Learning to shoot off of sticks

26 February 2018, 02:14

Red_Sonja

Today we went to the gun range so I could practice shooting off of sticks. I’m going to need more practice before we go.
I have decided to use Black Hills Gold 85 gr Barns TSX ammo. I also shot my husbands 300 Winchester Magnum off the sticks and hit the target.

26 February 2018, 02:27

rxgremlin

3 legged shooting sticks are much easier!

I personally use a Bog Pod but there are other options. You can PM me if you like.

26 February 2018, 02:35

surefire7

quote:
Originally posted by rxgremlin:
3 legged shooting sticks are much easier!

+1

And, there's a 99% chance, that is exactly what your PH will have for you (3 legged).

26 February 2018, 02:53

AnotherAZWriter

I shoot off my 2 legged Bog Pod and can keep them in about 4 inches at 200 yards if not rushed. Every week I shoot a few at 200 off the sticks, a few at 200 shooting sitting with a sling (much steadier), 100 offhand, and 50 offhand.

Off all of these, the 100 is probably the best; my goal is to keep all shots in a six inch circle at all these ranges. I can't remember not doing it at either of the 200s or the 50 in recent memory, but struggle to do it offhand at 100. Sometimes I get lucky.

There are some tricks and techniques to shooting off the sticks, but I find simple offhand shooting very valuable.

26 February 2018, 02:54

MARK H. YOUNG

Red_Sonja

Even better is to buy some good 3 legged sticks, practice with them and take them to Africa with you. More than likely the PHs sticks will be quite different from yours therefore negating a lot of your practice. Use what you've gotten used to.

Mark

26 February 2018, 03:07

Mark Clark

When hunting in Africa my PH would carry the sticks, set up and hold until I got the rifle on them. After shooting or moving to a new position the PH would take the sticks.
This is a lot easier than doing it by yourself.

M

26 February 2018, 03:37

BNagel

Try sliding the sling over the left stick before holding it "all together" (like I see you doing.) It does take practice, and you'll have to do what feels best for you. Work with your PH to do it your way -- don't just take his leading, but adjust the sticks to what you practiced. (They're men, so it might take some persuasion.)

26 February 2018, 03:50

BNagel

quote:
Originally posted by ted thorn:
Do you guy have any pictures of these different grips you deploy?

26 February 2018, 04:15

shoulderman

You may want to consider buying a set of Bog Pog sticks, they are three legged sticks, easily height adjustable, and then you can actually take your own sticks to Africa. They are only about $100. I attached a piece of hippo leather to mine in the "V" for the rifle and it "grabs" the gun which allows you to get a pretty solid rest. The other thing is with the increased friction, you can "preload" the rifle by leaning into it. It made a world of difference for my boys. You can use the rifle sling to aid in this as well

26 February 2018, 04:19

shoulderman

Also do a ton of dry firing while on the sticks in your back yard trying to focus holding steady on targets about 100 yards or more away without burning any powder. The muscle memory and practice is invaluable. My across the lake neighbors and their pets have been sniped many times without their knowledge from inside my house

26 February 2018, 04:19

Biebs

Sonja, welcome to AR! Yes, shooting off sticks is the way things are done in Africa. Practice and good luck on your hunt :-)

26 February 2018, 04:35

rxgremlin

quote:
Originally posted by shoulderman:
You may want to consider buying a set of Bog Pog sticks, they are three legged sticks, easily height adjustable, and then you can actually take your own sticks to Africa. They are only about $100. I attached a piece of hippo leather to mine in the "V" for the rifle and it "grabs" the gun which allows you to get a pretty solid rest. The other thing is with the increased friction, you can "preload" the rifle by leaning into it. It made a world of difference for my boys. You can use the rifle sling to aid in this as well

+1 to this. You never know what kind of sticks the PH will have. My first PH had flimsy fiberglass poles for sticks. Being able to practice with your own sticks is a huge confidence builder. As I said I use Bog Pods. They are very, very adjustable and have alot of accessories available.

26 February 2018, 04:52

AnotherAZWriter

quote:
Originally posted by rxgremlin:
quote:
Originally posted by shoulderman:
You may want to consider buying a set of Bog Pog sticks, they are three legged sticks, easily height adjustable, and then you can actually take your own sticks to Africa. They are only about $100. I attached a piece of hippo leather to mine in the "V" for the rifle and it "grabs" the gun which allows you to get a pretty solid rest. The other thing is with the increased friction, you can "preload" the rifle by leaning into it. It made a world of difference for my boys. You can use the rifle sling to aid in this as well

+1 to this. You never know what kind of sticks the PH will have. My first PH had flimsy fiberglass poles for sticks. Being able to practice with your own sticks is a huge confidence builder. As I said I use Bog Pods. They are very, very adjustable and have alot of accessories available.

I love my Bog Pod sticks, but make sure they don't come "loose" when you are about to take a shot. The sticks a PH uses are not going to do that. Take the correct Allen wrench to tighten the clasp.

Another advantage of Bog Pod sticks is that you can collapse them to shoot sitting with them; I shot a brown bear this way in October.

I have never found using the PHs sticks to be an issue, as long as we suss it out first to make sure he knows how to spread them.

Most shooting is 200 yards or less and if you find it difficult to hit something off any sticks, the solution is more shooting, not different sticks.

26 February 2018, 04:53

Emory

I'm going to go against the consensus and suggest you stick with the two legged sticks. I've tried both and like the easier, and faster, height adjustment you can get with the two leg version by just moving slightly forward or back. In either case practice is the key...

Good hunting,

26 February 2018, 05:10

crshelton

quote:
When hunting in Africa my PH would carry the sticks, set up and hold until I got the rifle on them. After shooting or moving to a new position the PH would take the sticks.This is a lot easier than doing it by yourself.

That is always the way my PHs have handled the sticks. I hate messing with adjustable sticks.

26 February 2018, 05:15

JTEX

quote:
Originally posted by Emory:
I'm going to go against the consensus and suggest you stick with the two legged sticks. I've tried both and like the easier, and faster, height adjustment you can get with the two leg version by just moving slightly forward or back. In either case practice is the key...

Good hunting,

Me to. Lean in to raise lean back to lower. A ph never set sticks at the correct height. Learn to shoot sitting with elbows on knees, prone off your pack and off the side of a tree. The poles holding up the range cover will work well for this. I never use sticks if I can use any of the other three.

.

.

26 February 2018, 05:26

Red_Sonja

quote:
Originally posted by shoulderman:
Also do a ton of dry firing while on the sticks in your back yard trying to focus holding steady on targets about 100 yards or more away without burning any powder. The muscle memory and practice is invaluable. My across the lake neighbors and their pets have been sniped many times without their knowledge from inside my house

I like your idea of snipping neighbors but we live in an apartment in the Museum District in Houston. That just wouldn’t go over very well.

26 February 2018, 06:02

AnotherAZWriter

quote:
Originally posted by Red_Sonja:
quote:
Originally posted by shoulderman:
Also do a ton of dry firing while on the sticks in your back yard trying to focus holding steady on targets about 100 yards or more away without burning any powder. The muscle memory and practice is invaluable. My across the lake neighbors and their pets have been sniped many times without their knowledge from inside my house

I like your idea of snipping neighbors but we live in an apartment in the Museum District in Houston. That just wouldn’t go over very well.

You can dry fire from inside our apartment; I dry fire in my TR at a spot on a cactus all the time.

26 February 2018, 06:03

Fjold

It also looks like the sticks could be an inch or so higher to straighten your back more, it will be more comfortable that way.

26 February 2018, 06:16

Biebs

I took prefer 2 legs on shooting sticks. I pull back and then lean into them to steady things up. Also much easier to adjust for an animal on the move.

26 February 2018, 06:20

Beretta682E

quote:
Originally posted by Biebs:
I took prefer 2 legs on shooting sticks. I pull back and then lean into them to steady things up. Also much easier to adjust for an animal on the move.

And then I have to kill the animal for Biebs

Mike

26 February 2018, 06:41

Mark Clark

Sticks that are light can be a pain to use, I have a set made from bamboo that are nice to carry but not to use as a rest. I made another set from oak 1" dowels and they are better.

M

26 February 2018, 22:18

Use Enough Gun

I have made two sets of shooting sticks, purchased a wide variety of shooting sticks, and used sticks on every Africa Safari (15 to date). The only time that I took my own sticks was on my first Safari. I found in my own personal experience that the PHs and operators had sufficient shooting sticks available for my use (homemade or bought), and therefore no need to continue taking shooting sticks with me to Africa.

One less thing to pack and take.

26 February 2018, 22:26

Biebs

quote:
And then I have to kill the animal for Biebs Wink

Mike

Or give lead poisoning to every tree in the immediate area :-)

27 February 2018, 00:14

H T

quote:
I have made two sets of shooting sticks, purchased a wide variety of shooting sticks, and used sticks on every Africa Safari (15 to date). The only time that I took my own sticks was on my first Safari. I found in my own personal experience that the PHs and operators had sufficient shooting sticks available for my use (homemade or bought), and therefore no need to continue taking shooting sticks with me to Africa. One less thing to pack and take.

+1. Have taken sticks once in fourteen trips. Won't do so again. Key is to practice, and for me a big part of that was where was I most comfortable in placing my left (off) hand. Then muscle memory takes over....

27 February 2018, 02:22

Kuwinda

I use sticks a lot and always use two leg sticks - simple poles joined by a simple rubber inner tube - mpira. This means it's quickly adjustable for length and side to side. I don't believe there is any disadvantage over three legged sticks as I have used in Africa but they are way better than a traditional thumbstick - a hazel pole with an antler fork on the end - this needs a huge amount of practice to be competent with.

I cull deer through the year and need good, consistent accuracy - I find a good trick is to lean against a tree to steady my body and get the rifle on the sticks before setting it down. This needs a bit of practice to achieve but can be done quickly to allow accurate shooting. It might be difficult to achieve in Africa though - most of the trees are not made for leaning against!

The word "practice" has appeared in the above and most of the other posts - go figure....

27 February 2018, 02:54

Nakihunter

I have not hunted with these but did a lot of practice - probably 400 to 500 rounds over 2 years in 416 Rigby & 9.3X62 caliber rifle.

I make sure I rest the fore end on the palm or a soft surface like rubber etc. and not directly on the wood.

If I do rest it on the sticks, I would make sure I rest it on the same spot each time. I would rest the area behind the chamber.

The reason I say this is that resting the fore end on a hard surface can throw your shot higher than normal & potentially miss or would the animal.

27 February 2018, 03:17

ted thorn

Buy and use the Primos Gen 2 tall tripod

You will also enjoy glassing with your binoculars using the tripod as a rest but closed.....monopod style

The Gen 3 is the new model but doesn't look like an improvement

27 February 2018, 13:39

Saeed

By all means practice with sticks.

I also suggest you practice shooting off hand.

There will be an occasion where you might need to take a hurried shot, and you want to make sure you pull it off.

27 February 2018, 21:37

fairgame

Three is better than two. Two better than one. One better than nothing.

Metal sticks are a no no and wood is best.

I would like to see more hunters bring their sticks to Africa.

Try a grip shooting off one of the legs rather than the V.

27 February 2018, 21:38

fairgame

quote:
Originally posted by Saeed:
By all means practice with sticks.

I also suggest you practice shooting off hand.

There will be an occasion where you might need to take a hurried shot, and you want to make sure you pull it off.

Agree Saeed and many do not practise this anymore.

27 February 2018, 21:44

Pegleg

If you have trouble with side to side movement when shooting off sticks then have someone come up under your trigger arm at the elbow so you can rest your elbow on their shoulder . This makes a tremendous difference when shooting off sticks. My PH would do this and my aiming was rock solid. Sticks take away the up and down and the elbow on the PH shoulder takes away the side to side. Try it!

28 February 2018, 06:44

lavaca

Used to use bipod sticks and I liked them. Now, I use a bogpod tripod at home and my last couple of PH's have used similar sticks. Agree that you need to keep the correct allen wrench because they do work loose, especially with big bores. Alternatively, duct tape works too, but then they can't be adjusted to sitting.

Do lean into the sticks, even tripod sticks. Makes them a lot steadier. Do work with your PH on how high you want them set.

And do work on how to adjust the height when he sets them too low (the usual for me) or two high. Adjust the sticks, don't try to take a shot when you're not comfortable. It's easy. With your left hand, lift under the fork to make the sticks taller. The bases of the sticks will skid in and make them higher. To make them lower, move the odd stick, usually front, out.

For a longer shot, anything you can do to stabilize your right (assuming your right handed)elbow will help. Your PH's shoulder, or a walking stick with a fork in the top, or even leaning against a tree.

Practice is the main thing.

28 February 2018, 22:13

Atkinson

I have never been able to shoot off sticks and Ive practiced trying to no avail...I practice shooting off hand a good deal, have for years and a few old PHs won't let me shoot off sticks requiring me to shoot off hand.

I do have single trigger stick but never use it, it wobbles all over the place and Ive tried the three leg sticks..The last time I used one on was with Pierre and Saeed, I wounded a pig and a buffalo, found the buff as he was hit properly by both me and Richard but outright missed the pig broad side at 100 yards..Have not used one since, I like to shoot offhand and I practice offhand a lot.

28 February 2018, 23:59

Bwana Bunduki

quote:
Originally posted by fairgame:
Three is better than two. Two better than one. One better than nothing.

Metal sticks are a no no and wood is best.

I would like to see more hunters bring their sticks to Africa.

Try a grip shooting off one of the legs rather than the V.

Did that once...couldn't find them upon return...

Jeff

02 March 2018, 15:31

SIKA98K

Viperflex quad sticks are becoming very popular in Europe.
Steady as a rock and very durable.

02 March 2018, 16:16

Saeed

All you have to remember is that the sticks are just a front rest.

Once you understand this everything is simple really.

There is no right or wrong way to use them.

I think it was Hallsmore who had a right way and a wrong way for them, which is a load of rubbish.

03 March 2018, 04:00

Blank

Sticks are great to support and steady the front end of the rifle, but getting a good solid anchor for that back elbow is key also. I like to have the PH or tracker next to me and put my elbow in the crook of their arm if possible. Anything to make a more solid rest will help.

03 March 2018, 05:45

DLJ

x2 on the VIPERFLEX. Support the front and rear of the gun. Change the elevation by moving forward or back. Used them on Mokore in 2016. Once you've tried them, there is no going back. They make a carbon fiber model that will break down and fit in a suitcase. Just as easy to handle, set up just as fast, full range of motion, but much more stabile for longer shots. Used them for my long range, he was dead before he knew what hit him, bush pig.