Viper-Flex Shooting Sticks

[postoak]

I just used these on my recent trip to Namibia, and WOW, I wish all PHs would throw away their current sticks and switch to these.

They support both the front and rear of the rifle and this rear rest means there is NO side to side movement. Of course, this means that you have to manipulate the sticks around so that you have exactly the windage picture you want on the animal, but the steadiness is well worth this drawback.

https://www.viper-flex.com/products/

 

[cagkt3]

I agree! I used a set my PH had just bought, I think they were Accurate Concepts brand. I bought some here from Rudolph Optics - found them on Camofire.com for about $40 and they are well worth it

 

[Rick Cox]

What currency is the price listed in?

 

[postoak]

I don't know but looking further, it looks like these aren't well distributed. I found something similar on Amazon for $85.95

https://www.amazon.com/Rudolph-Opti...=1527370148&sr=8-189&keywords=shooting+sticks

 

[Dewald]

The Viper-Flex and French 4-Stable stix are incredible. In SA, depending on the model they retail for R2000-3000.
I use 4-Stable Stix mountain stix for myself and all my clients.

What I prefer about them above the Rudolph and all other cross stick designs is that the front rest gives room to move the rifle from side to side, whereas the Rudolph and others pinch the fore-end of the stock, leaving you with no lateral movement should an animal walk whilst aiming.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Thanks for the info! I’m going to have to research these. Never heard of them.

 

[postoak]

I've learned the generic name for these is "quad sticks"; a search on that will give you the most/best results.

 

[Sika98k]

The Viper Flex sticks are being regarded in Europe and possibly further afield as the dogs danglers if not indeed the cats pjamas !
I heard about them over two years ago and was somewhat sceptical about the high price. Eventually after due consideration I visited a firearms dealer stocking these. €199,$232 to some(most of you) seemed a bit steep.
I was offered a generic set for considerably less. However he said I would be back as they weren’t as durable.
I splashed my cash and haven’t looked back. Took them to Namibia last year and this year. Shot foxes out to 260 yds off them.
The PH complimented my shot placement this year. I saw nothing wrong with it either.

 

[Red Leg]

I just used these on my recent trip to Namibia, and WOW, I wish all PHs would throw away their current sticks and switch to these.

They support both the front and rear of the rifle and this rear rest means there is NO side to side movement. Of course, this means that you have to manipulate the sticks around so that you have exactly the windage picture you want on the animal, but the steadiness is well worth this drawback.

https://www.viper-flex.com/products/

They obviously seem to work. You don't find them slow? I can get off a shot pretty quick off traditional sticks. Much of where I have hunted speed was every bit as important as accuracy.

 

[Dewald]

They obviously seem to work. You don't find them slow? I can get off a shot pretty quick off traditional sticks. Much of where I have hunted speed was every bit as important as accuracy.

Red Leg,

At first they are slow. Pertinently the ones that allow no movement of the front end of the rifle. With some practice you can open them fairly quickly though. It’s important that the PH knows how to set them up quickly for the client. Having the rear rest one notch lower than the front, allows to open them and use only as a bipod for a very quick shot that presents itself at not too great a distance.

 

[Ayaan Jakhura]

They look like interesting shooting sticks. But remember you can’t go wrong with the traditional African shooting sticks.

 

[postoak]

Does anyone know how the airlines treat objects like this? I know Lufthansa charged me $150 for taking my rifle to and from Africa; would they also charge extra for transporting these sticks?

Mr Christiansen, if you are reading. What is the length of these sticks when folded? Is it possible to buy them in the U.S.?

 

[Dewald]

Does anyone know how the airlines treat objects like this? I know Lufthansa charged me $150 for taking my rifle to and from Africa; would they also charge extra for transporting these sticks?

Mr Christiansen, if you are reading. What is the length of these sticks when folded? Is it possible to buy them in the U.S.?

They will easily fit in your rifle case. I’ve flown with mine in a duffel bag before and as carry on. They weigh almost nothing and fold up to a length of 26”

 

[Sika98k]

Re Viper flex Styx.
I collapse the sticks down to their minimum. That’s 44” or 112cms depending on how you look at them.
I put them in my Pelicase alongside the rifles. Bit of a squeeze but so far so good.

 

[Red Leg]

Jeez they look like a construction project - almost as complicated as they look to use. I have never had an issue using the PH'S bipod or tripod. I think that is something I'm more than happy to leave off the packing list!

 

[Claus Christiansen]

Does anyone know how the airlines treat objects like this? I know Lufthansa charged me $150 for taking my rifle to and from Africa; would they also charge extra for transporting these sticks?

Mr Christiansen, if you are reading. What is the length of these sticks when folded? Is it possible to buy them in the U.S.?

650 mm. If Its The journey model.

Not yet available in US.

 

[WAB]

My friend has a pair. They are incredibly stable. However, we shot his 500 off them. The recoil takes you off the sticks and the sticks then interfere with a follow up shot, not great in a dangerous game situation. I would think that they would be fine for lighter rifles where the recoil doesn’t force you off the sticks.

 

[kevin masters]

my ph had a pair he made, after a few shots I really appreciated them!!!

 

[nztimb]

Jeez they look like a construction project - almost as complicated as they look to use. I have never had an issue using the PH'S bipod or tripod. I think that is something I'm more than happy to leave off the packing list!

They would be fine for long range sniping at smaller animals but medium to large game animals dont require that level of "snipeability". I shoot rabbits to 150yds standing over my bogpod so an animal the size of a small deer on upward should be a doddle out to way further than that.

 

[Alistair]

These quadsticks are very popular here in the UK for woodland deer, and having used a set of the Viper-Flex ones at the range I can see why. Rock solid once you get used to them and I'd happily take a shot off them at a 'red deer' sized target out to 200, maybe more. They do take a bit of time to set up, but I guess that's lack of practice more than anything. No idea how they'd cope with anything especially big calibre wise, but I had no issues with an unmoderated .270 or a friends 30-06, so I guess most plains game calibres would be fine.

If I buy a set, and I might, my attitude would probably be; <100yds or any time pressure - Hasty sling or at a pinch use these folded as a single stick. Over 100yds or if you have 5 seconds to set up, use the sticks.

I'd say you can get the sticks sorted quicker than you can assume a decent sitting position, and for me at least they're just as, if not more stable. Expensive though.