QUAD Shooting Sticks

Like many shooters I’d been happy with my standard two-legged shooting sticks for a long time and I’m not a fan of tripods! However, once I’d tried out some quad sticks (and been shown exactly how to use them properly!) I found at last something that for me was a natural progression from twin sticks.

FRONT AND REAR

The rifle is held securely front and back which greatly aids stability and therefore accuracy, which is what it’s all about! Although there are now 4-poles they still in effect only have 2 legs as they form a V-shape, so only two points of contact on the ground. So the rifle is securely supported and you can rock the rig nose to tail as required. Plus they are thus easy to readjust if the target moves.

Some people see the strap as unnecessary and prefer to put the rifle in initially as you would a normal pair of two-leggers then lift the butt and ease the sticks backwards to lock in place in front of the back swivel. Others prefer to let the front of the sticks fall forward and then put the rifle into both V’s simultaneously. Both have their plus points. I’d advise trying both methods to see which suits you best.

So, for those who’ve made the switch, or more importantly want to make the switch, read on! I’ve tested four sets of quads covering a wide price spectrum from under £20 to over £250. Two are made of wood, two from plastic coated metal.

BUSHWEAR ELITE 4 POLE GUN REST

Bushwear’s Elite 4 Pole Gun Rest is what I would call a middle range product. They look quite well made with a matt black finish and rubber coatings half way up (where they are carried) and at the top where the rifle is cradled. They’re also not too heavy (1000 grams) and seem fairly rigid and sturdy.

The V shaped notches vary in size - a nice touch; larger at the front to accommodate any style of forend and smaller at the back to accept the narrower butt. This is also useful when carrying to keep them in the right position. Keep the shorter lengths on top and when the quarry is first sighted push the top two sticks away from the bottom two with your thumb. The will easily fall open and be ready for deployment with both hands. You have to do this to avoid the ‘which way round’ fumble that can cost you a shot and sometimes be enough to put people off for good.

However, on the down side the sticks seem a little short for anyone over 5’10” and more importantly, try as I might I couldn’t get them open without making a noise - a big no no when stalking! The bottom of the legs are flat which may not provide as much grip as a more pointed end.

D.I.Y. OR BUST

At £20 including nuts, bolts and washers are the DIY option. They consist of four 6 ft garden canes bolted together in four places.

They weigh 1000 grams and perform just as well in all departments but do seem quieter (drilling the top two holes slightly offset avoids metal to metal contact); and have small points on the end to help give purchase on most terrains. They’re also longer which accommodates shooters over 6 ft tall. They’re practical, sturdy and do the job with no real maintenance. At the end of the day however, they’re garden canes and not made from a lovely piece of oak; yet again, you pays your money and you makes your choice.

Garden Canes – under £20

CLIFFORD - QUAD POD STICKS

Made out of oak, they look well constructed. Cleverly held together at the top by a magnet they’re perhaps the easiest to deploy as there’s no confusion as to which way they open. They do look bloody good and Derek takes on any comments to improve them – he recently fluted the inside of the legs to reduce weight, they now tip the scales at 1180 grams.

They’re not only the most expensive but by a considerable margin. In use they deployed easily and silently. They also have pointed feet, making them stable on hard or soft ground. The top section was very shallow and didn’t grip the rifle as tightly as I’d have liked. I spoke to Derek about this and he said that most shooters like a shallow cradle so that small adjustments can be made in the horizontal plane if the target moves. I prefer the rifle to be more rigid! That is the USP of quads and it’s fairly simple to hoist the sticks around if you need to.

SOUTHWICK QUAD STALKING SYSTEM

These a bit hefty 1200 grams and appear well made from square-cut, English hardwood with leather trimmings and have metal spikes on the feet. They can be made to whatever height you require and also come with a personalized engraved plate with the owner’s name! The leather side arrester strap is placed midway down the sticks, meaning it doesn’t get in the way.

At the back a leather strap goes across the V to accommodate the butt allowing a small degree of movement to track your target. Having tried these and previously mentioned the importance of a rigid platform, this slight amount of adjustment can be useful. There is just the right amount of friction against the leather to allow movement without affecting accuracy too much. However, the strap can be removed if required to give total rigidity and the sides of the sticks beneath are leather-lined at the top to avoid damage. Overall, sticks that do the business!

So a variety of very different designs with no real winners or losers as taste plays a big part in your choice. If the budget is also important and you can manage D.I.Y. then the home made product works well. Also a good starter to quad sticks and if you don’t like them then you haven’t broken the bank. However, I could easily be tempted by the Southwick product!

PRICE: £69.99 (+ P&P)
CONTACT: Bushwear – 0845 225 0469
FOR: Reasonably well made and priced
AGAINST: A little short and slightly noisy
VERDICT: There are better

CONTACT: Any Garden Centre
FOR: Won’t break the bank and they do the job
AGAINST: Not a lot They need to be put together
VERDICT: A good place to start (and maybe stay!)

PRICE: from £250 (+ P&P)
CONTACT: Derek Clifford – 07840 027952
FOR: Clever design and good looking
AGAINST: Expensive and a very shallow cradle
VERDICT: If you prefer a shallow cradle and have the money – buy them!

PRICE: £100.90 (inc. P&P)
CONTACT: Southwick Shooting Supplies, 07971 132031
FOR: Well made and do the job
AGAINST: Not a lot