Sinclair Tactical/Varmint Bipod

by
posted on October 24, 2011
20111024121239-high-a_f.jpg

Not long ago, most after-market bipods were designed primarily for use on typical hunting rifles. In recent years, the demands of military and law enforcement shooters, varmint hunters, and tactical rifle and F-Class competitors have inspired new models offering rigidity and accuracy, especially with heavier guns. Among these is the Sinclair Tactical/Varmint Bipod, introduced in early 2009.

Made of black-anodized 6061 aluminum with steel fasteners and springs, the Sinclair bipod weighs 1 pound, 12 ounces. Each square-section leg extends 3 inches in 0.4-inch increments via leg notches, and can be individually deployed at angles of approximately 20 and 60 degrees from vertical, allowing firing off uneven surfaces. Total height range is 5.6 to 12 inches (underside of fore-end to the ground). Both legs terminate in 1-inch-diameter round rubber feet, and can be rotated forward under the barrel when not in use.

Attachment is by way of a cross-pin that engages an Uncle Mike’s-type sling swivel stud on the rifle’s fore-end and two thumbscrews that clamp the padded bipod mounting plate against the stock. An angled polymer locking handle at the rear allows adjustment of the gun’s cant angle.

We mounted the bipod on a Legacy Sports Howa 1500 heavy-barreled .308 Win. rifle, with a Bell & Carlson synthetic stock, Leupold VX-3 8.5-25X scope and a Timney trigger, all from MidwayUSA. Designed to accommodate heavy, hard-kicking rifles, the bipod effectively supported our 12½-pound gun. At the range, using the preferred technique of preloading the bipod legs with shoulder pressure, we achieved accuracy nearly equal to that obtained with a 17-pound Sinclair tripod rest. Although the sample bipod performed best when the legs were retracted and angled wide apart, we had good results with all leg configurations.

Retracting the serrated sliding latch used to change leg angle also allows the bipod leg to be completely removed-a feature requested by varmint shooters to facilitate gun storage in a case. If there is sufficient customer demand, a variant with permanently attached legs may be offered in the future.

The Sinclair Tactical/Varmint Bipod compares well to other high-end models, and will be welcomed by varminters, F-T/R competitors and others seeking maximum accuracy when shooting from a bipod.

Available from: Sinclair Int’l; (800) 717-8211, www.sinclairintl.com. Suggested Retail Price: $229.95

Latest

Century BFT 01
Century BFT 01

New For 2024: Century Arms BFT74 & BFT556

Century Arms expanded its AK-style BFT rifle line in 2024 with two new models chambered for 5.56 NATO and 5.45x39 mm, respectively.

Preview: Armaspec SRS AR-15 Kit

This Armaspec upgrade to the AR-15’s standard buffer and spring includes a trio of interchangeable buffer weights that allow the user to tune it to his or her rifle/load.

Gun Of The Week: Davidson’s Exclusive KelTec KS7

Join American Rifleman staff on the range this week with a unique version of KelTec's KS7 bullpup shotgun.

The Armed Citizen® Nov. 1, 2024

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Hydra Weaponry Expands To New Facility

Hydra Weaponry—the designer and manufacturer of the modular Marck-15 Hydra Weapon System and Maine’s largest firearm employer—has expanded into a larger facility.

Review: Bushmaster M4A2 Patrolman's Carbine

The M4A2 Patrolman’s Carbine from Bushmaster Firearms is the first in a line of AR-15s designed to bring back the standard, carbine-length firearms that have long been a staple of American shooting enthusiasts.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.