I often reflect on the first long-range shooting course I attended in Wyoming as part of the Long-Range University program by Gunwerks. The instructor placed a 6.5mm rifle on the bench, lined up the crosshairs on the 1,000-yard steel target, backed away from the rifle, and reached in to pull the trigger. He touched nothing on the rifle except the trigger. The bullet hit the center of the target, followed by the loud gong sound of impact reaching us bystanders. He then stated that if we missed the target, it most likely was not the rifle’s fault but that of the shooter and their contact points on the rifle. This simple demonstration has stuck with me over the years, reminding me that, most often, it’s not the rifle but me who causes missed shots.
As I plan a backpack style hunt, I always find myself grabbing a bipod out of my safe and wondering if it is worth the weight to bring it along. Ninety percent of the time, I leave it at home knowing that I can usually throw my rifle down atop of my backpack and quickly make a stable shooting rest for long-range shots. While a bipod is generally more level, stable, and quicker to deploy, its weight and bulk often ensure it stays behind. However, I realize that our ability as experienced hunters to find a stable shooting rest in awkward positions, using only rocks, downed timber, and our backpack to help is mostly due to past trials and decades of hunting experience. For newer hunters, a tripod or bipod can make a world of difference in creating a steady shot.
Trifecta. Trifold. Triangle. Tripod. The prefix “tri” often signifies stability and strength in engineering. While it may take a bit of extra time for a shooter to adjust the tripod legs just right, it’s tough to beat the overall stability a tripod provides. Even with the lightweight Tricer-LP head, I have no problem balancing and securing most of my rifles. When setting up a new rifle, I prefer the flexibility of a Picatinny rail and an Arca-Swiss-sized adapter, which eliminates the need for a gun clamp when sliding the rifle onto a tripod head.
This hunting season has been extra special for me as my two oldest children were able to hold their own hunting tags and harvest their first big game animals. As a protective, slightly anxious father, I analyzed everything from caliber selection and suppressor size to length of pull, scope objectives, hearing protection, and the best way to help my kids find a comfortable rest. New hunters often struggle with target acquisition and eye relief, so I wanted to make sure they didn’t have to fight the rifle’s weight as well. For that reason, I relied on a lightweight gun clamp for the tripod, which was the best option for them in the field. As their father, it took dedication to quickly extend the tripod legs and set the right height for them in a sitting position, but it was far easier than asking them to go prone on rocky terrain with a full-size rifle.
Bipods are far more practical in the field for experienced hunters. They allow you to level your rifle, clear the muzzle from brush, and manage recoil with ease. When I first set out to compare various bipods, I was overwhelmed by the options available on the market – different weights, heights, adjustments, springs, magnets, joints, and more. My advice is to choose a bipod and spend time using it, getting accustomed to deploying it quickly when setting up for a shot.
While nothing feels quite as stable to me as resting my rifle’s forend on a backpack and supporting the rear with my puffy jacket, I know there may be better options available if I can justify the weight. When hunting with newer hunters or your kids, ensure they don’t have to wrestle with the rifle’s stability. Your only goal is for them to make a great shot!