I think you miss the point. The purpose of a strut on a Mini-14 IS to alter the barrel harmonics by attaching something to the barrel.I would definitely say mount to the stock. Attaching things to the barrel (which you are attaching a bipod to the strut, which in turn is attached to the barrel) can change harmonics. Its not an optimal location.
Buff, I'm not following what you're trying to say at all. If you will look at my pictures above you will see that my bipod is attached to the Rod and does not touch the barrel at all. In addition, my experience with the rifle, that I've owned since 1983, is that my recent adding of the bipod on the Rod did not adversely effect the rifles performance and if anything improved the accuracy by providing a more stabile aiming platform.true. but attaching a strut to the barrel applies constant pressure/force in the same direction at all times. its static.
using an attachment point on the barrel for a bipod, then using the bipod or not, applies force differently each and every time you use it.
would you not agree that there is a difference in applied force to the barrel when using a bipod attached to it (effectively) versus not?
my personal point is that you're making a bad situation better by using a strut, then applying an unknown to it by using the strut as an attachment point for applied pressure. less variables = better.
IMHO and YMMV (as always)