Bipods
- Thread starter Iron Worker
- Start date
Depends. First question is what range is your steel at? Second would be what is the rest of the set up? Factory rifle out to 200m is a different animal than a custom build past 1,000m.
Harris is one of two bipods I would be looking at for entry level/general purpose use. The other is MagPul's bipods. Back in the 90s/early 2000s Harris was the go to. But by todays standards they are lagging a bit. Still solid and works, but there are other options now. Atlas is top tier, and if you are really going to stretch the legs of you rifle, then it would be worth it.
Harris is one of two bipods I would be looking at for entry level/general purpose use. The other is MagPul's bipods. Back in the 90s/early 2000s Harris was the go to. But by todays standards they are lagging a bit. Still solid and works, but there are other options now. Atlas is top tier, and if you are really going to stretch the legs of you rifle, then it would be worth it.
Taging for interest--I know there was a heated debate on bipods, but looking at what atlas brings to table. (no doubting Atlas is the top--just wondering what makes them top dog).
The Harris works well it is a little stiff which can cause it to hop but it deploys quickly. The Altas is very nice, expensive and slow to deploy it is probably considered the "Standard" at this point in time. Better than the Harris in most situations. Thunder Beast is new to the show and looks to be a contender but another $100 over the Atlas, worth looking at if you are in that deep already. What's another $100?
I‘ll catch flack for it but if you’re on a budget the magpul is a better option than a Harris.
Okay I bought BT10-LW17 . My legs rotate . Is there a fix for this ? Like the Cleat feet ?
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Shoulda gotta bipod with a panning lockout.
I can’t believe how a lot of these “high end” bipod manufacturers still haven’t yet figured out a way to keep their legs square to the rifle or that a lot of people strongly want a panning lockout option.
Magpul is hard to beat for a budget bipod with panning lockout and will do everything you need it to and more for a fraction of the price of an atlas.
It's not a problem. There's nothing to fix.
IMO if your pushing on the bipod hard enough for the legs to rotate, you’re pushing on it too hard.
Harris BRMS run $100-120
Atlas BT-10 w/ the fixed clamp is $220, used for $190-200.
While yes, they have $400 ones, you can get the entry level one for about double.
Don't load the bipod that hard, it works like a limiter to keep pressure on the bipod consistent. You can use the spike or claw feet which help in some situations.
I shoot those positions a lot along with some others when I have a range session, I have 4 atlas’s now for my rifles. Giving my only Harris away to my brother in law for an entry level as he is new to shooting and starting to learn. I wasn’t sold on the price but after my first psr purchase, I knew the investment was worth it. 2 psr and 2 Cal’s later I have not one single regret. Save up the money and buy good quality products is my opinion.
I think its pretty well established that the Atlas is favored. I think the question is what does it provide over the Harris. If one searches, unfortunatly that answer gets lost in the noise (I haven't been able to locate it). Again, not saying I disagree or have any evidence/experience otherwise--just can't seem to find what features Atlas improves over the Harris one.
Being square and consistent is the biggest difference.
Not to mention an obvious upgrade in quality of materials. I’ve broken damn near every Harris I’ve owned at some point.
Hi,
A bipod cannot cause a rifle to "hop". Only chinks in the recoil and rifle control can cause a rifle to "hop".
It is due more to improper form of the shooter, NOT the bipod.
Most benches are not designed or built to facilitate proper bipod shooting IMO. There is just typically no way to get inline with the rifle and the recoil motion.
Sincerely,
Theis
Ok a bipod doesn't hop, it skips. If you put a bipod on a smooth solid surface it moves under recoil. Before you refuse to believe this get your Harris bipod put it on a smooth bench and film it with a high speed camera, the feet move. You don't want your bipod feet moving, the bipod should flex/pivot at the top to absorb the recoil and keep you on line with the target. The Harris is one of the worst at this because there is very little flex at the top mounting point. Can this be managed by the shooter, yes but it requires that the bipod be loaded which is virtually impossible on a hard smooth surface.
I have used Harris, Atlas, LRA and Accu-Tac. For shooting prone or off a bench the Accu-Tac is the best of the 4. I use the new WIDE BODY series the WB-4 is the shortest with the WB-5 3/4 of and inch or so taller. They are built tough and for my 375CT i use the HD-50.
So says you
These guys say (and demonstrate) otherwise
I have found that pulling the rifle back in the shoulder using only bicep tension is far more important than how much loading one puts on a bipod.
Fwiw I snagged the tbac bipod. It seems very nicely made and it’s easy to shoot. Also functions in dirty/sandy conditions with no issues.
Yep first video showed it perfectly bipod feet are sliding slightly to the left with each shot. For the record I don't load my bipod but I use an Atlas which does pivot at the top.
You’re not always going to be able to avoid the bipod sliding back if you have significant recoil. There’s nothing wrong with that. You you are in a good position and the rifle is attached to you properly you will stay on target. It’s nice to have some play in the bipod to allow it to rock back and forth but it’s not a necessity for recoil management.
Lay modified prone on the bench. Sitting on a stool is one of the worst positions you can try to shoot from IMO.
I may try that at the next benchrest match. I can just hear them now...
This is not correct. Some models did/do
Both of mine do. And I'm positive they aren't knockoffs cause I bought them direct from B&T
Does thr hate for harris relate only to the base models mounted on sling studs, or does it include heavily modified/properly set up harris versions, eg with pod-loc, and something like an MLOK UL pic mount or RRS pic+ARCA rail mount?
It’s the overall design with narrow angle legs and a below barrel intersection.
Harris bipods don’t always suck.
In hunting and situations where speed a concern they offer a good compromise and the magpul is better yet.
For maximum stability the Harris is certainly not a top contender.
You still have some fairly cheap stamped parts. Also, once you kit out a Harris, you might as well buy an atlas.
The “hate” is mainly directed to the “it’s just as good” crowd. It works for what we do, but not just as good when it comes to quality and such.
This is from the Atlas website. BT-10 bipods have rotating legs. None of the other models do.
www.accu-shot.com
Accu-Shot Monopod Precision Shooting Rifle Rest Magpul PRS Rail
Accu-Shot precision monopods, Atlas bipods and rifle accessories provide a high-degree of accuracy for long-range hunting, law enforcement or military duty.
www.accu-shot.com
I’m betting 80% of the people if not more on here have started out with a Harris style bipod.... They can work to ring steel just fine.
It all depends on how far your gonna take the sport... are you planning on shooting PRS style matches, ELR, Benchrest? Or are you gonna be the guy that just goes out and likes to ring steel every once in awhile??
It all depends on how far your gonna take the sport... are you planning on shooting PRS style matches, ELR, Benchrest? Or are you gonna be the guy that just goes out and likes to ring steel every once in awhile??
Ain’t that the truth. Bought a drummers stool (Roc & Soc and wow it a very nice bit of kit) and position it behind the bench and this has really helped. Adjusts up and down and I can lean well forward from the hips while on it.
Not at all a direct reply. I started off shooting several different bipods, different prices, not much success with any of them. Too much wobble and such. So gravitated towards bags and ended up happy for a few years with heavy bullbags, even if a chore to tote around (I'm 70).
Later, started looking at bipods again since one local range required their use for a competition. Tried some split M-Lok bipods and I was hooked.
Each side attaches to handguard rather than jointly beneath the handguard. Sturdier, no side wobble, they fold and angle just like any bipod. Not real pricy at all, either.
Got more for my other rifles.
Want to buy some used one-piece bipods???
Back to the question at hand, you can use both fine. I have both a Harris and an Atlas on two different rifles. The Harris is faster to deploy as some said but not as versatile. Being able to run the legs at a 45 degree angle sometimes is nice on the Atlas. Also, with the way the legs are made between the two the Harris seems to get grit in the system if its a sandy firing position. I started with a Harris and didn't feel it held me back at all. I bought the Atlas to try it out and i wanted more adjustment.
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