Bipods

[Casey_H]

@Lowlight and Marc have talked a lot recently about the importance of a good bipod. Not knowing any better I kinda scoffed at it, thinking it couldn't possibly make a HUGE difference.

Well this past week I ditched my $30 Amazon (Harris style) bipod and got an Atlas BT10. Turns out they were right lol.

My groups shrunk by almost half on paper at 100 and 200 yards. So thanks guys.

 

[Lowlight]

It matters,

And If you take the time to explore this and look, you will instantly see a difference

 

[Nik H]

I totally agree. I took @Lowlight review of the Elite Iron to heart and moved from the ATLAS 5H to that and was amazed at the stability improvement on my AI AT. Elite Iron's spigot mount is rock solid along with the improvement when placing the Bipod's fulcrum point above the barrel.

 

[Centuriator]

IMPRESSIVE demonstration.

 

[Lowlight]

I completely understand the mindset to scuff at this, I did a bit of it as well, while using a better bipod. (I basically retired the Harris once the Atlas arrived)

But moving from an Atlas or Harris to a wider more stable bipod like the Elite Iron is very noticeable in your groups. We use it now to demonstrate during class.


You will notice a difference going from an Atlas to a CAL or now the Thunderbeast, we are using that bipod too and the Podloc on either of these makes a noticeable difference in stability and preventing CANT.

 

[Centuriator]

They have a cant not attitude.

 

[seansmd]

Frank what are your thoughts on being able to slide an Atlas on a dovetail, vs the fixed spigot position of the elite iron or others of similar configs?

 

[Lowlight]

I like the ability to slide on the rails like the RRS Dovetail we are using

 

[Casey_H]

I really was blown away by the difference. Now at this point I don't think I have the setup to really make the most of an Elite Iron shooting a factory 20" 308 Rem700. Especially since my range only goes to 200 yards. But when I start shooting farther I definitely want to look at going in that direction.

 

[Casey_H]

There's also something to be said about the confidence boost for a new shooter like me. I was starting to think I couldn't do better than 1moa groups with my gun, so I've declined opportunities to shoot further distances so as not to make a fool of myself. Now I feel like I could try stretching my skills out a little further.

 

[richthe1]

I’ve only shot with a Harris. If I was to upgrade, what top 3 models would you recommend? I saw the Atlas CAL for around $240.

 

[Lowlight]

My recommendation,

If size matters,

Atlas CAL
TBAC Bipod

If size is not the issue, Elite Iron, you can do the AL one for less and it's not super heavy just wide stance wise.


This is not new, look at the Elite Iron Bipod and the TRG 22 Bipod

TRG

Almost the same as the EL and the TRG goes back a lot of years ago. They were $450 originally.

 

[Rover31]

No love for the Ckye Pod? Or not stable for what is discussed here?
It is more of a gaming bipod. That said I do find it very stable with the legs set wide.

 

[Rant Durden]

Can anyone comment on the pluses, minuses of Atlas vs. Thunderbeast? I'm looking at stepping up my bipod game, but now there's several premium choices and I have no idea what matters on these.

 

[Mike4837]

Bipods definitely matter. I tried to the Elite Iron after listening to the podcast. Great for what it is, but too big for my style of shooting. I've switched to the Atlas CAL and I'm not looking back. Shot some of the best groups of my life with that Elite Iron though. Great info Frank!

 

[Rover31]

Of the Atlas Cal and the TBAC does anyone have the two together?
If so a few pics side by side?
I am curious as to the width of each bipod at the leg pivots.
Love to see a pic of each just like the EI and TRG above that Frank posted! Of course mounting options and placement will have an effect on where the triangle ends up.

 

[Deleted member 10043]

Triangle vs Concave Pentagon. Simple architectural integrity and geometry is all it takes. Also, giggling at F-Class didn't help. These paper weights are starting to add up these last 10-15 years.

 

[leftyk82]

Of the Atlas Cal and the TBAC does anyone have the two together?
If so a few pics side by side?
I am curious as to the width of each bipod at the leg pivots.
Love to see a pic of each just like the EI and TRG above that Frank posted! Of course mounting options and placement will have an effect on where the triangle ends up.

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/pictorial-bipod-comparison-tbac-and-atlas-cal.6949298/

 

[Rover31]

Yep have seen that. It’s missing a few bipods.

 

[opus56]

Big improvement for me as well going from the Harris to Atlas.

 

[Kane0519]

I guess I might have to upgrade from a Harris…

 

[jcomar1]

@lowlight have you tried the Accu-tac SR-5 bipods? How do they compare? Thanks

 

[Lowlight]

@lowlight have you tried the Accu-tac SR-5 bipods? How do they compare? Thanks

I don't like the pivot, attachment point, the legs are good, the apex leaves a lot to be desired

I am sure you have one, and like it, which is all good

 

[beenjammin]

Should have posted here. Im always a day late. Is LRA done as far as bipods go? The made a great one.

 

[opus56]

Since I have the Atlas PSR, I decided to go with the Victor Company wrench. Gotta say, it's like a piece of jewelry. My next bipod will be a CAL, but for now I'm going to make the most of what I have. Tightening the PSR with this wrench works great.

 

[Lowlight]

Regard: LRA Bipods

I had seen they are still around,

it was said they stopped commercial sales, etc, but I have no idea, they were always hard to get,

their smaller models are great, but finding one is the issue

Not sure where they are now

 

[kthomas]

No love for the Ckye Pod? Or not stable for what is discussed here?
It is more of a gaming bipod. That said I do find it very stable with the legs set wide.

It's another great bipod. I find the Ckye-pod to be very stable, in fact I shot my best 5 shot group ever with it, shooting off of concrete:

The Ckye-pod can be setup to have a very wide footprint, stability is not an issue.

 

[kthomas]

@PracticalTactical there's some good bipod talk in here. Thought I would bring this to your attention as I know in the past you haven't seen the value in high dollar/quality bipods.

 

[1moaoff]

+1 for the Thunder Beast

I think they merged alot of the good points and deleted the ones I didnt like.

Its 100% worth looking at.

 

[danatkins]

Can't wait to get another atlas. Had a v8 traded it on a rifle and the guy who has it now won't come off it.

 

[PracticalTactical]

@PracticalTactical there's some good bipod talk in here. Thought I would bring this to your attention as I know in the past you haven't seen the value in high dollar/quality bipods.

You mistake my views KT.

It's not that I don't see value in high end products. I just don't see value in them for everybody.

So often guys flat out criticize anything Chinese on the basis that its Chinese... but that in no way detracts from its function in a practical sense.

My problem is that I have not yet seen a bipod made at any price that does what I think a bipod should be able to do, and do it well.... And I'll leave it at that to avoid ruffling feathers and starting an argument with status quo fan boys.

So in my view I don't see what makes cheap unacceptable when expensive is not good enough (yet) either.

And I wont be played by the patriotism card and pay a premium just because it's made in the USA... since I'm Canadian.

 

[Lowlight]

You mistake my views KT.

It's not that I don't see value in high end products. I just don't see value in them for everybody.

So often guys flat out criticize anything Chinese on the basis that its Chinese... but that in no way detracts from its function in a practical sense.

My problem is that I have not yet seen a bipod made at any price that does what I think a bipod should be able to do, and do it well.... And I'll leave it at that to avoid ruffling feathers and starting an argument with status quo fan boys.

So in my view I don't see what makes cheap unacceptable when expensive is not good enough (yet) either.

And I wont be played by the patriotism card and pay a premium just because it's made in the USA... since I'm Canadian.

You clealry have not been exposed to enough CHEAP to see how often tney actually break

On top of that, the knock off stuff is stealing from US companies that design it

but I get your point, you dont see value in spending quality money you would rather do it more often for less money each time vs doing it right the first time

When you see a chinese bipod break on the line, you'll get it

high end don't break, you may need more than one to suit the situation, but they dont break

 

[Steel head]

Harris-broke a few, nothing special as they’re totally useable but not optimal.
Once you try something better you quickly see how lackluster they are.

Magpul-actually like it on my AR coyote rifle
but it sucks on bigger rifles.
If the pivot was lower it could be a lot better

Atlas B-10, PSR and CAL-Cal is my favorite of the bunch, it’s stable, simple and not overly bulky.

Elite iron-pretty damn awesome.
loads of stability and extension
I was really surprised at how wide the footprint was and it’s compactness when folded up.

The CAL and elite iron cover everything for me at this point.

 

[PracticalTactical]

You clealry have not been exposed to enough CHEAP to see how often tney actually break

On top of that, the knock off stuff is stealing from US companies that design it

but I get your point, you dont see value in spending quality money you would rather do it more often for less money each time vs doing it right the first time

When you see a chinese bipod break on the line, you'll get it

high end don't break, you may need more than one to suit the situation, but they dont break

Any mechanical thing can break, but you also seem to miss my point.

Not everyone can justify spending upwards of $300 on a bipod for every rifle they own.

Aside from that, the mere act of spending more does not make it more appropriate.

A simple example is a Harris with the fast flip legs compared to an Atlas. You could argue the Atlas is "better" but is it well suited to every situation given the time it takes to depress the button to retract the legs?

For you, maybe, but it's not fair to project that onto everyone for every application.

I have at least a dozen bipods from Harris to Atlas and even a bunch of cheap Chinese versions (not to mention the ones I've made LOL) and not one has failed me in 40 + years of shooting.

If some guy has a bipod fail, the whole internet will hear about it, but that doesn't mean we should all throw away every "cheap" bipod.

Scopes are another favorite... Guys love their high end scopes but at the world F Class match in Ottawa a couple years ago, there was hardly a brand there that didn't have a scope fail. Including Nightforce and Schmidt & Bender.

 

[Steel head]

I have at least a dozen bipods from Harris to Atlas and even a bunch of cheap Chinese versions (not to mention the ones I've made LOL) and not one has failed me in 40 + years of shooting.

Come up to the mountains and shoot with me.
Then you’ll see how easy it is to break a bipod.

 

[Lowlight]

All that writing to describe a lacl of experience and to say, "I am one person who has not seen it in 40 years" so it must not happen then cause you never seen it

Now you have seen it

Happened in the middle of a SHC match in Colville

Same with this one, different year, same match

I can show you move, I might have my Broken TRG bipiod here still, those are $460 and it broke, so yes more money can be just as bad, but that is more about SAKO charging more for their accessories than people actually using that bipod aftermarket.

 

[kthomas]

There's plenty of Harris's that have failed.

My friend snapped his right at the mount in the middle of a stage at a PRS match in Meaford. He didn't score very well in that stage, at least it was the last one of the match...

 

[Steel head]

There's plenty of Harris's that have failed.

My friend snapped his right at the mount in the middle of a stage at a PRS match in Meaford. He didn't score very well in that stage, at least it was the last one of the match...

I recently buggered up my CAL doing some high angle shots down a valley.
Boo hoo.
? happens.

 

[THEIS]

Hi,

Just FWIW...this is who you all are having a bipod conversation with.....



Sincerely,
Theis

 

[Steel head]

Hi,

Just FWIW...this is who you all are having a bipod conversation with.....



Sincerely,
Theis

I know.
That video is gold.

 

[PracticalTactical]

Efffittt

 

[Tunnuh]

Efffittt

Why you mad?

 

[Lowlight]

cause nobody agrees with him...

we see value in places he doesn't

 

[AIAW]

Regard: LRA Bipods

I had seen they are still around,

it was said they stopped commercial sales, etc, but I have no idea, they were always hard to get,

their smaller models are great, but finding one is the issue

Not sure where they are now

From what I have heard they had a big internal re-org and are now taking pre-orders to ship "soon". No real product catalog or website though as of yet.

 

[THEIS]

Hi,

Dave sold the company. Here is the website of new company..but....I have not attempted to contact them so not sure if another "re-org" happened to make this site out of date too...

Home - Long Range Accuracy

%

lraccuracy.com

Sincerely,
Theis

 

[PracticalTactical]

It’s pathetic how guys insist on twisting my point? I never said Chinese bipods can’t break… I said any bipod can break just as any scope can break.

Lowlight posts pictures of broken bipods, like that is somehow relevant. It only supports the point that any bipod can break.

Any mechanical devise can break regardless of brand if subjected to enough abuse and sometimes even without abuse.

I’m sure somewhere out there are pictures where someone broke your favorite bipod…. Probably doing something stupid.

I can post pictures of a broken 40 ton overhead crane that I had fixed a few months ago… So what.

If you don’t abuse your stuff it tends to last. If you neglect it and beat on it and use it in ways you shouldn’t, you can break anything.

 

[Lowlight]

Give it up,

You mentioned "Cheap" and cheap breaks in our game more often then not

that is our point, you're on the losing side of the debate, by every measure, I suggest commenting after a few drinks it will make your point seem lucid, at least you'll have an excuse.

 

[kthomas]

The cheap Chinese made bipods will break much more often then their counterparts that they are knocking off. Harris' break more then other bipods, they are made of stamped metal so that's not a surprise.

.mil somehow got their hands on counterfeit Atlas bipods, and broke EVERY SINGLE one of them. Just ask @Kasey

If you think a quality bipod is not much more durable and better built then the cheap Chinese knock-offs, then you don't understand quality.

The Chinese stuff is junk.

 

[pineoak]

Your $, so you choose your experience.

For higher dollar, travel, etc. ventures... you have redundancy in rifles, glass, accessories. Stupid to drive a day, pay for hotel, and end up with a situation where your equipment is damaged/fails and your day is done (sometimes can borrow gear). Better to start with quality gear and have some kind of backup.

Not going cheap again as it just isn't worth it. Best case scenario, your cheap stuff fails on an easy range day. Sadly, you don't get to choose the time or place of the failure.

In terms of bipods, if Frank is correct in groups shrinking significantly in comparison, $300+ for something you'll own/use for years is a great ROI for what you get in terms of increase accuracy.

If I guaranteed to shrink your groups by 25% by using a $400 product that added nothing in weight to your setup, most guys would probably buy it. Frank is just saying it's your bipod that's the product.