Pictorial Bipod Comparison - TBAC and Atlas CAL

[leftyk82]

Using straws to illustrate apex (Bipods attached to KRG Spigot, Rem Varmint contour barrel).

Atlas CAL

TBAC

Bird's eye view when attached to KRG Spigot

Atlas CAL

TBAC

Measured width of bipod - difficult to capture

Atlas CAL - approx. 3.625 inches (measured from outside the knurled knob ledge)

TBAC - approx. 3.875 inches

Table view of both

Tandem table view of both (aligned on center of tension knob)

View showing forward nature of legs (albeit different mounts, but aligned on pic rail)

 

[winniethepooh]

Tag

 

[bjay]

Which you like better ?

 

[leftyk82]

Which you like better ?

Not a clue. I've had the CAL for a few months and many Atlas products before that. Will take some time to assess the TBAC. I unfortunately won't be shooting today; pictures only.

 

[hafejd30]

Tag

 

[Rover31]

@leftyk82 thanks been wanting to see exactly what you posted!

 

[leftyk82]

Few notes on the TBAC:

-still getting used to the three pairs of buttons/levers to actuate

-spring loaded legs​

-returning deployed legs to stowed​

-adjusting deployed legs to 45 degrees​

-enjoying the pull to deploy legs; like Harris except these lock in place automatically

-overall finish, fit and appearance is very attractive; more so than the CAL

-changing feet is tool-less and simple

-there is a similar 'give' of preload like I've come to expect from Atlas bipods

-I think I like the placement of the tension knob better than the CAL (see last picture above). It seems to decrease the amount of real estate needed

 

[DDoug]

Which mount is in the atlas and will it bolt to the tbac?

 

[leftyk82]

It's the Really Right Stuff BTC-Pro and, yes, it will. I plan on replacing the ADM with the RRS.

 

[leftyk82]

Received the leg extensions and noticed an increased amount of give when they are attached

 

[Steel head]

So the TBAC bipod has the same interface for mounts?

That’s cool!

The RRR BTC-pro mount is awesome.

 

[leftyk82]

Yep, any that fit Atlas/B&T (V8, CAL, PSR). Not sure about 5-H, no experience with those.

 

[Cascade Hemi]

The Atlas bipod as well as TBAC and others use the ARMS 17S pattern mount. ARMS has a trademark on the term "17S" so you may see it called 170S or some other variation. Larue calls it the LT271. The standard ARMS 17 (not S) used with the ARMS Harris bipod adaptor is longer than the 17S and not compatible with any of the bipods discussed in this thread.

 

[delv7915]

? A shorty and a caveman?

 

[B-P-UU]

Do the hawk hill Atlas talons work on the TBAC?

 

[SDet]

Do the hawk hill Atlas talons work on the TBAC?

Nope, they're quite different. The carbide spikes for the tbac work quite well.

 

[Glassaholic]

Any further thoughts on ease of deployment and extension between CAL and TBAC?

 

[leftyk82]

I'll tell you that I ended up deciding the CAL was the better fit for me.

The ease of deployment of the TBAC legs earn top marks; much easier than the Atlas offerings and smoother than the Harris.

The extensions, while easy to attach, are where things fell short for me (no pun intended). I'm very tall, nearly 7 feet, so the extensions are a must-have. However, when attached, they do not lock in as solidly as the Atlas extensions. Don't get me wrong, they don't want to come loose or anything, but the rigidity isn't there. The TBAC bipod itself has some give or play to absorb a load put into it; all good and fine. But with the extensions it now has two points of give, almost like it is double jointed. I just didn't like the feel it gave when shooting.

If TBAC comes out with a tall version of their bipod, like Atlas has done, then I'll give it a look because the precision of the built, the feel and features are very desirable. But for me and the extensions, the CAL is more rigid.