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Author
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Topic: my little hobby project
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted January 08, 2011 03:20 PM
I had occasion, recently, to use a pair of shooting sticks. They had shock cord, like tent poles, and were kinda thin and whippy. So, since I found them to be a little too shaky, I had it on my mind while in a farmer Co Op, recently.
So, there I was, looking at these things, probably familiar to some members, but I didn't know what they were for. However, I saw the potential and bought a couple. As what they call a field expediency, in the Army, I just tied a plastic bag around the handles and used them just like that for several days.
Then, I had them mailed to me for $25, so in addition to the $34 I paid, they still were roughly in the ballpark of commercial shooting sticks.
In the first pic, you can see what they actually are, by Hotshot who makes cattle prods. They are strapped to my stool.
In the second pic, you can see where I drilled through the handles with a 3/16" drillbit and used a 10-24 screw and a nylock nut on the far side for the pivot, instead of a plastic bag.
The third pic is where I actually cut about four inches off the length, used a heatgun and removed the caps. Then I used an eighth inch drill about 2 1/2" deep in the end. I sharpened the butt end of the drillbits, slathered them with Gorilla Glue and stuck them back in the hole. At the same time, I put the base protectors back on and forced the point of the drill through the bottom. You can see the glue seeping out around the drillbits.
The last photo just shows the finished product. They are very stable and the handles are great for a non slip surface. I think the sacrificed drillbits will hold up a lot better than nails would have. And, I think it will be a solution for several of my rifles that don't have Harris bipods, or the Stony Point setup. The length seems to be about ideal for me, considering the height of the stool, which is why I do not find the Harris bipods to be a solution, although they may be great, while sitting on the ground?
Total time was about 3-4 hours, not counting the paint job that I have not tackled, as yet.
Good hunting. LB
[ January 08, 2011, 03:47 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted January 08, 2011 03:56 PM
Geeze, a B24 just flew by! I should drive down there and have a look at the various War Planes. Awesome, really!
Good hunting. LB
Sorry about the size of the files, I am such a rookie with this MacBook, I haven't figured out how to size the photos properly.
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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trapper2
Knows what it's all about
Member # 3651
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posted January 08, 2011 04:51 PM
if you biuld another set find you some fiberglass fence posts, their about 4 foot long, sharp on one end and about 3/8 dim., you cand find that rubber hose that will slip over it and you can hold them together with sheep bands, be cheaper and real close to the same, just need to wrap them in cloth tape or something so the fiberglass doesnt get in your hand
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nothing is politically correct if its morally wrong
Posts: 248 | From: okla | Registered: Sep 2010
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted January 08, 2011 05:43 PM
Thanks. I have a pair of those. I think I like this one much better. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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trapper2
Knows what it's all about
Member # 3651
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posted January 08, 2011 06:12 PM
if you like them thats all that matters, i know a guy that uses a set that looks about like them that are biult out of golf club handles
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nothing is politically correct if its morally wrong
Posts: 248 | From: okla | Registered: Sep 2010
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TA17Rem
Hello, I'm the legendary Tim Anderson, Southern Minneesota Know it all
Member # 794
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posted January 08, 2011 06:25 PM
Leonard; Thanks for buying Mn. products... ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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What if I told you, the left wing and right wing both belong to same bird!
Posts: 5614 | From: S.D. | Registered: Jan 2006
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fgf4
unknown comic
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posted January 08, 2011 06:28 PM
Those look like they will work just fine! You can do the same with old ski poles... but most ski poles are hollow and make noise if bumped.
Is that a Ruger? I would never have thought you to be a Ruger guy Leonard! ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
Next thing you know you'll be wearing Treebark!!!
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TundraWookie
Knows what it's all about
Member # 1044
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posted January 08, 2011 06:38 PM
Those look they'll work good on all types of terrain. Those slippers on the other hand look like they might be dangerous out in the desert trying to chase ol' wily dog. ![[Smile]](smile.gif) Nice and quiet though.
TA,
Just the sticker was made in MN. The rest of the product is from China of course.
[ January 08, 2011, 06:39 PM: Message edited by: TundraWookie ]
Posts: 857 | From: Alaska | Registered: Dec 2006
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted January 08, 2011 07:12 PM
Dang, I knew somebody would spot my Margaritaville slippers. I did notice they (the canes) "supposedly" were manufactured in Minneesota. Is anything made in the U.S.A. any more?
Anyway, this is a case of having used and rejected quite a few different sticks, that I just decided to make something with qualities I considered important. I have done the same with a lot of gear, like lights, lots of stuff where off the shelf gear just doesn't do what I need done.
Maybe it isn't the be all and end all of shooting sticks but they will do until that comes along.
Good hunting. LB
edit: Yeah, that is a Ruger. Mark II Varmint chambered in 243Win.. I happen to own three M77's but (of course) I don't normally advertise it....would you?
[ January 08, 2011, 07:19 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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fgf4
unknown comic
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posted January 08, 2011 08:51 PM
Well...
Yes and No! I happen to have a 1993 vintage Ruger KM77VT chambered in .22PPC that I love to shoot... so does my daughter! Katie used it in 2004 to win the GoGoVarmint.com Youth Division Eggshoot. She hit 17 eggs in a row at 100 and 200yds. She's 17 now and just got her first college acceptance letter today! Time flies...
Nikonut ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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Okanagan
Budding Spin Doctor
Member # 870
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posted January 08, 2011 10:05 PM
Leonard, good idea on the tips of the sticks. I'm going to try something like that with the leg ends of my calling stool seat. A surprising number of times in coastal old growth forest I sit on top of a big log, or a slick topped wet stump, on hard ice patchs, etc., places where spikes are WAY mo betta. The stool on top of a stump etc. is more comfortable for long sits, and raises my eyes higher.
Posts: 269 | From: 49th Parrallel | Registered: Jun 2006
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4949shooter
SECOND PLACE HIGGINS (MAGNUM P.I.) LOOK A LIKE CONTEST
Member # 3530
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posted January 09, 2011 03:51 AM
Looks good...
I would like to see the camo'd end product. Hopefully in Treebark.
Posts: 2274 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Dec 2009
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Kokopelli
SENIOR DISCOUNT & Dispenser of Sage Advice
Member # 633
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posted January 09, 2011 04:38 AM
El Bee;
Nice sticks. What you might want to add are a couple of fender washers above the spikes. The spikes dig into the slippery stuff & the washers keep the sticks from sinking into the soft stuff.
As far as camo, while TreeBark is always a good choice, I would think that a gentleman of your wealth and position would have scenes depicting hunting events in your life scrimshawed into the white material.
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And lo, the Light of the Trump shown upon the Darkness and the Darkness could not comprehend it.
Posts: 8231 | From: Under a wandering star | Registered: Apr 2005
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TOM64
Knows what it's all about
Member # 561
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posted January 09, 2011 06:20 AM
As many drill bits as we go through at the shop, I have to wonder how long they will last.
I use the stoney point sticks and have a few gripes about them. They always stick in the mud and when you need to reposition them they pull apart. Cost me a few shots. And they limit mobility if you don't know exactly where a critter is gonna pop up.
But they do carry easily.
I think I'm going back to my Stoney point mono pod for most of my stands. Not as stable but far more versitile.
Posts: 2283 | From: okieland | Registered: Feb 2005
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TOM64
Knows what it's all about
Member # 561
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posted January 09, 2011 06:36 AM
Just remembered another thing I don't like about the stoney point sticks.
Yesterday I missed a bobcat cause as I was retreiving my caller, I saw him and had to shoot offhand. The sticks were on my belt but my monopod would've been in my hand.
The more I think about it, those solid sticks should work pretty well ElBee.
[ January 09, 2011, 06:37 AM: Message edited by: TOM64 ]
Posts: 2283 | From: okieland | Registered: Feb 2005
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted January 09, 2011 10:34 AM
Washers, fender or otherwise may have been a good idea but I'm going to use these sticks as is, for a while. One thing I am pretty sure of is the drill bits will last a lifetime, there just isn't that much friction/abrasion etc. going on, sticking this thing in the ground 15/20 times a day, once a month.
But, another thing I am fairly confident about is durability. I took a spill about three months ago and only messed up my knee, but if I had landed just right, I would have bent the hell out of the telescoping aluminum Stonypoints. These canes will be hard to break, is my guess?
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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fgf4
unknown comic
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posted January 09, 2011 11:53 AM
You've come up with a very good solution Leonard...
I think what you have will work just fine. You will almost always find a way to improve something if you need or want too.
Kind of makes it more fun to play with something you put together yourself! I remember my first shooting rest was a lightweight camera tripod with a padded top... only took it out maybe twice before I figured it sucked! LOL
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sparkyibewlocal440
Knows what it's all about
Member # 397
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posted January 09, 2011 04:57 PM
It only took me one time to scare off a called in Coyote when moving my sticks into position for a shot, the metal tips making contact with the soil/stones amplified a lot of noise.
So I give mine a complete overhaul. the tips get fuel line to silence them, and adds a little girth, which keeps them from sinking into the dirt from the weight of the rifle.
My sticks go back a few years. When the shock cord broke, I simply bought a new set. Now I replace the cords with 5mm cord.I can set the tension at my liking and the heavier cord lasts a lot longer. Mine will not pull apart if they get hung up in snow,brush etc.
The top of the sticks being exposed aluminum has to be silenced too. They make a lot of noise when a gun stock makes contact with them. They get covered with "shrink tube".
They're hearing is something else, sometimes I swear they can hear the saftey click off.
Posts: 170 | From: So. Cal | Registered: Sep 2004
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TundraWookie
Knows what it's all about
Member # 1044
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posted January 09, 2011 05:08 PM
Sparky,
Good modifications to your sticks. The first time I used my Stoney Point stix, the rubber yoke snapped in the cold. Bushnell, the owner of Stoney Point said they don't have a replacement part, so I'm out of luck. The new Bog Pod works good though, especially with the option of the carbide tips or rubber feet in the snow.
Posts: 857 | From: Alaska | Registered: Dec 2006
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sparkyibewlocal440
Knows what it's all about
Member # 397
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posted January 09, 2011 05:47 PM
Damn it Man! The road to product tests should run through Alaska!
Posts: 170 | From: So. Cal | Registered: Sep 2004
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TOM64
Knows what it's all about
Member # 561
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posted January 09, 2011 06:37 PM
"One thing I am pretty sure of is the drill bits will last a lifetime, there just isn't that much friction/abrasion etc. going on, sticking this thing in the ground 15/20 times a day, once a month."
1/8" drill bits? I'm sure they will last a lifetime, unfortunately, their lifetime won't be very long.
Posts: 2283 | From: okieland | Registered: Feb 2005
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TA17Rem
Hello, I'm the legendary Tim Anderson, Southern Minneesota Know it all
Member # 794
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posted January 09, 2011 07:09 PM
I tried various sticks and most worked good enough for resting the rifle on as long as you held onto the gun with one hand.. Had them tip over on me a few times so I don't use them as much..
The sticks I really like and are strong and simple to make are the E.L.K. shooting sticks. I have the oringal and then made a few others at different lengths for different chair heights..
A couple of steel rods, gas line, small nuts and a bolt small enough to hold them together with a lock nut installed. Oh! here's a little tip, keep youre hand off the sticks and on the rifle forearm and use youre legs to help steady sticks..
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f208/TA17Rem/Guns/100_0150.jpg[/IMG]]  http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f208/TA17Rem/Guns/100_0144.jpg[/IMG]]  http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f208/TA17Rem/Guns/IMG_2034.jpg[/IMG]] 
[ January 09, 2011, 07:31 PM: Message edited by: TA17Rem ]
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What if I told you, the left wing and right wing both belong to same bird!
Posts: 5614 | From: S.D. | Registered: Jan 2006
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sparkyibewlocal440
Knows what it's all about
Member # 397
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posted January 09, 2011 07:59 PM
Hey Tim, is that tree sap leaking from the wall?
Posts: 170 | From: So. Cal | Registered: Sep 2004
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TA17Rem
Hello, I'm the legendary Tim Anderson, Southern Minneesota Know it all
Member # 794
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posted January 09, 2011 08:44 PM
Just out of the board. I let it dry and just peeled it off...
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What if I told you, the left wing and right wing both belong to same bird!
Posts: 5614 | From: S.D. | Registered: Jan 2006
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Possumal
HONORARY CALLS FORUM MODERATOR edit: AND TOKEN LIBERAL
Member # 823
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posted January 09, 2011 08:51 PM
Tim, is the bipod used for sort of a stabilizer for the shooting sticks, like a stabilizer on a compound bow?
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Al Prather
Foxpro Field Staff
Posts: 781 | From: Nicholasville, Ky. | Registered: Mar 2006
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