If you’re an avid hunter, you know how important it is to make a clean and clear shot every time. No matter how long you’ve been shooting, it can be hard to achieve this. Thankfully, shooting sticks were created to help users get a better, more ethical shot.
Shooting sticks bring a lot to the table for hunters, including taking the pressure off of your body to reduce fatigue and improve the overall accuracy of your shot. With so many shooting stick options available, it can be hard to tell which one is best for you.
We don’t want you to waste your hard-earned money on a product you don’t love, which is why we’ve reviewed the best shooting sticks of 2019 for you. Below you’ll find everything you need to know about shooting sticks to help you find the perfect one for you!
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Shooting Sticks
- OUR TOP PICK: Vanguard Quest T62U
- RUNNER-UP: Primos Gen 3 Jim Shockey Edition Deluxe Tripod
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Hunter's Specialties Shooter's Stick
Comparison Chart of the Best Shooting Sticks
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
Best Budget Option  |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
What is Shooting Stick and What is it Used For?
If you’re unaware, a shooting stick is essentially a portable weapon mount usually used by hunters and snipers. Shooting sticks come in a variety of sizes and either have one leg, two legs, or three legs. The majority of the people that use shooting sticks pair them with a rifle.
This gives the user a forward rest and gets rid of any unwanted movement. A shooting stick can be used for practice, snipers in the military, or by the average person during hunting season. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been hunting for years or if you’ve never shot a gun before, you will likely benefit from using a shooting stick.
How to Choose a Shooting Stick
So how are you supposed to know which shooting stick you should buy? With so many variables in place, we thought we’d break down features you may want to consider. Use this buyer’s guide to help you choose what matters most when it comes to choosing a shooting stick.
Number of Legs
You’ll have the option of buying a monopod, bipod, or tripod. Something to keep in mind is that the more legs there are, the more stable your stick will be. On the other hand, if you’re pressed for space, monopods take up a little less space than a tripod.
Adjustability
Something else to pay attention to is how adjustable the shooting stick is. The main thing you’ll want to adjust is the height of the stick. If you’re using a ground blind, having a tall shooting stick won’t do you any favors. If you’re shooting while standing, a three-foot tall shooting stick wouldn’t work either. Consider the way you’re shooting and go from there.
Weight
When it comes to shooting sticks, the heavier the stick, the more stability you’ll have. If you’re shooting from further away, you’ll want a heavier shooting stick. This will give you a more precise shot. If you plan on taking a hiking trip where a lot of hiking or walking is involved, you may want to opt for a more lightweight shooting stick.
Review of the Best Shooting Sticks
We’ve done the research to share with you detailed reviews about the best six shooting sticks money can buy. Below you’ll find a variety of different options, so you’re bound to find something that works for you. With everything from cost-efficient options to tripods and monopods, here are the best shooting sticks of 2019.
Best Overall:
Vanguard Quest T62U
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
When it comes to people that have already spent money on this product, they rave about the quality for the price. Many users say the adjustments are incredibly easy to make and they love the fact that it can transform from a tripod to a monopod. Lastly, people enjoy that this shooting stick can be used by cameras and camcorders when not in use for shooting.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The main reason this shooting stick is the best overall and why it stands out to us, is the fact that you choose the number of legs you want to use with it. This can be great if you have several people using one shooting stick each with different preferences. We also love that it can rotate 360 degrees, which can come in handy while hunting.
Who Will Use This Most
This product doesn’t win the best overall spot for being a great choice for one type of person. That being said, this shooting stick would be a great addition to anyone’s kit or collection. Whether you’re an experienced hunter or just starting out, this shooting stick will work for you.
Bottom Line
When it comes to shooting sticks, this one has incredible quality for the price. It has anything you may need in a shooting stick and is really lightweight, while still remaining durable. Overall, this is the best of the best for shooting sticks on the market right now.
Runner-up:
Primos Gen 3 Jim Shockey Edition Deluxe Tripod
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most new buyers were hunters looking for a shooting stick to provide excellent stability on uneven ground. They were also quite impressed with how durable the stick is. One user commented that he was able to plant it firmly into the ground and managed to keep his rifle steady while bearing down on one of his targets. He said the bumpy ground was no match for this shooting stick.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This shooting stick is tough as nails and quick to deploy with the easy to pull trigger. Of course, let’s not forget that this has some telescopic action to extend the stick a lot farther. So it will accommodate many shooters, both short and tall. It might just be one of the most widely useful shooting sticks on the market. So if you want a shooting stick that is ideal for prone or standing position shooting, this shooting stick might just stand out as a good option.
Who Will Use This Most
If you are a hunter or someone who likes to target practice at the range or out in an open field, this shooting stick will certainly stand out as one of the best. Whether you shoot prone, from a bench, or standing on your own two feet, this will be the stick you’ll want to use. Any shooter that gets their hands on this will have a nice sidekick at the range or out in the field.
Bottom Line
The Primos Gen 3 is super-tough and easy to adjust. Ideally, it’s one of the most versatile shooting sticks on the list. So it makes sense for anyone to use this on their rifle of choice for any long-distance shooting or “low to the ground” hunting. If you want a shooting stick that will get the job done at any height, this might be right up your alley.
Best for the Money:
Hunter's Specialties Shooter's Stick
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of new buyers were quite happy with the shooting stick. A majority of the users were hunters that often set themselves up in unstable terrain. One user said it’s pretty easy to extend and the legs extend without getting stuck. Users were satisfied with the overall stability and durability of this monopod.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This monopod was made for the hunter that is often struggling to keep their rifle steady. So this was designed for easy setup, and allows for stable holding and shooting on any kind of terrain. Regardless of the ground conditions, you just can’t lose. If stability is important to you, this shooting stick might just take the ball and run with it.
Who Will Use This Most
If you’re a hunter in search of a shooting stick to keep your rifle stable in any ground condition, this could be exactly what you’re looking for. Not only will you get superior stability, but it’s built to stay strong and handle almost any hunting rifle. Don’t be shocked if you end up getting more than you’ve bargained for with this shooting stick.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a monopod that will take on any terrain, the Hunter’s Specialty Shooting Stick could be your cup of coffee. For something that stands on one leg, it doesn’t get any better than this. On top of that, it’s pretty dang tough and easy to extend out. This might just be the ultimate hunting buddy for you.
Best Monopod Shooting Stick:
Vanguard VEO 2 Shooting Stick
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of new buyers were impressed with the shooting stick's ability to handle heavier rifles. They were even more impressed with the ability to be a great walking stick when hiking. One user said he managed to use this not just for hunting, but uses it to give himself for extra stability while walking around. He added that it was a much-needed stick for someone his age.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This shooting stick is a multi-purpose tool that will definitely give you the best stability as you walk around or take aim at your target of choice. On top of that, it has a 360-degree rotating yolk that allows for fluid movement in so many directions. This will give you all kinds of angles to work with in regards to your hunting rifle. So, if you want a stick that won’t waste your time trying to reposition your rifle, this is the stick that will get the job done.
Who Will Use This Most
This has its uses for both hunting and hiking. It’s durable, extendable, and will give you the best possible support regardless of whether you have a rifle attached or not. If you want a stick that will be reliable for all kinds of outdoor activities, you’d be hard-pressed to find anything else quite like this.
Bottom Line
The Vanguard VEO 2 is not just your ordinary shooting stick. You can shoot with it, walk with it, and definitely utilize it to your advantage, no matter where you are outdoors. On top of that, it’s a pretty stable, durable stick that will handle even some pretty heavy rifles. If you have an AR-15 that is fully-loaded and built like a tank, this could do you some good.
Best Bipod Stick:
Vanguard Scout B62 Bi Pod With V-Shaped Rotating Yoke
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of new users were impressed with the versatility of the shooting stick. Most used this for the purpose of shooting, some have used it for hiking. Most were in agreement that the durability was solid and the deployment from one leg to two was quick and easy. The extension was effortless and didn’t make much noise when it was lengthened.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Once again, this shooting stick isn’t just your regular shooting stick. It can be used for a multitude of outdoor reasons. You can use it for hunting or keep it folded as a walking stick. If you’re using it for hunting, this will give you all kinds of stability on even the most unstable ground. Stability is almost a guarantee if you’re using this shooting stick for the purpose shooting from a prone position or standing position when hunting.
Who Will Use This Most
If you’re a hunter that moves from one spot to another quite a bit, this may be the shooting stick for you. It’s easy to set up and won’t take up too much space in your gear. The height is plenty adjustable, so whether you’re standing or a kneeling while shooting, you’ll be able to use this product.
Bottom Line
The Vanguard Scout is an outdoor user’s best friend. Make no mistake about it, this is great for hunters and hikers alike. You cannot help but marvel at the durability and stability it provides for either user. So if you want a simple to use, quick to deploy shooting stick, the Vanguard Scout is definitely something worth investing in.
Best Tripod Stick:
Caldwell DeadShot
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
One of the main things people love is that they can use any weapon with this shooting stick. The dual frame gives users a ton of stability, in addition to the three legs. The main thing you should be aware of is how much this shooting stick weighs.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This product stands out to us because it’s so versatile. It can be used by left or right-handed individuals and fits nearly any weapon. The extra stability makes it perfect for beginners and the tension knob makes for incredibly easy adjustments.
Who Will Use This Most
Honestly, this is a shooting stick that everyone should own. It may not have made the cut for the best overall on our list, but it is definitely the best tripod shooting stick on the market. No matter what your skill level is, you’ll find yourself getting plenty of use out of this shooting stick!
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a product that will keep your weapon as stable as possible with a decent amount of height adjustment capabilities, this may be the shooting stick for you. It has a solid construction and can be used for multiple types of weaponry. Lastly, if you’re teaching someone to shoot, this product could be a great tool to help newer shooters learn the ins and outs of shooting sticks.
Are All Shooting Sticks The Same?
Just like most other hunting gear, all products in a category have their differences. The main differences being the number of legs and the adjustability. While, in general, they have the same purpose, not all deliver the same result. It’s also important to note that one shooting stick may have many different features than another.
Types of Shooting Sticks
There are three main types of shooting sticks. Read below to find out more.
Monopods
A monopod has just one leg. The height is easier to adjust and they’re generally more lightweight. If you move from one spot to another often while you’re hunting, you’ll benefit from using a monopod.
Bipods
As you can probably guess, bipod shooting sticks have two legs. They provide more support than monopods. These are best-used by people who shoot from the prone position more than anything else.
Tripods
The most stable shooting stick is a tripod shooting stick. The only downside to these is they can take longer to set up and may weigh a bit more. Overall, tripods are usually the best option for most users.
Why Should I Get a New Shooting Stick?
There are many benefits when it comes to using a shooting stick. The main benefit is that your shots will likely be more accurate. The added stability helps give you a clean and ethical shot nearly every time.
Another benefit is that you’ll be able to shoot over vegetation easier.
The last benefit we want to mention is that, when folded up, shooting sticks can double as walking sticks. This means you’ll be able to carry less and have a lighter load when hunting.
Conclusion
There you have it! That’s just about everything you need to know about the best shooting sticks available right now. Any one of the six options above are great choices to add to your hunting kit. Make sure to pay attention to the height adjustability and how many legs the shooting stick has before buying. Happy hunting!
