How to Mount a Bipod on a Rifle With Sling Studs
If your rifle has a front sling stud instead of a rail, you mount a bipod with one small part: the BT81 Lil Brandi adapter, which attaches to the stud and gives you a Picatinny rail any Atlas clamps to. This is the most common hunting and bolt-rifle setup, it takes about five minutes, and it needs no gunsmith and no permanent changes to your rifle. Here is exactly how to do it and how to keep your sling. The BT81 and every Atlas are American-made and carry a lifetime warranty.
What you need
Two parts and a hex wrench get you mounted. Most hunting and traditional bolt rifles already have the sling stud you need.
A front sling stud on your rifle (the round threaded post a sling swivel attaches to).
The BT81 Lil Brandi adapter, which converts that stud to a short Picatinny rail.
Any Atlas bipod with a clamp (the V8, PSR, CAL, or 5-H all work).
Step by step
Follow these four steps in order. If a sling swivel is on the stud, you will remove it first and reattach your sling at the end.
Remove the front sling swivel from the stud if one is installed.
Attach the BT81 Lil Brandi to the front sling stud and tighten it firmly. You now have a short Picatinny rail under the forend.
Open your Atlas clamp, set it on the new rail at the spot that balances the rifle, and tighten the clamp.
Reattach your sling to the BT81 if it includes a stud, so you keep your carry option with the bipod installed.
Why this is the hunter's mounting solution
The sling-stud path is what lets a standard hunting rifle run a precision bipod. You do not have to drill, tap, or send the rifle to a gunsmith, and you do not give up your sling. The BT81 is compact, holds the Atlas solidly under recoil, and comes off as easily as it went on if you want to return the rifle to a bare stud. It is the single part that turns ‘my rifle does not have a rail’ into ‘my rifle runs an Atlas.’
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I attach a bipod to a rifle with sling studs?
Attach the BT81 Lil Brandi adapter to your front sling stud, which adds a short Picatinny rail, then clamp any Atlas bipod onto that rail. It takes about five minutes with a hex wrench, no gunsmith, and no permanent changes.
What is the best sling stud to Picatinny rail adapter?
The BT81 Lil Brandi is B&T’s sling-stud-to-Picatinny adapter, designed to hold an Atlas bipod solidly under recoil. It attaches to the front sling stud and gives you a rail without modifying the rifle.
Can I still use my sling after installing the adapter?
Yes. The BT81 includes a stud so you can reattach your sling after mounting the adapter, keeping your carry option with the bipod installed. You do not have to choose between a sling and a bipod.
Do I need a gunsmith to mount a bipod on sling studs?
No. The BT81 adapter threads onto the existing sling stud with a hex wrench. There is no drilling, tapping, or permanent modification, so it is a quick install you can do yourself at home.
Will the sling-stud adapter hold up under recoil?
Yes. The BT81 is machined to grip the stud and hold an Atlas bipod steady through repeated recoil. Tighten it to a firm fit on the stud and the clamp to the rail, and it stays put shot after shot.
Which Atlas bipod works with the sling-stud adapter?
Any clamp-equipped Atlas works once the BT81 gives you a rail: the V8 for an all-rounder, the 5-H or PSR for hunting height, or the CAL for precision. Match the model to how you shoot.
My rifle has two sling studs. Which one do I use?
Use the front sling stud, the one nearer the muzzle under the forend. The rear stud stays available for your sling. The BT81 mounts to the front stud to put the bipod where it supports the rifle.
Get the BT81 and your Atlas
Ready to mount up? Grab the BT81 Lil Brandi adapter, then pair it with the right Atlas for your hunt or your rifle. New to mounting, the bipod mounting hub walks through every interface. Questions about your rifle, reach out to our team in Kansas.