Shooting sticks

MW65

Wetside, Oregon
Wanted to find out how many folks like to use shooting sticks for hunting. I've followed varmint al for a number of years... and he's got his basic design here... https://www.varmintal.com/abifu.htm

I've used them off and on... I kick myself for the number of times I should have grabbed them but didn't.... great as a walking stick, keeps the rifle or shotgun at the ready, and helps move well perforated skunks out of the way...

Hope everyone is getting ready for a good hunting season...

Andy
 

Rick H

Well-Known Member
I use them as a walking stick and shooting stick...and make a longer pair for using in a pop up blind. The windows are a bit higher and I am sitting in a chair in the blind. I have 4 or 5 of them, ripped from 1x4x4' red oak. I don't shoot off of the sticks proper, but use the sticks to support my hand. I shoot off my hand. I have found most of my rifles change point of impact when shot off a hard surface, even with the leather glued on the sticks.
 

Ian

Notorious member
I have an aluminum bipod with telescoping locking legs like a camera tripod which can be adjusted for any position from standing to sitting on the ground. It weighs next to nothing and I have used it many times for long shots when stalking. The bipod makes a poor staff but will do in a pinch. The main advantage to mine is being able to use it when standing to get a clear shot above grass or low brush.
 

Ole_270

Well-Known Member
I routinely use the aluminum, sectioned, elastic cord type. Like the old Stoney Point. I've made a few out of aluminum arrows, but haven't found a longlived connection. Tried tape but it gave way too quick.
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Here on the high steppe, it is common to shoot off hand, kneeling or rarely sitting. Too much sage brush to anything else. The staff alllows me to encourage snakes to get out of my way, and I can shoot with it on the rare sitting shot by resting it on my left shoulder at a 45* angle and resting my wrist over it. Just not comfortable with bipod except prone.
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
I use an actual stick.
it's made out of wood, and has some knobbly spots where other sticks stuck out.
it doesn't slide down when I lean on it and it even steadies the rifle pretty good.
in lieu of that I find a stick, they usually cost about free-99 and come with a 99 cent coupon.
 

MW65

Wetside, Oregon
I use an actual stick.
it's made out of wood, and has some knobbly spots where other sticks stuck out.
it doesn't slide down when I lean on it and it even steadies the rifle pretty good.
in lieu of that I find a stick, they usually cost about free-99 and come with a 99 cent coupon.
I've used a tree before... but they don't tend to be very portable. :)
 

Winelover

North Central Arkansas
Have the Stony Point mono pod..............I use it for supporting my camera in my portable blind. Adjusted and leaning near the center window. I use old camera tripods for the window, I expect the longest shot. All windows have an 1/4" aluminum rod as a spongy like gun rest. However, I've never used them....................I just shoot off hand on shots shorter than 35-40 yards.

I don't worry about POI changes when shooting off the tripod, since that is the way I always test my hunting loads.
 

popper

Well-Known Member
Looking for a good but not too expensive rifle rest head for sturdy camera tripod. The advantage of a good box blind, sturdy window sill ( I use a section of pipe insulation over the sill.).
 

Winelover

North Central Arkansas
What I use for mine are drilled, tapped and painted pieces of aluminum channel stock. Length is optional but 6" x 2" works great for the Protector brand of rabbit ears. The smaller one measures 3" x 1.5" with zip ties to hold a piece of belt leather. You can invert the larger one and use a piece of belt leather also.
DSCN1664.JPG


DSCN1666.JPG

BTW, the smaller one was designed to be covered with those molded rubber inserts (shown) that cushioned the original Milwaukee cordless drill motors that came in metal boxes.
 
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CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
I have also taken to a aluminum BOG POD rest. It is thin and light and extendable all while easily packed or used as a walking stick.
I have a heavier duty tripod for sitting stationary. I also have a long harris bipod I like for varmint hunting. Its a bit bulky a d attached to the rifle makes it heavier. But generally not a issue hunting coyote ir wood chucks.

CW
 

popper

Well-Known Member
Got some sched 80 PVC, think I'll glue something together for my good tripod. Just to use when sitting (bored) as a barrel rest.
 

Missionary

Well-Known Member
Painted PVC would be OK with me. A "T" off at a couple heights for sitting, kneeling or standing. Have to ponder this some.
Thanks Popper !
 

John

Active Member
I went to a yard sale and found the tallest garden hoe I could see.Cost a $1 bill. I pulled the metal out, drove a nail in the bottom and took it to the grinder. I now have a protruding metal stub about 1 1/4" long that is sharp. Drilled a 1/4" hole in the top about 1" down and ran an old leather bootlace through it. I plant it at an angle and rest the contender forend on my wrist. It does good with the contender and auto pistols. I have to put my whole hand through the loop and grip a rifle, it does seem steadier but slower.
 

KeithB

Resident Half Fast Machinist
My wife just bought me a set of aluminum three piece hiking sticks. I have trouble walking on broken or uneven ground and our new property is on a hillside. Unless I buy an off road vehicle of some sort to get around I'm hoping these will suffice to assist me in getting around. I'm thinking they will also help me "shoot" pictures of the flora and fauna. Also like the idea of keeping any snakes at a distance w/o having to kill them.
 

popper

Well-Known Member
I've used old cut- down Al. broomsticks for walking, luckily had one when I got alt. sickness @ 9k ft. I've seen a lot of 'ski' poles used for walking also. Last time I went deer hunting, sitting in a folding lawn chair with 30/30 across my lap. Too much movement and time to shoulder the rifle.