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| <Big Stick> |
Worth the trouble,to never miss again? Very much so,in my opinion. I use them alot. Both with assorted rifles and my XP-100. They are superior to a bipod(I have them and use them too),in rapidly adapting to ANY situation. The model you mention is light,handy and rigid enough,to garner a significant aid............ | ||
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| <Ben S> |
Big Stick, Thanks for the reply. Do you use the sticks or the walking stick?? I'm thinking that the sticks would provide a more steady rest than the walking stick with the rest on the end. However, the walking stick looks easier to carry along. Ben | ||
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| one of us |
Ben, get the shooting sticks, you will like them. I own and use an assortment of Harris bipods.I would not even consider going prairie dog shooting without them. However, for "walk around" varmint shooting and for big game hunting I much prefer the shooting sticks. I own a pair that are the Underwood brand, but are nearly identical to the Stony Point product. They fit on my belt in a pouch and weigh next to nothing. They allow me to have a good rest under almost any conditions. They allowed me to hit a wild hog this summer at a range that I will not even list here, everyone would call me a liar. My hunting companion had hit him twice already and he was making good his escape. I hit him at an extreme range with a .338 Win Mag loaded with 200 grain Ballistic Tips and that stopped the chase. R Flowers | |||
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| <Big Stick> |
I've not used the walking stick,so couldn't comment. I can't fathom how you could beat shooting sticks,for utility............. | ||
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| one of us |
I have never been able to use them, but I am a fair offhand shot, so they have never fit into my hunting plan. All the PH's I hunt with or those who know me forbid me to shoot with sticks or even a rest, prefering I shoot offhand except at very long range...The sticks just don't work for me... I do believe that most people are at an advantage with them, once they master the art of leaning into them... ------------------ | |||
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| <Speedy> |
Ben S I have and use BOTH the Shooting stick (get the Versitle Hunter model) and the mono-pod type walking stick from Stoney Point. If I am doing a lot of walking, I prefer the mono-pod to use as a walking stick. I keep it extended and it is amazingly fast to use. Not quite as steady as the two legged arrangement but it is a big help. If I am going to sit downsomeplace and wait for the game to come to me, I use the two legged model. It is very steady and still easy to carry. Practice with which ever you are going to use BEFORE you go hunting!!!! There are tricks to both. PS I head-shot a whitetail last season at 285 yards with the mono-pod from a kneeling position. The stick was a big help. Rick ------------------ Rick Never volunteer. Trust no one. Expect sabotage. | ||
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| <Ben S> |
Big Stick, Ray, Rick, R Flowers, Thanks for the responses. I'm leaning toward the sticks right now. Just don't know how fast they'd be to deploy if I was walking along. Like most things you gotta practice to get the most out of them. Ray, I'm sad to admit it but I'm just not that great of an offhand shot yet. Ben | ||
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| one of us |
They should help, specially in open country or when you are moving around. I built my own monopod, but only because I may need to use it someday. Where I hunt I don't have to move around at all; I just stay there watching until a moose walks into a large field in front of me, so I use trees to support my rifle, or a tie some large sticks to form a small tripod and use that. I have never had to use the monopod, but I have it with me when I hunt. | |||
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| Moderator |
Double sticks are very popular over here for deer stalking...Normal routine is to carry the rifle slung and use the sticks to steady your bino's for glassing. With practice you can deploy pretty quick, but it does take practice..... | |||
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| <harkm> |
I would like to get some shooting sticks similar to the ones Ed Wimberly uses in the video "Operation Predator". These sticks have a rubber circle at the top. You slide your rifle's barrel through that rubber circle and open the sticks to adjust the proper height. The rubber isn't too bulky and doesn't impede your scopes view. Has anybody seen this video? Where can I get some of these? | ||
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| <rock42> |
so anybody shoot groups at 100 with the sticks. what kind of accuracy can you get with them. I think I'm gonna give them or a bipod a try this year. which do you guys think would be better. | ||
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| <k wood> |
I use sticks all the time. I have some that I make out of high pressure stainless steel tubing for coyote calling. I almost always carry some big game hunting too. These I make out of 1/2 inch wooden dowells. Drill them about 4 inches down from the top and put a screw through and double nut it. These are cheap and if you get into a situation where you have to drag game you can just leave them. | ||
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| <ovis> |
Great shooting aid, try 'em, you'll like them! | ||
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| one of us |
Have never bought a set, but have used several home made sets, they are hard to beat. Sitting you should expect groups almost as good as a bench. When I hunted across clear cuts in east Texas I would fashion one out of a fallen forked limb,worked great on a nice 8 pointer way out there. Good luck and good shooting | |||
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| one of us |
Utterly Invaluable. When you get used to them you will find that they become second nature and the rifle appears on them in the aim on the deer etc without even thinking about it. In a hurry just don't uncross them. They are especialy usefull when you have to wait in the aim for a deer to clear vegetation, turn or stop to your whistle etc. | |||
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| one of us |
I'm with Ray on use of shooting sticks. I never practiced with them, and I can't use them. I've shot offhand all my life and I'm better offhand. I have shot one animal off of sticks, a Blue Wildebeest. The shot was not fatal-too high, and I had to follow it up with a Texas heart shot offhand. The offhand bullet went through the base of the tail at over 100 yds. ------------------ | |||
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| one of us |
Whoever asked about the rubber band model of stick, I bought a Power Howling video, they used a model in there. The company is E.L.K. Inc. They have a sight. I received my Stoney Point stix the same day as my video on howler. The ELK Inc brand is only $15. I paid over $30 for mine from Natchez. My buddy shot a Corsican ram with them, but I bought them for coyote calling. | |||
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| <MNTNMAN> |
I just picked up a stick. Never really thought about using one until my buddy had one. It is just about the best thing i ever bought. Its the telescoping kind that goes to 5 ft. It will be real nice for squirels when there isnt a fence post handy. | ||
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| one of us |
It's number five on my must take list: 1. Rifle 2. Shells 3. License 4. Toilet paper 5. Stick | |||
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one of us |
I first used shooting sticks in Africa. It took me less than a second to realize their value. I now carry them on all my hunts both as an outfitter and a client. I practice without them all the time, but the sticks really inspire a lot of confidence, especially after a long, uphill stalk. When my clients use them for the first time, they are as amazed as I was, and most of them buy or make a pair as soon as thet get home. I use the Stoney Point PH model. ------------------ | |||
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| one of us |
BenS, One thought comes to mind with sticks, and that is dependency... If one wants to be a good off hand shot then one must learn to shoot off hand and that is merely a matter of practice and trigger pull being the main element... Learn to shoot fast before muscle fatigue sets in and learn to shoot offhand with iron sights, either peep or shallow V as trying to learn offhand with a scope comes later, as you must learn to deal with the magnification or your "wigggle" and thats a bit disserting to the novice offhander... ------------------ | |||
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| <Big Stick> |
The best offhand shot in the world,will be even better with shooting sticks. I'm not implying you abort the offhand practice,but it is a foolish notion to think that not using a rest,is superior to using one when time and circumstance allow. The sticks open a window of opportunity............ | ||
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one of us |
Instead of a shooting stick, I for my sake would prefer a shooting strap. On my M98 with peep-sight I have U.M. military strap, which helps more than a wiggling unsteady stick. Sit and lean the elbows at the inside of the knees when you use the sling or lean comfortably against a tree. Also by off-hand it can be helpful. But as Ray said, shoot fast and don�t wait, as your own wobbling comes with time. Fritz | |||
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one of us |
Personally, I feel confident shooting off-hand on most game to about 150 yards. Anything beyond that, and I need a rest. I use the short Stoney Points, and with them I am confident (from sitting), to 300 yards. For walking varminting (pigeons and stuff), I need the sticks for shots over about 80 yards. Just sit down, and pop! My wife won't shoot at game without a rest, and with antelope, the sticks are pretty much the only option. FWIW, Dutch. | |||
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| one of us |
Take a long (your height) pair of sticks with you and you'll wonder how you ever held steady before with your heart a-thumpin' and a-poundin'. They needn't be fancy - just tied off to form a crutch at shoulder height for you. A single stick WILL want to wave about in the breeze. ------------------ | |||
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| one of us |
quote: Ray - Maybe this comes down to the (perceived?) difference in stalking style. Anyhow in my style I have to be able to slip a bullet through a gap in the twigs to a specific part of a stationary deer that is no larger than a coyote and at ranges of up to 150m. In such circumstances I have yet to see anyone cut it offhand but am willing to be convinced. I would say you can shoot rapidly with sticks but not snap. We generaly do not snap shoot deer here for a bunch of reasons such as safety, identification, carcass damage and reduced pressure from short seasons. As you say you can cut it where you are offhand so take it from me that in the UK there are very few people indeed who stalk deer to any sort of standard that do not use stick(s)That is not because they care to take the time to practice but because if they practice with sticks they can obtain a higher level of dependable accuracy than the avertage practiced off hand shot. [This message has been edited by 1894 (edited 01-29-2002).] | |||
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| <Nick_S> |
Many people use sticks in the UK. Mine are made from plastic covered 6' steel tubes sold here as garden canes, joined near the top with a heavy elastic band. Each stick is cut through at half length, with an aluminium insert so that the lower half can be quickly pulled off to use them half length. (This is faster than adjusting commercial telescopic sticks). I use these either standing or sitting for virtually every shot, unless there's a tree to lean on. My favourite is sitting with the sticks at half length - very steady indeed - I prefer this to a prone shot in general, and it gives more clearance above vegetation. On paper it can give close to the same accuracy as well. Overall, I'd highly recommend sticks for precise shot placement. Nick S | ||
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| one of us |
I bought some of the stoney pointe shooting stix. They are a little to long, If I had to do it again I would just make some. ------------------ "Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything." Genesis 9:3 | |||
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