Our Top Shooting Sticks in 2024

Introduction

Stating anything as ‘the best’ is always subjective and we could have called this the ‘can of worms column’. Opinions are like backsides – everyone has one – and at the end of the day, my opinion is no more important than anyone else’s. However, if you happen to have stumbled across this article because you are looking to invest in a decent shooting stick you may be a little confused by all the information out there. The best option is to try out every single product for yourself. Best, but often impractical. So we’re back to my opinion. 

Shooting sticks, also known as shooting rests, are a widely used tool among hunters due to their ability to provide stability and precision when aiming at small targets. These tools have been around for as long as hand-held cannons, gunpowder, and muskets, and have evolved significantly over time. Today, shooting rests are made from high-quality materials and come in a variety of styles such as monopods, bipods, tripods, and four-legged variants. Most airgun hunters opt for tripods due to their extra stability, and the Primos Trigger Stick is a popular choice in this category. However, there are also plenty of cheaper alternatives available on the market. In this article, we will be reviewing five (almost six) tripod shooting rests within a budget of £150: Primos Gen 3 Trigger Stick, the Vanguard Pro T68, the Ultrec Quick Change Tripod, the HSF Tripod Shooting Stick Black, and the Vanguard Veo AM-234TU.

Why would you use a shooting stick?

The Primos Trigger Stick is generally considered the most popular shooting sticks for air gunners around and for good reason. They are very versatile, well made, always do the trick of offering a stable platform to shoot from and I’ve used Primos sticks for years. 

There’s two versions – the Gen 2 and the Gen 3. There is a subtle difference between the two, it’s subtle but significant. With both of them you have the trigger arrangement at the top to slide the legs up and down, as well as angle to angle. For this reason they’re great for shooting from a wide range of scenarios whether that’s in a hide, standing up or sitting down. The small difference with the Primos Gen 2 is that the legs work independently of each other which at night time can mean you have no idea where the legs are sitting. In daytime it’s easily resolved but at night time you can end up with the legs all over the place. This can be a small aggravation at night time when you’ve got your your rifle on a shoulder and are carrying a spotter.

With the Gen 3 though, it has a collar at the top which means all of the legs are deployed equally creating a more stable base. It’s a subtle difference, but for night shooting makes a big difference. Also when shooting from a sitting down position with the Gen 3, there’s a simple rotation mechanism on the collar which makes low-down hunting positions easy to get into.

They’re both great products but I give the Gen 3 just that little bit of edge over the Gen 2 because of the collar system. That said, if you’re not night-time hunting you can’t go wrong with either. 

SEE our Youtube content on the primos trigger stick gen 3:

The HSF Tripod Shooting Stick is an affordable option for those on a budget. It uses a friction system to lock its legs into place, which can be time-consuming to adjust. Despite this, the stick provides a stable platform at its full height of 1.79 meters, making it suitable for shooting at high targets such as pigeons and corvids. It is also lightweight and easy to carry, with a band for tying the legs together and three feet options for different terrain. The gun rest is made of rubberized plastic and can rotate 360 degrees. In a field test, the HSF Tripod performed well in a muddy farmyard, providing a stable platform for a successful night of ratting.

The Ultrec Quick Change Tripod is made with carbon fiber legs and weighs 810 grams. It is suitable for sitting shots at its full height, but not tall enough for standing shots. It can be used for prone shots at its lowest height of 43cm. The leg catches are adjustable with a screw and an included Allen key, and the tripod is built to last. It is the shortest of the four tripods being reviewed, at 53cm long, and includes a Velcro fastener for the legs and foam grips for easy carrying. It also comes with a nylon bag for carrying. The feet have rubber caps, and the gun rest can swivel 360 degrees and is made of rubberized plastic with grooves for extra grip. The Ultrec’s unique feature is the ability to swap between a V and U-shaped gun rest by pushing a metal rod in the yoke. In a field test, the Ultrec provided a stable platform for shooting rats from a sitting position.

The Vanguard Pro T68 is a feature-packed shooting stick with a non-reflective black finish. It measures 78cm when closed, weighs just over a kilo, and includes foam grips on the legs for easy carrying. The legs extend twice, and each stage can be locked with flip-up catches. When extended once, the Pro T68 measures 1.33 meters, and when fully extended, it reaches a height of 1.91 meters. The yoke assembly determines the splaying of the legs and has two settings: one for a lofty shooting height of 1.65 meters, and another for a comfortable sitting position as low as 46cm. The yoke also rotates 360 degrees, allowing for adjustments as shots present themselves. The feet are rubber balls that can be raised to reveal spikes for better traction on grass or mud, and the gun rest has a rubber grip and can be adjusted to a horizontal angle to accommodate different rifle stocks. It also includes a U-shaped pod for shotguns. The Pro T68’s height made it suitable for shooting high-roosting crows during a field test.

The Vanguard VEO AM-234TU is a hybrid shooting stick that combines elements of both a monopod and a tripod. At 57cm when folded, it is easy to carry with a rubber grip, wrist strap, and a carabiner for attaching it to a belt or backpack. The stick extends three times to reach a height of 1.64 meters, and has flip-up catches to lock it in place. The three feet are easy to deploy and click sturdily into place, but may get muddy when retracted. The gun rest is a rubberized U-shape with fins for a secure hold, and has 360-degree rotation. The stick has a ball joint above the three feet that allows it to tilt for additional aiming options, and a wheel that can be turned to determine the degree of lean. It is more stable than a monopod, but not as stable as a traditional tripod. During a field test, it was found to be suitable for squirrel hunting due to its small footprint and the ability to tilt.