod. Don't feel bad, a lot of equipment comes with lackluster instructions because most manufacturers assume the customer know how to use it. That isn't always the case. I sell those Warne bipods and they are pretty nice. I think most of the Warne stuff I sell does not come with instructions.

One way to tell if a bipod is mounted correctly is the adjustment to tighten the cant, should be facing the shooter.

My Warne Skyline Pro shipped with the legs "backwards" like this (e.g. 45° to the rear). Had to disassemble it and mirror-reverse/flip the legs to get the 45° notch towards the front / muzzle and keep the cant lock and leg angle button to the rear / accessible from behind the gun. Not difficult to do.

 

[308pirate]

There is no shooting bench I can imagine that would be like that. I have shot at many ranges with many different styles of shooting benches.

There's a hell of a lot more to rifle marksmanship than shooting from a bench

 

[Lowlight]

The Skyline bipod from Warne interest me, that one looks very good depending on the tensions for each joint

 

[Baron23]

There is no shooting bench I can imagine that would be like that. I have shot at many ranges with many different styles of shooting benches.

Well, all I can say is "There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”

Crop damage permit hunting with two swivel portable benches on a trailer towed to the farm.

Bipod fixed to the front of a forend on a piece of pic rail won't fit if you have an at all long stock/forend. So, I use a rifle with ARCA and can slide the bipod well back so its steady on the bench.

Maybe not a common use case but nonetheless....

 

[021411]

My Warne Skyline Pro shipped with the legs "backwards" like this (e.g. 45° to the rear). Had to disassemble it and mirror-reverse/flip the legs to get the 45° notch towards the front / muzzle and keep the cant lock and leg angle button to the rear / accessible from behind the gun. Not difficult to do.

It wasn’t assembled backwards per se. As it comes shipped, it’s meant for fast deployment of the legs. 0 to 90 in one motion for each leg. But I’m sure you already knew that.

 

[OREGUN]

Since we’ve resurrected this thread, why do some of our esteemed colleagues insist on referring to a two-legged rifle support device (singular device) as a “bipods”? Seems to be a USMC quirk although @Lowlight doesn’t do it.

Nobody says they were “practicing off their tripods” but they’ll happily say they were “shooting off bipods from a bench”. Reference post #35 for a real-life example.

 

[hlee]

Since we’ve resurrected this thread, why do some of our esteemed colleagues insist on referring to a two-legged rifle support device (singular device) as a “bipods”? Seems to be a USMC quirk although @Lowlight doesn’t do it.

Nobody says they were “practicing off their tripods” but they’ll happily say they were “shooting off bipods from a bench”. Reference post #35 for a real-life example.

Shorts, pants, trousers. English is weird…