Where To Mount A Bipod On A AR-15....

UtopiaTexasG19 · November 6, 2011, 08:58 PM

I am borrowing a Harris Bipod from a good neighbor to try on my AR-15 before I decide to buy one myself. I have a slight muscle tremor health problem and would like to see if it improves my target shooting out past 100 yards. I have a full picatinny quad rail on this gun and could mount this bipod up or down the full lenght from the magazine forward. I have seen pictures of bipods mounted from both extreme ends of the rail and need some advice. Where on the rail is a good place to start? My brain tells me mounting the bipod closer to the end of the barrel is the place to go but I've seen pictures way further back towards the magazine. Any suggestions? Thanks...

**JohnKSa** · November 6, 2011, 09:17 PM

Stability
For pure stability, as close to the end of the barrel as possible is best. However, mounting a bipod to the barrel is generally a bad idea from an accuracy standpoint. So, practically speaking, as close to the front of the handguard as possible would be the best option for maximum stability.

Multiple Targets
If you want to be able to traverse the gun while you're down in the shooting position (to engage multiple targets) then mounting the bipod way out towards the end of the handguard will make traversing the gun more awkward.

Accuracy Concerns
If the handguard isn't free-floating (a free-floating handguard doesn't touch the barrel--is connected only to the receiver) then the gun may "prefer" a particular mounting location for the bipod. The only way to find the best spot for accuracy would be to experiment with the load you plan to use.

If the handguard is free-floating then it should make little difference where a bipod is mounted as far as accuracy is concerned.

jdillon · November 7, 2011, 11:12 PM

I have both Harris and RCBS bipods for my AR's. The Harris is for mounting to the swivel stud and the RCBS for rail mount. Both work well. Good info in previous post re free floating barrels. POI will be affected in non-floated barrels depending on where bipod is attached.

You may want to consider a mono pod or a shooting bag to add stability to the butt. This will provide a very stable platform for long range shooting.

plumbercrack · November 8, 2011, 12:49 PM

Ever thought about a grip/ bipod combo?

http://www.gunstuff4you.com/product/62489

It's a lot less bulky and clumsy

November 6, 2011, 08:58 PM	#1
UtopiaTexasG19 Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2011 Location: S.E. Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 743	Where To Mount A Bipod On A AR-15.... I am borrowing a Harris Bipod from a good neighbor to try on my AR-15 before I decide to buy one myself. I have a slight muscle tremor health problem and would like to see if it improves my target shooting out past 100 yards. I have a full picatinny quad rail on this gun and could mount this bipod up or down the full lenght from the magazine forward. I have seen pictures of bipods mounted from both extreme ends of the rail and need some advice. Where on the rail is a good place to start? My brain tells me mounting the bipod closer to the end of the barrel is the place to go but I've seen pictures way further back towards the magazine. Any suggestions? Thanks...

November 6, 2011, 09:17 PM	#2
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,994	Stability For pure stability, as close to the end of the barrel as possible is best. However, mounting a bipod to the barrel is generally a bad idea from an accuracy standpoint. So, practically speaking, as close to the front of the handguard as possible would be the best option for maximum stability. Multiple Targets If you want to be able to traverse the gun while you're down in the shooting position (to engage multiple targets) then mounting the bipod way out towards the end of the handguard will make traversing the gun more awkward. Accuracy Concerns If the handguard isn't free-floating (a free-floating handguard doesn't touch the barrel--is connected only to the receiver) then the gun may "prefer" a particular mounting location for the bipod. The only way to find the best spot for accuracy would be to experiment with the load you plan to use. If the handguard is free-floating then it should make little difference where a bipod is mounted as far as accuracy is concerned. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

November 7, 2011, 11:12 PM	#3
jdillon Senior Member Join Date: October 7, 2011 Location: Southern NM Posts: 141	I have both Harris and RCBS bipods for my AR's. The Harris is for mounting to the swivel stud and the RCBS for rail mount. Both work well. Good info in previous post re free floating barrels. POI will be affected in non-floated barrels depending on where bipod is attached. You may want to consider a mono pod or a shooting bag to add stability to the butt. This will provide a very stable platform for long range shooting. __________________ "Emergencies have always been the pretext on which the safeguards of individual liberty have been eroded" - F.A. Hayek

November 8, 2011, 12:49 PM	#4
plumbercrack Member Join Date: October 21, 2011 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 98	Ever thought about a grip/ bipod combo? http://www.gunstuff4you.com/product/62489 It's a lot less bulky and clumsy