Best Rifle Bipods: Stable Solutions For Your Rifle

Looking for the secret sauce to elevate your shooting accuracy? Look no further than rifle bipods. As someone who believes in minimizing the human element for precise shooting, I’ve seen firsthand how having the best rifle bipods can transform weapon stability.

A bipod attaches to your weapon, often under the barrel, and allows you to add two legs and two feet to your rifle. These bipods allow you to stabilize your rifle or handgun, which removes some of the human element from the platform. This greatly aids in accuracy, and when it comes to precision shooting at long range, a bipod is a must-have. 

Bipods can also provide support for bigger, longer, and heavier weapons. Some weapons are simply too big to be handled without a bipod. Any kind of heavy-duty, long-range rifle will require a bipod. Try to hold a hefty rifle up like an M82A1 without a bipod or rest, and let me know how it goes. 

Today, we will look at the very best bipods currently on the market and help decipher the static that surrounds them. We aim (pun intended) to provide you with a wide variety of options to cover all budgets and common rifle types. 

Who Needs a Bipod? 

We’ve covered long-range precision shooters and guys rocking rifles weighing in the tens of pounds, but they aren’t the only shooters who could use bipods. Honestly, any rifle could benefit from a bipod. They increase precision and make taking accurate shots easier. Bipods come in various sizes and configurations to allow you to fit practically any rifle with a bipod. 

Hunters who stalk can certainly benefit from a bipod. When you’re out of the tree stand, you might not have many places to rest your rifle. A bipod gives you the arms to rest the rifle, increase your precision, and take precise and humane shots on target. 

Bipods on AR-15s have become quite common. These rifles aren’t known for their long-range engagements, but that does mean you can’t shoot one precisely within their effective ranges. A little bipod action helps turn your normal AR into a more accurate platform, especially when paired with a modern LPVO. 

Plenty of Marines and Soldiers served as designated marksmen with accurized M16s that sport bipods and optics. 

I also like to keep a bipod on the 22LR rifle I used for training new and young shooters. The bipod does a few things. A, it basically glues the rifle to the table and keeps young shooters from pointing the rifle in any direction besides downrange. 

It makes it easier to shoot the little rifle accurately and ensures nervous shooters feel a bit more secure and confident when shooting. A bipod-equipped 22LR can be an excellent training tool for new shooters. 

Don’t ever think a rifle can’t be improved by a bipod. Rarely does one cause a distraction in its performance. 

How I Set Up To Rank The Best Rifle Bipods

Alright, so diving into the world of rifle bipods, I’ve had my hands on quite a few – from the ones I’ve personally bought to those generously sent by companies for testing purposes. Heck, I’ve even had the chance to give some a go at media events, which really helped me nail down what works where.

But, before I hammered out this piece, I wanted to cover all bases. I hit up a few buddies in the firearms community to chat about the bipods they swear by. Their insights added a whole new dimension to my list of top picks. Trust me, combining our experiences really painted a comprehensive picture of what makes these bipods stand out.

I’ve gone ahead and sorted these bipods based on different needs – think stability, adaptability on various terrains, and how they handle different rifle types. ‘Cause let’s face it, like red dot sights, there’s no one ultimate bipod that suits everyone’s style or scenario.

So, armed with all this info, let’s jump into the juicy bits – my handpicked selection of rifle bipods

Gun University’s Picks for Best Bipods

Best Rifle Bipods

1. Magpul Bipod		Polymer and Metal Bipod Perfect for Lightweight Rifles Atlas feet compatibility	Buy on Amazon
2. Atlas Bipods 5-H		Professional’s Choice Heavy-Duty Design Pan and Cant Lock	Buy on Amazon
3. Caldwell Accumax Premium		Tall Enough for Seated Use Carbon Fiber Construction Designed for Hunting	Buy on Amazon
4. Harris S-BRM Bipod		Choice of US Marine Corps Smooth Folding Design Quick-Adjust Leg Design	Buy on Amazon
5. Atlas PSR Bipod		Current SOCOM Bipod Extremely Strong Designed for One-Handed Use	Buy on Amazon
6. Warne Skyline Precision Bipod		Quickly attaches to any Picatinny/Weaver Type Rail One Hand adjustability Rapid leg deployment from horizontal to 90deg	Buy on Amazon
7. MDT Cyke Pod Gen2 Single Pull Short/PRS		Single-Handed Adjustment Design Built-In Barricade Stop Perfect For Precision Shooters	Check Price

Best Rifle Bipods

Here is our list of the best bipods for your rifle shooting needs:

1. Magpul Bipod
2. Atlas Bipods 5-H
3. Caldwell Accumax Premium
4. Harris S-BRM Bipod
5. Atlas PSR Bipod
6. Warne Skyline Precision Bipod
7. MDT Cyke Pod Gen2 Single Pull Short/PRS

Best Rifle Bipod Specifications

Below is a list of our Best Rifle Bipods. So we can compare and line up the specs from each of the products and help you make the best decision possible.

Best Rifle Bipod Reviews

Now we’ve had an overview and looked at our list, let us take the time to individually review each item. In this section we’ll be revisiting our specs, speaking into the product and looking at the pros and cons.

Best Rifle Bipods – Buyers Guide

So now we know the best bipods, but let’s explain the features and details that make them the best. Our goal here is to allow you to understand what makes a good bipod and how you can go forward and choose your own. This section will give you a better understanding of why I chose the above bipods. 

Height

How tall is the bipod, or how tall can it be? This can be a serious consideration that will often depend on how you plan to shoot and what you plan to shoot. Another consideration is your weapon’s height, which often ties into magazine length. 

This won’t be an issue on most bolt action rifles, but on modern rifles like the AR-15, then the longer magazines can get in the way of short bipods. It might be the first decision you need to make before you consider anything else. 

Typically the lower the bipod, the more stability you’ll have. Additionally, lower bipods allow tactical shooters to take a lower prone position. 

Let’s take a look at some of the common bipod heights you’ll run across. 

Shorter than 6 Inches – These short little bipods aren’t all that common these days. Typically bipods with legs shorter than six inches will extend to 9 or 10 inches. However, anything less than six inches should be reserved mostly for bench rest shooting. They don’t offer much clearance but do offer tons of stability. 

6-9 inches – 6-9 inch tall bipods tend to be the most popular for a variety of purposes. They tend to be quite stable and provide an acceptable height for both bench rest shooting and prone shooting. They are quite popular in the tactical world and allow for a stable, versatile stability range. 

10-15 inches – These taller bipods often accommodate larger weapons or are used in environments where getting low in the prone isn’t easy. They aren’t too uncommon in the hunting world, where a shooter might need to clear brush or tall grass. They can also be used for shooting uphill a little easier. 

Over 15 Inches – Bipods can get as tall as 30 inches or so. These are used to take shots from the sitting position. You can shoot in kneeling, sitting, and similar positions. It makes it easy to shoot when hunting and sitting at the base of a tree or hill. They put you well above high grass and brush but still provide good stability. They tend to work very well for uphill shots. 

Adjustment Range 

Most bipods are not a fixed height. They offer adjustments between two different ranges. When shopping for a bipod, you need to consider the minimum height and total height to ensure it will allow you to accomplish your goal. 

Most premium or even just standard-quality bipods feature independent leg adjustments. This means each leg can be adjusted to a different height to use on uneven terrain. Rarely a bipod won’t have this feature, so it might be wise to avoid it when they lack it. 

Adjustments can be made to predetermined lengths or can be fluid. Fluid tends to be more versatile but slower to properly set up. Quick pull allows you to move rapidly between different preset lengths and get into shooting. 

Leg Positions 

Leg position is where the bipod legs can lock out at. The different angles allow for different approaches, allow a taller bipod to be used in a lower prone position, help remedy weird terrain issues, and are generally convenient. 

A good bipod should lock in the zero position, meaning the bipods are folded and out of the way. They should also allow you to lock the legs at 45 degrees, 90 degrees, and 135 degrees. This ensures you have a very versatile option for any situation. 

Panning 

Panning is your ability to move from left to right with your rifle locked into a bipod and your bipod locked into the ground. The ability to pan ensures you are not locked into one position that requires you to uproot your rifle to change. Panning allows you to scan an area, track a target, and more. 

Pan is measured in degrees and varies widely and allows you to go anywhere from the humble 30 degrees to 360 degrees of pan. A locking lever can be a nice add-on with the higher limits since you won’t be spinning around your rifle. 

Cant 

Cant on a rifle bipod allows you to use uneven ground without having an unlevel rifle. A little cant allows the rifle to become level. Cant is always nice, and the further away you are shooting, the more important it is. Cant with a locking lever allows you to maintain a level rifle with a stable base. 

Feet Design 

The feet of your bipod can be a very personal decision. It is a preference, and you’ll also need to consider your terrain. The feet vary between circular rubber feet that are grippy, sled-style feet, spikes, claws, and more. 

If you plan to shoot on hard terrain, you might want soft rubber. On good, firm ground, you might want sleds. You might want spikes or claws if you need to dig into soft dirt or small pebble-like terrain. If you’re shooting off someone else’s benches, you might avoid spikes and claws that tear wood, carpet, etc., up. 

Additionally, there are several patterns for different feet styles. Most good bipods allow you to switch between bipod feet, and threat and design patterns have become commonplace. Atlas and Harris, for example, are very popular and present on bipods made by other companies. Pay attention to the ability to change the feet and the pattern required. 

Attachment Options 

How does the bipod attach to your rifle? There are several acceptable ways, and we’ll cover each here. Trust me, you need to pay attention to your rifle and your attachment method, or you’ll end up paying for a return tag. 

Sling Swivel – Bipods can attach directly to the sling swivel. They fit with ease and lockdown tight on the rifle. These are very handy if you don’t have any type of traditional rail on your rifle. Lots of standard bolt action rifles don’t have rails, and the sling swivel makes it simple and easy to mount a bipod to your weapon. 

Picatinny Rail – Most modern rifles, especially AR-type rifles, have some form of Picatinny rail across the bottom of the gun. These rails allow the bipod to attach directly to the rifle, and it is one of the simplest means. 

Direct M-LOK – Direct M-LOK attachments work a lot like rail attachments. Instead of just squeezing in on a rail, it directly attaches to the M-LOK slots. It’s stable, and the lightest weight often means attaching a bipod. If you have a modern M-LOK handguard, this is the best way to attach a bipod. 

The Weapon Factor

Your bipod should match your rifle. The bipod that’s best for an AR 15 carbine likely isn’t the best for that big Barrett 50 caliber rifle. The weapon’s size, weight, and recoil need to be factored into your selection. The bipod will tear itself to pieces if the weapon is too big and the recoil too great. 

If you pick a bipod made for a powerful rifle and place it on a not-so-powerful rifle, the biggest problem will be the extra weight and unnecessary costs. Look at what weight and recoil the bipod can withstand when you shop for a bipod. You can also look at military contracts, professional shooters, and the weapons and bipod combinations they use to try and find the right bipod for your setup. 

It’s Got Legs 

Bipods seem to be a fairly simple subject and a fairly simple item. However, once you get into the weeds, you’ll see why so many bipod companies exist. There is a great big need for good bipods for various rifles and purposes. At this point, there is no way you can’t find the right bipod for your specific rifle and its specific task. 

Hopefully, you’ve walked away a bit more educated on the subject with the right bipod in mind for your next trip to the range.