Precision Bench-rest Bipod.

**Dave Hoback** · 07-19-2022, 12:35 PM

This was a long time coming. The top tier bipods out there are just one of those things I won’t spend the money on! Dropping $300 on a Bipod goes against every thread of my being! For one: it’s nothing more than a rest for the rifle. It doesn’t do anything special, regardless of the dohickies & jeeblestbey are designed with. And a second point of contention, I knew I could build a better unit with much better materials, at a fraction of the cost! So I finally did just that.

Started with some 2024-T3 Billet Aluminum. I’ve had this large piece of stock for some time. I then ordered some 3.5mm Carbon Fiber Plate & 16mm Tube, with a 12mm diameter 6AL4V Titanium rod. Also some rubber feet & all Titanium hardware.

Cut/machined the Aluminum into the blocks I needed. The CF plate & Tubing, and Ti rod were cut in halves. Also cut a section of Titanium to be used as a spigot. I’m a big fan of using a Bipod spigot to get the it further forward. I machined one end, drilled & tapped m5 thread for a QD lever Picatinny clamp & fixed with Ti flat head screws.

A leg nearly completed. Just need to drill/tap the Ti rod & mill a slot for adjustment.

a view from the top of the leg. Shows the Ti screw to retain the CF tubing.

Very nearly finished. Can anyone visualize what I’m going for hear? The body actually consists of 2 of the Carbon Fiber plates, as is under the Aluminum blocks. The TWO are glued together for machining, drilling holes. So everything is perfectly aligned.

This is such a fun project. Quite a bit of “next level” machining involved. I’m so thankful to have this knowledge & ability. I certainly can’t afford ALL the top tier parts I want. It’s so satisfying to be able to build not only an “equal” quality part, but something that surpasses even a $400 Bipod.

**Robinhood** · 07-19-2022, 08:50 PM

I like this stuff. Wish I could see the pics

**Dave Hoback** · 07-19-2022, 09:32 PM

Robin, Can you see them now uploaded through the Forum? I tried emailing you as well.

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**Dave Hoback** · 07-25-2022, 07:24 PM

Finished.
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**CFJunkie** · 07-26-2022, 10:49 AM

Nicely done, Dave.

Since I don't have any of your machining skills, I have to be content with my Sinclair Gen III F-class bypod that I paid just over $200 for about 7 years ago.
I liked it so much, I bought another so I can switch between rifles during a session without having to share the bipod.
They are incredibly stable and have skids on the feet to let them slide on recoil instead of hop.
I would suspect you may have to front load your bipod to keep it from hopping.
No front loading necessary on the Sinclair.

**Dave Hoback** · 07-26-2022, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by CFJunkie

Nicely done, Dave.

Since I don't have any of your machining skills, I have to be content with my Sinclair Gen III F-class bypod that I paid just over $200 for about 7 years ago.
I liked it so much, I bought another so I can switch between rifles during a session without having to share the bipod.
They are incredibly stable and have skids on the feet to let them slide on recoil instead of hop.
I would suspect you may have to front load your bipod to keep it from hopping.
No front loading necessary on the Sinclair.

Haven't used it yet (just finished and it’s too hot!). But actually, no.. no front loading. I accounted for that in designing, and purposely built it to be super stiff. No folding parts, no joints. Everything is LOCKED in place. A reason I used thick wall Carbon Fiber tubing & Ti rod, and zero play in the connections. Not to mention, my rifle is really heavy. It doesn’t hop. I made it with the spigot so the rifle can be indexed, but then locked in place.

**CFJunkie** · 07-28-2022, 12:43 PM

I have always suspected that the hopping was caused more by the rubber feet on my original bipods. I surmised that since the rubber feet didn't slide, they hopped unless they were front loaded.
If you mount the bipod correctly, the legs fold forward, not backward, so they are stable in the direction the bipod hops.
(I'm amazed by how many shooters mount their bipods so the legs fold toward the butt of the rifle instead of the muzzle.)

I'll be waiting for your first test, to see if having fixed legs solves the hopping problem or if the rubber feet are the culprits.
Interesting experiment.

**Robinhood** · 07-30-2022, 05:54 PM

Thanks for posting the pics Dave. You should be proud. I like it.

CF I have the same Gen III bipod. I put SS washers were the nylon discs were and it is even better. I use a 3/4 plywood platform with carpet attached to the top and I use wood wedges to level it for Belly Benchrest. I wonder if shoes could be machined for his feet in case it does hop. I think the way he mounted it though is very rigged.

**Dave Hoback** · 07-31-2022, 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by Robinhood

Thanks for posting the pics Dave. You should be proud. I like it.

Uh-huh… riiiight.

For what? Having the “idea”? Because clearly I didn’t make any of it myself, right? Like MOST of the things I’ve said I machined or made, according to you? That is what you’ve been telling people, right? LOL! What absolute fake & empty praise.