can a bipod be too tall?

[JJRawr]

I took my rifle to the range (my first rifle by the way) to practice my fundamentals at 100 yards and was working on steadying my reticle on the target. I read to load the bipod, but when I do, it slips on the ground. Even with just a few pounds of pressure. I'll be deep in my state of thinking of all of my fundamentals and then the bipod will jump forward!

It's adjustable, but it's on the lowest setting.

 

[rdgshooteer]

Re: can a bipod be too tall?

Are you shooting off of a hard surface like concrete or hard pack dirt?. If so try placing the bi pod on a softer surface or digging out a little bit of dirt if your shooting on hard dirt or if your on concrete try and place a sand bag in front of it and push it into the sandbag. Just make sure you have muzzle clearance if doing this though.

 

[JJRawr]

Re: can a bipod be too tall?

yes I was shooting on concrete. I'll go get a sandbag. Thanks

 

[ARsR4ME]

Re: can a bipod be too tall?

Yes they can be too tall. Try the sand bag in front trick and make sure your straight behind the rifle.

 

[YN*Dotte]

Re: can a bipod be too tall?

Besides digging your bipod feet into the dirt, there are also bipod feet designed to grab the ground to keep the bipod from moving, there are also ski type feet, that will slide with you as you react to the recoil, might be worth looking into.

 

[Rob01]

Re: can a bipod be too tall?

Or you can just shoot the rifle without loading the bipod. It's not always needed.

What bipod you using?

 

[JJRawr]

Re: can a bipod be too tall?

i'm unsure the bipod that's on it. I got it from a buddy from his out of commission rifle.

 

[VJJPunisher]

Re: can a bipod be too tall?

on concrete-shoot off of bags
on dirt- bury the bipod feet in little foot holes

 

[tmcginnis]

Re: can a bipod be too tall?

I have the same issue. When seated benchrest, it causes my natural point of aim to be high. Do what i do... throw a few sandbags under your ass when you are seated. Raises me up enough to make the natural point of aim a little easier to obtain and then also makes it easy to load a little weight on the front of the bipod. This has significantly made it easier to have a quicker follow through and easier to control muzzle rise. In the mean time, search for a shorter bipod. I have been looking for a 6"-9" ( think thats what it is) harris bipod. Should do the trick.

Let me know how it works out.
-TMcGinnis

 

[Rob01]

Re: can a bipod be too tall?

You can shoot fine off a bipod on concrete. No need to change anything. I do it all the time at my range.

 

[Ratbert]

Re: can a bipod be too tall?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rob01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You can shoot fine off a bipod on concrete. No need to change anything. I do it all the time at my range.</div></div>

While that's certainly true, I've got an old carpet sample I keep in the trunk of my car that I use whenever I have to shoot off a concrete range. It simulates shooting off earth pretty well and makes the concrete much less annoying on bare elbows and forearms.

Also, I've found that Atlas bipods are much better about staying put than Harris.

 

[jeepwilson]

Re: can a bipod be too tall?

I use the benchrest model just because it is more comfortable off the benches and if you are on the ground,prone it works too.The taller ones do have a lot of flex when you have got them extended out.

 

[Alderleet]

Re: can a bipod be too tall?

Unrelated, but i prefer to shoot off a ruck. I just sold both my harris's because i never used them.

 

[JJRawr]

Re: can a bipod be too tall?

cool thanks for the info. I was looking into atlas as they seem shorter.

 

[pc3]

Re: can a bipod be too tall?

Funnily enough I find the heavy duty GG&G to be just that bit too tall on its lowest setting, but it is VERY solid so I persist

 

[dbsinh2o]

Re: can a bipod be too tall?

Imagine how this guy feels.

 

[ZULUTAC]

Re: can a bipod be too tall?

I learned the most amazing trick from a SEAL Sniper, it should greatly help this issue. But first. Yes Bipods can by too high. Sandbags are best or a good Rucksack, but you don't always get those right.

We used Harris bipods exclusively only because they're so popular. There are better ones out there. Anyway if you are using a Harris or similar you will notice a lot of jump on hard or any surface for that matter.

The trick is this. Attach the bipod backwards. What I mean is attach it so the feet fold towards you as apposed to towards the muzzle. You loose some room for on the front of your stock, but trust me the benefits in shooting outweigh this.

By shooting it like this, you are able to push naturally forward which causes the legs to slightly close in towards you. This digs them into the ground at an opposing angle to your natural push. It's solid!!! If that wasn't enough, by doing this you can also pan left to right by putting forward pressure on the opposing legs to cause them to slightly close.

Try it it works.

 

[Wannashootit]

Re: can a bipod be too tall?

A related "form" question, here if I'm not hijacking...

Most of you mentioned "loading" the bipod- I am not aware of this practice. Hopefully someone can edumacate me?

Form-wise, I've read everywhere to keep positive pressure rearward, forcing the stock solidly into the shoulder. So, in addition to this, it is best to "lean", or press forward into the bipod as well?

I've never done this, and perhaps I'm misunderstanding. It would be simple enough to do this from a seated (benchrest) position, but other than pushing forward with my toes when prone, I can't see a way of effectively doing that. Do you bend a knee and use that leg to press forward?

I'd like to be sure I've got the fundamentals down pat before I get locked into any bad habits. I tried a search for "proper form when shooting from a bipod" but didn't turn up anything.

Could someone point me to a past thread on this, or explain the proper form for bipod shooting from seated and prone positions?
If I should start another thread for this, say so and I'll delete...

 

[Ratbert]

Re: can a bipod be too tall?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SHAKAZULU</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I learned the most amazing trick from a SEAL Sniper, it should greatly help this issue. But first. Yes Bipods can by too high. Sandbags are best or a good Rucksack, but you don't always get those right.

We used Harris bipods exclusively only because they're so popular. There are better ones out there. Anyway if you are using a Harris or similar you will notice a lot of jump on hard or any surface for that matter.

The trick is this. Attach the bipod backwards. What I mean is attach it so the feet fold towards you as apposed to towards the muzzle. You loose some room for on the front of your stock, but trust me the benefits in shooting outweigh this.

By shooting it like this, you are able to push naturally forward which causes the legs to slightly close in towards you. This digs them into the ground at an opposing angle to your natural push. It's solid!!! If that wasn't enough, by doing this you can also pan left to right by putting forward pressure on the opposing legs to cause them to slightly close.

Try it it works.</div></div>

Was this SEAL's name Tom by any chance?

Welcome to the hide, consider signing up for access to the online training videos.

 

[Ratbert]

Re: can a bipod be too tall?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wannashootit</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Most of you mentioned "loading" the bipod- I am not aware of this practice. Hopefully someone can edumacate me?

Form-wise, I've read everywhere to keep positive pressure rearward, forcing the stock solidly into the shoulder. So, in addition to this, it is best to "lean", or press forward into the bipod as well?

I've never done this, and perhaps I'm misunderstanding. It would be simple enough to do this from a seated (benchrest) position, but other than pushing forward with my toes when prone, I can't see a way of effectively doing that. Do you bend a knee and use that leg to press forward?
</div></div>

You might want to consider the online training section as well, but to summarize:

Loading the bipod means to have forward pressure exerted by your body against the point where the bipod's legs touch the ground. You should not need (or want) to use your legs or feet to apply this pressure when prone. The core of your body (torso, hips) should be flat on the deck and have sufficient friction resistance to hold the necessary pressure against the bipod. To get into this position lay prone and then sit up on your elbows so that your head and shoulders are off the ground. Pull the rifle up into your shoulder while the bipod legs are on the ground and then lay back down into the prone position. As you come down off your elbows your head and shoulders will move forward slightly and the rifle will be pressed firmly into your shoulder.

 

[Wannashootit]

Re: can a bipod be too tall?

Understood.
Thanks.