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From: Nitro (Original Message) Sent: 7/29/2002 10:02 PM
I'm interested in hearing if anyone has used shooting sticks. I never have, but have heard of many safaris where they have been employed.

Basically they are three sticks of equal length, bound perhaps a quarter down from the top. The sticks are open to form a tripod. The rifle is placed in the apex and used as a rest.

Can anyone tell me how long they are, what sort of wood, I assume quite a light wood, how far down they are bound, how they are bound, with what, etc?

And how you used them and how well they worked?

Thanks

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From: 500NE Sent: 8/22/2002 3:25 AM
Hi Nitro,

I used sticks like this on my safari in Zim last year (actually both of our PH had one), so everybody was using them.

Very easy make:
The three sticks where about 180-185cm in length, they used *very* old rubber band to bind all three of them together at approx. my shoulder height (I'm 180cm). The sticks weren't all that strong, if I remember correctly they where hardly as thick as my thumb (I can check again on my video if it's important...).

What I found very useful is the fact that you don't hold the tripot, but rather grip the rifle like in a normal unsupported (freehand) mode and then rest the rifle on it. (Helps a lot with the recoil, I wouldn't want to hold either one of my 416's with only one hand...

I had excellent results with those "home-made" tri-pots. I would recon they are better than leaning against a good tree for a shot...
However I didn't use them when I was shooting from a sitting position, I used the Stoneypoint Safaristicks for that...

Need any more info, pls let me know...

Regards, XLS

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From: Bigfive Sent: 8/23/2002 5:23 PM
Nitro,

Not really popular here but you do get them.A lot of guys make them with only two sticks so it is more a bi-pot.We'll try one out when you are here Nitro and then put down a report on the site.One thing is for sure - you don't always have the time to use it.

Bigfive

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From: Nitro Sent: 8/24/2002 1:44 AM
I think a key to quick shooting with Safari Sticks is to have someone else carrying them (eg a tracker) and they then quickly set them up while the hunter places the rifle in the apex.

Holding a rifle while setting up the sticks would probably be slow. That is also why they probably aren't as much used outside of Africa. The PH or Guide is busy watching the game, the hunter with the rifle, and in Aust or NAmer less staff around to help.

But recently watching a video, they intrigued me and just for fun I want to give them a try. And if the safari outfit uses them, its good to be a bit practiced in their use.

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Nitro

"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."

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