Cross Sticks

[Birddog 1]

Hi I am wanting to make a set of cross sticks and found the size width and thickness of cross sticks and the length of the spikes, I need the length of the stick over all. TIA Nim

[Graybeard]

There really is no fixed mandatory correct dimension for any of those. I've made them in all sorts of lengths, diameter and such. Ya can make them round, square or rectangular even.

Depends on if ya gonna use them standing, sitting, kneeling or prone as well.

[Birddog 1]

Thanks GB I did make 1 mistake in my origional post the sticks will be uses in a NRA BPCM  Thanks again Nim

[Graybeard]

Then that likely means prone.

There still is some slight variation in length of them based on where you chose to place your pivot and how wide you spread them. My suggestion is to get into your shooting position and see how high off the ground you wish your rifle to be for the range/ranges you most commonly shoot at. Some are flat, some might have you shooting up or down hill tho.

Then once you've determined how high off the ground your rifle should be you know about how high the pivot needs to be. I'd go with 18" or less total length and place the pivot about 4" or so below the top. Give them a try and if you think that's too long cut a bit off the bottom until you find what's comfortable for you.

I've made several sets of crossed sticks for all the various positions and played around with them. Mostly I just go out back and cut down a sapling or two and begin working with them until they seem right to me.

[John Boy]

Nim, remember ... NRA says the spikes can be no longer than 3"

[Graybeard]

Even that is excessive 2" is plenty.