Atlas BT10-LW17 Bipod for the AR-15
Major Pandemic 10.01.13
If you’re serious about accurately engaging long range targets out in the unpredictable field, you must have a bipod to provide a rock solid platform for precision shot placement. Bipods typically are secured to a forend via a sling stud or picatinny mount and usually fold against the stock for transport. They usually have some leg adjustment, but that’s not enough flexibility for a serious shooter. Limited bipod flexibility and features can turn an enjoyable field experience into frustration.
The Atlas BT10-LW17 from Accu-Shot is widely considered the pinnacle of bipod design and quality, and for good reason. As the Greek God Atlas supported the heavens and earth, the Atlas Bipod is sure to be strong enough to support any weight of firearm you might mount it too. The Atlas bipod is stronger, more flexible, and lighter than any other similarly featured bipod. And thanks to the lever actuated picatinny rail, the bipod instantly attaches and detaches from any picatinny railed forend such as the YHM Yankee Hill Machine 20″ upper I pictured here. The Atlas bipod is made in the USA by Accu-Shot – B&T Industries.
Fit, Feel, and Features
The fit and feel of the Atlas Bipod is second to none, with the impeccable quality and innovative engineering you would expect on aircraft-grade parts or on industrial art project in the Museum of Modern art. Honestly, the quality of most firearms this bipod will be mounted to will pale in comparison to the quality of the bipod itself. My old Harris bipod looks like a piece of junk compared to this.
Despite the Atlas Bipod’s beefy appearance and its construction of machined stainless steel and aircraft-grade aluminum, the entire bipod only weighs 12.7 ounces, including the picatinny mount. This makes Atlas’s model about a half a pound lighter than the next competitor.
The legs on the Atlas Bipod can be deployed and locked into five positions in 45 degree increments, either forward or backwards through a 180 degree arc. Push the button on the leg and move it independently to the position desired and the button lock automatically locks the leg in place.
There is nothing worse than a target appearing just to your left or right, or when you find your position canted ever so slightly after you have settled into a rock solid position. But never fear, B&T has added 30 total degrees of left-to-right pan as well as 30 total degrees of cant.
The added flexibility of being able to pan or tilt the rifle to align the crosshairs is a feature most bipods do not provide, with the result that the user is left to wedge rocks under the legs in order to get everything into position. With the Atlas, you can just twist the rifle into position and take the shot regardless of the terrain or odd shooting position.
There is also an adjustment knob provided to adjust the tension from movable to locked. Even the lowest position of tension allows you to move the rifle but still provides enough tension to hold the position through the shot.
For maximum adjustment and flexibility, the height can adjusted from 4.75” to 9” using the leg positions and the leg extension positions. Pulling down on the bearing detent leg collars allows quick and easy adjustment through to five leg locking points.
Functions and Final Thoughts
At this point I have used this bipod long-term on around a dozen AR format rifles ranging from a S&W M&P15-22 to AR-15s, to my DPMS 308 format ARs, and I can say it is a superb bipod. This is the same bipod I have used time and time again for most of my accuracy testing.
After some suggestions from great shooters, I have been attempting to shoot longer ranges from more uncomfortable positions, which means more flexibility is required from the bipod to compensate for poor positioning. For military and law enforcement snipers and hunters, the perfect position is not always possible and may require adaptation. The Atlas bipod provides that needed flexibility regardless of the situation.
The Atlas bipod is the Greek God of bipods, and is one serious piece of equipment for serious operations, hunting, and bench shooting work. Yes, it is expensive, but given the features, quality, engineering, and most importantly the flexibility of use, the Atlas Bipod is worth every penny. That investment is money well spent once to service all your firearms.
The B&T Industries Atlas Bipod is the finest bipod you can buy and will allow you to take the shot confidently each and every time. Maybe that is the reason B&T is selling these by the truckload to Special Forces, Military snipers, and law enforcement.
Specs
- Mounts directly to any 1913 style Picatinny rail via included ADM 170-S Lever.
- Other mounting options available
- Height Range: approximately 4.75 – 9.0″
- Weight: 12.7 ounces
- Available in black only
- BT10-LW17 – Atlas Bipod $279.95
