I have bipod issues

Bigdude

Bigdude

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Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 3, 2017
258
37
Birmingham, Michigan
#1
I recently finished my first centerfire build (Remington 700 in .260 Rem) but I have been struggling with finding the right bipod. So far, I have purchased 4 bipods specifically for this rifle and returned or sold 3 of them. FYI, I already own an Atlas B10 V8 that I use for my rimfire rifles but I really want the absolute lightest bipod that I can find. A weight under 8 ounces would be ideal.

Bipod #1: Javelin Bipod

The first bipod I tried was the Javelin bipod (weighs 5.22 oz.) made by Spartan Precision Equipment. I immediately returned it because the bipod is not foldable while mounted. I paid around $350, which included free shipping from the UK.

Bipod #2: Modular Evolution Bipod

My second purchase was the Evolution bipod (weighs 14.00 oz.). This bipod is basically a clone of the Atlas bipod with carbon fiber legs. My only complaint was its weight and as a result I never used it. I think I paid about $350 but sold it here in the classifieds.

Bipod #3: Spartan 300 Bipod

My third bipod purchase was the Spartan 300 bipod (weighs 5.60 oz.) and is also made by Spartan Precision Equipment. The Spartan 300 bipod was very nice, but I had two issues with it. First, the cant tension was not adjustable. Second the leg extensions were not spring loaded nor were they notched. So basically to extend the legs you twist to unlock then pull to desired length. I purchased it on sale for $400, which included free shipping from the UK. Once again, I returned it for a refund.

Bipod #4: Tier-One Tactical Bipod

Today I received bipod #4, the Tactical bipod by Tier-One (based in the UK). The Tactical bipod is offered in many different configurations. I selected one with 7”-9” carbon fiber legs, tilt but no pan feature, QD mount and the optional Pod Lock. Several variations are available such as aluminum or carbon fiber legs, pan & tilt, tilt only, two leg heights and three different adapters for attachment. The advertised weight of my particular bipod was 8.53 oz. I paid $418, which included free 2-day shipping from the UK. The bipod has every feature I wanted: spring loaded notched deployable legs, carbon fiber legs, QD attachment and a sturdy case. I’m disappointed with the actual weight as it is 11.52 oz.

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After reading all the replies to this post, I have decided to simply keep this bipod and discontinue my search for a lighter one.

There are a couple other bipods on the market that I have looked at but will not work for my build. The bipods listed below I considered:

-Accu-Tac BR-4 G2 bipod (20.00 oz.)
-Warne Skyline bipod (19.00 oz.)
-Boscabel Bel-Loc bipod (16.93 oz.)
-Knight Armament Precision bipod (12.50 oz.)
-Rugged Ridge Outdoor Gear Extreme bipod (~12 oz.)
-Magpul bipod (~11 oz.)
-Steinert Sensing Systems NeoPod bipod (2.90 oz.)

I know I am leaving out Harris bipods and that is because I will not use them. Thanks again to everyone who responded.
 
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#2
Well, getting under stated 11 oz willt get very difficult or pricy for a similar quality bipod.
Keep in mind that you can only shave off so much material in order to keep the bipod rigid and maintain its structural integrity.
Also all of the requirements stated add up in weight, since these must me made out of aluminium or such. If this will be made available in carbon fibre, this would be magnificent, however uneconimical.

The weight savings of carbon fiber on such short legs is'nt too good either, since ( again ) a certain level of integrity needs to be achieved and maintained.

I would settle for the Tier one, and get savings in other parts of the rifle.

Just my 2 cents :)
 
#6
Mackay said:
Well, getting under stated 11 oz willt get very difficult or pricy for a similar quality bipod.
Keep in mind that you can only shave off so much material in order to keep the bipod rigid and maintain its structural integrity.
Also all of the requirements stated add up in weight, since these must me made out of aluminium or such. If this will be made available in carbon fibre, this would be magnificent, however uneconimical.

The weight savings of carbon fiber on such short legs is'nt too good either, since ( again ) a certain level of integrity needs to be achieved and maintained.

I would settle for the Tier one, and get savings in other parts of the rifle.

Just my 2 cents :)
Click to expand...

Perhaps you are correct. While I do not mind spending more money for a better product, the only lighter bipod I am aware of is the NeoPod. The NeoPod just doesn't look like it would hold up to abuse or recoil.
 
#8
simpy16 said:
View attachment 7024981

ADM mount, completely eliminates the need for the sling swivel stud. This also lights it a little. Mine is modified for atlas feet so weights more but this is the best way to use a Harris IMO.
Click to expand...

I have seen Harris bipods with LaRue, ADM, RRS and some custom mounts too. Even with alternative mounting I will still never run a harris bipod. They are too heavy and hard to look at. What amazes me is that the people at Harris have not redesigned the mounting method or at least offered other mounting options.
 
#9
Bigdude said:
I have seen Harris bipods with LaRue, ADM and some custom mounts too. Even with alternative mounting I will still never run a harris bipod. They are too heavy and hard to look at. What amazes me is that the people at Harris have not redesigned the mounting method or at least offered other mounting options.
Click to expand...
I agree with you why they have not tried to advance the design at all, and even the attempts they have made are down right awful. It is not the prettiest bipod to look at, nor is it the ugliest, but it is hard to argue that they simply work when you need them to. I have two of them as well as two Modular Evolution Bipods and will soon have a Ckye-pod in the arsenal.
 
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#12
#14
Bigdude said:
I have seen Harris bipods with LaRue, ADM, RRS and some custom mounts too. Even with alternative mounting I will still never run a harris bipod. They are too heavy and hard to look at. What amazes me is that the people at Harris have not redesigned the mounting method or at least offered other mounting options.
Click to expand...

My guess would be because it is a great selling item as is, is time tested, and has been abused all over the world and just keeps working. I don't think they particularly want to be in the bipod mount business since there are others that have that covered.

Atlas isn't in the mount business either and the examples of the ones in your OP look like either ADM or copies of existing designs.
 
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#15
MinnesotaMulisha said:
I didn't know that. And it doesn't fold? That's pretty lame.
Click to expand...

The first bipod Spartan Precision Equipment released was the Javelin and yes, it would not fold. It was designed to be kept in your pocket or bag then put on right before your shot. It attaches to the fore end via a strong magnet.

The second bipod they released, the Spartan 300, did fold. But it had other issues.
 
#16
XLR308 said:
My guess would be because it is a great selling item as is, is time tested, and has been abused all over the world and just keeps working. I don't think they particularly want to be in the bipod mount business since there are others that have that covered.

Atlas isn't in the mount business either and the examples of the ones in your OP look like either ADM or copies of existing designs.
Click to expand...

100 years ago the 30-30 Winchester cartridge was the best and most popular 30 caliber round. Yet people still continued to improve and advance cartridges. I mean I guess we all could still hunt with 30-30 Win lever actions just because they do the job. You missed the point, of course Harris is not interested in manufacturing mounts. But my point was that it would not be too difficult to modify/improve their bipod so it mounts directly to a picatinny rail.
 
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#17
Bigdude said:
You missed the point, of course Harris is not interested in manufacturing mounts. But my point was that it would not be too difficult to modify their bipod so it mounts directly to a picatinny rail.
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Didn't miss the point at all what you are describing is an ADM AD-BP-P2, but I get it you just don't like the way the Harris bipod looks.
 
#20
The Tier 1 seems like a great bipod just over priced surely you can't be to upset with it being 3.5oz over what you were wanting.
I mean that's basically the weight of a box of peanut M&M's at the theator.
Is your rifle an ultralite mountain rifle ?
 
#22
4 oz? Take one less Clif Bar and call it a day. Or, throw your rifle across your pack and eliminate the bipod completely. While I come from the "light is right and lighter is righter" school and chafe at the "just get stronger" approach to shaving weight, sometime you just gotta pull up your big boy pants and say "a bag of M&Ms ain't gonna kill me..."
 
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#25
Bigdude said:
I need to cut weight on my rifle so I shed weight anywhere I can.
Click to expand...

What rifle are you carrying and how much does it weigh?
What optics are on it?
It's not really hard to have a 6.5lb scoped rifle.

Are there things you can change on the rifle to lose weight?
Probably.
For the price of a $450 bipod, you could machine facets on the receiver and lighten the bolt.
There are plenty of featherweight stocks to be had.

Spending 4 bills on a bipod because it is 4oz lighter than an $80 one is crazy, but it's your money.
I get that you don't like the Harris, but remember it's the Chevy 350 of bipod for a reason.

It really seems like you have a beef with the Harris because they haven't kept up with the times. Like pointed out, the 30-30 is over a century old. What you failed to point out is that it's still killing a ton of animals every year to the delight of its owners.

If all of the bipods fail to meet your standards, well, this is America. Go out and design, manufacture and sell the one that pleases you.
 
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#26
A final thought.
If you're hunting in high alpine or above the tree line, you will really want some nice hiking poles.
You can get some really good ones in the 14-16oz range for the pair.
Why not use them as shooting sticks and completely eliminate the weight of the bipod and the awkward carry that bipods cause?

Again, knowing what rifle/optics you will be carrying will help us help you.
 
#27
Mike Casselton said:
A final thought.
If you're hunting in high alpine or above the tree line, you will really want some nice hiking poles.
You can get some really good ones in the 14-16oz range for the pair.
Why not use them as shooting sticks and completely eliminate the weight of the bipod and the awkward carry that bipods cause?

Again, knowing what rifle/optics you will be carrying will help us help you.
Click to expand...

I want the bipod for PRS.
 
#29
Mike Casselton said:
What rifle are you carrying and how much does it weigh?
What optics are on it?
It's not really hard to have a 6.5lb scoped rifle.

Are there things you can change on the rifle to lose weight?
Probably.
For the price of a $450 bipod, you could machine facets on the receiver and lighten the bolt.
There are plenty of featherweight stocks to be had.

Spending 4 bills on a bipod because it is 4oz lighter than an $80 one is crazy, but it's your money.
I get that you don't like the Harris, but remember it's the Chevy 350 of bipod for a reason.

It really seems like you have a beef with the Harris because they haven't kept up with the times. Like pointed out, the 30-30 is over a century old. What you failed to point out is that it's still killing a ton of animals every year to the delight of its owners.

If all of the bipods fail to meet your standards, well, this is America. Go out and design, manufacture and sell the one that pleases you.
Click to expand...

I would like my build to be under 10 lbs including bipod and magazine.

My build is as follows:
-Blueprinted Remington 700 Action chambered in .260 Remington
-Carbon Six Carbon Fiber 24” barrel
-Weaver Tactical 6-30x56mm
-Fluted Bolt with DLC Coating
-Skeletonized Bolt Handle with Carbon Fiber Knob
-PTG Aluminum Bolt Shroud
-GRĒ-TAN Lite Firing Pin and Spring
-MDT LSS Chassis
-XLR Tactical Lite Buttstock
-PWS Enhanced Mod-2 Pistol Buffer Tube
-Hawkin’s Precision Titanium Muzzle Brake
-Hawkin’s Precision Long Range Hybrids Scope Rings (25 MOA)
-Trigger Tech Rem 700 Special Trigger
-MDT Pistol Grip
-MDT 8-round magazine
-Tenebraex Flip-up Cap (Objective bell)
-Aadmount Flip-up Cap (Eyepiece bell)

Currently, the only things I could do in order to reduce more weight are (1) upgrade the scope, (2) switch to a stock and get rid of the chassis and (3) send my barreled action to Twisted Barrel in New York and have them mill the action. They mill several surfaces in order to reduce weight. The only reason I have not done it is because I would have to have it cerakoted again. As far as me spending money for small reductions in weight, like a $400 bipod, I have the extra money.

As you can see from my build list I already skeletonized the bolt handle, fluted the bolt (deep flutes), exchanged the firing pin, spring and shroud for lighter replacements. Also I did not use a picatinny rail and instead purchased lightweight scope rings that mount directly to the action. The barrel is carbon fiber so I eliminated some weight there. I even opted for a titanium muzzle brake for weight reduction. I switched out the XLR buffer tube for the PWS Enhanced buffer tube which is much lighter. The castle nut and recoil lug are titanium for additional savings. I even machined down the length of the picatinny rail that sits on the bottom fore end so its length is just enough to mount a bipod. So from what I tell the only options I have for more weight loss is milling the action, switching to a stock instead of a chassis system and replacing the scope.
 
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#33
Bigdude said:
I have seen Harris bipods with LaRue, ADM, RRS and some custom mounts too. Even with alternative mounting I will still never run a harris bipod. They are too heavy and hard to look at. What amazes me is that the people at Harris have not redesigned the mounting method or at least offered other mounting options.
Click to expand...
You can't beat perfection. Harris is like glock it doesn't need refinement
 
#36
Titanium action, light Palma barrel, carbon fibre stock and a different scope.
The weaver 6-30x56 is a porky scope to be on a rifle you are counting ounces on.
Do those four things and you could run any bipod you want and be well under your current weight.
 
#37
XLR308 said:
Titanium action, light Palma barrel, carbon fibre stock and a different scope.
The weaver 6-30x56 is a porky scope to be on a rifle you are counting ounces on.
Do those three things and you could run any bipod you want and be well under your current weight.
Click to expand...

I realize that. Considering this build is basically done I am gonna use those on my next build. My plan was to use a custom Titanium action, lightweight stock and lightweight scope. I learned my lesson.
 
#39
Bigdude said:
I realize that. Considering this build is basically done I am gonna use those on my next build. My plan was to use a custom Titanium action, lightweight stock and lightweight scope. I learned my lesson.
Click to expand...

You could still cut a fair amount of weight just with a different scope alone, I personally wouldn't compromise on the bipod since it is one of your main interfaces when shooting the rifle and will see a fair amount of abuse that the lightest weight designs may not tolerate as well.
An all carbon fibre and titanium bipod would be the shit but cost prohibitive and would have to be sold damn near at cost I would think to sell many of them.
 
#42
XLR308 said:
You could still cut a fair amount of weight just with a different scope alone, I personally wouldn't compromise on the bipod since it is one of your main interfaces when shooting the rifle and will see a fair amount of abuse that the lightest weight designs may not tolerate as well.
An all carbon fibre and titanium bipod would be the shit but cost prohibitive and would have to be sold damn near at cost I would think to sell many of them.
Click to expand...

Yes you're correct and I am strongly considering it.
 
#44
Just an example but on the current hunting rifle I'm building I will be using an IOR 3-18x42 with illuminated MP-8 reticle it looks like a tank with the 35mm tube but weighs 29oz, the weaver is over 40oz I think.
Anyway just a suggestion, it would be a serious aggravation for you if you compromised on the bipod to save a few ounces and had it break on you in a match.
 
#45
XLR308 said:
Just an example but on the current hunting rifle I'm building I will be using an IOR 3-18x42 with illuminated MP-8 reticle it looks like a tank with the 35mm tube but weighs 29oz, the weaver is over 40oz I think.
Anyway just a suggestion, it would be a serious aggravation for you if you compromised on the bipod to save a few ounces and had it break on you in a match.
Click to expand...

Yes the Weaver is 40 oz. But what do you mean by "compromised"? I think the Tier-One bipod that I have is very solid and will not break. I realize that more weight could be saved by replacing the Weaver and plan to do it.
 
#46
Bigdude said:
Yes the Weaver is 40 oz. But what do you mean by "compromised"? I think the Tier-One bipod that I have is very solid and will not break. I realize that more weight could be saved by replacing the Weaver and plan to do it.
Click to expand...

Never actually handled or had any experience with the Tier 1 as I prefer to buy American when possible.
I have allways used a Harris until recently I bought a Atlas PSR but have no intentions of getting rid of the Harris.
If you like the Tier 1 and it's the closest you can find to meeting all of your criteria then run the hell out of it and see if you can shave a little weight elswere.?
 
#47
XLR308 said:
Never actually handled or had any experience with the Tier 1 as I prefer to buy American when possible.
I have allways used a Harris until recently I bought a Atlas PSR but have no intentions of getting rid of the Harris.
If you like the Tier 1 and it's the closest you can find to meeting all of your criteria then run the hell out of it and see if you can shave a little weight elswere.?
Click to expand...

Thats my plan now. The only reason that I have that Weaver on there is because I bought it some time ago while it was on sale. It was an impulse buy. When I purchased it I had no plan on how I would use it. The only reason I bought it was because of the extremely good sale price, no other reason. In fact, when I bought it I was ignorant of the weight.

I am currently looking for a replacement for that Weaver which will take me some time.
 
#50
Bigdude said:
Thats my plan now. The only reason that I have that Weaver on there is because I bought it some time ago while it was on sale. It was an impulse buy. When I purchased it I had no plan on how I would use it. The only reason I bought it was because of the extremely good sale price, no other reason. In fact, when I bought it I was ignorant of the weight.

I am currently looking for a replacement for that Weaver which will take me some time.
Click to expand...


The weaver tactical scopes are a damn good value from all I've read about them and are very durable which would account for alot of the weight in being overbuilt.
I think if the IOR scope I reffered to had a 56mm objective it would be right there next to the weaver in the buffet line.
 
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