shooting sticks

If you don't need them and have them they can be somewhat cumbersome and an extra hassle to deal with. On a recent hunting trip (MYGAWDS) I found them in-dispensable. For shots less than a 100 yards a sling worked well and should for most small game and nearly all large game. It's when the range starts to stretch that they really shine. One other advantage they gave me was the ability to have a better angle. The prone or kneeling positions are very steady but some of the shots I had off the sticks were not possible with those positions due to visability of the targets. I had read some articles on how to build your own and they certainly are simple enough but some subtle details lead me to buy some pre-made sticks. Now that I have them I'll make any future sets since I have a template. Just wondering if anyone else has used them and to what success? Also if you have made your own do you have any tips on materials? The place I bought them from recommends that they are about as tall or maybe one inch taller than you are when closed. I've included a link to the place I got mine. They've gone up $25 since I purchased them and when looking at them you'd swear they aren't worth even $25. But when you need them the cost no matter how much is almost irrevelant.

It was nice to be able to hang my gun on them. Then while reloading my mags I could scan for my next victims resting my arms/shoulder.

http://www.long-grass.com/products/detail/african_shooting_s ticks/

 

DD

Edited by deaddog

sdb777 has some nice sticks for shooting from a seated position for sale over on our sister site Handloadersbench.com. I haven't bought a set but the folks that have seem real satisfied. RD

http://www.handloadersbench.com/forum90/11139.html

The best one I have found and use...

http://theconsumerlink.com/STONEYPOINT/detail/TCL+F3B39-R1X/ 106

RD they are good, I've used them, with a wing nut.

But DDs sticks (three legs)  broke down into sections being about 48 inches max.  So you can stick them in your gun case and trave with them.  Anyone know of a cheap furrel that would work with 3/4 inch dowel rods???

I made my last ones from 3/8 fiberglass tent poles...I wrapped em w/fine wire (which I had), like the stuff they use in a floral shop.  It is real fine and comes on a spool, like thread.  I wrapped it just below the first joint, in a figure-8, then wrapped it w/electrical tape.  I used 3 sections, so it is adjustable for length, depending how many sections I put together...prone, kneeling and off-hand, all w/the same pole.  I shot an antelope last year....185 yds.  kneeling was to low, the grass got in the way.  

MtElkHunter wrote: Gee I feel like a real red neck.

My goto rig for antelope, twenty years ago, was a cross country ski pole (shooting stick & walking staff) and a wheelbarrow (game cart).  I have since upgraded to a bipod and two wheeled game cart, but I still use a ski pole on occasion.