Hunter Field Target "Shooting Sticks"
- Thread starter woogie_man
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using a modified camera tri pod on uneven ground is cumbersome . leveling one leg longer is a pain . Primos Triger stick has a trigger that releases both legs to fall to earth IE: one leg can be longer or shorter but the yoke is level .
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I was talking about the offset at the top that brings a shooting tripod off center with the legs. A camera tripod can be used as a bipod and does not have that problem.
There may be a weight difference. I wouldn't think it would be much and doubt that a difference in weight would make much difference in utility.
I realize there must be rules to allow any type of shooting aid. I find it all a bit tedious. It gets to be an exercise in splitting hairs about the type of equipment that's "legal".
We shoot "matches" all the time. 5 shot poker. Shotgun shell shillouette. A series of gongs and toy dinosaurs. Offhand unsupported unless someone's back is sore. Then you.can sit down if you want. I have no problem betting a buck a card shooting offhand iron sights against a guy sitting off a tripod. It's all just fun and the challenge is worthy. It's no different than a rookie at an FT match competing with guys who are aces at the game.
It's supposed to be fun. I've shot a few PB "matches" and nobody was having any fun. Even a benefit turkey shoot often turns into a pissing match. There is always ego bubbling over. Life is too darn short for that.
I'll play Mexican horseshoes with a shotgun shell or 5 shot poker for a buck a card and leave you guys with your "competition". It just gets to be an equipment race and a bull snort.
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Same with a camera tripod. It just dosent have a "trigger". It's the difference between an automatic transmission and a stickshift.
I'm sure they both work dandy. The main difference is the price. For me the extra cost is an issue. I can save a few bucks and reach down to flip the clutch on the legs. It's not much extra effort.
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IT is also a time thing , maybe you have never been to a match ? the more time it takes you the more time others have to wait . But more importantly you have to take time away from your actual shot adding to the stress level , not the stress of win or lose but the stress of hitting every target for your self .
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So you guys are strapped for time , waiting on others and dealing with stress? That sounds like a bummer to me. Kinda like getting a driver's license renewed.
Maybe you have never shot Mexican horseshoes?
We hoot and hollar and revel in every hit. Sometimes we celebrate the misses. We often have so much fun we just stop and bask in the moment. Have a beer. Maybe tell a few lies while we shoot.
Then we play the cards. I've hit 5 out of 5 and lost the poker hand to a guy that didn't hit a thing every time I'm out. We both won! Then we deal another hand and shoot again.
It shouldn't be about stress or a time limit IMHO. But you guys play the game you enjoy and that's groovy. My opinion is that a lot more people would be plopping pellets in the dirt if it was less about stress, rules and competition and more about fun and celebrating time spent with folks that share a common interest.
I guess it's different strokes for different folks. I shoot because I love it. I can shoot with the best of them but I don't feel the need to compete. You can't get folks to shoot with you if they have to "lose" to do it. Sure at the end of the day everyone knows whose the "best shot" but there does not have to be winners and losers. Everyone can be a winner when misses are lessons and hits are celebrations.
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Tell us how this poker game works, sounds like great fun - We're always for more of that! ( we are shooting pellet guns... so fun is the name of the game!)
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You deal 5 cards. Set them at 50 yards. One shot at each card offhand unsupported. You put a dollar in the pot for every card without a hole. Then play the hand.
You can win the hand and never hit a card. The more cards you hit the less you risk.
It's a hoot. Just 5 card stud. But your hits determine your bet.
Set the cards at any range that's a challenge. Set them edgewise at 10-20 yards or out at 75. Whatever works for the shooters.
My buddy can't shoot offhand. So at 50 I shoot offhand iron sights and he shoots rested with a scope. It evens things up nicely. It's a game you can modify so everyone has a chance even if the skill levels are different.
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I stumbled into a bipod technique that works well for me.
I shoot a PCP with a bottle and use a bottle clamp as a back stop for my trigger stick bipod - feet extend forward of the stop. I adjust the tripod height to put the aim point below the KZ. Inhale, exhale and slowly lean forward by tightening my stomach muscles - this causes the reticle to rise onto the KZ and increases my body stability. When the desired sight picture is achieved - pull the trigger.
When I simply try to hold the reticle steady on the KZ - I get more wobble movement that is unpredictable and makes it harder to choose the right time to pull the trigger- as opposed to the slow and consistent upward movement. Likewise on forced lanes, I like to slowly move the reticle onto the KZ from above or below, firing before the sight picture becomes static and the random wobble begins.
Below is a great mod to stabilize the grip and limit the spread of the legs - Wire ties and 8-32 nuts. Not my idea, saw it and used it.
I shoot a PCP with a bottle and use a bottle clamp as a back stop for my trigger stick bipod - feet extend forward of the stop. I adjust the tripod height to put the aim point below the KZ. Inhale, exhale and slowly lean forward by tightening my stomach muscles - this causes the reticle to rise onto the KZ and increases my body stability. When the desired sight picture is achieved - pull the trigger.
When I simply try to hold the reticle steady on the KZ - I get more wobble movement that is unpredictable and makes it harder to choose the right time to pull the trigger- as opposed to the slow and consistent upward movement. Likewise on forced lanes, I like to slowly move the reticle onto the KZ from above or below, firing before the sight picture becomes static and the random wobble begins.
Below is a great mod to stabilize the grip and limit the spread of the legs - Wire ties and 8-32 nuts. Not my idea, saw it and used it.
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The shot timer isn't (shouldn't necessarily?) be about adding stress, but to keep it moving. Otherwise you'll find people waiting out wind forever, analyzing every shot placement, and telling stories of the 1985 Nationals while occupying the lane.
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We all shoot in one big lane and hog that space for hours. The timer is the sun. We must finish before it gets too dark to shoot anymore or we loose a thousand points. Many times we go past the time limit and shoot in the headlights until our "scores" are in the negative numbers.
...because thems are the rules.
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So back on topic.....shooting sticks would be better than a modified tripod. What are some sturdy diy type stick, or should I break down and buy a set?
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I did some DIY bamboo sticks that were decent but upgraded to the short Primos Trigger Stick bipod. The head does benefit from a modification like the one pictured above. There's been a number of easy ways to do this shared on this site. They are fast and easy to adjust to get your perfect height and stable to use for Hunter division.
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Should have come to Textreme this weekend in Clifton Texas, shooting sticks galore
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It was pictures you posted a year ago that influenced my “kick the bottom legs forward” and it did increase stability.
Watching Textreme EFT pistol shooters yesterday I noticed winners with bottom legs forward BUT also able to rest butt of pistol on thigh.
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Trigger sticks gen 2 are great and add Mike rutka’s yoke fix as also a place to rest strings
1.2K views · 20 reactions | Trigger Stick upgrade! | Check out this upgrade to the Trigger Stick for all you AAFTA Hunter Field Target shooters! [email protected] Mike Rutchka Mike Rutchka... | By Deadeyenc | Facebook
Check out this upgrade to the Trigger Stick for all you AAFTA Hunter Field Target shooters! [email protected] Mike Rutchka Mike Rutchka...
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