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harris snow feet.

X

xdeano

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
    • Oct 26, 2005
    1,273
    278
    North Dakota
    #1
    Does anyone have any really good ideas for a basic set of snow shoes for a Harris bipod. I'm looking for some flotation on snow without sinking in to much. I know they make different feet, claws and such but they wouldn't have enough flotation. I've used tennis balls in the past and they've worked well, but tend to bounce a little in the snow when putting pressure on them. so your poa is messy.

    Thanks in advance.
    xdeano
     
    #2
    Re: harris snow feet.

    I've read about people putting both feet of their bipod on a frisbee to allow for easier pivoting to shoot movers. Seems like that would spread the weight over a broad enough area to prevent sinking in the snow.
     
    #3
    Re: harris snow feet.

    Yeah i'd thought of a frisby but that would be just another thing to carry along. I was thinking something more collapsable. I wouldn't mind something like a mini umbrella that collapses so it doesn't get in the way when folded up. I'd thought about getting a couple of cheap umbrellas cutting them off. I'm still thinking. If there are anymore ideas i'm open.

    xdeano
     
    #5
    Re: harris snow feet.

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: xdeano</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah i'd thought of a frisby but that would be just another thing to carry along. I was thinking something more collapsable. I wouldn't mind something like a mini umbrella that collapses so it doesn't get in the way when folded up. I'd thought about getting a couple of cheap umbrellas cutting them off. I'm still thinking. If there are anymore ideas i'm open.

    xdeano </div></div>

    Dean, I use my snowshoes, one for the bipod and one for my rear bag.
     
    #10
    Re: harris snow feet.

    I'd think you could work something out so you could use a couple of large snow baskets for hiking/ski/snowshoe poles on the legs. Might not be enough float in really fluffy stuff, but it would be cheap to try, and easy to carry.
     
    #12
    Re: harris snow feet.

    Learning to shoot off a tripod fitted with padded PVC saddle pays off year round. In the summer the tall grass and even slight folds of land mask feral hogs. I'd rather kneel in snow than lay in it, did way too much of that in the Green Machine.

    A tripod isnt alot of wieght, especially when compared to what the average 11B hauls around with him.

    Just something to think on
     
    #14
    Re: harris snow feet.

    I have wondered about this too. A buddy and I were talking about it a while back and came up with an idea to try, but have never gotten around to it.

    Go to Home Depot and get a few of the big paint stir sticks. They are about 18" or 20" long or so and probably about 1/4" thick. Cut them down if needed to be about 16" long. Mark the center of each stick, drill a hole through both pieces. Find a wide plastic bottle cap, like from a Gatorade bottle or something similar and drill a hole through it. Now cross the sticks and put the bottle cap on top, so it makes a cup on top. Use machine screws with lock nut and washers on each end and one in between the sticks. Tighten down to where they are snug, but can still be folded in line with each other. Make two and hit them with some white spray paint and call it done. You could carry them in a back pocket or in your pack, then when you need them, pull them out, open them into the X and put on top of the snow, stick a bipod foot in each bottle cap and start shooting.

    One of these days I will make a set and take some pics.
     
    #18
    Re: harris snow feet.

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Phylodog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've read about people putting both feet of their bipod on a frisbee to allow for easier pivoting to shoot movers. Seems like that would spread the weight over a broad enough area to prevent sinking in the snow. </div></div>
    I've used the frisbee and it works pretty good...
     
    #19
    Re: harris snow feet.

    Ok, well i've been using my snow shoes quite a bit but the feet fit between the holes in the lacing of the shoes(I have the origianl type of snowshoes with rawhide), so i have to use as much of the bindings to get settled down. It has been working. I also use the snowshoes as a drag and it's been working well for spot and stocks while low crawling, just throw the gun ontop of the shoes and slide them.

    Thanks guys.
    xdeano
     
    #20
    Re: harris snow feet.

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Badshot308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">These might be adaptable to a Harris bipod http://www.manfrotto.us/product/8374.56.17302.0.0/230/_/Tripod_Snow_Shoes </div></div>

    Iv'e played around with them.....didn't go all that well.
    I ended up attaching aluminum disks with JB weld to a set of Ski footings.
     
    #21
    Re: harris snow feet.

    Use your scope cover!

    winter_shooting-6.jpg

    winter_shooting-5.jpg

    winter_shooting-4.jpg

    winter_shooting-2.jpg

    winter_shooting-3.jpg
     
    #22
    Re: harris snow feet.

    extremecold001.jpg


    Dean, here's my kit....I made a leather seat pad to keep some of the frost off my hind end....I've set the bipod on it and made shots. Also works as a sled for the rifle when I'm belly crawling through the snow. My old Sherpa snowshoes have a solid deck also so the legs dont go through.
     
    #25
    Re: harris snow feet.

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sendero_man</div><div class="ubbcode-body">you ain't gettin to the critters here in a truck... snow and more snow.</div></div>

    Get a snowmobile or a snowbuggy.
     
    #26
    Re: harris snow feet.

    Unless you're snipin' yotes or trying to catch one by hand, I certainly ain't gonna be laying flat on the ground trying to call one in.....

    I read a long time ago about taking a piece of leather cut to the width of your bipod in question, cut a slit on both ends, and slide it over the feet. Width would be dependent on total weight of your gun. When deployed, the surface area keeps it from sinking in, and folding up doesn't require removing. Suppose you could use cordura, an innertube, or ???
     
    #27
    Re: harris snow feet.

    I'd rather get a snow bunny to swap spit with than lay in snow all day!

    Never was a fan of scope covers, one more thing to get in the way when the game doesnt get the memo and shows up someplace other than where we told it to be.

    Awfully limited pan potential when said game doesnt come out and pose in the narrow field of fire off the narrow scope covers. That and it doesnt take much wiggle to sink it down pretty far.

    Onething I am getting even more unfond, its that a word?, of the snow blast if my muzzle is just a scant above the frozen stuff.

    Worse of course is a flash suppressor, nothing says sonuffabitch like a dozen rounds through the M60 with its muzzle right along the snowline.

    Onething I've discovered tinkering with stuff is what looks good on the living room floor can be a bit more awkward out in the snow/mud/wind.

    Thats why I went with the tripod, from low to standing I have support. I can track in a 360* pan somewhat quickly if the coyote decides he wants to trot the fenceline rather than strike a pose for me. it sets up simply and is sturdy no matter how much I figet trying to stay warm. Its nice that I dont have to lay in mud or snow and my muzzle blast doesnt throw crap up.

    Not Red Dawn stuff but the coyotes are not spetsnaz.
     
    #28
    Re: harris snow feet.

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: notquiteright</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
    Not Red Dawn stuff but the coyotes are not spetsnaz.</div></div>



    you haven't been to Texas......have you lately ?
     
    #29
    Re: harris snow feet.

    Thanks PGS, Jo, and Lill-Rambo for the pics.

    I've tried an angora goat hide, fur up for a while, lays nice on the snow, blends in, keep flotation, and it keeps you warmer than laying right on the snow, but it's a 3x4' chunk of hide. I'm just trying to cut weight a bit, carry less crap into the field. I think I may have to mess around with attaching a flat resting area on my snow shoes. I like the snow shoes PGS, those look very decent to shoot off.

    alf, when it comes to killing coyotes in flat land, laying flat will offer you shots that you won't get while sitting up, skyline yourself. It's about as flat as a pool table here. If you've never had a spot and stock on a coyote in the snow, it offers some challenging predicaments, and I'd rather kill the coyote than let it chew on sheep.

    Thanks for the insight guys, keep them coming.
    xdeano
     
    #30
    Re: harris snow feet.

    I get into Texas alot and judging by the number of dead 'yotes along the highway I'll stand by they are not over bright in the Lone Star State!
    wink.gif


    Working against coyotes I have found picking your final firing position is an art unto itself. Many a 'flat' section of ground has many folds that spoil good grazing fire for a crew served, means there are folds you can get into as well. Even bare mesquite can break up an outline.

    While I am sure there are places coyotes roam where an ant has to lowcrawl to move without skylining, nothing to set up infront of to mask the outline- just an eye for the lay of the ground finds where you CAN sit and observe.

    But I will never deny a guy the opportunity to get muddier and colder than me, just saying I cover alot more sector of fire on a tripod hunkered down in a well placed firing point.

    One question on using the scope cover to support the bipod in Texas mud- once done what do you do with the muddy cover? Certainly not put it back in the high dollar scope! Seems a bit counterproductive since now you are carrying a filthy rag and have an unprotected scope (though I never saw the real need of the cover, if you do then as you go back from the hunt a bit more tired and perhaps a tad more careless your scope isnt protected.) Reminds me of the guy who uses his tanto knife as a tent stake.

    But yeah it sure is LCCDI to Red Dawn it.

    Good Hunting gentlemen
     
    #31
    Re: harris snow feet.

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: notquiteright</div><div class="ubbcode-body">One question on using the scope cover to support the bipod in Texas mud- once done what do you do with the muddy cover?</div></div>

    Don't do it!
    Who said anything about mud anyway? You should see clearly in my pictures there are no mud!
    Just deep, deep snow
    laugh.gif


    winter_shooting-6.jpg
     
    #33
    Re: harris snow feet.

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: idahoshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What kind of rifle is that Jo? </div></div>

    It's a Sauer STR 200, basicly a SSG3000 but chambered in 6.5x55.
     
    #35
    Re: harris snow feet.

    I'll second the nice rig Jo. Love to see what's beyond our boarders, a lot of nice rifles over there.
    wink.gif


    notquiteright, I have spots in my area here in East North Dakota, that would blow your mind at how flat and lacking of cover. If there is a hill over 2' tall i'd be the first one on it. If there is cover i'll utilize it. But here in the red river valley it is flat as a counter top. Coyotes will plop down in the center of a section, they can see you coming from a long ways off. Trust me I know all about location.

    xdeano
     
    #36
    Re: harris snow feet.

    Jo-
    a couple of texas shooters spoke of scope covers in the mud. Boltripper was one of them. Just from the look of that snow pic I'd say the scope cover doesnt give enough footprint to be effective in deep snow for very long, but have at it.

    Xdean-
    I have been places where flat just doesnt begin to describe it. I have hunted coyotes for a couple of decades. Those Dakota 'yotes might be a tad craftier than West Texas ones so this might not work, but here's an idea.

    A coyote can tell a human form from quite a distance but more so MOVEMENT. I have found being draped in a sniper veil garnished with some properly colored burlap does wonders, doesnt have to match the top of a pool table, just has to not look like a human and masks the movement a human does operating his weapon. Works great sitting or in the prone but as long as the coyotes are not shooting back I'd rather be up where I can look around without a great deal of effort/movement.

    I think every coyote hunter has stories of one running in from the blindside, laying down gives you a generous helping of blindside, and no way quick to check your 6 without flopping around like a landed catfish. There was a reason that while out on patrol we would sacrifice some protection by not going flat but to one knee during security halts. Need to be able to scan without alot of flopping around.

    But to each their own, only thing I'd add to the Red Dawn photo op is a light colored veil overtop to blend the human head into the snow pack.

    Good Luck and as always-


    WOLVERINES!!!!!!
     
    #37
    Re: harris snow feet.

    very well know that movement is a key factor, hence wearing completely white cloths, white guns, white everything while calling on snow. Movement isn't the issue, i know when to move and when not to move.

    Using a ghillie during the summer is the way to go to break up a silhouette, been there done that, and it's not a factory ghillie either, but we're talking about concealment again.

    Blind sides can be seen from a long ways off, so I can move pretty freely to get into position. Remember we're talking about a pool table.

    The question is not concealment, it's about keeping the gun above the snow. So far I've heard a lot of good ideas. Thanks for constructive advice guys.

    xdeano
     
    #39
    Re: harris snow feet.

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sendero_man</div><div class="ubbcode-body">you ain't gettin to the critters here in a truck... snow and more snow. </div></div>

    real trucks still work in the snow
    grin.gif


    ironmtnrdapr052.jpg
     
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