Thread: Shooting sticks advice

Hey all. I came across a situation today where I could see two deer across a gully but the shooting rest options I had was tough with branches in the way plus about half a meter of undergrowth to contend with. As per standard, where there was a gap in the trees the ground was terrible and vice versa. My little Spartan bipod was pushing shit well up hill. Tried for a rest from off a branch but that wasn't good enough. If I was in a sitting position with a portable high rest I think I could have been in a much better place. I've looked at a few stories etc but never really thought much more about them. Anyone using these regularly and it would be great to get some feedback on what's good or bad if anyone has experience. Many thanks. James

I use homemade quad sticks for rabbit shooting. More stable than a tripod, although tripods are useful too, better in the sitting position. How much stuff do you want to carry around the hills?

I think they’re fantastic kit. Get the lightweight tent-pole style folding ones. Two-legged, not attached to the gun. Magic for shooting in steep or tussocky country.

Use bipod shooting sticks & these are a brilliant solution for situations as you describe or tall tussock. Good a hill stick too. Brand is Vanguard cost about $90 from memory.

I have a set of Viperflex Journey shooting sticks that my son uses and they are really good but do have some limitations. These are “quad” sticks which support the rifle at the front of the stock and just behind the pistol grip. The biggest drawback is they are not easy to adjust the leg length if you are on the side of a hill. Also quite expensive.

Shooting off sticks is a pretty specialized skill. If you do not practice it regularly, i'd say don't bother.

The Primos ones are good for hunting. Reasonably light, quick deploy etc.

Or you could look at a carbon PRS tripod and mount a short section of ARCA rail. I know some of the SI boys now take these on hunts. Super stable, but again, you need to practice with these and figure out the best way to "load" them and how to hold the rifle.

Four stable sticks, or their imported copies (Rudolph in Cambridge).
https://www.rudolphoptics.co.nz/prod...hooting-sticks

The best 170$ you ll ever spend.
To practice, get a 22 and start shooting hare, rabbits et possums of these.

Originally Posted by Friwi

Four stable sticks, or their imported copies (Rudolph in Cambridge).
https://www.rudolphoptics.co.nz/prod...hooting-sticks

The best 170$ you ll ever spend.
To practice, get a 22 and start shooting hare, rabbits et possums of these.

Better bring them next time @Friwi.

Originally Posted by Friwi

Four stable sticks, or their imported copies (Rudolph in Cambridge).
https://www.rudolphoptics.co.nz/prod...hooting-sticks

The best 170$ you ll ever spend.
To practice, get a 22 and start shooting hare, rabbits et possums of these.

I took @Friwi advice..took delivery of them last week. Had a session with 22 in my bubble on lifestyle block. They felt strange at first but I quickly settled into them. I want them as a walking pole as well. In that respect they feel strong enough when locked together. I would like two changes to them. I don't see them as a quick deploy solution for a fast shot, more for a distant shot where you have time on undisturbed game, or your setting up to wait. So the first thing I can change myself which is to add a second velcro locking strap to make them more rigid as a walking stick. The second thing is to do with the first locking position when deployed. Its too high for me. Can't remember but there is probably a shorter option. Being 6ft I went with the tall one which may yet prove to be a good decision in the field. The issue is not the height when shooting, that is easily adjusted by extending the legs. I want to leave them in the first extended shooting position when I close them up as a walking stick..it works, but its about 15cm too high. So I'll probably drill another set of holes to change that.

But I agree, like all kit, need heaps of practice so you just deploy them without thinking. Same as any gear really.

This was a lockdown project the plastic half pipe can be unscrewed so the tripod can still be used with a camera. Cost was $0.00 as already had tripod, pipe, M5 nut and hot glue gun to hold nut in place. So far have shot 1 rabbit and 2 magpies with it, I have to be able to shoot over a bank from about 5m so this works perfectly, took some practice though as its totally different from prone with a bipod.

K2 Hunter pack.....sit it on ground and sit behind it resting rifle on frame with sandwiched hand between frame and stock....a hill stick works too,the trick is to hold stick and stock in off hand...takes a bit to get used to...with light recoiling rifle you can grasp stick and leave forend across wrist.

Made several sets out of garden stakes, the steel with plastic covering, 4 - 5mm nylock nuts and bolts. Can't photo as a Mate burrowed them and never gave them back.

Originally Posted by flock

Made several sets out of garden stakes, the steel with plastic covering, 4 - 5mm nylock nuts and bolts. Can't photo as a Mate burrowed them and never gave them back.

Pictures

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

K2 Hunter pack.....sit it on ground and sit behind it resting rifle on frame with sandwiched hand between frame and stock....a hill stick works too,the trick is to hold stick and stock in off hand...takes a bit to get used to...with light recoiling rifle you can grasp stick and leave forend across wrist.

As @mickyDuck says: sit behind your K2 pack and use the frame, I have a section of hard foam u shape (the blue bit) that the ali joiners use to transport windows and doors, squeeze it over the frame and poke a hole for the cable tie through. On hill sides, over high tussock, good for sniping hoppers out to 300 and you can hide in plain sight.

A pair of trekking poles can also double-up quite nicely as shooting sticks with a bit of thought.