How important is it for a bipod to pivot?

[ditcherman]

I have a Ruger precision in 6mm CM, just starting to play with the long game, and I’m wondering how important it is for a bipod to pivot side to side, to keep the crosshairs level.

The rifle has a keymod handguard, and I found some direct mount keymod bipod legs. They adjust in height but don’t pivot.
If these are no good for long range I could put them on an AR as most of them are keymod.

My only experience with bipods was with an old Harris and I was less than impressed, I’d probably save and spring for the nice Atlas reviewed around here recently.

TIA for your advice…

 

[Hawkeye7br]

I shoot an inexpensive pivot model from Caldwell for our .22 long range matches out to 240 yards. I can't rely on setting a fixed bipod on a perfectly level surface. Either the concrete isn't level or the shooting bench isn't level. The pivot model has a tension crank and I can firm it up so my rifle doesn't just flop around. YMMV

Pointing out the obvious, if your rifle isn't level, it's the same as mounting your scope crooked. While you can dial in at a specific distance, when you start dropping 4 feet or more your impact can be several inches left or right of the vertical axis on your scope.

 

[ditcherman]

I shoot an inexpensive pivot model from Caldwell for our .22 long range matches out to 240 yards. I can't rely on setting a fixed bipod on a perfectly level surface. Either the concrete isn't level or the shooting bench isn't level. The pivot model has a tension crank and I can firm it up so my rifle doesn't just flop around. YMMV

Pointing out the obvious, if your rifle isn't level, it's the same as mounting your scope crooked. While you can dial in at a specific distance, when you start dropping 4 feet or more your impact can be several inches left or right of the vertical axis on your scope.

Thanks.
The Harris I used was completely floppy so that helps to know.
I’ve only worked out to 300 yards with a 6” drop, from a bench, so hadn’t experienced the tilted scope thing yet but knew I’d get there someday.

 

[mcapo]

My only experience with bipods was with an old Harris and I was less than impressed, I’d probably save and spring for the nice Atlas reviewed around here recently.

TIA for your advice…

Yep. Spring for at least an Atlas. I resisted "expensive" bipods for decades. After having a couple Atlas' for a short period of time, I wouldn't go back to Harris for any kind of precision use.