Author Topic: Making shooting sticks? (Read 2410 times)

Seafarer · « **on:** December 15, 2004, 07:00:55 PM »

I need some advice. I want to make some shooting sticks for CAS type single shot shooting. I would like to cut the wood myself from the neighboring forrest. Does anyone know what type of wood I should use. I live in NH if that helps. And how should I dry or treat the wood. I am thinking of cutting a couple tree limbs and hand finishing them myself. I have all winter and around here that is a long time.
thanks for any help.
Seafarer

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** December 15, 2004, 08:02:26 PM »

I don't have a clue what woods are available to you up your way. But I've used a variety of woods to make shooting sticks. Woods that have worked well for me include hickory, dogwood, mountain laurel, cherry, privet hedge and oak.

I've used leather to tie them together at the pivot point and also used a bolt thru for them to pivot on. I've used leather to wrap the portion above the pivot and also used a strap of leather attached to top of sticks for the gun to rest on. I've played around with several combinations and have several different lengths made up.

Seafarer · « **Reply #2 on:** December 15, 2004, 08:26:04 PM »

Greybeard
thanks for the quick reply, but it is some other time where you are ain't it?
we have plenty of oak here, used for firewood. Wish they would let some get some size to them.

But I will give it a try and your leather wrap ideas answered my next question.
Seafarer

Greybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** December 15, 2004, 09:27:57 PM »

Some other time where I am? Not sure I understand the question. You're on eastern time and I'm on central time. I'm just up again.

I'm retired. Time has little meaning. I went to bed at 9:00 PM because I was sleepy. At 12:30 AM I was no longer sleepy so got up. My schedule doesn't revolve around the clock. Just whatever I feel like at the time. I sleep poorly so am likely to be up or in bed at any given time of day or night.

mrlizzzard · « **Reply #4 on:** January 08, 2005, 01:50:08 PM »

Go to Lowes or depot and get 2 composite rods for drive way markers put some O'rings very light,$5.
lizzzard

riddleofsteel · « **Reply #5 on:** January 09, 2005, 01:48:37 PM »

I have had good luck with light weight conduit. I also use o-rings to hold them together. Rubber surgical tubing slipped over the conduit deadens sound and protects the rifle finish. The hardware store has rubber caps of various sizes to keep dirt from building up inside the tubeing.

riddleofsteel · « **Reply #6 on:** January 09, 2005, 01:51:02 PM »

I have had good luck with light weight conduit. I also use o-rings to hold them together. Rubber surgical tubing slipped over the conduit deadens sound and protects the rifle finish. The hardware store has rubber caps of various sizes to keep dirt from building up inside the tubeing.

PeterF. · « **Reply #7 on:** January 09, 2005, 03:40:52 PM »

For something a little more "rustic" than conduit and/or composite rods, see "Varmint Al's" web site (www.varmintal.com); he has good instructions on making what he calls a "Bi-fur-pod" ... longish bi-pod shooting sticks.

armory414 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 11, 2005, 05:04:45 AM »

Seafarer, If you want an interesting project, get the movie "Lonesome Dove" and look for the scene where Gus McCrae is being attacked by a renegade band of Kiowa's who are working for the character Blue Duck. One of the renegades shoots a Sharp's rifle off a bipod/rest made from two deer's legs, wrapped in deer hide and sinew, and decorated with colored beads. If you shoot CAS, this will turn a lot of heads more than a couple of sticks. I hope one day to make such a rest for myself.

armory414 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 11, 2005, 05:07:00 AM »

Seafarer, If you want an interesting project, get the movie "Lonesome Dove" and look for the scene where Gus McCrae is being attacked by a renegade band of Kiowa's who are working for the character Blue Duck. One of the renegades shoots a Sharp's rifle off a bipod/rest made from two deer's legs, wrapped in deer hide and sinew, and decorated with colored beads. If you shoot CAS, this will turn a lot of heads more than a couple of sticks. I hope one day to make such a rest for myself.

ironglow · « **Reply #10 on:** January 21, 2005, 01:04:01 PM »

Visit Varmint Al...when you get to his home page , scroll down until you come to ... bi-fur-pod...

<www.varmintal.net/avarm.htm>

Hope that helps..

stiff neck · « **Reply #11 on:** January 24, 2005, 04:44:12 PM »

I made these following Varmint Al's web site. But I used an eye bolt so I can easily tighten/loosen the sticks as needed. I wrapped the tops of the sticks with a few layers of sports tape, then painted everything camo.

cam0063 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 27, 2005, 10:47:43 PM »

Well you guys make my shootings sticks look very average

I wanted a set to use in the field as I didn`t want to attach a bipod to several nice rifles. So I got 2 pieces or timber Dowell Rod, placed a rubber stool leg stopper [or from a walking stick] on one end of each. Used 2 elastrator rings [cattle/sheep castration rubber rings] to hold the dowells at the pivot point and made a leather sling that slips over the end of each dowell. This provides a little hammock for the barrel to lay

The sticks spring back to parallel when you pick them up and I stick them in my back pocket or in my belt when on the move... I guess they are pretty rural in concept and making, but work well here on the ranch and I use them with anything from a .22lr to a Mannlicher .243 carbine to a .450-577 sporting rifle and anything in between. Such a simple thing and so many different ways and styles to make.

Cheers from Down under...

hiram · « **Reply #13 on:** February 05, 2005, 02:17:56 PM »

I made mine from 3/4" dowels from the hardware store. In NH there's plenty of maple; it's strong. Also, look for ash

http://www.cal-graf.com/silhou.html

The ones in the link are not what I made. I can send you a pic if you want.

ratherbefishin · « **Reply #14 on:** February 05, 2005, 05:27:46 PM »

I was looking at a couple of 30''lengths of fiberglass dome tent poles and wondering if they might work