The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

As part of my ongoing F/TR bipod project I have a question for anyone shooting this discipline. Does anyone have a view on what they would consider to be the maximum acceptable weight for an F/TR bipod be given the weight constraints of the class?

I ask because I am just considering swapping out some parts from aluminium to titanium but I am not sure what the ideal bipod weight should be.

Dave,

Mmm.......bit like asking 'What's the best length for a piece of string?'

The components for my F/TR rifle build stacked up as follows:

Stolle action with tapered rail 2 lb. 2 oz.
30 inch barrel (1.25 - 1 inch) 8 lbs
Laminate stock 4 lb. 6oz
Trigger, guard, screws, butt-pad 1 lb
laquer, bedding comp. etc
Scope (Leupold 36BR) 1 lb.

Remaining for bi-pod 26 ounces!

For me - 90% of any rifle's potential is in the barrel. If I'd used a Barnard (3 lb.) I would have had to sacrifice some barrel weight. Not many F/TR rifles can stand the weight of a Nightforce scope. It's a compromise but for me that's the great thing - each shooter must make his choice. And it means that the gunsmith has a bit of a challenge too - unlike an Open Class rifles where weight is often added to bring up to 22lbs! Pointless.

I've just reviewd a few F/TR bi-pods for July's Target Shooter. Dolphin's new Trakker (large model) weighs 24 ounces, as does the latest Fito bi-pod. I would say that this is the maximum - if you hope to sell any!

Vince

Simple maths on this, Max all in weight for F-TR rules is 8.25 KG/18 lb 2oz ! so depending on your rifle weight with the scope fitted that's what you've got left to play with.

Most of the currently available systems, Sinclair, Fito bigfoot are around 1KG.

Lighter ones are available, CENTEC only weighs 600grams but its £400

MikMak has his new lightweight Bipod at a sensible price but for me it's not tall enough.

Bit of a head scratcher I think :roll: , but you certainly need to be less than 1KG

HTH
Alan

The bipod is for Christel as she prefers bipods to full front rests so given the 10kg weight limit in F Open I have around a kg to play with however someone else I know would like one so I am building one for him at the same time. The project had to go on the back burner for a while due to machining capacity but hopefully that is sorted with my bigger lathe coming next week.

I have no desire to manufacture and sell the bipods as a profit making concern however if someone asked I would like to know I can supply a bipod that comes in at an acceptable quality and a sensible price. The other important factor is it must be fit for function and this is where the Viking comes good, she is not an engineer but does know what she wants from a bipod and one factor was a quick method to make coarse elevation adjustments for set up. Her idea not only was quick but it also saved weight.

1000g for the normal one is easily reached and 750g for a skinny version is not difficult the limiting factor is component cost as ever, as weight drops material costs rise.

20series wrote:

MikMak has his new lightweight Bipod at a sensible price but for me it's not tall enough.

Mik has just made a taller version of his Trakker bi-pod - weighs 24oz.

Vince

Hi Dave,

My gut feeling is that 750g is the ideal bipod weight as it allows you to have a heavy barrel etc, one thing to consider is the footprint - try and get somewhere near to the Big Foot as a wide base is stable and minimises the effect of torque as well. How many of you have shot off bipods to find that after recoil your rifle is pointing one target to the left?

Cheers & good luck

Stuart

PS whats the new toy you have bought?

I always thought that the rifle coming to a rest one target to the Left was due to my bad position, glad to see that it might also be the Harris narrow footprint.

DM

Stuart,

One of the things that I would like to see changed is the footprint, I do not think the feet of the big foot are long/wide enough.

Also I am sure we can do the adjustment in an easier way.
We are still looking into this.

Christel,

Wider than a big foot, you will be pushing the shooter next to you off the point!! It does make a big difference though, set up right you can see your own bullets fly at 1,000 yards.

Look forward to seeing your dastardly plan for quick height adjustment

Stuart

Christel - just re-read your post, do you mean the feet themselves? I know what you mean, I like the feet/skis off Mik's bipod and the frame of the big foot.