Best Hunting Bipod: Stabilizing Your Shot

Rifle with Bipod

Having the best hunting bipod for your firearms is crucial if you want a good hunting experience.
Why is that the case?

The thrill of being out in the wild, staring down the scope of your gun, and waiting for your target to stride into perfect view can sometimes be overwhelming.

In that kind of situation, simply steadying your nerves can be a real challenge. That’s going to be an issue because you can’t afford to have unsteady hands when you’re lining up your shot.

To get around the aforementioned issue, you will need to enlist the help of bipod. Bipods are prime examples of those hunting accessories that can be easily overlooked even though they can make your experience outdoors significantly better.

If you manage to find the right hunting bipod for your guns of choice, you’ll be able to overcome any unsteadiness and become a more effective and efficient hunter. In this article, you will learn more about the top bipod available today as well as the factors that determine whether a particular product will be able to meet your exact needs.

Let’s get started.

Our List of Best Bipod for Hunting

#ImageHunting BipodPrice
#1AccuShot BT46-LW17 PSR AtlasAccuShot BT46-LW17 PSR Atlas
(Best Hunting Bipod)
$$$
#2Harris Engineering S-BRM Hinged Base 6-9 Inch BipodHarris Engineering S-BRM Hinged Base 6-9 Inch Bipod$$
#3Caldwell XLA Pivot BipodCaldwell XLA Pivot Bipod$
#4UTG Recon Flex M-LOK (R) BipodUTG Recon Flex M-LOK (R) BipodS
#5XAegis Carbon Fiber 6? ? 9? Rifle BipodXAegis Carbon Fiber 6? ? 9? Rifle BipodS

AccuShot BT46-LW17 PSR Atlas

Considering how important bipods can be to your hunting experience, you need to have items that can last for a long time. This AccuShot bipod meets that requirement easily as manufacturers have put extra care into making it as durable as possible.

The bipod is made using high quality 6061-T6 aluminum. The manufacturers were not content with that though. In order to further strengthen this bipod and make it better suited for long-term usage, the manufacturers crafted the legs using 7075-T6 aluminum.

For those who may be unaware, 7075-T6 aluminum is highly valued for its exceptional strength and ability to withstand high amounts of stress. Simply put, it’s precisely the kind of material you want to see used in the making of firearm bipods.

Another plus of purchasing this bipod for your hunting needs is that it can pair up with a wide variety of guns. It can work together with any gun that features the 1913 style Picatinny rail.

AccuShot’s bipod provides you with a decent range of movement. You should have no problem getting your gun lined up with your prey with this bipod offering support.

You should also know that this item was selected for the SOCOM Precision Sniper Rifle Weapons System, which should give you a pretty good idea of how effective and helpful it is.

The only real downside to this product is the price. They are on another level in terms of pricing and that could place it out of reach for some.

Pros
  • 7075-T6 aluminum used for the legs
  • Rest of the bipods made using 6061-T6 aluminum
  • Works with 1913 style Picatinny rail
Cons
  • Among the most expensive bipods

Harris Engineering S-BRM Hinged Base 6-9 Inch Bipod

A main requirement for effective off the bench shooting is having the right pieces of equipment that can help you get into the correct shooting position quickly. With no bench available to serve as a reference point or support, it’s all on you to get properly positioned.

That’s why many hunters who prefer shooting off the bench look for bipods that can be quickly deployed.

The great thing about this particular bipod is that it comes equipped with legs that are released by springs. The legs can fly out in a hurry, providing you with ample time to get set on the ground and still keep the target in your sights.

Buff springs added to the bipod keep the whole structure nice and stiff so that you have plenty of support for steadying your gun. You can also adjust the tension easily if you’re feeling something off about your current setup.

The bipod can also be rotated to either side. Since you’ll likely be dealing with uneven ground while outdoors, having the ability to move the bipod around to attain a establish base is very helpful.

You will probably deal with some issues related to the swivel lock of this bipod though. It tends to come loose easily. Replacing it is a good idea, but that obviously means having to spend more.

Pros
  • Legs spring out quickly
  • Buff springs offer better stability
  • Base’s tension can be adjusted
  • Rotation allows for easier leveling
Cons
  • Swivel lock is loose and may have to be replaced

Caldwell XLA Pivot Bipod

A lot of careful and thoughtful work went into the design of this bipod’s legs.

For starters, they are spring-loaded legs that can be released instantaneously with a simple press of a button. Once the legs are out, you can align the rubber feet precisely to give yourself the best shooting angles. The rubber used to protect the bipod’s feet also prevents slipping even on slick surfaces.

Notches have also been carved into the legs of this bipod. Those are going to help when you need to set the bipod to a specific height. They can save you a lot of time that would have otherwise been spent fiddling around aimlessly.

It’s also worth highlighting the slimmer form of this bipod’s legs. They will not be in your way as you are getting set to fire off your rounds.

Once you’re all done hunting for the day, the legs can be folded quickly and because they are so slim, they should fit into a smaller bag with no problem.

The manufacturers have also included features intended to better protect your weapons from increased wear and tear. Of note is the padded base that provides the forend of your gun with a less abrasive surface to rest on.

One issue that you do have to know about is that this bipod’s adjusting mechanism is far from perfect. It can tighten up to the point where the swivel feature becomes nonexistent. You will need to practice working with that adjusting mechanism in order to get the most out of this bipod.

Pros
  • Legs spring out with no issue
  • Notches make it easier to adjust heights
  • Rubber feet add needed stability
  • Base for the forend is padded
Cons
  • Adjusting mechanism could be better

UTG Recon Flex M-LOK (R) Bipod

Traveling light is a must for any hunter. You don’t want your gear taking up too much real estate in your bag or in your truck, especially if that means having less room for the spoils of your hunt.

This bipod will help you free up more space. UTG’s bipod is designed to attach to the M-LOK handguards. The two pieces can be attached at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions.

Because of the way they are designed, the pieces do not have to be linked to one another. You can keep them separate if that will allow you to create more space in your bag.

The specific design used for these items has not affected how functional they are. You can still count on them to deploy quickly and the five Posi-Lock positions enable you to make height adjustments on the fly.

Adjusting the height of the bipod is also easier because of the spring-loaded slide locking ring.

The rubberized feet also greatly enhance the stability provided by this bipod. You can also utilize the bipod’s retracting feature in order to give yourself a better look at your prey.

Panning is obviously not possible due to the way these pieces work, but you can still move them around easily because of how light they are.
Sadly, the legs on these bipods are not spring-loaded. You will have to pull them out manually, which can be an obstacle if you are trying to catch up to a target.

Pros
  • Lightweight and easy to attach
  • Five Posi-Lock height adjustments possible
  • Rubberized feet included
  • Comes with a spring-loaded slide locking ring
Cons
  • Legs are not equipped with springs

XAegis Carbon Fiber 6” – 9” Rifle Bipod

You won’t often see manufacturers opt to use carbon fiber in the construction of their bipods, but there’s a case to be made for them doing so going to that well a bit more.

While traditionalists may prefer good old steel and/or aluminum bipods, carbon fiber has impressive features as well. It’s a surprisingly strong material and it manages to feature that quality without introducing too much weight.

This bipod is a good example of why carbon fiber should be utilized more in hunting equipment. Carbon fiber bipods can also hold up well even when exposed to the elements on a regular basis as this item will attest to.

If you prefer a little more styling in your hunting equipment, you may also appreciate the intricate work that went into designing this bipod.

The legs of this bipod can be adjusted to five different height settings. The springs will make storing the bipod when you’re done easier.

You can also use different adapters together with this XAegis bipod. That should make it possible for you to pair it up with more guns in your collection.

Unfortunately, you can only choose one from the three different adapters offered when you purchase this product. You may have to spend extra to accommodate all the guns you have.

The shape of the mount can also make it difficult for you to fit in guns with flat forends, which can be an issue.

Pros
  • Carbon fiber used for the bipod
  • Legs can be adjusted to five different positions
  • Pattern featured adds visual and textural elements
Cons
  • Rounded mount makes it harder to accommodate all guns

The Buying Guide of Hunting Bipod

There are specific factors that can make a huge difference with regards to how well certain bipods can work for you. This buying guide will highlight those factors.

Leg Lengths

The available adjustment options for the legs of your bipod are arguably the most important considerations when you’re picking out a product to purchase. They can greatly affect how easy or how difficult it will be for you to find your range while you’re out hunting.

While looking for a bipod, you will likely run into products that can be adjusted from as low as six inches up to nine inches. These are the standard options. They also often come with five adjustment options.

HuntSpot notes that the aforementioned bipods are best for off the bench shooting.

Next up are bipods that can go from 9-13 inches. You still have four adjustment options available for these bipods and they are also suitable for off the bench work.

For the bigger outdoorsmen, bipods with legs that can go from 13 to 24 inches are ideal. The wider array of adjustment options possible will make it easier for hunters to find their comfort zone. These are also great for hunting in snowy terrain.

Some bipods can be adjusted to be as tall as 25 inches all the way up to 62 inches. It may take you some time to find bipods of that size, but they are what you need if you prefer upright shooting.

Weight

Bipods are pieces of outdoor equipment. When you’re using them out in the wild, you will have to carry them around as you’re hunting.

Obviously, using a heavier bipod can hamper you in that situation. Ideally, the bipod you’ve chosen manages to remain sturdy without being too heavy.

If the bipod is a bit on the heavier side, that can be offset to a certain degree if it offers sling compatibility. Being able to wrap a sling around your shoulder and use that to carry both your gun and the bipod should mitigate any issues with the weight.

Material Used

Manufacturers cannot focus solely on using the strongest materials when making bipods. If they do, they could end up creating something way too heavy for you to carry.

For those reasons, manufacturers end up using aluminum the most often in their bipods. Aluminum manages to be both lightweight and strong, two qualities you need in bipods.

In lieu of aluminum, some manufacturers may use carbon fiber. That’s also a good choice since it rates well in terms of weight and strength too.

Stability

The slightest movements can spell disaster during hunting. If your gun can’t stay trained on your target, you will find it difficult to land a successful shot. Stability is essential to a bipod.

Features that can offer improved stability to a bipod include rubberized feet. Those features should prevent the bipod from moving around even when placed on top of a moist surface.

Some bipods may also allow for tension adjustment. That should come in handy if you need a stronger base to hold your gun.

What Most People Ask About Hunting Bipod?

Is swiveling an important feature for a bipod?

Picture yourself in your favorite hunting spot. You’re low to the ground, camouflaged carefully, and patiently waiting for a deer to come into view. Suddenly, a promising target does show up, but it’s moving quickly.

You’re trying to keep up and hopefully fire off at least one round, but you aren’t able to move fast enough because of your bipod. Instead of moving to the direction you need it to, you have to lift it off the ground and move it that way.

The difference between swiveling and the action you just performed may ultimately turn out to be just a few seconds, but those few seconds can be the reason why you don’t land your shot.

A swiveling bipod is not necessarily going to improve your accuracy, but it is conducive to always putting you in the right spot to take a shot.

Do you need spring-loaded legs in your bipod?

Some people may prefer not to see spring-loaded legs in their bipods thinking that those springs may just break too early and ruin the item. That could very well be the case, but you should still make it a point to seek out bipods that have spring-loaded legs.

The reason behind why is pretty simple and it relates back to the issue of timing once again. You don’t always have the luxury of time when you’re out hunting. Sometimes, your window to fire could last for all of 20 seconds.

Now, imagine if you had to spend some of that time pulling out the legs of your bipod manually. You’re losing out on precious seconds and that could lead to your target getting away.

Having a bipod with legs that can be deployed with a press of a button is clearly the better option.

Do independently adjustable legs matter?

Adjustable legs are a must for bipods because you never know what kind of surface you’ll encounter while hunting. Furthermore, being able to adjust the legs can also help you remain comfortable.

However, some manufacturers have gone the extra mile and designed bipods with independently adjustable legs. The question is: Do you need those independently adjustable legs?

In some cases, yes, those legs will prove to be very useful.

That feature should prove immensely helpful when you are hunting along a hilly environment. You can position yourself along the angled ground and just adjust the legs independently to create a solid base.

Instead of having to spend time trying to find even ground to set up shop on, you can plant the legs into the ground, adjust them, and start shooting right away.

What material works best for bipods?

As noted previously, manufacturers prefer using aluminum for creating their bipods. That’s a good thing because aluminum manages to provide the durability you need while still remaining on the lighter side of the scale.

Manufacturers will not always specify which particular type of aluminum they used for making their bipods, but if they did, check to see if it’s 7075 aluminum.

The other variants of aluminum are still more than suitable to be used in bipods, but 7075 aluminum is stronger and more resistant to the stress that you may end up placing on the bipod. Try to find bipods crafted from 7075 aluminum if you can.

In case bipods made from 7075 aluminum are too difficult to find or simply too expensive, you can stick with the other aluminum variants or opt for carbon fiber creations. You’re sacrificing a bit in terms of durability in that scenario, but you also won’t have to spend that much.