In preparation for the trip and to get me used to it, what type of mono-pod, bipod, or shooting sticks would you recommend?

I bought 3 bamboo cane poles, fishing poles and cut them to length and got a round rubber drive belt for a vacuum cleaner and made my tripod. It is extremely light and works great.
cut one stick shorter then the other 2.

When I shoot I put my hand in the V and the rigle in my hand, it is always the same that way, expecially with a DR.

I just field tested a Shooter's Ridge tri-pod for pronghorn and it worked well ... lots of adjustments if needed.

On my first safari, I asked one of the trackers to make me a mono-pod, simply a sturdy, forked stick which was whittled smooth and cut off to my comfort level. It worked like a champ and it was FREE!

Similar to gi -
My brother bought 3 bamboo cane poles (I think from Lowes or Home Depot) and got a round rubber drive belt for a vacuum cleaner and we made a tripod. I used black athletic tape on the ends of the poles so they wouldn't slide around on rocks and things. Then I zip-tied the belt to the sticks so the poles couldn't seperate any further than we wanted when the sticks were deployed. We used it to help prepare my nieces for their first safari last July. It worked great! I carried the sticks around and they were not at all heavy.
We have also used them to sight in a DR and a coupel of other possible safari rifles. You get a very sure hold and if you will do your part...you'll be dead on.
Brian

http://www.long-grass.com/shootsticks.htm


Really good!

To pad my hand, i put some pipe insulation in the v, on each of the two sticks. had 3 stick tripod but one cut short.

I used the Long Grass shooting sticks when I went to Zimbabwe and left them there for the PH because he liked them. Another company that makes very nice shooting sticks is:

http://www.sportingwoodcreations.com/

Your PH will probably have a set of sticks but you never know. I was glad I took the Long Grass tripod sticks. When I shot the buffalo, I had the double rifle on the sticks for 20 minutes waiting for a shot opportunity and they were very stable.

quote:

Originally posted by Lightning:
http://www.long-grass.com/shootsticks.htm


Really good!

Agreed.

I used them on safari (a prior hunter who used to post here on AR left them behind for our mutual PH) and I really liked them. Finally broke down and bought some (Long Grass gives an AR discount!) and they did not disappoint.

7 safaris and on every one, the PH already had shooting sticks to use- the tripod variety. all of them were the same: the long stiff, saplings connected at the top(and padded) with a flat strip of inner tube. all the PH's were different guys but the shooting sticks were the same. i am not sure why anyone would want to go to the trouble and expense of buying them in the States and carrying them 5000 miles. make your own at home to practice with, then take off. even if the PH doesn't have any when you get there, the tracker can make some in about 20 minutes. also if you check those website links that are posted, you will find that they are outrageously overpriced.$100 plus shipping for 3 sticks and a piece of leather? so what if they break down into pieces. if i am sitting, i don't really need them and if i am standing, i can use whatever the PH has.

When the sh+t hits the fan, you won't have time for sticks. practice shooting offhand and kneeling (one knee) for the most part. That's the easiest position to get into from a hands-and-knees or crouching stalk. Sitting is a little low in the bush and takes quite a bit longer to get into because you have to swing your legs around. Prone is a waste of time. Sticks are easy, almost trivial to practice from them. monopods are useless, bipods much more stable and not much more to carry. almost nobody uses monopods in Africa. BTW you can make a bipod using a section of bicycle inner tube. you don't need to buy a vacuum cleaner thingie.

Gotcha - will make my own, practice, then use the PH's there.

Thanks!

Stoney Point make a great tripod that is height adjustable and folds down to fit into a normal size travel duffel bag. I have used one in Africa on DG and the PH loved it. The only modification that I made to it was to wrap an elastic band around the base of each leg to cushion the legs from clicking together at the vital moment of the stalk. I have'nt found anything better.

Whatever your choice is practice a lot. For most people it is very dificult making the transition from bench and blind shooting to practical field shooting.

Stoney Point Steady Stix

I'm wit R.Jolly

Take a look at Bog Pod on my site. YOu can have a mono pod, bi pod or tri pod. Note the way the legs adjust and it has a swivel head rest. Very light weight and easy to carry.
A new product that will work for you.
www.huntersheadquarters.net and click on Gun Triod on left side or photo on the bottom.
Good hunting.

If you want to make your own.. ...but if you want to buy already made.....the ones that Long Grass sells are top drawer.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

I have used Stoney Point (Monday and Tue. in a blind in VA), but prefer Mossback I got at Bass Pro. The latter adjust easier.