Cross Sticks

[Cruzatte]

For a very long time, I have wanted a pair of cross sticks. But I really didn't want to use a modern, zinc plated bolt, washer, and wing nut. I thought of using a wood pin made from a piece of broken ramrod, or a dowel of suitable diameter. But ended up rejecting that idea too. I thought there must be a knot that an old-timer might know whereby he could cross two sticks together and have a usable, reasonably stable shooting prop. I found this on Youtube, (of course!) and submit it for your interest.
[youtube]cN5FSYJvP9k[/youtube]

Of course you can substitute hemp rope for the video maker's modern orange nylon cord. And you don't have to stain your sticks if you don't want to. The knot works. At least it has so far in my limited testing. I will test it out under range conditions very soon.

 

[hawkeye2]

Works to make a tripod with 3 poles too. Right out of a 50's Boy Scout manual

 

[Grenadier1758]

Two sticks fastened like that is a lashing for a cross fastening. When three sticks are lashed together you have the tripod configuration.

Thanks for reminding us of a traditional lashing for cross sticks.

 

[Toomuch51]

Works to make a tripod with 3 poles too. Right out of a 50's Boy Scout manual

:thumbsup:

 

[Katahdin]

I use a single, head high walking staff.If I need it as a rifle rest I just grip it at the correct height and lay the rifle across where my hand is gripping the stick.Less to carry and doubles as a staff.Tripod is your two feet and the Staff.Just what floats my stick,no pun intended.

 

[hanshi]

Great video. :thumbsup:

 

[Cruzatte]

I use a single, head high walking staff.If I need it as a rifle rest I just grip it at the correct height and lay the rifle across where my hand is gripping the stick.Less to carry and doubles as a staff.Tripod is your two feet and the Staff.Just what floats my stick,no pun intended.

I tried that once. Never really got the hang of it, I guess. I've even taken the ramrod out of the thimbles, crossed it with a wiping stick of the same diameter, held both sticks crossed in my off hand, parked the barrel of my rifle in the V, and fired. But again, I thought I could do better a different way.

 

[faste350]

I used leather lace on mine.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I've even taken the ramrod out of the thimbles, crossed it with a wiping stick of the same diameter, held both sticks crossed in my off hand, parked the barrel of my rifle in the V, and fired. But again, I thought I could do better a different way.

I wouldn't do that unless the injuns were chasing me. Using yer ram rod/wiping sticks for a rest will pick up dirt and grit from the ground and possibly get into the bore of your rifle. Plus, a 3/8" rod isn't really stout enough for that kind of use.

 

[Idaho Ron]

I forgot my sticks on my son's antelope hunt. I stopped and picked up some willow sticks and tied them together like the video. You can see them laying on the antelope.

 

[Idaho Ron]

These are the cross sticks I made for me. I made a second set for my son and gave them to him for Christmas last year.


https://youtu.be/AZNvWYoDENQ

 

[hanshi]

I like those sticks you made; I even think I could make a pair. Thanks for sharing the video.

 

[Cruzatte]

I've even taken the ramrod out of the thimbles, crossed it with a wiping stick of the same diameter, held both sticks crossed in my off hand, parked the barrel of my rifle in the V, and fired. But again, I thought I could do better a different way.

I wouldn't do that unless the injuns were chasing me. Using yer ram rod/wiping sticks for a rest will pick up dirt and grit from the ground and possibly get into the bore of your rifle. Plus, a 3/8" rod isn't really stout enough for that kind of use.

Yup. Hence the last sentence.

I thought I could do better a different way.

 

[fishmusic]

My wife asked how can those sticks shoot? I have obviously been remiss in teaching her the basics.

 

[Stumpkiller]

I have a pair of 1/2" oak dowels I use with two adjoining leather fingers cut from a leather glove as the hinge point for woodchuck shooting. Because of local terrain I have to be able to slide the cross point up and down to accommodate shooting.

 

[azmntman]

I have a pair of 1/2" oak dowels I use with two adjoining leather fingers cut from a leather glove as the hinge point for woodchuck shooting. Because of local terrain I have to be able to slide the cross point up and down to accommodate shooting.

Photo :hmm: ?

 

[Stumpkiller]

These are 36" long 1/2" oak dowels. The tips I drilled back 1" and set nails (with the heads cut off) to poke into the soil. The glove bit is mostly to protect the finish on the forearm of the rifle. Under that is a loose whipping I can slide up or down easily.

 

[azmntman]

I LIKE THAT.....ALOT :thumbsup: Thank you!