Hunting: D.I.Y. Bipod

Building Material

1. 5/8" or 3/4 or 1" x 2" dimensional pole of fir wood or other solid wood such as oak, you can get such wood in almost any home improvement store. Do not use round sticks such as broomsticks they don't work, I tried it and the result was less than satisfactory. (To see the length of your bipod sticks refer to the list below.)

2. 1 1/4" Bolt and nut. The nut should be of the kind that will not loosen after it is screwed on.

3. 2 washer discs that go under the bolt and nut to prevent damage to the wood.

4. Leather an old belt and such will work just fine.

5. 2 3" or 4" framing nails.

6. Waterproof hot clue or epoxy.

Making the Bipod

Cut the sticks to the length that suits your body height according the list at the bottom of this post.

Measure from one side exactly 5 1/4" from the top end on both sticks and drill a hole big enough to push the bolt trough it. Tip: Drill the hole big enough so you do not have to force the bolt but not so big that the bolt falls trough. The bolt should fit snug.

Push the bolt trough the holes in the sticks and then tighten it with the nut from the other side. Tip: Tighten the bolt so that there is a little friction between the sticks this will prevent then from becoming wobbly and don't forget to put a washer on either side so that the bolt and nut can't bite into the wood. You can slightly squash the nut or when you screw the nut on the bolt ad a dab of supper clue this will prevent the nut from working itself loose over time.

Drill two small holes at the bottom of each stick, just large enough to fit the framing nails. Cut of the head of the nails and fill the drill hole with epoxy or clue and then push the nails into it with a hammer tap them slightly to seat them properly but do not use to much force otherwise the wood may crack. The hole should deep enough so that only about 1 1/2" to 2" of the nails is exposed. These nails will give the pipod a firm hold on the ground.

Cut to leather strips as wide as the wooden sticks and as long that they cover the length of the sticks from the intersection over the top and down the other side to the intersection. Glue the leather strips with epoxy or hot clue onto the wood. The leather will not only silence the touch of the rifle on the wood but help to hold the rifle steady and prevent scratching and marring the fore stock of your expensive rifle.

If you like you can ad a carrying sling made of leather or string, which can detach easily if needed. This bipod will give you almost shooting bench steadiness with your rifle. This is important for the long shots at ground dogs, coyotes, rabbits and other game including big game animals. Yet the bipod does not ad bulk to the rifle and has many other uses too such as being used as a hiking stick or a handy weapon against rattlesnakes. You also can extend the bipod by opening it all the way and then you have a long stick to hold your rifle against for a standing shot.

Sizing Chart
Shooter Height 4.9' Stick Length 30.75"
Shooter Height 5' Stick Length 32.00"
Shooter Height 5.3' Stick Length 33.25"
Shooter Height 5.6' Stick Length 34.75"
Shooter Height 5.9' Stick Length 36.00"
Shooter Height 6' Stick Length 37.25"
Shooter Height 6.3' Stick Length 38.75"
Shooter Height 6.6' Stick Length 40"

Time to make: About 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Cost: About $10.00 to $15.00