As a hunter, you work hard to earn each moment of truth opportunity. When they come, you want to make the best shot possible. These three firearm stabilization devices will ensure you do.
by Jace Bauserman
I only let it happen once. However, each time I replay the scene, it sickens me. Missing happens, but in this instance, it was avoidable. The 300-inch-plus public land bull elk stood motionless on a hillside. The range was 246 yards. I was new to elk hunting, young and dumb. I’d made a 120-yard shot offhand the previous year on a respectable 5-point bull. Surely, I could execute again without the help of a firearm stabilization device.
I was wrong. I emptied my magazine at the bull. Upon further inspection, no blood was found. Three days later, another hunter in a camp near ours harvested the bull. He was a beauty.
Today, I don’t go rifle hunting, whether it be for elk, deer, pronghorn, predators, etc., without a firearm stabilization device.
Over the past decade, I’ve tried numerous makes and models. There are many good ones, but this trio makes my top-three list.
Best For Maximum Firearm Stabilization: BOG DeathGrip Infinite – Carbon Fiber
Specs
- 20-, 45-, and 85-degree leg angles
- Minimum height 20 1/2 inches
- Maximum height 59 1/2 inches
- 6 pounds 8 ounces
Pros
- Lightweight carbon-fiber legs
- Twist-lock legs
- Arca-Swiss Mount System
- Works for rifles and optics
Cons
- Price
- Overall weight for backpack hunting
Overview
If I had to use one firearm stabilization device for the rest of my days, it would be BOG’s DeathGrip Infinite Carbon Fiber. This tripod allows me to shoot standing, kneeling, sitting, and prone. The carbon legs are uber adjustable, and when I tote this tripod and have an Arca-Swiss mount plate attached to my spotter, I can quickly remove the DeathGrip UltraLite Clamping Head and add my optic.
The tripod is as durable as they come. I’ve beaten the heck out of mine over the years. Though it weighs close to seven pounds, it fits in the side pouch on my ALPS Elite Frame +3800, which makes transport easier.
I love that the padded head clamps my rifle down tight, and the low-profile ball head features 360-degree rotation and 180-degree tilt. You can’t beat this tripod’s functionality. The twist-lock adjustments are a breeze, and I appreciate the included integral bubble level.
Tested True
I’ve used this tripod from the sunlit plains while chasing pronghorn to the towering Rockies in pursuit of elk. The DeathGrip Infinite – Carbon Fiber is bulletproof; its many adjustments make it simple to operate, and when it comes time to take that once-in-a-lifetime shot, nothing provides better on-the-hunt stabilization.
BOG’s DeathGrip Infinite – Carbon Fiber Tripod is durable, adjustable, and provides absolute shooting stabilization when you need it the most.
Best On-The-Rifle Bipod For Maximum Firearm Stabilization: American Defense BT46 Atlas Bipod/Mount Package
Specs
- Mounts to any 1913 Picatinny rail
- 6061-T6 aluminum body
- 7075-T6 aluminum adjustable legs
- Mil-Spec Type III hard coat anodized
Pros
- Mounts to rifle’s forearm
- 4 leg height positions
- easy operation
- Quiet adjustments
- Built like a tank
Cons
- Price
- Weight
Overview
Prone is the most stable shooting position, and when I know I may have to stretch my range, I want this easy-to-mount via the lever/clamp system bipod on my rifle. The push-button leg fold-down is quiet and easy, and I appreciate that the diminutive firearm-mounted bipod has four leg extension settings. Pull down on the ball-bearing spring lock, and the legs extend and click into the pre-cut grooves.
I’m not a huge fan of the silver buttons, but the bipod’s functionality is second to none, and when I have it attached to my rifle, I feel extremely lethal.
Tested True
I recently took American Defense’s BT46 Atlas Bipod/Mount Package to Africa. I attached it to my Browning X-Bolt 2 Pro McMillan SPR Carbon Fiber rifle chambered in .300 Win. Mag. Over 10 days, I harvested 10 big-game animals. When I got prone, this firearm stabilization system proved effective in the field. My longest shot was 536 yards on a massive Red hartebeest. When the shot broke, I was as steady as a rock, and the 190 Grain Winchester Expedition Big Game AccuBond LR smashed the animal’s lungs.
After getting prone, the author executed a perfect 536-yard shot on this “beast” of a Red hartebeest.
NOTE: When traveling to Africa to hunt, your ammo must be separate from your firearm in its own lockable case. My choice of tote was the durable and inexpensive AC30T – Ammo Can 30 Caliber tall from MTM. MTM has many ammo storage devices, and I recommend visiting their website and finding a case or 10 that will work for your needs.
Best Lightweight Bipod For Maximum Firearm Stabilization: Primos Pole Cat Short Bipod Shooting Stick
Specs
- Three-piece design
- Adjust from 16 inches to 36 inches
- Aluminum tubes with patented Posi-Lock
- Tactile rubber shooting V grips
Pros
- Ultra-light
- Easy to adjust
- Quiet
- Solid support
Cons
- Legs can bend
Overview
I love the lightweight, easy-to-adjust nature of these shooting sticks. They attach easily to backpacks and even fit into the side pockets of most backpacks. These sticks are excellent for the hunter who loves to roam far and wide and wants solid firearm stabilization when they earn their moment-of-truth opportunity.
The aluminum legs are reasonably durable. Don’t get forceful, or you will bend them. Once bent, the Pole Cat is difficult to operate. Patented Posi-Lock adjustment requires only a quarter twist to manipulate the legs. Twist and turn counterclockwise to unlock, and twist and turn clockwise to lock. Primos also includes a leg-lock clip to ensure the aluminum tubes remain silent. Adjustments are super quiet, and the tactile rubber shooting V grips grab the rifle’s forearm to keep you steady in any weather. In and out adjustments are fluid, which makes this tripod ideal for kneeling and sitting shots.
Lightweight and durable, Primos’ Pole Cat Short Bipod Shooting Stick is easy to tote and provides solid shooting stabilization.
Tested True
My wife recently toted the Pole Cat Short Bipod Shooting Stick to the Rockies while searching for elk. The terrain was rugged and unforgiving. The weather was foul, and it rained almost every day. The rugged nylon yoke prevented rust, and when my bride earned a 136-yard open-sight shot with her muzzleloader, the .50 caliber Federal bullet did its job. My wife told me she felt ultra-stable in the uneven terrain. We made one leg longer and one shorter, which isn’t a problem when toting the Pole Cat.
Final Thoughts
When you earn your moment of truth, leave nothing to chance. There are too many functional firearm stabilization devices on the market to take an offhand shot, lean against a tree, or use an overhanging limb.
Having the ability to get steady is critical, and when it comes to filling the freezer, I won’t head into the woods for any game without some kind of firearm stabilization device.
