For the last few years I've been just strapping my hiking poles together for shooting sticks. I had a little spare time over the holidays and decided to devise a better, quicker more solid system.
It started with solid aluminum tweet bar off an old Harley.
I cut the pieces with a zip cut then drilled a 5/8" hole in them. Then used a die grinder to remove material until I had a nice friction fit. I then drilled and tapped one side for the pin and drilled the other for a mate and painted them flat black. Though they fit nice and snug I used a dab of two part poxy to ensure they stay permanently secure. I'm not sure where I got the locking pin from but it works well.
I never thought to weigh the pieces before I installed them but I don't notice them in place and think that they wouldn't weigh more than a couple ounces combined.
So far the only field testing I've done has been target shooting in the backyard with my 300wsm. They work well and provide a quick sturdy shooting rest from a sitting position. When needed for hiking they pop apart quickly and when not needed at all they pin together and slide into a slot pocket in my pack.
I'll be using them alot this winter for coyote / wolf hunting and if they hold up well they'll be the sheep system next fall.
It started with solid aluminum tweet bar off an old Harley.
I cut the pieces with a zip cut then drilled a 5/8" hole in them. Then used a die grinder to remove material until I had a nice friction fit. I then drilled and tapped one side for the pin and drilled the other for a mate and painted them flat black. Though they fit nice and snug I used a dab of two part poxy to ensure they stay permanently secure. I'm not sure where I got the locking pin from but it works well.
I never thought to weigh the pieces before I installed them but I don't notice them in place and think that they wouldn't weigh more than a couple ounces combined.
So far the only field testing I've done has been target shooting in the backyard with my 300wsm. They work well and provide a quick sturdy shooting rest from a sitting position. When needed for hiking they pop apart quickly and when not needed at all they pin together and slide into a slot pocket in my pack.
I'll be using them alot this winter for coyote / wolf hunting and if they hold up well they'll be the sheep system next fall.
