Hatch Bipod: Any Reviews? Experiences?

[mckchome]

On a recent hunting trip in the Kaibab (northern AZ), I had a chance to photograph the hunt of the young man you see in the pics below. It was his first buck mule deer tag (not bad for a first buck!). He used the "Hatch" Bipod (named after three brothers who own/run Hatch Outwest Precision). Unlike the popular Harris, Atlas, Magpul, options, this one has flexibility between 6.5''-56''--prone to standing for some. The kid below killed his dear in the 6.5'' position at about 346 yards with one great shot.

I have a few questions:
- Have any of you had experience with this?
- How useful would it be in a PRS context? And what might the negatives be?

Thanks in advance.

 

[b6graham]

Could be useful.

Features like a cyke pod. But the way the legs extend wouldnt be as easy to adjust on the clock or seem as secure. Honestly...sometimes there can be too much of something

Now hunting which I believe it's intended purpose to be. It could be the difference between filling a tag and an expensive hike.

 

[mckchome]

Could be useful.

Features like a cyke pod. But the way the legs extend wouldnt be as easy to adjust on the clock or seem as secure. Honestly...sometimes there can be too much of something

Now hunting which I believe it's intended purpose to be. It could be the difference between filling a tag and an expensive hike.

Yes, I agree, @b6graham about it's intended use. It's potentially also a great alternative to carrying around a bulky tripod + PIG Saddle, and easier to readjust from a sitting position.

 

[YotaEer]

Anyone else have reviews/opinions of these?

seems to get good ratings from other sites. I typically use my tripod for sitting or standing shots and a separate bipod/bag at the range. Would be nice to bridge the gap

 

[Elnicko]

I don’t shoot PRS but it worked very well for hunting. It’s pretty solid and adjusts quickly. It worked well for sitting shots while coyote hunting which is mainly what I used it for. If you do end up with one, replace the split ring and cord that spreads the legs to shoot prone. That was the only weak link.

 

[HousePlant]

Glad I've seen this... I will need something like this for next year's out-west hunt.

 

[wyliecoyote]

I don’t shoot PRS but it worked very well for hunting. It’s pretty solid and adjusts quickly. It worked well for sitting shots while coyote hunting which is mainly what I used it for. If you do end up with one, replace the split ring and cord that spreads the legs to shoot prone. That was the only weak link.

I've been looking at this thing for a year now. Finally pulled the trigger and placed an order. What do you recommend replacing the split ring and cord with?

 

[YotaEer]

I've been looking at this thing for a year now. Finally pulled the trigger and placed an order. What do you recommend replacing the split ring and cord with?

Ive been in the same boat. Eyeing this thing up for a year while using a combo of a standard small bipod/bag and tripod in the meantime.

did you order it from their website or somewhere else? It would be nice to get the one with the ADM mount

 

[Elnicko]

I ordered it from their website. As for replacing parts, just get a strong split ring from a fishing tackle store and some P cord for the pull cord.

 

[wyliecoyote]

Ive been in the same boat. Eyeing this thing up for a year while using a combo of a standard small bipod/bag and tripod in the meantime.

did you order it from their website or somewhere else? It would be nice to get the one with the ADM mount

Same here, I ordered direct from their website. I'm hoping this will consolidate the same list of gear for me too, short bipod, long bipod, tripod, etc. at least on certain hunts where I'm trying to slim things down. It looks like it may have good PRS potential too . . . one bipod that can do prone, sitting/kneeling, and standing.

I ordered it from their website. As for replacing parts, just get a strong split ring from a fishing tackle store and some P cord for the pull cord.

Thanks for the advice! That'll be an easy fix/upgrade. Pretty sure my tackle box already has some good split rings like that.

 

[YotaEer]

I have a pic rail from the manufacturer of atlas bipod. Will that work with the hatch?

I ask because it seems like their clamp doesn’t work with some pic rails

 

[j-dubya]

Still playing around with mine as I’ve only had it a few months, but it’s got some Ckye-like features that add to what you get if you were toting the big Harris. All while still being lightweight and right there with your normal short bipods. There’s a lot of flex in the legs once they’re extended out, so I wouldn’t trust one to hold up to PRS type stuff and taking a lot of sudden, hard loads under stress. But for a lightweight alternative to toting a tripod for field situations, or maybe some of those long duration matches where you’re hiking to take a couple of shots from a position you have some time to set up right, I think it fills the role well. I bough mine as sort of an update to how I used the old tall Harris on mk11’s overseas. Not a weight detriment like the tall Ckye Pod would be when carrying around the rifle. Just have to know it’s going to need some easier treatment than a Ckye.

Feet spin too if that’s something that bothers you.

 

[j-dubya]

I have a pic rail from the manufacturer of atlas bipod. Will that work with the hatch?

I ask because it seems like their clamp doesn’t work with some pic rails

I have a plethora of known-mil spec rails, and the Hatch fits them all nicely. The B&T rail on my Manners stock is largely out of spec, and the Hatch won’t go on it at all. All my bipods require adjustment to fit on it though.

 

[YotaEer]

I have a plethora of known-mil spec rails, and the Hatch fits them all nicely. The B&T rail on my Manners stock is largely out of spec, and the Hatch won’t go on it at all. All my bipods require adjustment to fit on it though.

thanks for all the info!

looks like I’ll have to pickup one of their rails too if the B&T doesn’t work

 

[YotaEer]

I picked one up and although it’s really nice and would be great for western hunting, I still prefer my tripod seeing the vast majority of my hunting shots on the east coast are sitting or standing. No prone.

it’s for sale for anyone that wants it, otherwise I can return it to HOW for a refund since it’s not been used. Great customer service.

Figured I’d give someone at the hide a chance first.

Accessories - WTS: NIB Hatch Out West Bipod

I have a new in box hatch out west bipod. Took it out to mount it and that’s it. Never fired from. Also comes with their 3” pic rail for McMillan style stocks. This is recommended because their attachment point doesn’t fit as snug on the atlas rails. $375 shipped for both the bipod and rail...

www.snipershide.com

 

[sodakhunter]

Ive used mine on lots of rails and it worked on all. Was tight on one so i sanded a bit off and worked fine. These are great hunting bipods that allow for shooting over grass and weeds and up or down hill from a seated position etc. I

 

[carbonbased]

Ive used mine on lots of rails and it worked on all. Was tight on one so i sanded a bit off and worked fine. These are great hunting bipods that allow for shooting over grass and weeds and up or down hill from a seated position etc. I

A coyote just shot @sodakhunter mid-sentence! Goddamnit man, where’s the flare gun?

 

[sodakhunter]

@carbonbased True. Lol. That didnt really read the best. Hatch works good for sneak and peek hunting and sets up fast. For still hunting get a tripod or blend in. Good call out. I isually smoke a big cigar and the smoke provides not only visual cover but also masks any human odor too

 

[260284]

I know this is an old thread, but has anyone used one of these with an ARCA adapter on it, or does anyone have the tall version?

 

[kthomas]

I can't imagine any bipod being that stable at 56", or anywhere close to that.

I would take a solid quality tripod and leave the bipod at home if I ever thought I would ever have to be that high.

 

[YotaEer]

I can't imagine any bipod being that stable at 56", or anywhere close to that.

I would take a solid quality tripod and leave the bipod at home if I ever thought I would ever have to be that high.

This is exactly what i found.

If you can't get prone in the field, I highly, highly recommend a quality tripod. The flexibility and stability in any scenario is worth the weight (and price).

 

[260284]

This is exactly what i found.

If you can't get prone in the field, I highly, highly recommend a quality tripod. The flexibility and stability in any scenario is worth the weight (and price).

I use a tripod almost exclusivly in hunting sutuations. I have seena few guys using the triple pull cyke pod up front and their tripod as a rear rest on elevated shots in NRL Hunter matches. Looking for a lighter option for that. Wasn't sure if a longer version of the Hatch would work for that. Their tall version is supposed to be 36" high as a bipod. I wouldn't even consider using one as a monopod in place of a sturdy tripod.

 

[kthomas]

I use a tripod almost exclusivly in hunting sutuations. I have seena few guys using the triple pull cyke pod up front and their tripod as a rear rest on elevated shots in NRL Hunter matches. Looking for a lighter option for that. Wasn't sure if a longer version of the Hatch would work for that. Their tall version is supposed to be 36" high as a bipod. I wouldn't even consider using one as a monopod in place of a sturdy tripod.

Tripod is king for elevated positions.

I have the original Ckye-pod, and the difference in stability in an elevated position versus say an RRS tripod is night and day.

 

[Tx_Aggie]

I can't imagine any bipod being that stable at 56", or anywhere close to that.

I would take a solid quality tripod and leave the bipod at home if I ever thought I would ever have to be that high.

A 56" bipod is plenty stable with a tripod with tac-table + bag in the rear. Basically modified prone without a prop. It's become popular in NRL Hunter style matches because it allows you to shoot over vegetation and terrain while retaining most of the stability of prone.

 

[kthomas]

A 56" bipod is plenty stable with a tripod with tac-table + bag in the rear. Basically modified prone without a prop. It's become popular in NRL Hunter style matches because it allows you to shoot over vegetation and terrain while retaining most of the stability of prone.

I can see that being pretty stable.

Maybe not very practical for any real field use, but for contrived competitions I can see that working well.

 

[carbonbased]

I think the idea behind the Hatch is faster set up time (obv when hunting) vs a tripod. You have it in hand, attached to the gun, or maybe strapped to your belt or something. Useful when hunting animals that appear out of nowhere and disappear quickly.

And you’d shoot it from kneeling or off a rock/stump vs prone. In the snow you can punch those long legs down to harder snow or ground.

This is what I’ve gathered as I do not own one.

If you have time, heck yeah on the RRS.

 

[Tx_Aggie]

I can see that being pretty stable.

Maybe not very practical for any real field use, but for contrived competitions I can see that working well.

A buddy has the shorter (26”) Hatch bipod and I’ve played with it some. It’s actually fairly quick to deploy and is tall enough to use seated. I think the taller model would work fairly well kneeling with a pack for rear support.

The tripod in the rear with the 26” isn’t hard to set up either. Since it’s about the right height for low double kneeling you can often use the tripod with the legs still collapsed.