BIPODS BY ACCU-TAC

SHOOTING EQUIPMENT | By JOHAN VAN WYK BIPODS BY ACCU-TAC

A handy accessory to help you hit your target

Until just a few short years ago, a rifle fitted with a bipod in the hunting field was a rarity. Most hunters considered them unnecessary and cumbersome accessories. Still, as time went by, more and more hunters and shooters realised that a quality bipod could come in very handy indeed in certain circumstances.

I was recently supplied with an AccuTac BR-4 G2 bipod by Freeborn Arms in Pretoria for testing purposes. At first glance, it was apparent that this was a quality product. It is machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminium and is anodised.

The bipod attaches to the rifle, Picatinny-style, via a sling stud rail adapter that is attached to the forward sling stud on the rifle. Attaching and detaching the bipod is easy: just tighten the lever on the right side of the bipod, and the unit is secured. If the shooter needs to cant the bipod, a throw lever in the front of the bipod makes things easy. Simply loosen the throw lever, level the rifle by canting it in either direction, and tighten the throw lever again.

The bipod’s legs can be adjusted to a width of either 45º or 90º, and the legs INSERT: The Accu-Tac BR4 G2 bipod, as tested. (Photo: Accu-Tac). BELOW: The Accu-Tac bipod was steady to use from the bench as well as in the field.

The bipod attached to the rifle. To remove the bipod, simply press the lever forward.

ABOVE: The sling stud adapter attaches to the fore-end of the stock. The bipod is simply clipped onto the adapter for use.

Accu-Tac manufactures a wide range of accessories to enhance all its products, thereby suiting the individual shooter’s needs.

FAR LEFT:

The legs have five notches for height adjustment. LEFT: To retract the legs is easy: simply push down on the lever and the spring-loaded legs retract by themselves.

have five different notches for height, either together or individually, depending on the circumstances. The legs can be adjusted by simply pulling them out. Retracting them is easy: simply push down on the lever above the legs and the spring-loaded legs spring back in place. The feet have rubber pads to avoid the bipod sliding around on wet or slippery surfaces.

Dimension-wise, the legs can be extended to a maximum height of 21 cm with the legs extended at 90º, and to 14 cm with the legs extended at 45º. Due to its solid construction, the bipod is on the heavy side at almost 600 grams without the adapter. However, as it is unlikely to be used on a rifle for walk-and-stalk hunting, this is of no consequence.

To test the bipod, I mounted it on my heavy-barrel .243 Winchester. From the bench, I found the bipod steady enough to use for sighting-in purposes if the underside of the stock in front of the recoil pad was also supported. During a springbuck hunt in the Karoo earlier this year, the .243, with the bipod in place, worked very well. Resting the rifle on a flat rock, I shot two springbuck rams at distances of 234 and 253 metres, respectively. It was easy to take the shots, and the bipod certainly made life easier.

The Accu-Tac bipod, as tested, is a quality product that will doubtlessly provide many years of reliable service. I intend to use it again in future in situations where slightly longer shots are sometimes required, such as when hunting springbuck in the Karoo and the like. I have no hesitation in recommending it as a sturdy, well-made product well worth a good look. * Accu-Tac products are imported into South Africa by Freeborn Arms in Pretoria. The model, as tested, retails for R5 800. Freeborn Arms can be contacted telephonically on 081-321-4433 or via e-mail at FINEGUNS@LANTIC.NET