Harris Bipods

Post by **Dcoy** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:52 am

Well I'm new here and probably talking too much but here goes.I have 2 poor mans custom rifles(great components but not fancy) for coyote hunting.One,a 220 Improved is extremely fast(4300 fps with a 50 gr BT)and accurate but by going improved,with the blown out shoulder,you can occasionally run into cycling or feeding problems if a follow up shot(s)are needed.The blown out shoulder hangs up on the chamber and you end up cussing/swearing while you hurriedly release all cartridges and try to feed a single round in as wiley disappears over yonder hill.It can be avoided by using straight 220 rounds as follow ups but why build a race horse and not run it?
Bottom line is that now that I'm calling more I've decided I'll dedicate that rifle as my calling rifle and therefore go to an attached bipod-avoiding the hassle of shooting sticks etc.(I see thats been discussed here before)Before this I didn't want an attached cause I was walking/stalking 99% of the time and didn't like it.
OK,yesterday I picked up a Harris(25C-S series).Got it rigged I think,have reviewed assorted threads on bipods,read everything that came with it,played around in the house here a bit to figure it out(a bad blood blister taught me where not to put a finger when snapping the legs back in)and with the gale force winds can't really test today if point of impact has been affected.Anxious to try it in the morn so here,finally,are the questions:
Is it likely to affect point of impact?(materials say 'no'but???)
Any tricks to using them I should be aware of?
Any comments appreciated.
Thanks.

Post by **LeviM** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:11 am

There is a good topic under "Product Review" titled "shooting sticks or Bipod" you might want to check that out, and post any further questions from there in that subject! Harris is a great product and you will be more than happy!

Post by **Dcoy** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:45 am

Good,thanks.Some posts there are exactly why I went to them for calling.The hassle of sticks if moving the rifle,having your hands free without your rifle falling,etc.
I'm just wondering if point of aim is affected and if there are any do's/don'ts unique to Harris models.

Post by **Prairie Ghost** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 11:08 am

Never affected my guns at all.

Post by **countryroads** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 3:38 pm

Dcoy,

I have a couple of Harris bipods, and I have to say that they're great. I cannot see any difference between bench rest shooting and shooting from the bipod. That is probably because in either case, the forearm of the stock is supported. One great thing about the Harris bipod is that you can move it from one rifle to another in about 25 seconds.

There is one thing that you will have to be aware of with the Harris bipod. If you're not careful, you will get really bad blood blisters when you push the release for collapsing the bipod.

Post by **Dcoy** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:05 pm

Thanks for the responses.
I hear ya countryroads,I really hear ya.

Post by **Dcoy** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:50 am

Well just a note to say you guys were right.The Harris works pretty good.Sent a pic to coyote hunter asking him to post a pic for me-with the promise I wouldn't ask again.Will either figure out how or forget pics.
Anyway despite the wind decided I just had to try the new Harris on a few sets.Launched pre-dawn in a plowed field to access some deep ravines about a half mile in.(left the snowshoes in the truck-unfortunately)
Set up,let things settle down and then turn on the electronic.There was a steep ravine right below me,straight downwind but I figured anything coming up that one would expose itself before it got there.Nope,about 3 minutes in here comes one trotting up the ravine.I swing over(bipod was sweet vs 'sticks' when I did that) and sort of get on him pretty fast.He was about 250 but coming hard and i figured I was above him enough my scent was OK.I must really stink cause despite an estimated 15-20 mph wind he made me at about 200 and turned on the 'dime'and headed up one side of the ravine.I swung with the bipod fairly well but not enough and shattered a rear leg..Down and immediately up and going again.Raised up to my knees and missed just as he cleared the top and went out of sight.Left the call and went after him.About a mile,2-3 cattail sloughs,some CRP and just nasty country(remember,no dam snow shoes!)later I gave up-for now.Decent blood,stopped and laid down a few times but never got another shot.I'll head back in the morning cause it drives me nuts to hit anything and not recover it.Unfortunately no cold predicted for 2 days so don't know if I'll get him but....
That episode really hurt body and timewise but after backtracking,getting all the gear,etc,decided to try 2 more sets cause had to be home at noon.
Nothing at the second set but on the third I scored.Kind of the same deal.Steep,VERY open ravine straight downwind and,again,figured if anything entered it I HAD to see it first.No response for about 20 minutes and was just about to pull the plug when I decided to try a call I'd never used-adult fox distress.Scary noise comes out and I was reminding myself never to use that again when I saw this guy trying to hightail it straight downwind.Where the heck he came from I'll never know but swung ahead and dropped him.Again hit too far back and that may be a little of not being used to the bipod but also a little cause he was farther than I thought.About 250.Fact is though in all my years of predator hunting,I've yet to see a shooter shoot in front of a full out coyote thats out beyond 200 yds so....Even good shooters-at least on the first shot.
To me,fox look like they are going 100mph with those little legs a churning away but coyotes look slow mo like.Wrong,as you guys know,coyotes catch and eat fox easily.Looks are deceiving.
Enough.Anyway,thanks for the info on Harris bipods.Already love mine for calling.
Good hunting!

Post by **Coyotehunter** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 7:42 am

Great post, I love my harris Bipods. A little heavy but the best on the market.

Post by **Prairie Ghost** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 7:55 pm

Good work i'm sure you will enjoy to use it for years I know that i do

Post by **lyonch** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 7:32 am

Harris Bipod is the only wat to go. If you ask me i will use one on all hunts that involve hunting on the ground.

Post by **Tbush** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 12:49 pm

Harris Bipod is ok I went to the snipe pod by Kramer disigns and now thats all we use great for sitting, yet fold it up a bit for prone, at my age I have to sit at all stands and the pod swivels when I need to point my gun in a diiff. direction with picking up the gun if you go to the web site it explians it all. we sit useing canoe seats or sport seats and very rearly get spoted those of ya who know me 2nd in the classic and 2nd in Kenmare so sittin works >!!

Post by **Coyotehunter** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 6:25 pm

you da man, do you have a pic of that bi-pod?

Post by **Tbush** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:05 pm

Hey new comp. I'll do my best

Post by **Tbush** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:30 pm

better yet go to the web site www.snipepod.com

Post by **Dcoy** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 2:05 pm

Tbush,
Thanks for the website.Sure looks and sounds good.I've had a set of the old 'Snipe Stix'for years that used the aluminum tubing and shock cord so I know that works and also lasts so thats not an issue for me.We modified those by incorporating a 'U' shaped piece of PVC tubing on top to cradle the rifle and give more stability and it works great and is convenient as heck for spot/stalking,quick deployment etc BUT,its not fastened to the rifle like this so you are always hanging onto the rifle or the whole works tips over in the snow-a nuisance to deal with when calling!
My question though is are you unattaching your sling then when you get to your spot?
Can't really figure that out from the website but I assume so???
Thanks for your input on this.