Shooting a rifle accurately at long range requires you to control several factors. First, you’ll need a quality optic that’s sighted in correctly. You’ll also need to understand and apply shooting fundamentals. But if you really want to nail the perfect long-range shot every time, add an extra piece of gear to your kit: a bipod.

Bipods are great for adding stability to your rifle. However, choosing the right bipod for the job can get tricky. In years past, you only had one real option: a Harris bipod. Today, there are many bipods on the market with different designs and features — but how do you decide which one to buy?

Whether you’re looking for a bipod for hunting, precision rifle shooting, long-distance sniping, or anything else, we’ve got you covered. Let’s take a look at our picks for the top 8 rifle bipods available today.

Why Do You Need a Bipod?

A bipod has one job: to hold your gun steady so you can be more accurate. How well it does that job depends on three important factors. First, does the bipod attach securely to your gun? Second, do the bipod’s feet hold steady on the ground? Finally, are the springs holding the bipod’s legs in place strong enough to keep it standing while you adjust your point of aim?

Also, check to see if the bipod allows you to shoot from a situation other than prone. If you’re planning on hunting from a blind, for example, you may want to pick up a bipod that also allows you to shoot from a standing position.

1. Harris Engineering S-BRM Hinged 6-9-Inch Bipod

Harris blazed a trail for other bipod manufacturers to follow. Sometimes, you want to go straight to the source, instead of buying a clone like Caldwell XLA Pivot (more on that next). The S-BRM Hinged 6-9 Inch Bipod is Harris Engineering’s modern take on its classic design.

The BRM offers some improvements over the original Harris S design. One of the biggest is the addition of a finger-friendly swivel tension knob. In the original Harris S, you would need a screwdriver or pliers to loosen swivel tension. Now, you can do it with your fingers in the field, which is pretty neat.

Back in the day, Harris bipods weren’t particularly modular. But you can now find all kinds of aftermarket parts to enhance the usability of a Harris bipod. For example, if you need to quickly remove the bipod from the gun, you can find quick detaching (QD) mounts.

There’s only one shortcoming to the Harris Engineering S-BRM 6-9 inch bipod. To use it with an AR, consider getting a longer leg length. The 6-9 inch version doesn't have enough clearance for an AR magazine to clear the ground. But if you’re using some kind of bolt action gun with an internal magazine, this won’t be a problem.

Pros

• Time-tested design
• Affordable
• Plenty of aftermarket parts
• Made in America

Cons

• Not very adjustable

2. Caldwell XLA Pivot Bipod

The Caldwell XLA Pivot Bipod is essentially a clone of the venerable Harris Engineering bipod design, but don’t let that deter you. Caldwell isn’t just a rip-off of the classic Harris brand. Instead, Caldwell waited for Harris’ patent to expire before they released their own improved bipod.

The XLA Pivot is that bipod. Clocking in at around 11 ounces, it’s a little bit lighter than the Harris. It also comes in four different leg lengths: 6-9 inches , 9-13 inches, 13-23 inches, and 13-27 inches. For the vast majority of applications, the first two will be your best bets.

The XLA also has a few design differences from its Harris cousin. For instance, the Caldwell’s leg springs have a much lower tension, so you can deploy them more quickly. But this also makes it easier to collapse them, which can be a problem if you’re trying to pan your rifle (move from side to side) too quickly.

The Caldwell XLA Pivot’s legs also only lock in a single position, which makes this bipod a bit more difficult to use on certain types of terrain. Grassy shooting positions, in particular, usually require a bipod that can lock its legs at a forward angle.

While the Caldwell XLA isn’t the best bipod out there, it’s not the worst, either. It’s a great addition to the budget-minded shooter’s rifle.

Pros

• Affordable
• Solid design

Cons

• Not as durable as other entries on this list
• Less tension on leg springs than Harris bipod

3. Magpul MOE Bipod

Even if you’re not big into bipods, you’ve probably heard of Magpul MOE gear. “MOE” stands for “Magpul Original Equipment,” and it’s a standard that Magpul has created. You can find MOE handguards, stocks, grips, and of course, bipods.

For a budget-friendly, lightweight bipod that can take any punishment, it’s tough to beat the Magpul MOE Bipod. Magpul has a well-earned reputation for building rugged and dependable gear — they’ve even won military contracts.

The MOE Bipod is also the most chic option on our list of favorite bipods. It comes in two colors: classic black and flat dark earth (FDE). Mix and match colors with other Magpul accessories to turn your favorite AR into a fashion statement.

While modularity was a bit of an afterthought in the venerable Harris design, it takes front and center with the MOE Bipod. Magpul is an accessory company, so augmenting gear is built into their DNA. As a result, the MOE is fairly customizable. You can add a sling swivel to the bipod to make it easier to lug around (since it connects to a rifle using a swivel sling mount). You can also swap out the legs of the bipod for any Atlas-style replacements.

All in all, the MOE Bipod is a sleek, lightweight, low-profile tool that makes a great addition to any modern rifle.

Pros

• Lightweight and compact
• Available in 2 colors: Black and FDE

Cons

• More expensive than previous options listed

4. UTG Recon 360 TL Bipod

Bringing up the rear of the more affordable options on our list is the UTG Recon 360 TL Bipod. While UTG/Leapers has a reputation for making low-end gear, this bipod is something of an exception. If you’re searching for a bipod with some good features at an affordable price, this is a great gear option.

The UTG Recon 360 TL gives shooters three different position options, augmented by folding legs, lockable Leg extensions, each with non-slip rubberized pads. If you have an older bolt gun, you can use a swivel sling mount to attach the bipod. All you tacticool operators out there can also attach this bipod using a picatinny rail mount.

Perhaps the best feature of this bipod is in the name — this bipod allows for 360-degree panning with a 15 degree tilt in four directions (front, back, left, and right).

The UTG Tactical OP extends between 7 and 9 inches, with several adjustment tools throughout the design. That means it will work for an AR with standard magazines. However, if you’re using an extended mag, you may want to go with the taller option.

Worried about your UTG bipod breaking? These babies are made of anodized aircraft aluminum and feature a lifetime warranty. That just goes to show how this company stands by its products.

Pros

• Affordable
• 360-degree panning
• Lightweight
• Lifetime warranty

Cons

• Not as durable as some of the other options on this list

5. Atlas BT10 V8 Bipod

If you’re looking for a solid, duty-grade bipod, the Atlas BT10 V8 Bipod should be on the short list. Like its namesake (the titan who held up the world in Greek mythology), this thing is extremely solid, allowing you to deploy it and start shooting with confidence.

One of our biggest benefits is how easy it is to adjust the BT10 V8 from behind the gun. Many bipods don’t allow you to make adjustments without compromising your shooting position.

With the Atlas, you can quickly make adjustments from wherever you’re shooting. This can save crucial seconds in a shooting competition, and it can be the difference between bagging a deer or coming back from your hunting trip empty-handed.

The BT10 V8 also allows you to shoot from nearly any terrain. With multi-angled locking legs, it is just as at home in a grassy field as it is in tough, rocky dirt. To help you line up the perfect shot, the bipod allows you multiple angles to pan and cant your rifle.

One pitfall of this sling is its weight. At 13 ounces, it’s one of the heavier options on this list. But in a head-to-head showdown with some other bipods we’ve mentioned, the Atlas earns its place.

Pros

• Deploys effortlessly
• Bombproof

Cons

• A little expensive (especially with QD attachment)
• Slightly heavy
• Requires picatinny rail to mount

6. Vanguard Scout B62 Gun Bipod

Many shooters know about Vanguard from their shooting sticks. These are like single-leg bipods that sacrifice stability for versatility. Vanguard’s B62 Scout Bipod is a true bipod with two long legs that allow you to shoot while standing.

If you mostly shoot from a blind and don’t move around very much, this bipod can be a great option. It features a full 360-degree swivel, allowing you to aim at anything within your line of sight. In addition, the legs extend to a full 62-inch height, allowing you to shoot from a standing position.

One shortcoming of the Vanguard Scout B62 is that it doesn’t actually mount to your gun. Instead, the B62 has a v-shaped foam-padded notch that you slide the front of your stock into.

This means the B62 isn’t particularly mobile. You’ll need an extra pair of hands to lug it around, since even while folded, it only shrinks down to 22.25 inches. It’s also heavy, clocking in at a whopping 17 ounces, which is a lot to carry around in the backcountry.

Still, the advantages may outweigh this bipod’s shortcomings depending on what you’re using it for.

Pros

• Very tall — you can shoot while standing
• Affordable
• 360-degree panning

Cons

• Long even when folded — can be a pain to carry
• Doesn’t attach to your gun
• Heavy

7. MDT CKYE-Pod Lightweight Single Pull

If you’re a competitive shooter looking for a bipod to help improve your score, the MDT CKYE-Pod Lightweight Single Pull Bipod may be your best bet.

This bipod’s feature set reads like a competitive shooter’s wishlist. While most of the other entries on this list have a single locking point, the MDT CKYE-Pod has three. Its quick, single-handed adjustment system allows you to pan a full 360 degrees, provided you’re not using the sling-swivel model. That leaves you with two other mounting options: Picatinny and Weaver rails.

It also has 170 degrees of cant, offering more flexibility than any other entry on this list. And its independently-adjustable legs allow you to extend the bipod from 9 to 15 inches, all while keeping a finger on the trigger.

There are only two problems with this bipod. The first is its weight. At 17 ounces, it’s not the heaviest bipod we’ve covered, but it’s certainly not the lightest.

The other main problem with the MDT CKYE-Pod is its price. WIth an MSRP just shy of $700, you could buy another gun for the price of this one accessory. But you get what you pay for, and if you’re a competitor looking for an excellent bipod, check this one out.

Pros

• Highly versatile
• Multiple mounting options
• Easy to make fast one-handed adjustments
• 360-degree panning

Cons

• Prohibitively expensive
• Slightly heavy

8. Accu-Tac SR-5 Quick Detach Bipod

Rounding out our list of top bipods is the Accu-Tac SR-5 Quick Detach Bipod. Like the last four entries on this list, it’s a premium option for serious shooters.

One huge benefit of the Accu-Tac SR-5 is its billet-made construction. Each component has been milled from a complete piece of aircraft-grade aluminum, making the bipod highly durable.

Another great aspect of the SR-5 is in its name. Its QD (Quick-Detach) system allows you to swiftly remove it from your rifle. If you hear the whistle of artillery shells closing in on your position, you can easily bail on your bipod and scurry for cover. Or for competitions, you can quickly remove your bipod in the middle of a precision shooting stage and save precious seconds on your time.

By far the best feature of the SR-5 is its ratcheting leg system. The other bipods on this list require you to manually manipulate their legs to extend or shorten them. But with the SR-5, the spring-loaded bipod legs automatically retract into their shortest position when you press the detent lever. You’ll need to pull against this spring to extend the legs, but that’s not really a problem.

Like the other high-end entries on this list, the Accu-Tac SR-5 QD Bipod isn’t particularly wallet-friendly. However, you can buy two of them for the cost of a single MDT CKYE-Pod.

Pros

• Billet construction
• QD attachment system

Cons

• Expensive
• Heavy

Final Thoughts

Like with any piece of gun gear, choosing the right bipod depends on what you’re trying to do with it. Do you need something that “just works” and is lightweight enough to hoof it through the backcountry? Or are you looking for a piece of gear with lots of features that can help improve your precision shooting score? Your goals will determine the best bipod for you.

Regardless of which bipod you choose, ProArmory has what you need to improve your shooting experience at virtually every level. We offer quality ammo and tactical accessories you can afford. Operated by veterans and shooting enthusiasts, the team at Pro Armory is here to serve you in finding the right gear you need for any situation. Check out our selection of bipods in stock here.

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