29" Harris Bi On Ultra .243

[DeeGee]

I do a lot of shooting sitting on a 5 gal. bucket and a 29" Harris Bi-Pod.
The Q.D. connector on the front of the Forend just doesn't work on this long Pod attached to the Ultra.  There is a machinest/gunsmith at the local gun show that has a machined combination of the 1/4-20X 1/2" FH screw with the Q.D. All in one. (not cheap but works super)
 

My question is:  on my .243 Ultra the 1/2 length sure look very, very short to me.  I get only two turns of thread before the chamfer is in contact with the Forend.  The machinist says that the 1/2" length is factory spec.  I can see a 5/8" or even a 3/4" on my Ultra.  could fit.  Do I have a thicker Forend perhaps?  Would be interested in hearing from other Ultra owners on the length of the Forend screw.  

Wondering why H&R would use a course thread here instead of  fine?
Thanks for any comments.   DG

[quickdtoo]

Buy a ¼x20x¾ flat head screw and try it.....then report back!! :lol: I've thought about just mounting a machine screw QD base near the rear of the forend with the nut countersunk within the barrel channel, but haven't done it yet since I shoot with a Stoney Point Explorer bipod instead of an attached bipod.

http://www.unclemikes.com/adtemplate.asp?invky=9005974&catky=&subcatky1=4548842&subcatky2=

http://www.stoneypoint.com/bipod_index.html

[DeeGee]

The 3/4" screw fits perfectly and should supply enough support to handle the high Harris.    I'm going to see if I can have the machinest fit a Q.D. on this longer screw so I can use the 26" Harris.   Perhaps the 1/2" screw could have enough thread contact to support the 6" Harris Bipod.  Having the bipod centered along the length of the forend sure makes the Ultra sharp looking.  DG