We might earn income from the merchandise obtainable on this web page and take part in affiliate packages. Learn More ›
The bipod you employ is dependent upon your particular wants and the configuration of your rifle. It wasn’t at all times so difficult. Years again when all rifles had swivel studs as attachment factors and there have been solely a pair bipod makers value being attentive to, the reply was easy. Go along with a Harris. Relying in your state of affairs, that’s nonetheless not a nasty alternative.
However we’ve witnessed an explosion within the number of bipods lately pushed by area of interest functions that make the query of what the best bipod is a bit more durable to reply. It is a good downside, nevertheless. Whether or not you’re searching for a bipod for mountain searching, precision rifle competitors, excessive long-range capturing, or one thing that may match a modest funds—there are myriad choices to select from. What we’ve listed below are one of the best rifle bipods of the lot.
Placing The Finest Bipods To The Take a look at
The bipods listed below are ones that I and my fellow Outside Life editors have used and vetted. They’re those we take into the mountains, use throughout gun checks for evaluating rifle accuracy off a bench, and are a part of our equipment for long-range matches.
The conclusions listed below are primarily based on years of capturing and searching expertise with the varied fashions and capturing them head-to-head towards one another and others of their area of interest.
Finest Rifle Bipods: Evaluations & Suggestions
Harris bipods are a stable go-to possibility for any rifle.
Execs
- Basic, bomb-proof design
- Simple to function
- Inexpensive
- Numerous add-ons in Harris ecosystem obtainable
Cons
- Not a whole lot of adjustability in system
So many cliches can describe Harris bipods. Rock stable. Time examined. Tried and true. All of them apply. As an all-around high quality bipod that’s moderately priced, the Harris S-series stays a best choice.
The legs on this mannequin prolong from 9 to 13 inches when the tab holding the spring-loaded legs is depressed. A wheel on the rear of the bipod controls the stress on the lean characteristic. With heavy rifles it may be tough to maintain it tight sufficient to forestall the rifle from eager to flop over. In case you encounter that, take into account getting a substitute wheel with a deal with on it that may be cranked down tighter.
The legs solely have two positions—stowed or 90 levels down, and the width of the toes is mounted as properly. That mentioned, there are a ton of aftermarket equipment to configure Harris bipods to your liking.
After I’m utilizing a rifle with a single swivel stud up entrance, the Harris S-series is what I most frequently flip to.
Execs
- Easy
- Inexpensive
- Light-weight
Cons
- Not a whole lot of adjustability in system
- Cumbersome profile appears misplaced on slender rifles
The polymer Magpul MOE is a stripped-down, primary, reasonably priced, and efficient bipod. What you see is what you get with the MOE. The 2 legs deploy simply by hand and lock into place. Push buttons on both leg enables you to prolong them from about 7 to 10 inches in ½-inch steps.
The bipod has rubber toes that grip properly however will be changed with frequent aftermarket toes if you need one thing completely different.
The bipod locks onto a swivel stud through a big thumb wheel that’s simple to control and tighten. Within the stowed place the bipod doesn’t prolong very far beneath the fore-end, which is sweet. The bipod solely weighs 8 ounces, although the silhouette of the Magpul MOE is fairly chunky. Whereas it appears proper at dwelling on ARs and trendy chassis rifles, it may be an odd match with a extra historically configured deer gun.
Caldwell’s bipods borrow closely from the traditional Harris design.
Execs
- Cheap
- Confirmed design
Cons
- Restricted versatility
- Not as sturdy as premium bipods
At round 50 bucks, the Caldwell XLA Pivot—which borrows closely from the unique Harris bipod design—is hard to beat. It comes with 4 completely different leg configurations: 6 to 9 inches; 9 to 13 inches; 13 to 23 inches; and 13.5 to 27 inches.
It makes use of a single thumb wheel to clamp onto a swivel stud and has legs that use stout exterior springs to carry them rigidly in place, whether or not deployed or stowed.
The legs have index grooves on them to set their top and are tipped with rubber toes. Likewise, the cradle that contacts the fore-end has a rubber lining to forestall marring the inventory. The cradle cants a complete of 18-degrees to assist the shooter stage the rifle on uneven terrain.
I’ve used these bipods many instances prior to now and they’re stable performers. There’s nothing fancy about them, however there’s nothing fallacious both.
Finest Basic Precision Rifle Bipod: Atlas BT10 V8
Atlas BT10 bipods will be outfitted with completely different fashion toes.
Execs
- Simple to deploy
- Versatile
- Sturdy
I’ve been working Atlas bipods for a very long time. I’ve acquired not less than a half-dozen in my stock in numerous configurations. For normal precision rifle work—whether or not on a bolt gun or semi-auto AR-type gasoline rig—they’re one of the best rifle bipod in mild of the steadiness they strike with offering stable help, their ease of use, versatility, sturdiness, and value.
They’re properly machined out of aluminum and aren’t excessively cumbersome. The legs will be positioned in 5 completely different positions from 0 to 180 levels. The legs on this mannequin go from 6.5 to 10 inches in size. That diploma of adjustability makes them very adaptable to various kinds of terrain. The toes will also be swapped from the usual rubber pads to spiked variations.
The spring-loaded collars on the legs, that are used to set the leg size, are comparatively simple to control whilst you’re arrange behind the gun, that means you may make changes rapidly. This is usually a lifesaver whether or not you’re in the midst of a stage throughout a match or about to shoot a deer of a lifetime.
Atlas bipods are stiff for his or her measurement and might take being loaded exhausting. The heads they’re constructed on traverse 30-degrees for panning they usually have a little bit of cant on faucet as properly to simply stage your rifle. This model weighs about 13 ounces.
Atlas bipods have three attachment choices: Fast detach Picatinny (my favourite, although it provides about $60 to the value), completely secured with two screws to a Picatinny rail, or a modular clamping possibility to be used with different techniques (ARMS 17S, Badger Ordnance Tramp, LaRue Tactical LT271, and so on.).
The legs on the double-pull MDT Ckye-Pod present a better vary of adjustment than the single-pull fashions.
Execs
- Glorious versatility and pace
- Nice stability
Lots of the highest opponents in sensible precision rifle disciplines like PRS, NRL, RTC and others run—or aspire to run—MDT Ckye Pods. The flexibility, pace, and help supplied by these bipods is second-to-none. They’re arguably one of the best rifle bipod being made right this moment.
MDT bought the design from my buddy Ckye Thomas just a few years again and moved manufacturing to their amenities in Canada. After some rising pains, they labored the kinks out of mass producing this advanced design and have rolled out various fashions.
The Gen2 fashions are available in just a few configurations. The one-pull leg design continues to be the most typical. The legs alter from 9.5 to 14.5 inches in size. The leg width is adjustable too—from pinched shut collectively to get the gun up excessive, to unfold ridiculously far aside to maintain the rifle near the bottom. The legs will also be independently set at 0, 45, and 90 levels.
Oh, and the top spins round 180 levels too. All that adjustability wouldn’t depend for a lot if you happen to couldn’t do it rapidly on the clock—however the Ckye Pod makes that simple too.
The double pull system goes from 9.5 to 18 inches. It bumps the load from 1 pound 6 ounces to 1 pound 10 ounces and bumps the value up $200 as properly.
When you get your fingers on one, it isn’t obscure why they price as a lot as they do. It’s additionally value noting that as a result of they’re difficult, that you must preserve them. Meaning protecting them clear, lubed up, and ensuring the fasteners are correctly tightened.
In case you deal with it, the MDT Ckye-Pod will deal with you and make you a extra succesful long-range shooter.
Finest Ultralight Bipod: MDT Mountain Bipod
Execs
- Solely 5.8 ounces
- Very versatile width and top changes
- Spiked toes for stable placement
- Obtainable in Picatinny or ARCA Swiss mounting
In case you’re searching for the last word light-weight bipod, you’ll be exhausting pressed to discover a higher one than the MDT Mountain Bipod. This design, which was bought by MDT from MTNGear in 2025, is the brainchild of Matt Vincent of New Zealand and is essentially the most secure and versatile ultralight bipod now we have ever seen. It weighs solely 5.8 ounces and has twist-lock carbon-fiber legs that may prolong to 14 inches.
The aluminum clamp has a spring-loaded detent to clip onto Picatinny rail, and an ARCA Swiss mannequin is offered too. Tilt friction is adjustable through a single set screw on the underside of the clamp. You’ll want the included 4mm hex wrench to tighten or loosen it. Every leg has a push-button detent and two positions, up or down. The leg width of the bipod will be adjusted through one other button, which permits the left leg to swing outward — much like the CKYE pod.
It provides the Mountain Bipod the power to place the rifle wherever from three to 16 inches off the bottom (measured to the Picatinny rail). Moreover, every leg is capped with a single aluminum spike, which helps hold the bipod from slipping in gravel or different free floor. These caps are clamped onto the tip of the legs and replaceable if worn down.
As soon as conversant in this bipod, you’ll be capable of function it with one hand and rapidly adapt to simply about any capturing state of affairs. It offers nice stability, which is crucial for light-weight mountain weapons, however will nonetheless attraction to essentially the most stringent ounce counter.
This intelligent bipod is the brainchild of my good friend Rob Gearing. He’s a semi-crazy Brit who spends as a lot of his time within the backcountry as doable and who’s obsessive about fly fishing, searching, precision capturing, and light-weight gear.
This bipod is right for mountain searching since it’s sturdy, mild, and fast to deploy. In contrast to most bipods that stay affixed to the rifle, the Javelin slips into socket in an adapter you set in your rifle and is held in place by a robust magnet. The concept is that you simply carry the bipod, with the legs folded collectively, in a pants pocket or in your jacket and pull it out while you get arrange for the shot. Getting the bipod on the rifle takes just a few seconds.
The bipod weighs in at 5 ounces or much less, so this can be very transportable. It may be had in three fixed-leg lengths: 5.1 in., 7.2 in., and eight.7 in. Their respective weights are 4.6 oz., 4.8 oz, and 5 oz.
The bipod cants to regulate to uneven floor and the system pans simply for traversing onto goal. Whereas the Javelin is greater than sufficient for stabilizing a searching rifle, it doesn’t present the identical stability as designs geared for competitors.
Learn Subsequent: Spartan Ascent Tripod Review
Finest for NRL Hunter: MDT Ckye-Pod Gen 2 Triple Pull
Execs
- Glorious vary of adjustment
- Superb stability
Cons
- Complicated and ponderous
- Costly
Because the NRL Hunter collection has change into extra aggressive with the highest shooters looking for each doable benefit, we’ve witnessed an explosion within the variety of MDT Triple Pulls being fielded. It brings glorious stability to a wide range of positions, serving to you eek out additional impacts — however these stage factors come at a steep value.
At $1,000 it’s a specialised splurge. However it enables you to rapidly shoot from a excessive kneeling place with confidence, particularly when employed with a rear help, as from a tripod leg or different object. (In case you actually wish to maximize pace and stability with a rear tripod relaxation, strap on an Armageddon Gear Rear Admiral bag, which creates a cushion between the butt inventory and tripod leg.)
As with different MDT bipods, every leg has a push-button lock to place it in a slim, center, and broad stance. One other push-button launch lets the legs rotate from flat dealing with ahead, to straight down at 90 levels, with a 45-degree setting the center. Add to this skill of every leg to increase from 13.5 to 36.5 inches (measured from the bottom of the foot to the leg’s pivot level), and the RRS ARCA/Picatinny clamping head, which rotates 360-degrees, and also you get an almost infinite variety of methods to deploy the tripod to your benefit.
Run out to its tallest place, the Triple Pull provides 37 inches of elevation as measured from the bottom to the highest of clamp. When capturing inclined the clamp top measures 8 inches with the legs unfold broad and totally collapsed. That may be dropped to six inches by pivoting the legs to the 45-degree place, however except you’re on flat floor that may be awkward.
The Triple Pull’s weight can also be one thing to contemplate. Mine suggestions the scales at 2 kilos, 6.4 ounces. For shooters attempting to make the 12-pound cutoff weight for the NRL Hunter “Mild” divisions, it will necessitate compromise elsewhere, sometimes within the weight of the scope. For the 16-pound Open Heavy threshold it’s a better piece of substances to include.
To be clear, this can be a advanced piece of kit that requires upkeep and apply to grasp — and given the variety of parts it’ll definitely be extra liable to having one thing break or go awry than different bipods on this record. However as with every good high-performance piece of substances, it has the potential to raise your sport and offer you an edge.
Finest for NRL Hunter (Runner Up): MDT Ckye-Pod Lightweight Single Pull
Execs
- Sturdy
- Versatile
- Fast to deploy
For these of us who can’t justify buying an MDT Triple Pull for NRL Hunter, this light-weight single pull is a worthwhile possibility. Particularly for shooters who compete in divisions that restrict rifle weight to 12 kilos — which incorporates the scope, bipod, and every other gizmos you would possibly wish to connect to your gun.
Since many opponents spend money on giant precision rifle scopes that eat up a whole lot of the 12-pound weight allotment, saving some ounces in a bipod whereas not sacrificing stability is a great technique. To make weight whereas nonetheless working a succesful bipod, many shooters — myself included — have taken to the MDT Ckye-Pods Light-weight Single Pull. It offers almost the identical stability and flexibility because the common Gen2 fashions, whereas slicing 5 to six ounces from the system.
In truth, I’m such a fan of this bipod that I’m typically taking it with me searching, even on grueling mountain hunts the place each ounce must justify itself. It has a clamp that attaches rapidly (and securely) to both RRS ARCA rails or Picatinny rails. It’s so sturdy and fast to deploy that when the time involves make the shot, you’re going to be glad you introduced it alongside.
Finest for Stalking: Spartan Precision Springbok
Execs
- Nice for sitting or kneeling
- Mounted and eliminated rapidly
- Carbide spiked toes
- Versatile and simple to regulate
Cons
- Not supreme for inclined capturing
Spartan Precision Gear is at all times considering exterior the field, and their Springbok bipod is a good instance of this. It’s an on-the-fly searching bipod that’s designed to cater to sitting, kneeling, and even low standing pictures. It makes use of Spartan’s proprietary magnetic stud system which permits the shooter to rapidly connect and detach the bipod, however makes use of a versatile rubber becoming to attach the mount to the legs. This technique lets the hunter transfer and place the legs rapidly with none buttons or levers.
In its shortest configuration, the legs are 20 inches lengthy and when splayed out flat, the gun is positioned about 3 inches off the bottom. At its longest setting, it could get your rifle roughly 50 inches off the bottom. This may be a fantastic possibility for predator callers who’re doing most of their capturing from a sitting place, or if you happen to’re lower than six toes tall and would possibly must make an impromptu standing shot.
I’m barely over six toes tall and discover it fairly handy to hold the Springbok in an prolonged place and rapidly snap it into the gun for a low standing shot. It’s a secure and expedient relaxation, but additionally works properly in additional structured positions resembling utilizing a tripod leg for rear help. It’s simply as adept for on-the-move searching as sitting in a floor blind.
Easy methods to Select the Finest Rifle Bipod
Most bipods come in several variations. The principle variations are within the lengths of the legs, the varied attachments they’ll accommodate, the best way they hook up with the rifle, and further options, resembling panning and tilting.
The bipods I’ve chosen largely characterize a primary model of the model and mannequin. However if you need a bipod with a selected attribute—say additional lengthy legs for making kneeling pictures in tall grass—lots of the makers listed right here provide variants for these wants.
Bipod Leg Size
Leg size might be essentially the most crucial consideration. The longer the legs, the simpler it’s to clear obstacles together with your rifle. However longer legs add weight and are much less secure as a result of they’ll flex extra readily.
For primary inclined capturing off a bench or capturing mat, legs which are 6 to eight inches lengthy that reach one other 3 or 4 inches are guess. They’ll work properly in some discipline conditions however can actually come up quick if you end up in a capturing place with a whole lot of vegetation.
Fashions with legs which are 9 to 16 inches mean you can shoot extra simply from kneeling and sitting positions. And there are some bipods with extra-long leg attachments that may get you as excessive as 30 inches off the bottom.
Bipod Attachment Varieties
Whichever bipod you go along with, be sure that it’s suitable with the attachment system in your rifle — normally a swivel stud, Picatinny rail, or ARCA rail. You additionally wish to be sure that the bipod works properly with different equipment in your rifle, resembling slings, weapon lights, evening imaginative and prescient items, and so forth.
Sling swivel studs are most typical on searching rifles and whereas they cut back a rifle’s total weight, they lack the safety and adaptability of a Picatinny or ARCA rail. A Picatinny rail is safe and it’s fast to connect/detach a bipod to a Pic rail. The draw back is that not all Picatinny mounts are made to the identical spec so that you may need to make changes to the mount if you happen to swap a bipod between rifles. ARCA rails have gotten extra frequent on rifles, particularly precision rifles, as a result of they permit shooters to make use of tripods and bipods. They’re additionally quick to connect, safe, and you’ll rapidly reposition an ARCA bipod ahead or again. The principle con of an ARCA rail is the added weight over a sling swivel stud and even Picatinny.
How To Shoot Off A Rifle Bipod
There are a variety of various methods that may be employed when capturing with a bipod, significantly when the capturing place includes rocks, bushes, barricades and different terrain options.
However on the whole, you wish to get sq. behind the rifle and put a reasonable quantity of ahead stress into the inventory together with your shoulder. This can take the slack out of the bipod legs and is usually known as loading the bipod.
Additionally, you will stabilize your crosshairs—at all times factor—and aid you management the recoil of your rifle. This can enhance the precision of your pictures and can help you with getting again on course rapidly.
You don’t must put the whole lot of your physique weight into the bipod, however it’s best to have sufficient stress so that you simply don’t want a rear help bag to maintain the rifle from slipping off your shoulder.
FAQs
When establishing on coyotes you’ll typically end up in a sitting place. You’ve a pair choices right here. You may run a regular size bipod with 9- to 12-inch legs for inclined capturing along with capturing sticks (I like to make use of crossed trekking poles) for sitting pictures. Or you may go along with one thing just like the Harris S-25 that has legs that reach from 12 to 25 inches.
For a shooter on a funds, the Magpul MOE is an effective alternative for an AR-15 bipod. It doesn’t add a lot weight, it’s appears praise the AR-15 format, and it’s a nice worth. For a higher-end AR-15 bipod the place maximizing precision is the purpose take into account the Atlas BT10 V8 collection with the fast detach system for Picatinny rails.
Closing Ideas on the Finest Rifle Bipods
Zeroing in on the best bipod for you includes weighing three primary components. Funds is a giant one. A very good bipod will be had for $50, however some are north of $500. This results in the following issue, which is whether or not you need one thing for normal use or have a distinct segment utility in thoughts. There are a number of good all-around bipods to choose amongst, however if you happen to’re outfitting a rifle for mountain searching or want one thing that may aid you win a match that modifications the equation.
When you’ve taken funds and utility into consideration, then that you must choose the precise mannequin. As you’ve seen, most bipods are available in a number of completely different flavors, with completely different leg lengths, technique attachment, and different options. Carry out this calculus and also you’ll choose one of the best rifle bipod earlier than you realize it.
Trending Merchandise
