Homemade Shooting Sticks- How To

colocaller

New member
Here is a set of shooting sticks I made. I had a pair made out of old copper pipe that were real similar, but lost them in the field. They are really easy to make, and quite cheap-right around $10. I included pictures, though it's pretty basic and I don't think anyone would need pics.

I use metal electric tube conduit. 1/2", 10 ft long is $2 at Home Depot (or you can pay an extra dollar at Ace if you want) This stuff is really strong and surprisingly cheap. I cut two 36" lengths with a pipe cutter. I use varmint al's sizing chart.

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Then I measure 6 inches down on each tube and drill a 1/4" hole clear through each tube.

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I put a curved head screw through both tubes, secured with a knob. It is 1/4", I think the length was 1 5/8", but can't remember for sure. I meant to buy one of these curved head screws that has a square shaft at the end near the head, but was not paying attention, and I think Ace did not carry this kind. It would be preferred. This screw was $.75. Here is what the sticks look like naked:

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Here is the knob

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We will use these rubber tips eventually. 5/8" fits tightly over the tubes. You definitely want these, they only cost 2.50 or 3 bucks. They improve the grip if you hunt on rocks, etc. Plus they dampen any metal clang sounds if you tap the sticks against rocks, or gun, or whatever. I don't put them on yet.

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Then we put some clothes on the sticks. I bought a few rolls of this stuff on clearance, and it only cost $1.50 per roll. I don't know what it would cost if it was not on clearance. It is the camo vet wrap. You could probably just use a colored vet wrap if you wanted. That is always pretty cheap. Or you could paint them. I like this wrap because it dampens sounds also. And it grips the gun well at the rest end. Just wrap the tube and overlap your previous layer.

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Since I didn't use a square shaft screw, like the kind on a lawn mower handle, I epoxied my screw to the tube. I would have preferred to use the square kind and file a square hole, but oh well. I just cover the screw head with the wrap.

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I like to put the rubber feet over the camo wrap to help keep the wrap from coming unraveled. But, the feet are already really tight to the tube, so you have to stretch a bit, and I leave some wrap extended past the end of the tube like in the pic, so that it doesn't just push the wrap down when I put the foot on.

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I put a double layer on the gun rest end. Just cause.

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Then I stretch the rubber foot on with out peeling the wrap back. I use a butter knife to keep stuffing the wrap under the feet while I slowly push the feet on the tube. I put feet on all four ends of the tubes.

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Then I cut little holes through the wrap where there are holes in the second tube, and push the screw from the first tube through the second.

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Screw on the knob. I might use a bigger knob to crank the sticks tighter. this knob was $2.60. A small knob stays out of the way of the gun rest area more easily, but I think a larger one is fine too.

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Lean them against your dirty couch, and you are done. I like these because they are adjustable out to very low heights. I can tighten them where I want them. Someday I will invest in some nicer shooting sticks, but can't beat the price on these. I will probably make a white pair for snow next, complete with white rubber feet
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Thoughts on alternate materials - used ski poles at a yard sale - 25 cents; synthetic fence posts, garden stakes, or driveway marker posts at Tractor Supply, etc. Nice tutorial, & good ideas there!
 
Originally Posted By: huntsman22Too heavy/cold for my taste, but oughtta be heck for stout.....
ha ha. yep they aren't the lightest, but they are stout.

I like Mike B's idea of ski poles. I don't know why I never thought about using them before. They really are at just about every garage sale here.

Micktrf,
glad you like them!
 
If you want super strong AND lighter weight than ski poles, try some carbon fiber decoy stakes. And, no flex or fiberglass splinters like the fence stakes. Not cold like metal, either.

I got mine from sportsmans whse, but didn't see any last time I was up there....

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a little khaki paint, and go to work...

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I made mine out of a couple of graphite golf clubs. Super light!!! Leave the leather grips on and connect em with a piece of rubber hose and insert sone arrow inserts and arrow tips in the ends.


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I use the same thing except i used 1" pvc pipe instead of metal pipe. They work good. I added a washer in between the pipes and they move alot smoother. Easy to carry and light weight.
 
I made a set today out of old aluminum curtain rods i found! they work good and are light. I wrapped them in camo gun wrap and they look nice!
 
I found a downfall to my design or any other aluminum rod setup, if you just happen to touch a electric fence with them it shocks the living you know what out of you!
 
is there any reason you guys are not using some kinda strap to hold gun in place better?

Ive had them fall over with gun in stix,if i am not holding them
 
I used two old Golf Clubs from the Thrift Store...strong and lightweight...But otherwise a very simular procedure...thanks for the photos and instructions
 
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