Shooting sticks in Africa. Are they bamboo
O’ Gary
[subject]
Sunday, August 26, 2018, 16:16 (2934 days ago)
tripods or bipods? I’m presuming they a bamboo or someother lightweight stick, not a Bog pod version. Should we take a set of Bog pods or are they provided?
In '03, '04 & '17 Bamboo bound with innertube rubber
Rsim
[subject]
Sunday, August 26, 2018, 16:40 (2934 days ago) @ O’ Gary
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there is a commercial company that makes shooting sticks
Gary Reeder
[subject]
Sunday, August 26, 2018, 17:37 (2934 days ago) @ Rsim
and some of the PH's use them...Larry Farley's PH in '17 used a set of them..
![[image]](images/uploaded/201808270033415b8346e51ed82.jpg)
Most of the PHs that have been in it a long time use bamboo sticks as they are quicker and easier to handle than the commercial sticks..These are from '07 or '08. The PH with his and the tracker holding his wannabe handgun..
![[image]](images/uploaded/201808270035415b83475db15f4.jpg)
![[image]](images/uploaded/201808270036045b834774cce99.jpg)
everybody uses what they are comfortable with in Africa
Gary Reeder
[subject]
Sunday, August 26, 2018, 18:05 (2934 days ago) @ Gary Reeder
I have taken shots lying on a large round rock with my Encore resting on my hat wedged between the two lenses of my binocs. I have watched Kase and Colleen both use tree limbs for a rest and kase also likes to shoot offhand. Both Kase and Colleen mostly use rifles in Africa and use whatever rest is available. Neither like shooting off sticks. All 3 of us have taken shots on our knees resting the gun on one leg of the tripod. I hold the tripod leg with my left hand and rest the handgun or rifle on that hand. It makes a pretty good rest. You use what you can. As you can see by the pics here most of the brush is chest high and covered with thorns so you make do with what you have.
Yeah, that looks like South Texas brush to me.
O’ Gary
[subject]
Sunday, August 26, 2018, 18:09 (2934 days ago) @ Gary Reeder
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Shooting Sticks
Alcorn
[subject]
Sunday, August 26, 2018, 18:43 (2934 days ago) @ O’ Gary
In 2017 my guide used Primos Polecat shooting sticks. In 2018 my guide used natural material shooting sticks.
Commercial sticks
Alcorn
[subject]
Sunday, August 26, 2018, 18:51 (2934 days ago) @ Alcorn
Those are Primos polecat shoooting sticks in Garys picture of Larry Farley in 2017.
Thanks gents. I’m working on my practice
O’Gary
[subject]
Sunday, August 26, 2018, 18:06 (2934 days ago) @ Gary Reeder
Setup for Africa. Making some sticks from bamboo & 1/4” surgical tubing. Fake tree from a 4x4 post. 100Y & 200Y are doable at my range. 300Y - 1K are typically qualified prone. I’m hoping to do sticks to 300Y
don't waste your time on 300 yard shots
Gary Reeder
[subject]
Sunday, August 26, 2018, 19:33 (2934 days ago) @ O’Gary
that is what your PH is for. He will ask you ahead of time what range you are comfortable with and will get you up within reasonable shooting distance. My longest shot in the last 3 or 4 safaris was this past one on a Red Lechwe. We creeped and crawled and did every thing we could to get within 100 yards of him but he was just too smart. Finally we spotted him on a ridge looking at us. John said "this is it, that Lechwe is the new #1", but John ranged him at 189 yards away and no way to get closer. For a change I opted for the sticks. Resting the encore forend on my hat I put the crosshairs just below the flat of his back and took the shot. I got lucky on that one as he dropped at the shot. But long shots like that are the exception to the rule. Most of your shots will be 100 or slightly past that. So concentrate on keeping all your shots in a 2" group at 150 and you will be fine. Just write down on a piece of paper where your bullet hits at 75 yards, and where it hits at 200 and tape it to the rear of your scope and you will be set. If you can keep all your shots in a 2" or 3" circle at 150 you will be fine. Sub MOA groups in Africa are not necessary. If they were I wouldn't have any African trophies.
Good to know. I print and tape a dope
O’ Gary
[subject]
Sunday, August 26, 2018, 19:51 (2934 days ago) @ Gary Reeder
Sheet for trajectory on the bell of my scope for quick reference.
In 2017, my PH had a tripod made by a friend of his.
IC
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Sunday, August 26, 2018, 16:49 (2934 days ago) @ O’ Gary
It was always carried by the PH or tracker
each PH has his favorite. NO Bogpods. Most use
Gary Reeder
[subject]
Sunday, August 26, 2018, 17:12 (2934 days ago) @ O’ Gary
bamboo wrapped with rubber inner tube. Lightweight and flexible. The only thing you bring to Africa is your guns, ammo and a good pair of binocs. They furnish the rest. Go back and re-read my Africa notes to you. I covered all that in them. Plus everything you will need and not need in the way of clothes and accessories. If you didn't get that note, let me know and I will re-send it.
Ours was a commercial fiberglass. The problem was...
Huey
[subject]
Sunday, August 26, 2018, 17:20 (2934 days ago) @ Gary Reeder
Our guide was 9' tall. Finally got him to set it up for 6' tall guys.
I made some sets from river cane and innertube
WB
[subject]
Sunday, August 26, 2018, 17:30 (2934 days ago) @ Huey
Only I rested my revolver in the V, and cylinder flash blew the cane to pieces! Silly me, live and learn. You rest your hands not the revolver. In Africa using rifles or single shot handguns I guess you use a different technique.
It really surprised me how I could destroy that rock hard cane with the .300 GNR.
90% of my shots in Africa and elsewhere are standing offhand
Gary Reeder
[subject]
Sunday, August 26, 2018, 17:43 (2934 days ago) @ WB
as that is the most comfortable way for me to shoot. But when I use the sticks in Africa I roll my hat up and put it in the crook of the sticks. That makes a real stable shooting rest. Revolvers are mostly out of vogue in Africa these days due to the new rules that a revolver has to have at least an 8" barrel and a scope on it. So carrying a back up revolver in a crossdraw holster like I do on most of my hunts is not feasible. For what the 8" barreled revolver with scope weighs I could have a G-2 with scope and it be handier with less bulk.
I got it but misplaced it in saved email. Brain dead
O ‘ Gary
[subject]
Sunday, August 26, 2018, 17:58 (2934 days ago) @ Gary Reeder
From work. Thanks for the emails. Sharing the experience helps this newbie.
Every time I jumped in the truck my
Df
[subject]
Sunday, August 26, 2018, 17:56 (2934 days ago) @ O’ Gary
PH said “mind the sticks” bamboo flexes enough I didn’t break them thank goodness. As Gary says the best advice is pack light!