There are many different types of rifle bipods, monopods, and tripods on the market that offer great value to hunters.
There are so many factors that go into getting prepared for your next hunt, but a stable shooting platform should be towards the top of your list.
Many Hunters use monopods, bipods, shooting rests, or tripods, but my favorite has always been a bipod. This blog is going to help you find the right rifle bipod for your hunting rifle and environment.
How Do I Find the Best Bipod for My Environment?
The first mistake I ever made with choosing my bipod is not buying the right one for the environment that I hunt in. For example, if you’re hunting in the Rockies or high elevation mountains, you don’t need a 6-9" bipod.
Being able to lay prone and have clear sight for miles is a big advantage to have for a hunter. Not every environment has these advantages, so you have to consider where you’ll be hunting when you choose a bipod.
Height of the Bipod
I use the Caldwell XLA Bipod with the 13.5"-27" legs when I hunt in Ohio or Virginia. Unless I’m able to hunt on a farm, there is no chance for me to see more than 100 yards in the dense National Forests that cover the Midwest and East coast.
We all have our advantages and disadvantages in every environment and lack of a clear line of sight is something we hunters in the woodlands deal with. I originally had a 6-9" bipod on my Springfield 30-06, but I immediately noticed that the legs were not long enough to see over the tall grass, hay, or weeds that are so abundant in Virginia.
Shooting over great distances is going to require a perfectly stable shooting platform if you’re trying to make a 500 yard shot with the crosswind at 11,000 feet. Having the legs collapsed or using the 6"-9" bipod is going to be best for those conditions because I think it’s more stable to shoot from.
The friends and family I have in Colorado all use the 6"-9 or the “9"-13" bipod because it gives them just enough rise from the ground, but isn’t above sitting position at 27".
Obviously, there are many hunters that prefer to have the taller rifle bipod, so always use the tool that fits you.
Caldwell XLA Bipod
The Caldwell XLA Bipod is incredibly lightweight with spring-loaded legs to ensure your bipod is deployed as quickly as possible. Initially, the reason I chose this bipod was the fact that it’s universal with any swivel stud and the legs can be adjusted to 27" tall. I can use this bipod on my 30-06 Springfield and it still is able to handle the force of my Bergara Premier 7mm Rem Mag.
One of the most important features of any bipod is how secure it clamps to your rifle because you need a stable platform to shoot from. If your bipod can’t securely fasten to your rifle, your shots will be off and your money will be wasted. The XLA Bipod clamps down on the swivel stud and simultaneously prevents the stud from swiveling or twisting while the legs are deployed. This feature ensures that every shot you take is from a perfectly stable platform.
The feet on the bottom of the legs are made of non-slip rubber and work great on flat and rugged terrain. I’ve been really impressed by how well the rubber legs enhance the shooting platform.
Even after a shot, the rubber feet stay grounded for any follow-up shots without having to make an adjustment.
In Virginia and Ohio, we get so much rain in October and early November that you must have something to enhance the stability with wet and soft ground. The rubber feet on the Caldwell XLA provide the support that we need when hunting in the midwest and the Rockies.
This rifle bipod is stable, has protective padding to keep the upper receiver safe from marring and scratches. The rubberized feet provide an incredibly stable and secure footing to ensure every hunter that their shots won’t be affected by your bipod slipping out from under your rifle.
The legs deploy very fast and fold forward when not in use. For example, if you’re hiking in the mountains and want to keep a low profile, these legs will stay out of the way until you’re ready to set up for a shot.
One of the most overlooked features is the easy-to-see notches on your bipod legs. The notches are a good way to remember exactly where your own sweet spot is.
Big guns? Small guns? We don’t care! Just get outside and ring some steel!
Which Model Should I Buy, the Fixed or Pivot Bipod?
This is a tough question to answer for every hunter, but some things to keep in mind are the purpose of using a bipod and the environment that you’re shooting in. For example, if you’re hunting, I’d always go with a pivot bipod because animals never stay in one spot.
A pivot bracket allows you to slightly move your rifle from side to side without lifting or exposing yourself to the prey. As we all know, deer have incredible survival instincts and the slightest movements can cause a deer to bug out or hit their infamous " I see you" bark.
If you’re shooting for marksmanship, a fixed bipod will do great for you, since your target is stationary. Some people feel more comfortable with the fixed model because there is less chance your rifle can move during your shot.
How Do I Install a Bipod to a Sling Swivel?
One of the easiest things to install on your rifle is the sling or bipod attachment. Unfortunately, every rifle is different and not all rifles come with a swivel pin or sling pin to attach to. The easiest thing to do is to contact Caldwell Shooting. My rifle has a sling stud, so I’ve included the directions for my 30-06 Springfield rifle.
All you have to do is locate the front swivel on your rifle and turn it counter-clockwise to remove the swivel pin.
Once the swivel pin is loose or out, place your bipod in position on your fore-end (under the upper receiver for an AR).
Once your bipod is in place, replace the swivel pin on your rifle and turn clockwise to tighten the pin back into your rifle.
Caldwell XLA Vs. the Harris 1A2 Bipod
There are many comparisons between bipods, but I’ve seen that Harris is often compared to the Caldwell XLA. The Harris bipod is a fantastic bipod, made from steel and alloy, and incredibly lightweight. However, it’s 2x the cost of the Caldwell XLA bipod. The pattern on the Harris 1A2 bipod is very unique and they feature similar rubber feet and overall weight as the Caldwell XLA.
The Caldwell XLA is half the price at all 4 height levels offered in a bipod and has a better grip on their rubber feet and I prefer a more traditional camo pattern. I learned a long time ago to always live by the adage of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it". The Harris model may allow you to blend it in some way, but I know for a fact that the camo pattern on the Caldwell XLA will allow you to blend into any environment that I hunt in.
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