In the December issue of Shooting Illustrated magazine, I describe my experience at the NRA Outdoors Long Range Shooting Clinic and relate some of the things I learned to every day practice and gear. One of the items that I found indispensable for a rifle was a bipod for added stability.
Caldwell has a series of bipods available specifically for the AR-15 and other rifles with integral Picatinny rails at the 6-o'clock position. The company offers two sizes, one that adjusts from 7.5 to 10 inches for prone shooting, and another that spans 14.5 to 30.5 inches for shooting from a seated position (one of these would have been awesome in several of the "field" positions in the class!)
The bipod attaches directly to the Picatinny rail, with a knurled knob allowing for rapid finger-tight attachment (and a slot for a flathead screwdriver for more secure needs). The legs are friction-tight in closed position, and lock extended with a physical lock. The legs extend by unscrewing a textured stop and pulling the extension loose to the desired length, where they can be securely tightened via the stop.
The bipod allows a 20 degree left- and right-scan, as well as an 18 degree tilt forward or backward, meaning no matter how you set up the bipod, you can adjust it for any shot you need to make. The lightweight, anodized aluminum construction adds minimal weight to your rifle and is resistant to the elements.
MSRP: $72.99 to $99.99 (prone vs. sitting). Available in black and desert tan.
