A tripod, bipod and monopod can each play a role in a shooter’s arsenal for standing and sitting/kneeling shooting in the field. Here we share an overview of where each fits, based on a stalking style of shooting, along with the pros and cons linked to each.
We then share more information on the Quest Series that cover all three styles.
Tripod
A full-sized shooting tripod is normally used for standing or kneeling shots when the shooter wants the rifle supported independently of their body for maximum stability, and ultimately for maximum accuracy.
The shooter spreads the three legs, adjusts the height on each leg to suit the terrain and shooting position, then places the rifle fore-end into a cradle like a V-yoke. With a conventional yoke system, the shooter still supports the rear of the rifle at the shoulder which allows them to control and adjust the aim.
To maximise portability, stalking tripods tend to rely on smaller leg dimensions, such as ther Vanguard Scout. This minimises weight, but does mean that they will never be as stable as a larger tripod that is designed to hold the rifle in a clamp, such as the Endeavor L Series or the Endeavor RL System.
Pros:
- Maximum stability compared to a bipod or monopod
- Stands independently, so less effort is needed to support the rifle
- Can work well on slopes and irregular ground
- Wide usable height range that is usually suitable for both standing and kneeling
- A swivelling yoke can allow the aim to be easily adjusted without moving the legs
Cons:
- Heavier and bulkier than an equivalent bipod or monopod to carry
- Slower to deploy than the simpler supports
Overall:
The most stable platform of the three, but at the cost of portability and speed of deployment.
Bipod
A full-sized shooting bipod consists of two long legs joined at the top. The shooter opens the legs into an inverted V shape, generally secured with a strap to control the spread of the legs, with a yoke on the top to hold the rifle.
For stalking, a full-height bipod is particularly useful when the shooter wants something lighter and quicker to handle than a tripod, while retaining considerably more support than a monopod. The two legs prevent the bipod from moving side-to-side, leaving the focus on controlling the forward-backward movement.
Pros:
- Around 25% lighter than the equivalent tripod and folds into a slimmer profile, so more portable
- Faster and simpler to deploy than a tripod
- Two legs provide substantially more support than a monopod
- Can often be repositioned quickly
Cons:
- Does not stand independently like a tripod
- Requires more input from the shooter to keep it stable
- Generally less stable for a standing shot than a tripod
Tip:
Gently pull the top of the bipod back towards you, keeping the rifle firmly seated in your shoulder. This creates light tension between the shooter and the two legs, with your body effectively forming the third point of support for a more stable tripod-like shooting position.
Overall:
Bipods provide a useful compromise between the stability of a tripod and the portability of a monopod.
Monopod
A monopod uses a single leg topped off with a yoke that supports the rifle. The shooter places the fore-end in the yoke and uses their own body to steady the monopod from moving in any direction.
It can also be used much like a walking stick while walking, but remember few (if any) are designed to be heavy duty trekking poles, so care should be taken not to over-stress them with excess weight. For example, a 20mm leg shooting monopod will generally top out at around a 10kg load capacity, so it's not going to support even the slightest shooter's full weight.
Pros
- Lightest and smallest option of all three, and easy to carry
- Very quick to deploy, reposition and adjust aim
- Can double as a walking pole on some designs, but with care as they are not trekking poles
Cons
- Least stable of the three with most of the support coming from the shooter
- More dependent on developing a good shooting technique using a monopod
- Least suitable where maximum precision is required
Tip:
Like the bipod, angle the top of the monopod slightly back towards you and apply gentle pressure into it. This creates light tension between the shooter and the support, helping to reduce movement compared with simply balancing the rifle on a vertical monopod.
Overall:
Best where portability and minimum weight is the priority over maximum stability, or as an emergency or supplementary support.
Summarising the differences
For stalking, these can be summarised as:
Tripod: Maximum stability. Best when stability matters and there is time to establish a shooting position.
Bipod: Balance of stability and portability. Lighter and quicker than a tripod, while still delivery meaningful stability.
Monopod: Minimum weight and maximum freedom. The easiest to carry and quickest to set up, but offers the least support and needs most practice to perfect.
QUEST Series
The Quest Series is designed for stalkers looking for a lightweight and portable solution that maximises the accuracy of the shot in the field.
The series includes a tripod, bipod and monopod option, but where the series stands out is the Quest T62 models. These comes set up as a tripod that weighs as little as 860g and folds to 70cm, but can convert to a bipod and a super lightweight monopod when needed. All delivered at a great everyday price.
With the Quest T62 models, there’s no need to decide on one style vs the other, the one model covers all three options, allowing you to choose the level of support appropriate to the situation.
Check out the Quest Series on our website, or in leading shooting dealers.