I would like to make a set of shoot sticks that I see being used by the PHs. Any insights would be appreciated. I am 6'1" tall and would like to make a set to practice with.

crl

Shooting sticks are widely used in Africa. Some PHs use bipod shooting sticks and some use tripod shooting sticks. You can make your own and acquire invaluable practice before you go. Go to a home improvement store or garden department and buy five bamboo poles (6 feet long poles) along with a two vacuum cleaner belts (Eureka F&G size). Your total cost should be well under $20.00. To make the tripod shooting sticks, put three poles together and wrap one of the belts around the poles three times. Roll the belt down about 6 inches from the top. Use the same procedure for the bipod set, just wrap the belt around the poles four times.





You may want to wrap the top portion of the shooting sticks with something soft (leather, cloth, etc.) so as to protect your rifle. I have also seen tripod sticks where one of the poles (above the belt) has been cut off, so as to make it easier to support your rifle.


From here Tips & Packing List

Regards,

Terry

Three long light and not very thin sticks a little longer than you. Put them paralel and tied them with a rope or with an elastic rubber 10 or 15 inches before their end and and it's done. Just spread the three "legs" to settle them to the height that works better for you.

L

Call me a purist but I prefer to use the more traditional bicycle inner tube to vacuum cleaner belts.

Best,

John

Crl, my wrist rests in the V and I hold the rifle in my hand...Practice makes perfect...


Mike

I'm using bamboo I can cut behind my house and bands cut from bicycle tubes. I much prefer 2 leg sticks to 3. I have wrapped the top with tape or gotten some leather tennis racket tape to cushion. Start too long, then try for size and cut to proper length. Bob

The best way to make shooting sticks is to click on the link below and order your stick from Long-grass Outfitters

They are made height specific, they come appart for easy packing inside your gun case.

And you get to deal with two of the nicest people you'll ever want to meet, Gerald and Melody!

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
The best way to make shooting sticks is to click on the link below and order your stick from Long-grass Outfitters

They are made height specific, they come appart for easy packing inside your gun case.

And you get to deal with two of the nicest people you'll ever want to meet, Gerald and Melody!

I thought about just buy a set from them, but damn, $85 for three sticks.

crl

Rusty is right on
Material cost $ 20.00
Time to get material and assemble two hours
Results half as good as Long grass
And you don’t get to make the acquaintance of Gerald and Melody that alone is worth the price of the sticks.
Doyle

I have to go with Rusty and Doyle on this. I love those long grass sticks. Oak, break down fast, set up fast and great service. I have used them standing and sitting.
After doing different things I to now hold the rifle in my hand and place my wrist on the sticks.

Unless you take your own sticks or know what kind of sticks your PH uses, you need to practice with both bipod and tripod sticks. You will find that the shooting sticks in Africa can vary widely in their composition. So it is best to practice with both bipod and tripod. It is the technique, not the construction, that is most important.

I haven't used the Long Grass sticks, but they appear to be well made. If you buy them, practice with them and take them with you, then you will eliminate some of the variables that you might face while using the PH's shooting sticks.

Regards,

Terry

Here is a look through the ones I used last year in Tanzania: