In preparation for next years hunt in Zim I am wanting to build a set of shooting sticks (tripod) for practise. I'd appreciate any plans from others here on AR. Thanks.

Bill

I'm very proud of these shooting sticks I made myself for probably less than $0.50. Notice the fine craftsmanship. It's similar to what your African tracker would make you.

Good alternative is to buy a set of bog pods, make sure that you get the 3 legged version that is long enough

Look at the past posts on this very issue. There are pictures and instructions.

quote:

Originally posted by Grumulkin:


I'm very proud of these shooting sticks I made myself for probably less than $0.50. Notice the fine craftsmanship. It's similar to what your African tracker would make you.

A small matter that has caught my interest. Is the bent stick to allow for the leading leg to be outside. A smart and cosiderate design.

Grmulkin should market those at SCI & DSC every year.
Claim they are Masai sticks.

Go to Lowes or Home depot or a local garden outlet. Buy three 6 foot length of Bamboo of the same relative diameter.

Buy a vacuum cleaner belt (like a big rubber band).

Bind the three bamboo poles together about three inches down from the top by twisting the vacuum band around them.

Slide one of the poles down so it's top is at the junction. Then hack saw off the extra length at the bottom so all three poles are equal at the base.

Put rubber "feet" on the ground ends of the poles and padded electrical tape on the "V' formed by the two pole ends at the top.

Total cost even here in Alaska to me was less than $20.

I know this is going to be an unpopular post but I just don't like the 3 leg version. No matter how I set them up, as soon as I put any weight on them, one leg goes flying out.

Also, from a proper height standpoint, the 3 leg version is much more critical on how it is set up. With the 2 leg version, if it is a bit high, you can just lean into or back and the "V" will self adjust.

Last item, setting up the 3 leg version on uneven ground is more critical. Facing downhill on a cross hill at the same time ... just give me the two leg version.

OK ... flame away as I said, I know this will be an unpopular position to take!

Cheers

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:
I know this is going to be an unpopular post but I just don't like the 3 leg version. No matter how I set them up, as soon as I put any weight on them, one leg goes flying out.

Also, from a proper height standpoint, the 3 leg version is much more critical on how it is set up. With the 2 leg version, if it is a bit high, you can just lean into or back and the "V" will self adjust.

Last item, setting up the 3 leg version on uneven ground is more critical. Facing downhill on a cross hill at the same time ... just give the the two leg version.

I also much prefer the two legged version. In addition to what you say, there is another reason I prefer them. In the tripod version, where the gun rests is full anchored which some would think was good. No one is going to hold a gun perfectly still so with it anchored in one place the barrel will probably move from side to side. In the 2 legged version, the movement is going to at least in part (probably mostly) be to the front and rear rather than side to side which will be more conducive to accuracy.

Todd,

No flame. I've used both and I think the tripod sticks are steadier but the bipod is quicker to use particularly in heavy cover. I'm taking the Bog Pod tripod this year that I like very much.

Mark

I can use either, but prefer 2 legged sticks on safari for the same reasons listed above.

To save all of you AR researchers some time, here you go. I have made them in both tripod and bipod models. You're only seeing the tripod model in these pics. Sticks were dowls purchased from Home Depot, using a round vacuum belt (band) purchased from Walmart and cut rubber bicycle inner tube also purchsed from Walmart.

Thanks all for your input. I had contacted my outfitter and was told that they use tripods so a tripod it is. I had been going over some videos and could never seem to get a clear picture of construction. It looked a lot more complicated than it apparently is.
UEG, thanks for the series of photos, should make this fairly easy.
I'm off to Home Depot and Walmart.

Bill

I also like just the 2 legged versions for the exact reason Todd stated.

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Todd,

No flame. I've used both and I think the tripod sticks are steadier but the bipod is quicker to use particularly in heavy cover. I'm taking the Bog Pod tripod this year that I like very much.

Mark

The Bog Pod is a good product. I've got the 2 leg version. The telescoping legs are a nice feature and they are pretty sturdy. Velcro then together and it makes a good walking stick.

I built these myself. I have a link to the build let me know if you would like it?

3-legged shooting sticks are more stable,but they are very hard to set up on uneven or rocky ground. Hence my preference for 2-legged sticks.

quote:

Originally posted by bwana cecil:
Grmulkin should market those at SCI & DSC every year.
Claim they are Masai sticks.

He would have to donate some for the auction as well in order to get a good booth location.

I will be posting the report of my last hunt within the next week and it will feature an unusual shooting stick design that we now think is the ultimate. I dont have time now to download pictures etc because just leaving to go fishing. Look out for the post.

I use 3 pcs of bamboo and one of those cheap black rubber tie down straps. I took one of the hooks off. Rap the strap around 2-3 times and hook into the open hole. I would also make them longer than 6 feet. Mine are to short at that length causing one leg to pop out sometimes.

I went to Home Depot and bought three round dowels, the kind that you use as rods in a clothes closet. They had long stock an let me cut the length I wanted. They are about 1.5" in diameter. These are too big/heavy to be carrying across the plains, but they serve the purpose of a good practice tool.
I took these and laid them all together and tightly wrapped/tied a bunge cord around them about a foot from one end.
They open up to form a nice tripod. Been shooting my 375 over them for a month.
Headed to Zimbabwe in 13 days.

Go to the garden dept of Home Depot, Walmart or Ace and find the GREEN plant stakes. I bought 3 medium diameter six footers for $2 each. They have a TOUGH plastic type coating over an aluminum shaft. Very tough, easy to cut and indestructible. Then make it just like those pictured in the above posts. Good Luck!