#10MinuteTalk

Stability is key for precise shots on game. But who wants to attach a boat anchor to their rifle to get it? Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn chat lightweight hunting bipods in this 10-Minute Talk on two-legged forend support, so you can better shoot 4-legged critters.
As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.
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[@EnonOmus100]

I just bought a BACKLANZ......... amazingly light bit of kit, I have not used it in the field but playing with it at home it is easy enough to attach/detach and adjust the legs to suit different positions.

[@joshcollard7834]

This is the episode I’ needed thanks guys! The last piece to my new rifle build

[@theawesomeone1844]

I bought the Magpul cause it fit my budget and I'm pleasantly surprised at how nice it is.

[@GunsAndGrenache]

I have the Magpul with the Sling Stud Quick Detach... great bipod, i use it a lot!

[@InfamousTactical]

MDT GRND pod is a great balance of all the features. And with a quick release easy on and off

[@MrDevinferreira]

Great topic. Thanks for the discussion helped me make an informed decision

[@timlogue9109]

I use a Harris and it's a staple for my shooting/hunting style. I have taken countless critters while attached to my weapon, ranges vary from 400-1000yds. I have modified it so it quickly attaches to a rail, a huge benefit.

[@mine8009]

I’ve been running a Spartan Precision Pro TAC for the past few seasons. Absolutely love it. Don’t need it, take it off. Need it, takes all of 3 seconds to pop it on. Going some place you need taller legs; buy the taller legs screw them on, problem solved. It’s super light, super convenient, and relatively modular. Need a fore end stop for shooting off of a fence, and it works for that too; although I’d much prefer to use a Harris for that.

[@cobjread]

I use the Limbsaver True-Track. It checks all the boxes I was looking for. Very affordable, light (7 oz), quiet, easy to deploy and out of the way. I actually like it quite a bit. I took a pronghorn with it, and that is where it shined, laying down prone on an agricultural field with no obstructions. I have also carried it mule deer hunting (Colorado) and not deployed it, but rather just used my backpack instead. But, the bipod is far enough forward that I can cradle the rifle between the stays in the backpack frame without interference. The backpack has the height needed for clearing the sage brush.

[@stacywills5184]

You could do a 10 min talk on the Spartan system alone! So many ways to use it (even of a tripod!). Or even get Rob the inventor on the podcast.

[@sparrobirdman9621]

I love my Spartan bipod and have at my rifles set up to accept it. I even have the adapter for my tripod.

[@dougblessin]

shot my first deer off of a tripod but have since moved to an MDT Triple Pull Bipod. It's the king of versatility.

[@johndon121]

I’m really looking hard at the hatch out west bipods. So much versatility

[@michaelkilpatrick3141]

There is a sweet picatinny rail with sling stud that mounts solid to your existing sling stud on stock! It’s awesome simple install.

[@scottgreen6538]

A bipod that extends to 27in that can tilt, paired with your backpack that you can support the rear of the gun with is a killer combo. In the seated position you can shove your backpack under your armpit of your trigger hand or use it to support or raise your chest and butt stock in a prone position. With a little training even our youth hunters can shoot out to 400 in the field with no problem. I have a nice tripod with a clamp and it's not more stable. Also, with the tripod/clamp we can stand up but impact start to shift around when practicing at 300. I think there's a lot more of a learning curve with a tripod/clamp set up.

[@Wallymakesstuff]

I use the Spartan and love it. One bipod for all my rifles and can switch in the field to my son’s rifle if needed. The whole system with their davros tripod head works interchangeably with other optics. Just a brilliant system. I use my backpack to steady the rear of my rifle when in prone with the bipod up front.

[@badbunnyTUBE]

I bought a similar bipod system as the spartan mostly for covienance when going to the range and zeroing in my hunting rifle. I don't have to take packs or bigger supports and i keep it always with me when going hunting. I might not ever use it due to the type of hunting i do at this time but just the ease of never having to think about supports on the range is worth it. I too have noticed my 270win behaves differently with bipods compared to a more sturdy support but i believe it's mostly due to my lack of experience shooting with bipods and furthermore, it does not have a big enough of a difference as long as i'm shooting max 200m

[@andrewabraham9529]

Spartan pro tac bipod paired with primos trigger sticks with a davros head. Best setup ever that allows me to shoot prone all the way to kneeling all in one system! And all animals! Expensive at first but now I'm set.

[@johncarroll3089]

Another great conversation. Can you link to the various bipods mentioned? Esp New Zealand?

[@stenjohnson6149]

Great cast gentleman! Love being the fly on the wall. Shot at the range near Lodi and my Magpul worked perfectly!

[@VortexNation]

Heck yeah!

[@sethmatherne7012]

Can you do an episode on slings? Do either of you incorporate slings into your shooting position for stability when hunting?

[@marlinbrubacher]

Ckye pod from mdt…. And in 22 lr matches it’s mostly an expensive kickstand between stages for a 20 lbs rifle! Most stages I shoot off a heavy sand bag… rarely use the bipod to shoot…. But in the odd case where they let us get comfy using the bipod for a front support and having the bag as a rear support it is Awesome!

[@bisleyblackhawk1288]

The MagPul bipods are the only ones I use on my rifles…excellent product that performs way past it’s price point 👍👍👍

[@geerts016]

Tripod is a must. And it makes my bipod more useful. Bipod on its own is 50/50

[@brucestarr4438]

You should have included the Spartan Springbok Bipod as a light weight hunting bipod. It can be used from 10" to 46". At $299 + $40 for the adapter, it's a little pricey. I would like to try one out before buying it. I can see the use for predator hunting when you're sitting or high prone waiting for a coyote to come to your call.

[@TheSRob34]

Just came across this, as I'm looking at bipods for this fall's rifle hunt. One not on your list that I'm considering is the Hatch Out West Bipod. The versatility is crazy on that thing, you're able to get prone at about 6.5" and up to a sitting position with a 27" support. The price point is kind of high but not as bad as the Cyke, and the weight is considerable (20oz). It makes pretty good sense for my use case - elk hunting in CO, which has tons of variable terrain, going up and down drainages for uphill/downhill shots. My thought was to put a pic rail on my rifle and use the ADM clamp attachment for quick deployment so I wouldn't have to carry it around on the rifle. Have you guys looked at those at all?

[@brucestarr4438]

Go take a look at the Spartan Springbok Bipod. It might be just what you need for that hunt. At under 12 oz the weight is better and you only pop it on when needed.

[@tomlongbow]

I carry a aluminum Parker Hale Bipod in my pack and can slide it on the spigot that protrudes out of the forend of my stock. Easy and has worked for years. Greetings from Germany T

[@jetthreat5000]

You can get rear bags filled with a small foam BB filling. Something like that is what I carry in the mountains. Extremely light and I just attach it to my pack via a carabiner. Edit: The one I carry is a Traust Rear bag, 7”x4”x10” weighing in at 9 oz

[@michaelandersson4593]

The Neopod bipod is 82 grams or 2,89 oz. It is a very good product.

[@angelojackastuto299]

Great thing about the spartan is you can get a extendable shooting stick with the spartan attachment and hunt with the best of both worlds. I love it.

[@critergiter]

I have a set of old Stoney Point polecat shooting sticks I still carry sometimes. Gives me about 17 to 38” of support. Anything lower I just use my pack.

[@flaganpetska6179]

I hunt with the spartan system. I have the gunsmith adapter that Mark mentioned in my carbon tikka. Ive got a davros head on my tripod so i can shoot from my spartan bipod or my slik tripod. They also sell adapters for your optics so all of my optics and rifle will snap onto my tripod with very little effort and no extra parts.

[@GermanHunter]

Great topic, just on time! Hunting at 13,500 feet this Saturday and Sunday and I’m really wondering if I should cut weight by leaving the Atlas at home and getting a spartan 🤣

[@peterconnan5631]

It depends on where and what I am hunting. When walking and stalking in my favorite area, I take nothing but a rifle, ammo, binoculars and water with me, and I will typically use a tree for support if I need it. But one of my rifles has a bipod and I will take that when longer shots are in the offing. This rifle now also has an Arca rail for tripod mounting, but I have not used it for hunting.

[@jonathanmitchell3733]

We do a kind of driven hunt in South Africa called ‘voorsit’. Sitting bi-pod is very handy in that situation.

[@suzgabverdugo933]

I use my glassing tripod as a bipod 😂 it’s worked out great so far

[@graz81graz]

I use the hunters rail from SRS. It's a full lenght rail that transitions from arca to pic. I run the atlas bt10 on the front (pic) and also carry my carbon tripod for spotter which my rifle can also snap into with the arca section.

[@RMM--uv7uk]

Me too. And I have there Chub

[@MarquesOtto]

You should check out the hatch bipod from hatch out west Would love to hear your thoughts on it

[@johncarroll3089]

I have used one of my boots as a backrest (pronghorn). It worked but had to be a rapid “untie”!!!

[@rustyshackleford2723]

Long range bi pods next!

[@matthewdanko9719]

I use the Swagger bipod for Coyote Hunting. They're the best!

[@mikegoodwin2386]

I think I have the exact same Harris bipod Ryan was talking about in the beginning. A little too tall for prone, but tall enough to use for sitting on the ground. I have no idea where it is, but it's around here somewhere. Haven't used it in years.

[@lukehardy8016]

great clip

[@awrsavage]

Do you guys in the states use quad sticks?

[@JustAverageJeff]

Just put together an Aero M5 still need an optic but plan to also get the Magpul bipod. Not a big fan of Magpul but I think they do offer the best bang for your buck bipod on the market. I don’t think a bipod is a required piece of kit but it certainly is nice to have in a ton of situations and I’d rather have one then not. Currently I do not run a bipod and I don’t like it I use those cheap stackable gun stands from Walmart and I hate them, I just got a new pack so I’m sure that will be quite a bit better but I’d rather have the bipod.

[@InfamousTactical]

An Armageddon gear schmedium game changer with poly fill may be the most versatile hunting bag. All the benefits of a prs bag with the light weight fill. I started using it as a rear bag in prs. But it doubles as a great hunting bag.

[@nunyabeeswax2575]

Tfbtv viewer I'll hazard.

[@markstrickland4697]

Which spartan bipod is that?

[@newenglandrider3189]

I have a Magpul MOE Bipod on my rifle, no wobble issues, it looks great and fits the budget. I don't think the $75 - $150 is cheap anyway. Amazon has real cheap ones for $20, $25.

[@kennethboucherie2612]

Long range shooting bipod… hunting tripod for the win!!!

[@linkbond08]

I use a utg when shooting off a table or off my truck, I have a shooting stick across my tree stands and I have a shooting stick (1) "Y" for my ground blind, I'm really thinking about getting shooting sticks (2) "x" to replace the one.

[@kylewmcgregor]

Currently using Spartan, Magpul, Harris, and no bi-pod on different rifles.

[@nighthawkbomber]

These lightweight bipods made out of exotic materials are either super pricey, don't work, break easily or something else that will cause you to waste money. The one that never gets talked about is the B&T bipod that was originally created for the SPR 300 sniper rifle. There are 2 with the NAR adapter (rubber feet or flat feet) that weigh 8 to 9 oz and attach to any picatinny rail. It's reinforced with aluminum so it won't break or bend super easily. B&T is genuinely innovative. All of these other bipods from the limbsaver, javelin or neopod aren't worth the money. You can all thank me later.

[@CoorsMan264]

Great video guys. 10 min on the 7mm SAUM would be cool.

[@brettstewart8765]

Now that's a great suggestion

[@pnwdweler4100]

Or the 300 SAUM, I’ve been shooting it for years out of a Remington Model Seven.

[@brettstewart8765]

@@pnwdweler4100 that would be cool as well, great idea mate cheers Yogi 👍🤘

[@E1337Jerk]

Another good option is shooting sticks. I've always used my backpack if I'm prown.

[@cypherthepro]

I'll add this so mark and Ryan see this. In the UK if you go out stalking without a bipod you'll get strange looks, it's either bipod or shooting sricks, and i run both. Shooting off vehicles is so much easier with bipods too.

[@Yeoman7]

Or the off the back of your buddy

[@andrewskirmontskirmont5386]

Swagger bipeds for predator hunting best out there!

[@donaldmorgan5265]

The 1903 sling and a bit of bushcraft are all you need... oh, and a free floating forearm...

[@exodusz19]

I second the Lead Balloon of the WSSM

[@garrettsofia]

I’m sorry, but was that an ICP reference from Ryan? Love the vid guys!

[@ratcamaro]

Shooting sticks are the best.

[@SpudOutdoors]

Best one is mtngear it weighs 5oz and is 4” to 16”

[@TheButtshark]

Atlas is my go to right now

[@freeandfighting3069]

Gunwerks offers a bipod for $350 that is lightweight, made from carbon fiber composite, & is very easy to use. It has a range of 5" to 19" in height & has unique designs to make it quick & easy to set-up when a target presents itself. Its my favorite!!! FREE

[@scottym.9077]

Between my pack, my trekking poles, and my tripod (for my spotting scope), I actually haven’t found many occasions where I’d be better served by a bipod.

[@chipsterb4946]

“$900 bucks…” and Ryan still has the shooting sticks in his hand 😂

[@PhuVet]

I hate my kimber mountain ascent, it's too light so I needed to add weight. There is such a thing as a rifle that's too light. In 7mm prc it's a bit much. I even added a heavier barrel when I went to 7prc. Buy a magpul $100 bipod, it will do a bunch of work and it will not add much weight. I use mine on my fn scar, my fnar and my savage carbon hunter. I'm going to be adding one to my impulse. I'm not thinking that I would add one to my sako 75 or my 03 springfield sportered by weatherby. I have used a magpul on front and back to make a gunsmithing stand in the field to work on a guys rifle that broke an extractor. I just happened to have an extra in my kit. I do carry a tripod for night vision hunting.

[@nathanhawley9599]

I primarily us it for a kickstand to set my gun on the ground while glassing. I am thinking about leaving it behind because of carrying a tripod....but will miss the kickstand.

[@morganharbison6954]

Wiser Quick Sticks.

[@maxcoatlhunter4322]

I have taken several Coues deer across canyons using always Harris Bipods. Shooting sticks do not give you the stability therefore you do not get the accuracy you need. If you are goint to use shooting sticks you better attaching your rifle to a tripod. I'm going to try the MDT GRN-POD hopefully I can buy one in a month or two.

[@jarredlkling]

The MDT GRND-POD seems like it would be the best on paper, but I've never used a bipod hunting and I don't know anyone that does

[@cypherthepro]

Here in Europe and the UK, you will struggle to find a rifle without one. I have shot 70% of my deer with using a bipod, 20% with sticks and the other freehand or off my knee. It's essential in Scotland & for much of the world where we don't hunt with packs or bulky tripods.

[@lauraburandt2655]

I’m surprised Swagger wasn’t on the list!

[@philiptrump8472]

Quick Stix from Wiser Precision with the Quick Clip solves all of these problems. it's a bipod and shooting sticks all in one.

[@Shax2lex]

I think it’s time to get an update of equipment with Lightweight Dave

[@jaredstewmelt]

3:34 You're welcome

[@rpk5250]

How are over barrel bipods

[@dhayes1995]

Just took over as the leo in western NE reach out!

[@dhayes1995]

Public land

[@boatscrypto5856]

Tier one or tbac. Guy in the green has only ever used Harris. He’s gotta try some more options

[@longgone9869]

I simply cross my walking sticks😊

[@user-xm3ij4jo5g]

Swagger. You should really look at/mention their bipods. Best ones available at the moment for hunting.

[@andrewcappiello5585]

Considering the quality of these episodes I'm quite surprised that there was no mention of using tbe bipod while standing. Flip a leg down (open) and use it to brace against a tree or corner of a large rock or building.

[@matthewdanko9719]

Please discuss the rise and fall of the WSSM!

[@brettstewart8765]

That's a great suggestion

[@sleigh4019]

Yeah .. I love my magpul now ..the new ones are like 60$ and light

[@sleigh4019]

I do agree hunting sticks are even better!!!

[@Edge51]

I wonder why the M1907 sling as support was not discussed as the OG bipod?

[@Yeoman7]

Knees and elbows are the OG bi-pod.

[@toddjenest3212]

I shoot off my packs, but I have a Magpul bipod on every rifle.

[@mattcomchoc2957]

17:38 to 18:12 is the only 34 seconds of this video you need to watch.

[@anotheryoutuber2463]

collapsible trekking poles with gear ties and a shooting bag that doubles as a glassing seat filled with chopped closed cell foam, i like bipods but they only really do one job and thats setting a rifle up to not fall over for a photo.

[@bretbey4068]

Thoughts on swagger bipods? Jon collins uses them religiously on his predator calling chanel.

[@SnowFootprints96]

What shooting sticks are those that Ryan has?

[@VortexNation]

They are Easton Cross Shot Shooting Sticks!

[@chipsterb4946]

@@VortexNation are you aware of a current product that is equivalent? Being able to switch sticks to a walking stick would be fantastic for me.

[@jaredstewmelt]

Polymer gang, y'all out there? Magpul MOE amirite?

[@jaredstewmelt]

6:25 The beginning of The Walk™

[@sergeantdwz5783]

Squatters rights mark!

[@bobborlog1677]

9x39 please

[@beesilva1201]

I hate the Magpul one...... they are usually 90 bucks or so, for 110 you can buy a harris and its a much better fit for me.....

[@jasonwebb4871]

Anyone like the Hatch?

[@nunyabeeswax2575]

At 29 minutes you guys might have been better off doing a podcast ep on bipods, tripods, shooting sticks, sling shooting tips etc.

[@DirtNastyCivilian]

Lightweight? Magpul has been fine. Atlas, by far my favorite bipods but not exactly lightweight. Never been a fan of Harris and it’s purely over aesthetics for me. They function fine.

[@Joel_Unbound]

Most western hunters use their pack and no bipod. Tripods are a better solution IMO to bipod and I have a U shooting yoke I slide onto mine and use it frequently and to decent ranges (over 400 etc). I've shot only two animals off bipod ever and my pack would have worked in both of those instances. The best use of a bipod is that you can set down your gun after the kill or during lunch without having to lay it down. ;) A thought on the Spartan (which I've used) and those rare earth magnets,.. it pulls up rare earth from pretty much everywhere when you don't have it On your rifle. Lots of dust and debris out here is um rare earth magnetic - not good that. The occasions I do run bipod the Magpul bats super above its price point and I would put above any other less expensive options both in cost, weight, and practical use (if you have to have a bipod.)

[@williamkillingsworth2619]

I'd make a support out of 3 sticks and some rope before I spent $900 on a bipod.

[@rossmara8377]

Ok, time to address the elephant in the room. Why don’t you guys ever speak about the most revolutionary and exciting development In modern hunting…Thermal/Night Vision optics? I think I know why 😅

[@kylecirincione6691]

I'm the worst bipod fanatic and I hate it😂

[@williammarshall3043]

Great topic - was anxious to hear your thoughts and input. It was frustrating to have to sit through 7 minutes of Mark marginally voicing the value in bipods, and Ryan being almost completely negative about bipods. That's fine to voice your opinion, but it begs the question, why did you even bother with a podcast on this topic?

[@VortexNation]

Fair question! We wanted a discussion surrounding the topic of lightweight hunting bipods and the different perspectives, pros and cons, about the topic. Naturally, the discussion led to opinionated conversations and viewpoints which we hope shed some light on the uses and other pros and cons of the gear for the listener!

[@kevinc9416]

Magpul is awful. Wiggles a lot. Sent it back.

[@user-rb8jx5be1w]

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