My son wants to hunt coyotes with a buddy of his. I don't want to get another rifle at this time so I'm adapting a Model 788 in 7mm08 for the job. It has a 3-12 Sightron mil-dot scope and I've worked up a load of 41gr of IMR 4895 with a 120gr Sierra ProHunter at 2800fps. It shoots around 2-2.5 inch groups at 300 yards. Two questions, is this accurate enough for coyote hunting and what type of bipod would you recommend? I have absolutely no experience with bipods but think it might be nice to start outfitting my big game rifles with one. Hopefully the ones that are recommended have the ability to be removed and switched to another rifle. That criteria is not necessary but desirable.

I prefer, and have, the B-Square bi-pod. The Harris bi-pod is good, but with the exposed springs it looks a bit "Heath Robinson" - something put together in a garden shed.

The exposed springs on the legs of the Harris bi-pod have two disadvantages over the enclosed tube legs of the B-Square.

When the rifle is fired, for some reason, you get a 'twang' noise from the bi-pod, like the springs have been plucked - think of a violin or a guitar!

Additionally, the springs are exposed to rain, snow and mud. Having a greater surface area than, say a straight tube, there is more opportunity for rust to set in.

I am basing thses comments upon shooting on the NW, Atlantic side of the UK, where rain and wind are common. Since nowhere in the UK is much more than 50 miles from the Sea, it is safe to assume where the hunting areas are, the air will be salty to some degree.

One last thing, assuming your hunting is spot, stalk and crawl, the bench rest height is sufficient.

This will elevate your position circa 8 - 9 inches abobe the grass and heather. For these type of hunting conditions, more than circa 12 inches elevation with the bi-pod is necessary.

The longer legs can become a nuisance when crawling, picking up stuff and becoming entangled, and also getting stuck in the rifle cover / slip when the time comes to shoot.

In the Scottish Highlands / deer stalking, the rifle is carried in a cover right up until you get near the final position to take the shot. Say +/- 20 yards from position. This is when the cartridge is chambered also.

In wood land stalking, a cover is not used and a round is generally chambered. I have yet to discover a 'silent' method, to the deer's ears, of chambering a round when in the shooting position, close to deer.

That rifle and load should be superb for coyotes. I like to hit them hard and I don't save the pelts.

I have been using the Harris bipods for decades and they have stood up to all weather. I use the longest legged ones and the latest has a swivel too. I am not familiar with the Stoney point bipod.

I like the long legged bipods as from a commanding, higher, position they have the rifle ready while I call or glass. The longer ones can shorten their legs for prone.

Here is another 7mm overlooking potential coyote land during the deer season. Its a M70 7mm WSM loaded with the 168 VLD's.

You need more than one set of sticks to hunt coyotes. I much prefer a pair of cross sticks, either wood or the Stoney Point type for sitting with a rifle. In taller cover, you will do much better to stand -backed into cover of course). For that I use a monopod. It is not as steady as a tall bipod or tripod, however it is much faster to wheel on a moving target. The last thing is that you will probably kill more coyotes if you hunt in thicker cover and use a 12 ga with 4 buck or BB. Gun cranks often talk about rifles and shooting coyotes into the next county. For myself, I have shot more day animals with a shotgun than a rifle. Night hunting is quite the opposite. Robthom is correct about the springs on the Harris. They are great for Pdogs but I find them a liability when hunting coyotes. Learn to use sticks and you will be much better off. Good hunting!

I use the caldwell sitting model. I like that there are no exposed springs to catch on sagebrush or twang when you extend the legs. The threaded leg extension locks are a bit of a pain, but the swivel and cant features make up for it. At $50 they aren't too expensive either. The B square bipods are probably better I don't know, but they probably cost more.

Another vote for the Harris, I too have used em for years without a hitch. I believe it is their S model that swivels and I like them a lot. Bi-pods that have to be leveled each leg independently are a major pain and will cost you shots.
My only caution and something I'm sure you already know is be sure to sight in using whatever method you decide on as the point of impact will be different (probably) between bags on a bench and a bi-pod on the ground.

don't like em - use sticks instead

Predator hunting is my first love. I won't use a bi-pod. I feel they are too restrictive and limit your movements. You always set up in the direction you expect the coyotes to come from using the wind and terrain. But one thing is sure about coyotes, they always do the unexpected. I use the Predator Sniper Styx. Just my opinion though.........

Good Hunting,

Bob

From their site:



Mine on a hog hunt with my 7mm-08:

I use home-made crossed sticks to great advantage. Check out Varmintal.com for details. I've used a Harris Bipod for prairie dogs, not coyotes though.

As for accuracy of a rifle, check out what you can do in hunting positions. I think you need to keep your shots in a 6" circle for coyotes. What can you do from ahunting position?

The Versapod IMHO is way better than the Harris or other wannabe's. Quick to take on and off, swivels and cants and no flippin exposed springs to bite you.

Have used just about every brand of bi-pods.
I prefer the Cauldwells, because of the lack of stuff hanging off of them.

Bought Operation Predator 4 from WallyWorld on close out (for $5, what the heck). Glad I did. The Hunters Specialties Pro Staff hunters were using Quik-Shot Shooting Sticks and they have a rubber tube that connects them at the top. That is my biggest complaint with sticks is the lack of a fast way to re-set up with out having to take your hands off the gun.

This little piece of tubing solves that problem.
I have to find a local place that sells them so I can look at them and build my own...

Quick Shot Shooting Sticks

http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?store=apc&pro...name=Shooting+Sticks

$39.95 This is what I ordered this morning after seeing this model used in varmint hunting videos. I have 4 Harris bipods but find most of the time stretched out flat on the ground is uncomfortable......with this model, I can rise up to a sitting position. This model also has a 'yoke' that most other models lack, that looks like a positive feature. r in s.