View Full Version : Harris vs. Atlas bipod
So, I'm trying to decide on which bipod to stick on my "precision" rifle.
I have always used Harris bipods and have one on hand that will probably be suitable but was curious about the Atlas ones since they seem to be pretty popular these days.
Turns out they both have features I like and dislike.
It seems like the features I like on the Atlas may not provide me with any real benefit over the Harris for my intended purpose of shooting static targets from a prone position.
The two main features the Atlas offers that I like are the locking legs and the ability to pan horizontally. In real world, "sniper" type situations I can see a lot of benefits to these two features. For my intended use at the range, not so much.
I've always liked having nice features even if I didn't use those features. Just seems nice to have that option.
Just trying to decide if investing over $200 in a new bipod to get cool features I really don't need is worth it. Sounds kind of senseless as I typed it out. Lol.
TheBelly
01-25-2015, 08:49
http://youtu.be/sWvWZ0PpTu4
side by side comparison. if you can swing it, i say atlas.
Great-Kazoo
01-25-2015, 09:33
IF i had the coin, i'd go Atlas.
Had a harris and switched to the atlas ... Sold the harris. Love everything about it and you can see where your money goes ... I wanted something I would never have to ever worry about. I can throw it down on a rock or barrier and know that the next round I can still pull it down and use it like intended. Yes, it's expensive, but I warned you when you got your precision rifle haha
I have two atlas and three harris bipods. The harris is faster to deploy since you can just flip the legs down without pushing any little buttons. That won't matter to you unless you hunt with it or shoot some of the super time limited matches where you start standing and are forced to start with the bipod folded. The Atlas seems to grip the ground a little better, less skidding. If you'll be shooting off a mat that will allow you hook the legs so you can load the bipod, then that advantage is irrelevant.
I'd shoot any match with either and not think twice about it. The Atlas looks cool, and it's what all the cool kids use. That, and some very slight perceived benefit were enought to pry the $600 out of my wallet.
XC700116
01-25-2015, 10:48
I have both, and like both for different reasons and different rifles. Both are good units and have their advantages and disadvantages. For just prone shooting at static targets, Harris will do the job just fine.
It just depends on how much you're willing to spend for what you're planning on doing.
Rooskibar03
01-25-2015, 11:24
I vote for the Harris just so your rifle doesn't end up looking just like mine.
I vote for the Harris just so your rifle doesn't end up looking just like mine.
I did a camo job on my stock. We're safe.
Rooskibar03
01-25-2015, 11:49
Oh that's right. As you were.
I ordered the atlas Friday. Figured Im this deep into it no need to cheap out now.
My element chassis came with a four inch picatinny rail section. I was going to mount it on the bottom of the fore end if I go with the Atlas. Tried to put it on the other day but looks like I'll have to do some minor modification first. The holes on the bottom apparently aren't threaded all the way through. When the screws bottom out the rail piece hangs down about an eighth of an inch. I'll either have to shorten them or find some shorter ones. I think the rail piece I have is meant to go on the side of the stock.
Call Kyle at xlr he will hook you up with what you need.
Call Kyle at xlr he will hook you up with what you need.
I only need three small machine screws. Probably just be easier to pick them up at Ace Hardware or cut mine down.
If I decide to order the folding mechanism for the stock I might have him toss some screws in on the order.
Thought of getting that too but didn't want to add to the lop , cheaper to buy a bigger bag :-)
Thought of getting that too but didn't want to add to the lop , cheaper to buy a bigger bag :-)
I was just thinking about cleaning. Seems like the cheek riser might be all in the way.
I run my cleaning rod under the riser , didn't plan on it but just worked out with were i have it set . You will need a really long rod though ("that's what she said")
I run my cleaning rod under the riser , didn't plan on it but just worked out with were i have it set . You will need a really long rod though ("that's what she said")
I think my rod is 36". Makes me pretty popular with the ladies too. [Awesom]
I have an extra extension if you need it . For the ladies of course.
http://youtu.be/sWvWZ0PpTu4
side by side comparison. if you can swing it, i say atlas.
This. If you want to try one, I'll loan you one of mine, no likey get a harris, no money lost.
This. If you want to try one, I'll loan you one of mine, no likey get a harris, no money lost.
Thanks for the offer. Pretty much decided I'll probably just go with the Atlas. I'll probably swing by Mile High and check them out this Friday.
I need to find a good 20MOA base too. I want one with a "recoil lug" so I had to rule out a couple I was considering. Need to do some research on bedding the base to the receiver as well.
Delfuego
01-27-2015, 10:45
Pretty much decided I'll probably just go with the Atlas.If you decide on Atlas, the PSR model is nice. It's stiffer and the legs do not spin.
I need to find a good 20MOA base too. I want one with a "recoil lug" so I had to rule out a couple I was considering. Need to do some research on bedding the base to the receiver as well.Seekins makes a good base for a good price (w/recoil lug). Though with 308 the Lug will not be critical. Also a quality base should not need to be bedded.
What a can of worms you have opened Ray! [Beer]
From my Internet research, it really isn't the quality of the base that has to do with the need to bed it. It's more about inconsistencies with Remington's machining tolerances on the receiver.
I'll check the fit and post up pictures when I reach that point.
Is the Seekins base steel? I don't really want an aluminum one.
Delfuego
01-27-2015, 11:15
Seekins bases are 7075 ALU. Seekins Rings & Bases are GTG and the right price for sure. Badger is good stuff too, but near twice the price.
I have never had any issue with aluminum, all of mine have been aluminum. Also blue Loctite and a torque wrench are your friends...
It costs almost nothing to bed the base. Wax the receiver and the bottom of the base and put a skim coat of Devcon or whatever down. Torque it and forget it.
Is the Seekins base steel? I don't really want an aluminum one.
Steel vs aluminum base is no big deal. I actually prefer aluminum so I can save a touch of weight.
I'm not terribly concerned with the weight savings. I don't plan on carrying it any further than from the truck to the firing line.
I'm just quirky in a lot of ways.
In my mind it doesn't make sense to bolt a piece of aluminum to a steel receiver because both metals expand and contract at different rates as temperatures change.
In the real world it probably doesn't matter. But in my mind it's just one more variable I can eliminate that could possibly cause some sort of POI shift or cause shots to string.
In the real world it probably doesn't matter.
Nope. Not in the least.
Pay more attention to the wind and a good clean trigger break.
I do the majority of my shooting at CRC. It's never windy out there.
[Coffee]
Aluminum coefficient of expansion is roughly 12X10^-6 in/in°F. Steel is about half that at 6X10^-6 in/in°F.
Assuming the rail is 6" long and the temp change from when you installed it to some heated state is 60°F, the aluminum rail will expand 0.0043". The steel barrel will expand 0.0021". Theoretical slip is 0.002" or so. A delta of 60° is pretty huge. You'd have to have assembled it at 70°F and be shooting at 130°F, but it's not impossible.
I was surprised to see the numbers that large. It's still irrelevant, but I'd agree about wanting a steel rail. Theoretical sources of error keep me awake at night.
Theoretical sources of error keep me awake at night.
Lol. I'm not quite that bad. But I figure if I need a base anyways I might as well do all I can to help eliminate as many of the variables as I can. That way if my shots are off I'll know the error is most likely the idiot running the trigger.
What Tim said and same here but I run an al base. Bedded with the jb weld method. So thin it's almost non existent. Hoser is right though I got more out of my shooting by trigger time and learning as much as I could about wind than the variable of metal expansion however minute it is.
Aluminum coefficient of expansion is roughly 12X10^-6 in/in°F. Steel is about half that at 6X10^-6 in/in°F.
Assuming the rail is 6" long and the temp change from when you installed it to some heated state is 60°F, the aluminum rail will expand 0.0043". The steel barrel will expand 0.0021". Theoretical slip is 0.002" or so. A delta of 60° is pretty huge. You'd have to have assembled it at 70°F and be shooting at 130°F, but it's not impossible.
Man! I was thinking the same thing!![Sarcasm2]
Is it quicker to Phoenix or by bus?
Dinosdeuce
01-27-2015, 19:51
Is it quicker to Phoenix or by bus?
to Phoenix, no wait bus.....no wait Phoenix...........no wait bus...............................ahhh i give up i don't know whether to walk to work or carry my lunch
Science has always frightened the unwashed masses.
TheBelly
01-27-2015, 21:27
Science has always frightened the unwashed masses.
human interaction has always frightened the science-minded. LoL
**drops the mic**
Great-Kazoo
01-27-2015, 22:45
I'm not terribly concerned with the weight savings. I don't plan on carrying it any further than from the truck to the firing line.
.
That's how it starts. Next thing you know, you're looking to share a ride to Raton.
Is it quicker to Phoenix or by bus?
For the Wichita Lineman , neither.
At least at Raton you won't have the lightest or heaviest rifle . You will have to carry that big bitch for a few miles though
You will have to carry that big bitch for a few miles though
Not me. I don't carry anything more than a few yards.
You can put wheels on it and wheelbarrow it.
At least at Raton you won't have the lightest or heaviest rifle . You will have to carry that big bitch for a few miles though
If it was easy, girls could do it.
XC700116
01-29-2015, 10:35
If it was easy, girls could do it.
I'm not even going there, Sara and Jamie have handed me my ass enough times that I know better.
If it was easy, girls could do it.
Ha, not even touching that one. ^what he said
If it's so heavy, just mount it barrel down on a golf caddie. When you're ready to shoot, just lay it down and the wheels will serve as the tripod; rotates too! Kind of like a cannon.
If it's so heavy, just mount it barrel down on a golf caddie. When you're ready to shoot, just lay it down and the wheels will serve as the tripod; rotates too! Kind of like a cannon.
That's genius.
Rooskibar03
01-29-2015, 15:35
Got my Atlas from the UPS guy today. What a great piece of engineering, this thing is tough and well built.
Cant wait for my XLR to show up.
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