shooting sticks?

[SLAVAGE]

ok guys need a lot of help an was wondering what your take on these were

this fall ill be getting a set of shooting sticks an i am not sure what kind so i was wondering about every one thing about theirs an if you can add pics would be very help full

cost isn't that much of a deal as long as the hole rig is under say $100

thing it has to be able to do
fold  an portable
light weight
darker in color
be used for any type of a hand gun ie  ruger/contender/taurus
i really don't want a bi-pod i have a harris an like it but not for hunting with my hand guns

um ill be on my but most of the time using this on a small 3 bar tripod seat their like the little 8$ ones i got at work

an i've looked in to it really don't want to do a home made job or buy some ones home make one
would be nice if they were camo

thanks for all your impute an help
dave

[mr.frosty]

I was thinking along those same lines but I am looking at the adjustable mono pod for the rifle or my hand gun since I can use it sitting or standing.
Cabelas has them for under 20 bucks for the mono pod not sure what the
price is on the sticks.

[SLAVAGE]

i looked in to the mono pod one
we have one at work its on an expandable but with my ruger on it  its realy hard to steady with it.. same with my 10 inch 357 max contender
i bleave the one we had at work was one made by alan

[TScottO]

These are what I use: http://www.chuckhawks.com/steady_stix_syn.htm

You can make a decent pair out of camping tent rods. I believe there are instructions on making them on Varmit Al's website... however I my memory could be failing me.

Take Care and Be Safe,
Scott

[jhalcott]

I tried the monopod and found it too unsteady after hiking long distances before shooting. I now have a bipod that came from cabelas.The Stoney Point explorer. It goes from 25" to about 64".I use it with 1 leg extended and the other long enough for Kneeling shots. The whole kit comes with large and small V yokes ,snow shoes,a ball handle and shoulder slings. Midway also sells them. I have considered getting a 3rd leg and an adaptor to make it a tripod.I ain't getting any younger!

[Redhawk1]

I use the Stoney Point bi-pod. I took it to Alaska and it was a life saver. Crossing a river and walking in the tundra. Also took my Caribou at 300 yards off it.  

[475/480]

$20.00,go to the hardware store buy 3 of those 6' green landscape poles,they are designed to support small trees /shrubs ,also buy 1 bunji cord.Wrap the cord around the poles and BAM,you have shooting sticks.
 This is what I bought to practice for my trip to S.Africa in March/April -06,it works very nicely with my TC Encore 375 GNR and 410 GNR also will take a 475 Linebaugh Maximum revolver.

Sean

[longwalker]

Just to muddy the water some more. I have used home made sticks for years and found them to be in expensive and durable.

Four years ago I was going antelope hunting and would not have access to a vehicle. I took an aluminum pack frame and used it to carry my "day gear" and would use it to pack the antelope back to my truck.

What I found was the pack frame was the perfect height to kneel or sit behind and shoot from. It had the additional benefit of masking my human outline. Since then I have abandon the shooting sticks in favor of my pack frame.

longwalker

[volshooter]

I grabbed two saplings big round as my finger, cut em head high from sitting, tied them together 6 inches down from the top and they have been with me 3 years now. A rock solid hold from the sitting position. They cost me nothing.
Rick

[S.B.]

The only set I've ever owned or use are ones I've made. Took dowel rod and covered with camo tape and put rubber chair feet on the ends. On one end I put some field archery points thru the chair feet for frozen or rough ground, I use a "S" hook so it adjustable by sliding up and down the length of the dowels. Lite, each to use, and above all cheap. My $.02 worth.

[Tusker]

I have a couple arrow shaft blanks--- light, camo, somewhat of a point on one end-- nice-- will slip in your belt if need be- local dealer has a new stick in used standing up, but I didn't take notice as I was in a hurry that day. a Lot of good ideas here for sure.

[daddywpb]

I also use Stoney Point. They sell an attachment that makes the Steady Stix or Safari Stix into a tripod. I've used it on both, and it works for me. The extra leg doesn't add bulk, and it still fits in the belt holster.

[DakotaElkSlayer]

For Father's Day I received a PoleCat monopod by Stoney Point.  For me, this is EXACTLY what I was looking for.  It is very quick to expand, but really works nice as a walking stick.

Jim

[billpool]

Hello:
 
I was wondering if anyone  here has any experience using the Leki Nordic walking sticks?  More specifically has anyone come across an attachment that'll permit them to be used as a bipod with either a handgun or rifle.  I guess one could cobble something together like a section of a bicycle innertube to hold them together.  I almost always am using these while hiking/packing and it'd sure be nice not to have to carry an extra set of sticks when shooting.  Thoughts please?
 
TIA
 

[jhalcott]

billpool, I've seen those nordic poles, never used them. I use the Stoney Point bipod

[rickyp]

what I do is when scouting, I will find a small tree branch so sapling that has a "Y" in it and cut it off at the right heigh. Then I will tim the branches that extend from the"y" part. and it works real well, free and is the best camo you could ever want.
and if you need a longer one just make a ow one it only takes a minute or so and if you need it shorter you can just snap it

[Possum]

Three proven ideas:

1.Get a pair of Stoney point sticks, or bipod, or tripod.  I like the tripod since they convert to a bipod or a monopod as the need arises.  I have the bipod and will be buying the conversion monopod shortly.  

2.  Do the Wal mart thing with the tent poles.  Made of fiberglass and shock cord.  With a piece of 3/8" black hose you can make the yoke to go between them and it works great.  I have two pair I leave in the truck at all times.  Cost is about 4.00-5.00

3.Go to Walmart again and look for a camera monopod.  Take a 4" x 1.5" piece of wood and drill 4 holes at an angle on each upper corner.  Then run some 2-3" dowels (whatever is your preference) into the holes to form a "V" at each end of the block.  Either paint it or camo duck tape it.  You can buy a female adapter for the screw on the end of the monopod at the local hardware store.  Drill a hole in the bottom and mount it to the monopod.  Makes a GREAT rest for a TC pistol or rifle, for that matter.  Extremely solid.  Can be used in a treestand or on foot.

I re-read the post and see you want a factory set.  I would go with the stoney point.  They are expensive, but worth it.  That is what we are using for all the youth hunts in this state.

[Ganjiro]

I bought a 5' length of 1" diameter bamboo at the garden supply, and added 1" rubber chair leg cap on each end the whole setup costing like $3.00.  I use it as a walking stick but when shooting just hold the stick with my left hand and lay the rifle on top of the left wrist for a steady hold.

[winman]

Here I go again, yet another unpopular opinion.  
 
Why waste money on mono-pods, bi-pods or other contrivances that just add to the weight you need to carry afield simply because they are being offered by the various manufacturers (to make them money) instead of learning to shoot from a sitting or prone position using a sling?  The sling helps you handle the weight of your gun while carrying it and with a little practice can be used to steady the rifle for a quick sitting shot (or prone if the weeds are not too too high).  It is also useful while leaning against a tree or by using a forked branch for additional support.   Not to mention offhand if time allows.  To me all you need to do is learn the proper use of a hasty sling.
 
But, that's just me.
 
Simply one more old timer's suggestion.

[Redhawk1]

Here I go again, yet another unpopular opinion.  
 
Why waste money on mono-pods, bi-pods or other contrivances that just add to the weight you need to carry afield simply because they are being offered by the various manufacturers (to make them money) instead of learning to shoot from a sitting or prone position using a sling?  The sling helps you handle the weight of your gun while carrying it and with a little practice can be used to steady the rifle for a quick sitting shot (or prone if the weeds are not too too high).  It is also useful while leaning against a tree or by using a forked branch for additional support.   Not to mention offhand if time allows.  To me all you need to do is learn the proper use of a hasty sling.
 
But, that's just me.
 
Simply one more old timer's suggestion.

What you fail to realize is, I use my shooting sticks as a walking stick. Until you go into the tundra in Alaska or climb hills and mountains you won't know the value of good shooting sticks.

Also if you have not noticed, you are in a handgun area, not much room for a sling or anything else.  

[winman]

Sorry.  In all seriousness, I didn't realize I was in a handgun hunting forum when I made this post.  I do hunt deer with handguns (also rifles in Montana and Wyoming), muzzleloaders, and shotguns in my home state.  

I will try to mind my manners in the future.  

Please accept my apology.

It's just that I try to incorporate skills from my target shooting background into the field.

[Redhawk1]

Sorry.  In all seriousness, I didn't realize I was in a handgun hunting forum when I made this post.  I do hunt deer with handguns (also rifles in Montana and Wyoming), muzzleloaders, and shotguns in my home state.  

I will try to mind my manners in the future.  

Please accept my apology.

It's just that I try to incorporate skills from my target shooting background into the field.

No need to apologize, I was just letting you know it was the handgun section.

But even so, I like to use my shooting sticks with either my handguns or rifles. I believe in making the best shot possible and the most humane, and shooting sticks give me that security of knowing I am able to do that. I owe the animal my best.  JMHO.  

[daddywpb]

I use shooting sticks, tree branches, fence posts, rocks with a shirt thrown on top, a backpack, a good shooting sling and anything else I can find to make a perfect shot.

I agree 100% with Redhawk 1. We owe the animal our best. Use your shooting skills and whatever is available to make a one shot kill, no matter what type of firearm you have at the time.

[John]

I'm with rickyp on this deal, there's too many free sticks in the woods that will work just fine.

[Redhawk1]

I'm with rickyp on this deal, there's too many free sticks in the woods that will work just fine.

Use what you want, as long as it works. But you won't find any in the Arctic circle in Alaska, no trees around.  :-D

[John]

Well, you ain't gonna get this boy from the south up there for any reason, but if I was gonna go someplace where there weren't any trees, it wouldn't be a problem. Just like around here where there's lots of em, I have my stick all picked out and cut to size before I get to where I'm gonna hunt.

I spect they ain't got any of them there store bought shootin sticks in Nanook land either. :-D

" Watch out where the huskies go, and don't you eat no yellow snow."
                                                                            F. Zappa

[Lawdog]

I'm with rickyp on this deal, there's too many free sticks in the woods that will work just fine.

Use what you want, as long as it works. But you won't find any in the Arctic circle in Alaska, no trees around.  :-D

Also I'm usually to busy looking for game to bother looking for sticks to shoot from.  that is why I carry my home made(from arrow blanks) ones on my belt.  That way I don't have to take time from hunting.  Lawdog
 

[leverfan]

Well, I always have to have a walking stick with me, because I have a bum knee.  I've got a light weight Tracks aluminum walking stick with a spike on the ground end of it.  You can also put on a little rubber "foot."  The pole unscrews into two 2.5' pieces.  When I got it, I unscrewed the wooden knob that was on top of it.  Underneath is a standard thread camera mount, which also lets you attach a small, plastic, Y-shaped gun cradle.  I padded mine with leather.  The Y is also the right size for holding down a rattle snake, for what that's worth (and it can be worth quite a lot on a narrow trail cut in the side of a canyon in the Blue Mountains! )

The shaft of the walking stick is black, and not too shiny.  Flat green spray paint would make it even better, I guess, but it's not needed.  Leave it in one piece for standing shots with the pistol, or take it down to a half piece for sitting/kneeling.  It's worked for me for about 7 or 8 years now.

[Redhawk1]

I'm with rickyp on this deal, there's too many free sticks in the woods that will work just fine.

Use what you want, as long as it works. But you won't find any in the Arctic circle in Alaska, no trees around.  :-D

Also I'm usually to busy looking for game to bother looking for sticks to shoot from.  that is why I carry my home made(from arrow blanks) ones on my belt.  That way I don't have to take time from hunting.  Lawdog
 

I would rather be hunting for game than a stick also. On thing, it is had to carry a 6 foot stick on a bush plain.    :-D

[jro45]

I put together some shooting sticks earlyer this year. They are a little on the heavy side. That walking stick sound like a good idea.