Trying to pick a bipod

S

slythy

Private
Minuteman
Nov 28, 2020
29
5
Indiana
#1
Hello,

I am currently using a cheap harris bipod knock off from amazon. I would like to get something much nicer. I would like to be able to cant the rifle to get it level which my current one does not allow. I have been looking at Atlas and Ckye pods. Skye pods seem so expensive.... Are they worth it? I plan on getting one that can mount to an arca rail.

I dont do PRS or any real sporting just target shooting stationary mostly prone.

Any insight would be great or if their are any obvious other options. I plan on waiting until Black Friday to try and do anything.
 
#2
I use the Atlas Cal for the range and for the first season of PRS. Worked fine. Just ordered a Ckye double pull for NRL hunter matches. I’ll carry it for PRS too for the occasional stage that may warrant it. Pretty rare though. Mostly out west from what I hear.
 
#6
slythy said:
Is the double pull worth the money? or would a single or PRS be perfectly fine
Click to expand...
Will you ever conceivably need a taller bipod? I have a single pull. For the price difference I should have got a triple pull, but the extra height is huge for my hunting. Your use may never require a triple, but for the relatively small extra cost, buy the double at least.
 
#7
Emerson0311 said:
Will you ever conceivably need a taller bipod? I have a single pull. For the price difference I should have got a triple pull, but the extra height is huge for my hunting. Your use may never require a triple, but for the relatively small extra cost, buy the double at least.
Click to expand...

I mean its all so expensive. I dont see myself needing to go double or triple ever. I shoot mostly prone. Im not sure I have the desire to do competitions at this point.
 
#8
slythy said:
I mean its all so expensive. I dont see myself needing to go double or triple ever. I shoot mostly prone. Im not sure I have the desire to do competitions at this point.
Click to expand...
Then buy a cheap Harris knockoff. At this point you have no concept of the difference expensive gear makes when you have invested $thousands in ammunition and practice time to be competitive. Is the juice worth the squeeze? Honestly, unless you are basically wealthy already, no, it’s not a net benefit to devote the resources necessary to become even regionally competitive in anything, shooting included. Yes, the intangible benefits are personally huge, but recreational is the best return on your investment, assuming you have a diversified life already on the go.
 
  • Like
Reactions: beetroot
#9
Emerson0311 said:
Then buy a cheap Harris knockoff. At this point you have no concept of the difference expensive gear makes when you have invested $thousands in ammunition and practice time to be competitive. Is the juice worth the squeeze? Honestly, unless you are basically wealthy already, no, it’s not a net benefit to devote the resources necessary to become even regionally competitive in anything, shooting included. Yes, the intangible benefits are personally huge, but recreational is the best return on your investment, assuming you have a diversified life already on the go.
Click to expand...
Thats all fair. Im just looking at like the Atlas vs Ckye pod and the price doubles to triples really fast. But there is a reason everyone uses the Ckye pod and they never get sold second hand... Moneys not really an issue, its whether or not its spent wisely.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Emerson0311
#10
slythy said:
Thats all fair. Im just looking at like the Atlas vs Ckye pod and the price doubles to triples really fast. But there is a reason everyone uses the Ckye pod and they never get sold second hand... Moneys not really an issue, its whether or not its spent wisely.
Click to expand...

Ckye Pods are sold second hand all the time. I got mine that way. Go look in the PX. They come up from time to time.

For your use it might be an overkill but you shouldn’t regret it. There are others out there like the Warne bipods and MDTs cheaper Grnd pod which gives some of the features in a less expensive set up. You really just need to figure what you need and what you want to spend. For just prone shooting pretty much all bipods will work as long as they have a swivel/cant feature.
 
  • Like
Reactions: beetroot, Nik H, Ronws and 2 others
#12
Rob01 said:
Ckye Pods are sold second hand all the time. I got mine that way. Go look in the PX. They come up from time to time.

For your use it might be an overkill but you shouldn’t regret it. There are others out there like the Warne bipods and MDTs cheaper Grnd pod which gives some of the features in a less expensive set up. You really just need to figure what you need and what you want to spend. For just prone shooting pretty much all bipods will work as long as they have a swivel/cant feature.
Click to expand...
I have a Grnd pod. Best bang for the buck!
 
  • Like
Reactions: FremontCo45
#13
I’m probably in the minority but I don’t like ckyepods. Tbac bipods are my favorite, atlas cal is solid for the money, if you want super lightweight mdts new mountain bipod is decent. Not as sturdy as a tbac but that’s the trade off for the weight.
 
#14
Just fyi since we are getting sorta close to black Friday, B&T sells blems around Black Friday. They go quick, so you need to be on point, but I got my Gen2 Cal last year for $204 shipped, and I can find no blem whatsoever.

(MDT has a badass sale too, but sometimes you need to get lucky)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: flogxal
#18
I don't compete. I can perform fine with a Harris, but prefer an Atlas at a minimum. Took a friend and his dad shooting out to 600 yards tonight. Both instantly complimented the Atlas when they got situated behind my rifle. They both use a Harris on their rifles. I am still eyeballing a TBAC to try though...

A quality bipod's price is worth every penny when you realize its a fraction of the total system costs, and most tend to notice the improvement instantly. If that improvement leads to less misses, it pays for itself quickly even for non-competitors. Plus you can always move it between rifles.
 
#19
Bipods are like shoes, there is no one best model for all tasks. I have run quite a few different models. In my opinion the accutac 5 WB is the best all around bipod for prone and bench shooters.

Something to think about, I have wide shoulders and a big upper body. I always run my bipod two notches out. So I like to buy longer bipods. For example, atlas makes a cal that is two inches longer. If you’re a big guy buy the longer version where possible.

My advice is it skip the ckyepod for your use case. It’s a waste of money for modified prone shooting.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrmarklin
#21
I shoot pretty much the same as OP, no PRS, primarily prone stationary target shooting.

Harris bipod w/ Pod-Loc works OK for a budget option. My go-to for a long time was the Atlas CAL but started running into and issue with it collapsing during a string of fire due to loading it (maybe I was loading it too much). Decided to try the Accu-Tac WB-4 and that was a tank. I played with it at home working on setup and adjustment and could not get over the bulk. Calling it a solid bipod is an understatement. I did how easy it was to extend the legs and the spring loaded retract. I ultimately went with the TBAC and have been very happy with it. In all cases, I would recommend getting the spike feet if you are going to setting it up in dirt or gravel.

I still have the Harris on my "M40A3" and it works good. The Atlas now floats between the Tikka T1X, .223Rem Bolt Action, AR-15 and AR-10. The Atlas started out on the AIAX which now hosts TBAC.

T
 
#23
If you are basically just target shooting at the range, not shooting comps then I would recommend something like the Atlas Super Cal, or an Accutac. For that use you might as well lean to more stability, not light weigh and portability. IMO the Ckye pod is great, but it's really only great because of it's features/flexibility for comps you aren't gaining anything at double the price from static prone/bench positions, in fact you're likely losing some stability for all that adjustment/flexibility. The ability to cant is great, but panning again, if you aren't hunting or shooting comps it's more problem than it's worth.

Accutac often has 30% off sales, B&T has blem deals all year, but they knock a bit extra off for black friday.

I've gone through tons of bipods for your use case. Multiple B&T, Accutac, Ckyepod, and for that use case, I prefer the Accutac LP50 (WB4/5 is not bad either) or the B&T Atlas Super Cal
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: mrmarklin
#24
slythy said:
Is the double pull worth the money? or would a single or PRS be perfectly fine
Click to expand...
While I am glad I have a double pull I find it's a little short for sitting or kneeling except in perfect conditions and prone with it maxed out is quite awkward unless you can get a pack or something under your chest.

Still handy but if you don't have an arca rail, tripod, and arca head I would get that first. It's more versatile.
 
#27
I ran a GG&G bipod for over a decade. Its alright but when I picked up a Sako TRG i wanted the factory bipod, spent the money on it and it keeps falling when shooting… so that was a waste of $550, opted to run over to a friends shop and see what he has.

Ran a few of the MDT bipods, PRS, double and triple pulls and they were alright. Loved the height cause i am a thick torso farm boy but they had this weird flexing point that kinda kept me from trusting them under recoil from either snapping or cracking - rare from what I heard but I am not spending 600-1000 on a maybe it wont maybe it will.

Found he had a few AccuTac bipods and gave those a try, really digged the WB5 for its wide stance and height and its supreme rigidity. The others where pretty cool but I am no F Class shooter and opted away from trying the hydraulic or pressurized squeeze adjustable ones.

Atlas series I genuinely enjoyed but it wasn’t as wide as I would have liked.

So, in my opinion the AccuTac WB4/5 is my go to bipod. Have ran 3 of them so far on my magnums/bolt guns and really like them. But on my Zev “M110 at home” build it sports one of the Atlas BT35 LW17 5H bipods and its great. No rattling, stiff controls and pan/can is easy but not too easy. For purely target shooting I’d do the Atlas LW17 5H or Accutac WB4/5, for purely hunting a double pull MDT
 
  • Like
Reactions: moosemeat
#29
@Rob01 is 100% right. I have a double pull and a PRS. I bought both of them through the PX at great prices compared to new. I have never had an issue with either of them.

I can't say enough good about Ckypods. I have owned all the popular other ones.

The Ckyepods are money.

If you mostly shoot prone, I would look at the Elite Iron as well. It is a great bipod.
 
#30
Depends how much money you want to spend, if money I no object then get a double pull Ckyepod. If you just want something better than you've got then get a Harris but make sure you get a notched, swiveling one.

Other options in the middle are; Atlas Cal, other size Ckyepod, Warne/Tier1 (Ckyepod style) or Gndpod.
 
#31
beetroot said:
Depends how much money you want to spend, if money I no object then get a double pull Ckyepod. If you just want something better than you've got then get a Harris but make sure you get a notched, swiveling one.

Other options in the middle are; Atlas Cal, other size Ckyepod, Warne/Tier1 (Ckyepod style) or Gndpod.
Click to expand...
The pain of paying more for the best fades quickly. The pain of regret lasts much longer.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 03machstock and ELCO82
#32
Nik H said:
The pain of paying more for the best fades quickly. The pain of regret lasts much longer.
Click to expand...
The diminishing returns on Gucci gear is real though.

OP has the equivalent of a Vortex Diamond back tactical (the POS with no zerostop) and a double pull Ckyepod is like a Razor Gen3. There's a lot of room between tthe the extremes with some very good options.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bluedog82 and flogxal
#34
If this is just for prone at paper/steel, for your own enjoyment and marksmanship improvement, the Ckye pod's greatness may not even be on your radar. Fast deploy with options for a tall setup. Does that sound like you? If not, the Ckye pod's probably not the best use of your $$. You can probably still work with the cheap Harris knockoff you found. What makes you want cant adjustment if you shoot mostly prone at a flat range?
 
#35
flogxal said:
If this is just for prone at paper/steel, for your own enjoyment and marksmanship improvement, the Ckye pod's greatness may not even be on your radar. Fast deploy with options for a tall setup. Does that sound like you? If not, the Ckye pod's probably not the best use of your $$. You can probably still work with the cheap Harris knockoff you found. What makes you want cant adjustment if you shoot mostly prone at a flat range?
Click to expand...

Agree with most of it except the cant feature. “Flat” ranges aren’t always flat. Adjusting the cant to level is a must have in my opinion and I would never buy a bipod without it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Simonsza1 and flogxal
#36
Starting out when I didn't have the money to drop, for many years I used a Harris S-BRM (canting, notched legs) with a kmw pod lock. Still have it as a backup / loaner but haven't used it in years.

Later I went to the Atlas V8, then the Atlas PSR (the rotating legs of the V8 annoyed me.) Still like them and still have a PSR in the collection, but haven't used it in a while.

For the last several years I tend to use an Atlas CAL or SCAL when I'm shooting from prone or from the bench for load development or when shooting squirrels from a rotobench. They're simple and stable, I prefer them to the V8 and PSR when you don't need panning.

During last year's black Friday sale at MDT I picked up a double pull ckyepod to see what all the fuss was about... Turns out it's great for support on weirdly shaped stuff you encounter in the field, and also works well prone or on the bench... but that versatility comes with a steep price. So in the field I now use the double pull ckyepod for more versatility on height and leg angles, and may end up buying a PRS length ckyepod. However, for prone/bench use I still tend to grab the Atlas CAL or SCAL over the ckyepod; not sure why other than habit.

If I had to choose only 1 of the ones I've had and used, on the cheaper end I'd choose the Atlas PSR if I needed the panning or the CAL if I knew I'd never need the panning, and on the expensive end I'd choose the ckyepod.

Of course, there may be other better or less expensive options out there that I haven't tried. I've read about but haven't tried Accutac, TBAC, elite iron, tier one, etc.
 
#37
I’ve used Accutac, TBAC, atlas, Harris, GGG and ckyepod.

Currently I run my Ckye double pull and Atlas Cal.

For general range shooting I grab the Atlas. For my hunting and overall versatility I’ll grab the Ckye. The Ckye is nicer and way more versatile. But if you don’t need that the atlas cal is what I’d go with.
 
  • Like
Reactions: beetroot
#38
An atlas will do fine if thats what budget allows. Tilt and pan are really nice options to have.

If you dont think you need the mucho expensive stuff you likely dont. I doubt an atlas will hold you back. Shoot it until you decide it sucks and holds you down, then get a better one and throw the atlas on another rifle. Now you have 2 sweet bipods. Works great lol.

A pimped harris works well too, though unless you get it for a good price its not far off from much better stuff.

Arca is nice... if your setup is working ok now no worries, but do consider it in future builds or mods for sure.
 
  • Like
Reactions: flogxal
#39
The SkyePod is the best flexible gamer bipod around, but if it was really the most stable thing going for target shooting on a static range prone and from the bench, the F-class and ELR guys would be running them.......and they're not. Use case matters, just because it's the most expensive option doesn't mean it's the best for your use case.
 
  • Like
Reactions: flogxal
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

ocabj
Converted CKYE-POD Single Pull with R3D Carbon Ckyepod Legs and LRT Fat Trimmer
Replies
0
Views
204
ocabj
ocabj
O
Harris bipod adapter?
Replies
11
Views
735
DownhillFromHere
D
B
MDT Ckye-Pod2 Competition Bipod
Replies
10
Views
637
Rodney65
Rodney65
sheepdog697
Precision Rifle Gear Accutac WB-4 vs Atlas bt10 for prone shooting
Replies
16
Views
1K
ToddM
T
silas5150
SOLD MDT Ckye-pod Gen 2 PRS Length Arca bipod
Replies
1
Views
235
Tikka595II
Tikka595II
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Merch
Alerts