MDT Bipod - NRL22, is juice worth squeeze?

[DanUSMC]

I finally bit the bullet for the MDT double pull, I've been using it for about a week through a few different rifles.

For NRL 22 specifically, I don't see any reason to drop the coin on this thing. PRS, NRL hunter, field shooting whatever I get it. Does anyone who shoots NRL22 really prefer this over an atlas?

The versatility of it is great. But it's not $400 great and I've yet to see an NRL stage, or PRS for that matter that calls for it.

 

[PrecisionWerk]

Based on my experience with the Ckye-Pod Double Pull in NRL22 and PRS competitions, I’d say it’s definitely worth the money. However, unless you specifically need the extra height for NRL hunter, the Single Pull version is more than sufficient and can save you $200.

In NRL22 matches, there are stages where bipods like the Atlas may not provide enough cant or pan adjustments. Some models offer plenty of cant but lack pan, while others provide some pan but not enough cant. This can be a challenge for shooting at angled positions, like rooftops. On stages where targets are spaced 10–20 yards apart, having a bipod with panning adjustments can be a significant advantage.

The one-handed adjustment on the Ckye-Pod is another big plus, letting you quickly change the height or angle during a stage. Can the Atlas do the job? Probably yes, but the Ckye-Pod makes it much easier, especially when you’re under time pressure.

 

[Rob01]

Based on my experience with the Ckye-Pod Double Pull in NRL22 and PRS competitions, I’d say it’s definitely worth the money. However, unless you specifically need the extra height for NRL hunter, the Single Pull version is more than sufficient and can save you $200.

In NRL22 matches, there are stages where bipods like the Atlas may not provide enough cant or pan adjustments. Some models offer plenty of cant but lack pan, while others provide some pan but not enough cant. This can be a challenge for shooting at angled positions, like rooftops. On stages where targets are spaced 10–20 yards apart, having a bipod with panning adjustments can be a significant advantage.

The one-handed adjustment on the Ckye-Pod is another big plus, letting you quickly change the height or angle during a stage. Can the Atlas do the job? Probably yes, but the Ckye-Pod makes it much easier, especially when you’re under time pressure.

What he said. Use the Ckyepod more and you will see. I use a PRS height and it works great for me for matches. I wouldn’t go higher than single pull unless you use it in something like hunter where it might get used.

 

[memilanuk]

But it's not $400 great

I want to know where you found one for $400!

 

[DanUSMC]

Thanks for the input gents, I mightve gone with the PRS model if I researched more. In the prone the double pull is great compared to the atlas, i can set it up/fine tune it much faster. This post was spurred on because I just got the thing and find myself wanting to go back to the atlas for anything but prone. Off the top of a 55gal drum, I like to run the atlas canted backwards at the 45° with a rear bag. it just works. I couldn't find a single way to get the cykpod to work (with this particular chassis, a bravo with area 419 rail)

I typically prefer just using a bag anyways but some props like the 55gal drum, or stages that go from drum to prone etc, I do like using the bipod on the drum.

the pan feature is something I've always avoided until this bipod, on a prone stage with significant lateral distance between targets I can see this being a benefit, I haven't even tried it yet so I'm going to put that on my list of to-dos.

I've ordered a rimx and mpa chassis, which will give me more flexibility i think, but it sounds like the PRS version might have been the right move. Live and learn.

 

[DanUSMC]

I want to know where you found one for $400!

No no haha, I mean the difference in cost between an atlas and a cykpod. Might be more or less but it feels like it was 400 more. And feelings are what matters

 

[memilanuk]

Dang! I was hoping...

 

[ma smith]

Alot of guys run more than 1 bipod. You just stash the other one in your pack.

 

[DanUSMC]

Alot of guys run more than 1 bipod. You just stash the other one in your pack.

This is definitely going to happen. I just built this bipod up in my head as a do-it-all $700 solution. Lots of good shooters I see have them and I wondered what I was missing out on. Both bipods will be with me going forward for sure. Next is a pump pillow, but I haven't lost my self respect yet. Working on it tho, just a few more mediocre performances

 

[Jgore]

I have and really like my Accu Tac. It’s a freaking tank. Very stable. My only issue is panning. It just isn’t like the Ckye pod. I picked up a Ckye pod and really like the ease of use.

 

[Rob01]

Thanks for the input gents, I mightve gone with the PRS model if I researched more. In the prone the double pull is great compared to the atlas, i can set it up/fine tune it much faster. This post was spurred on because I just got the thing and find myself wanting to go back to the atlas for anything but prone. Off the top of a 55gal drum, I like to run the atlas canted backwards at the 45° with a rear bag. it just works. I couldn't find a single way to get the cykpod to work (with this particular chassis, a bravo with area 419 rail)

I typically prefer just using a bag anyways but some props like the 55gal drum, or stages that go from drum to prone etc, I do like using the bipod on the drum.

the pan feature is something I've always avoided until this bipod, on a prone stage with significant lateral distance between targets I can see this being a benefit, I haven't even tried it yet so I'm going to put that on my list of to-dos.

I've ordered a rimx and mpa chassis, which will give me more flexibility i think, but it sounds like the PRS version might have been the right move. Live and learn.

If you want the legs to the rear with the Ckyepod then just spin it. You can use it that way too.

 

[DanUSMC]

If you want the legs to the rear with the Ckyepod then just spin it. You can use it that way too.

I think some of my issue is chassis related. a stage that kicked my ass in December went from barrel, to prone, to saw horse and back. Bravo chassis + cykepod won't let me go from barrel like this to a sawhorse type barricade without sliding it forward quite a bit in between positions. The shorter length of the atlas let's me do it without moving.

I dont know what I expected. I think the shorter length of the PRS would have suited me better with my setup and the way I use my rear bag

 

[beetroot]

I like the MDT Ckyepod (I actually have the Tier 1 ATAC but it's basically the same), but I think I agree that it's really not needed.
I may have used the legs at there lowest setting once in a shooting match, otherwise I don't use it any different than I used my Harris.

I don't like on the Atlas you need to move to collar every time you want to make an adjustment which is slow, same issue on the Harris bipod, although at least you don't need a button to deploy the legs. Pushing the button to deploy legs on the Ckyepod is mildly annoying.

I think the TBAC bipod is the best set combination of features for PRS type shooting if you don't need the flexibility of the Ckyepod.
But in your situation it really doesn't seem like a double pull Ckyepod is the right tool for the job

 

[Rob01]

I think some of my issue is chassis related. a stage that kicked my ass in December went from barrel, to prone, to saw horse and back. Bravo chassis + cykepod won't let me go from barrel like this to a sawhorse type barricade without sliding it forward quite a bit in between positions. The shorter length of the atlas let's me do it without moving.

I dont know what I expected. I think the shorter length of the PRS would have suited me better with my setup and the way I use my rear bag

Why didn’t you just straighten the legs and not have them at 45 when going to the saw horse? Should have plenty of room in there for the sawhorse.

 

[Nik H]

When you use it more, you'll understand. It is more versatile and stable than anything I have ever used.

 

[DanUSMC]

Why didn’t you just straighten the legs and not have them at 45 when going to the saw horse? Should have plenty of room in there for the sawhorse.

I used the atlas on this stage, didn't have the cykpod yet. I actually cleaned the stage the first time I shot the cof, but went to a second match at different location in December and bombed. Had trouble finding the targets for whatever reason + there were 5 different distances. I set the same stage up in my back yard to work on it, and discovered the difficulty with the cykepod. I think Ideally, id like to avoid adjusting the bipod at all during a stage if I can avoid it. The particular length of the double pull and my bravo chassis didn't work for this scenario in that way, which shocked me because it's so adjustable. This got me to thinking, when do I need this for NRL? I like to shoot just off a schmedium whenever possible anyways. In PRS, I think there might be more applications, it seems the variety of props is more diverse. But I'm going all in on NRL, it's a ton of fun and easier to get to, so I wanted reassurance and comfort that I didn't waste my money and it would be fine honestly the pan feature is something I didn't think of, I'm going to try out at home and implement if I like it. I can see it being very useful to leave the bipod still and just shift your body.

 

[DanUSMC]

When you use it more, you'll understand. It is more versatile and stable than anything I have ever used.

I'll keep at it. I just thought I'd be better already. Gear makes the man is what my mom always said

 

[Rob01]

I used the atlas on this stage, didn't have the cykpod yet. I actually cleaned the stage the first time I shot the cof, but went to a second match at different location in December and bombed. Had trouble finding the targets for whatever reason + there were 5 different distances. I set the same stage up in my back yard to work on it, and discovered the difficulty with the cykepod. I think Ideally, id like to avoid adjusting the bipod at all during a stage if I can avoid it. The particular length of the double pull and my bravo chassis didn't work for this scenario in that way, which shocked me because it's so adjustable. This got me to thinking, when do I need this for NRL? I like to shoot just off a schmedium whenever possible anyways. In PRS, I think there might be more applications, it seems the variety of props is more diverse. But I'm going all in on NRL, it's a ton of fun and easier to get to, so I wanted reassurance and comfort that I didn't waste my money and it would be fine honestly the pan feature is something I didn't think of, I'm going to try out at home and implement if I like it. I can see it being very useful to leave the bipod still and just shift your body.

It would not be a large adjustment. Just going from 45 to 90. With having 120 seconds in NRL flipping the leg to 90 does not take any time at all. Play with it at home and you will see.

Another option would be to have the bipod all the way to the rear near the magwell and at 90 degrees for the drum and prone and use the area in front of it when using the bag on the saw horse. No adjusting the bipod and room for the bag.

 

[LuckyDuck]

Hi @DanUSMC

You've gotten a lot of good advice here thus far but please allow me to be the contrarian.

I've played in this rimfire sport for over half a decade now, during that short amount of time NRL22 was the original 'hotness', then came MARS (at least here in the NE of the country). NRL22 responded and we had NRL22X and MARS adjusted as well.

At this point- between NRL & MARS... well they are encountering the same drama that PRS & USPSA have succumbed to as of recent times. The drama I'm mentioning is driving competitors (and hosting ranges) towards PRS22. Just something to be aware of is all.

When I started this game, I used a Ruger 10/22 Target with a Vortex Diamondback FFP and a Harris bipod. The 'game' kept evolving and I've since moved into a Kidd Supergrade with an Athlon Cronus G2 & atlas bipod.

A little about me and something to help explain that transition- years ago I was VERY big into paintball, to the point I don't even want to think about what I've spent chasing points over that time in my life. So when I approached rimfire matches- I was (admittedly) very conservative/hesitant in my approach.

What I've learned over my years in participating (with a more 'value' type of approach) is everyone is chasing points by trying to purchase better gear. I've done almost all of it myself but when it comes to dollar to value here's my experience in the rimfire game...

Assuming you have a decent enough rifle & scope- the best money you can spend is to buy a Kestrel & Garmin Chronograph. Honest to god, that's going to make the biggest difference in your scores. After that, go to one of the two Lapua testing facilities in the US to get your rifle matched to a particular lot of ammo (Center-x, Midas, whatever blows your skirt up among the Lapua offerings).

After that- regardless of what rifle you're running, thing #2 is to get yourself the best trigger available. Thing #3 is to get yourself the best barrel available.

Moving past that- we can start talking about optics. Again, I have no issue being the contrarian, but using my own experience, I'd recommend you upgrade your optics used to view other participants (I'm talking bino's/spotting scopes). That alone will give you more information to process the 'lay of the land' than anything else. Then upgrade the scope on your rifle.

After all of that is done- now we can talk about bipods. I'm not saying bipods aren't important- I'm just saying that when you're focused on improving your scores- all of the above suggestions are far more pertinent in that pursuit than bipods are.

Now back to your original question- I know this is the internet and anyone can make whatever claims they care to, and you're more than welcome to dismiss my story- but I shoot with some of the absolute best competitors every month in the rimfire precision rifle game and this advice is coming from everything I've learned from them (notice I'm not making any 'tall tales' about my own accomplishments though).

I will say that those folks are using the MDT Ckyepod now but whatever points they get from using that above say.. an Atlas, is so far down the line of everything I mentioned previously.

Best of luck to you, it's a heck of a hobby/sport but my humble suggestion is to get everything else dialed in before worrying about bipods being the thing holding you back is all.

-LD

 

[chevy_man]

I'm not sure what nrl has done for props lately.

Our local matches we like to use tires and other props with gaps and holes. The versatility of the ckye pod is in the ability to adjust the width of the legs. Nothing else compares when it comes to spreading one leg full out at a steep angle and the other full in at a shallow angle to bridge a gap.


That said I switch stage by stage, and it's between a single pull ckye pod or Harris 9-13. The Harris still gets a lot of use.

 

[Rob01]

I've played in this rimfire sport for over half a decade now, during that short amount of time NRL22 was the original 'hotness', then came MARS (at least here in the NE of the country). NRL22 responded and we had NRL22X and MARS adjusted as well.

At this point- between NRL & MARS... well they are encountering the same drama that PRS & USPSA have succumbed to as of recent times. The drama I'm mentioning is driving competitors (and hosting ranges) towards PRS22. Just something to be aware of is all.

There is no drama between MARS and NRL driving anyone anywhere. They are two separate leagues and actually run matches at the same ranges. Not to mention your score from any match of at least 10 shooters and 8 stages counts towards your MARS score so it doesn’t matter which you shoot. Also MARS is not just the NE but the east coast and as mentioned shooters anywhere can join and have their scores count.

 

[DanUSMC]

I'm not sure what nrl has done for props lately.

Our local matches we like to use tires and other props with gaps and holes. The versatility of the ckye pod is in the ability to adjust the width of the legs. Nothing else compares when it comes to spreading one leg full out at a steep angle and the other full in at a shallow angle to bridge a gap.


That said I switch stage by stage, and it's between a single pull ckye pod or Harris 9-13. The Harris still gets a lot of use.

I've seen the smaller tires as props at NRL, I just use the gamechanger for these, where as PRS I've shot off of tractor tires where the cykpod would definitely help.

as far as gear I'm going all in on the rifle, ZCO527, rimx with 24" Bartlein, triggertech diamond, mpa pro 2. Barrel being chambered at modacam but itll be a couple of months before i get it. I've been using kahles for a while now, they're really nice, but the ZCO does feel like a massive step up. Still waiting on the mount for it.

I'm definitely going to go to lapua to lot test. This also seems like a good way to gain access to ammo since it's almost all sold out all the time.

I use cannon 10x42 binos to spot for other shooters and look at how the wind is behaving, and have a kestrel of course.

I appreciate the input from everyone, as was said I'll bring both bipods to matches. Probably need to spend more time with the Cykpod before I get disappointed with it, its not a magic pill either way. I've had more fun with 22 competition so far than I ever did with PRS, which is something I didn't expect. Cant wait to get the new gun set up and relegate this CZ to the closet, with the cykepod removed of course.