Without a doubt, the tripod is the best accessory to your rifle system. You may not need one, want one, or believe me.
But, the tripod is without a doubt the most versatile too when considered. Proof is in the pudding. While practical rifle matches don't ban heavy and impractical rifles, they don't ban any accessory as regularly as a tripod. They do ban and discourage the use of tripods because they make tripods are so effective they subvert the intended difficulty. Stages are purposefully written to exclude their use, and if allowed, the rules make it hard to deploy for the time limit.
In the field, they provide the hunter an immensely valuable platform. Hmmm
A tripod can be used like a tree limb, fence post, wall, rock, or other natural feature we would otherwise use to steady our shots. But a tripod is portable, adjustable, and has the benefit of locking the rifle into position. You might not want a portable shooting rest, but it is available.
Shooting sticks and monopods are part of many rifleman's tool kit. The tripod is an improved version of the crossed shooting sticks. We all know the effectiveness of shooting sticks. Sticks can be faster and perfectly effective, but the tripod adds a third leg and more stability. While a shooting stick can increase your range, a tripod can double or triple the effective range. Do you need that? Its up to you of course.
It can act as a bipod. With a wider base and three points of contact, the tripod can be more solid. The drawback is larger size, so functionally, you may choose a bipod.
A tripod can adapt to the contour of the land to provide a comfortable and easy shooting position. In the field, I believe this provides highest value. High grass, bushes, uneven ground, steep side of a hill, rocks, and more, the tripod adapts. If you can stand and see it, you can deploy a tripod almost 100% of the time and far increase your hit percentage over any other method.
From prone, even in perfect situations, my back and neck fatigue. With fatigue comes muscle tension and tremors. Maintaining a prone position is difficult for most except the young and flexible.
Unlike prone, many tripod positions regularly put the body in a neutral and relaxed position that can be maintained for a very long time without tiring or stiffness.
Personally, I have focused on three basic tripod positions. From one them, I can shoot out to 1000 yards proficiently. One position is effectively as stable as prone.
When buying a tripod for shooting, focus on total "weight rating". There is no standard, but just find one with the features you want and the highest rating possible. The same is for the head you choose. I can use a "wobbly" tripod, but it requires much more focus and control ovee my rifle and it limits the available positions. Almost always it increases the wobble, and up to 1 moa or more depending on position.
I have commented and shared my experience with tripods on many threads. Future tips will include specifics for tripod selection and positional shooting off a tripod.
Like everything, there are tips, tricks, and pitfalls. Practice will hone your skills. You may get to the point like me and at least a dozen other shooters I know that leave the bipod at home when we hunt, because we carry the most versatile rifleman's tool, the tripod.
But, the tripod is without a doubt the most versatile too when considered. Proof is in the pudding. While practical rifle matches don't ban heavy and impractical rifles, they don't ban any accessory as regularly as a tripod. They do ban and discourage the use of tripods because they make tripods are so effective they subvert the intended difficulty. Stages are purposefully written to exclude their use, and if allowed, the rules make it hard to deploy for the time limit.
In the field, they provide the hunter an immensely valuable platform. Hmmm
A tripod can be used like a tree limb, fence post, wall, rock, or other natural feature we would otherwise use to steady our shots. But a tripod is portable, adjustable, and has the benefit of locking the rifle into position. You might not want a portable shooting rest, but it is available.
Shooting sticks and monopods are part of many rifleman's tool kit. The tripod is an improved version of the crossed shooting sticks. We all know the effectiveness of shooting sticks. Sticks can be faster and perfectly effective, but the tripod adds a third leg and more stability. While a shooting stick can increase your range, a tripod can double or triple the effective range. Do you need that? Its up to you of course.
It can act as a bipod. With a wider base and three points of contact, the tripod can be more solid. The drawback is larger size, so functionally, you may choose a bipod.
A tripod can adapt to the contour of the land to provide a comfortable and easy shooting position. In the field, I believe this provides highest value. High grass, bushes, uneven ground, steep side of a hill, rocks, and more, the tripod adapts. If you can stand and see it, you can deploy a tripod almost 100% of the time and far increase your hit percentage over any other method.
From prone, even in perfect situations, my back and neck fatigue. With fatigue comes muscle tension and tremors. Maintaining a prone position is difficult for most except the young and flexible.
Unlike prone, many tripod positions regularly put the body in a neutral and relaxed position that can be maintained for a very long time without tiring or stiffness.
Personally, I have focused on three basic tripod positions. From one them, I can shoot out to 1000 yards proficiently. One position is effectively as stable as prone.
When buying a tripod for shooting, focus on total "weight rating". There is no standard, but just find one with the features you want and the highest rating possible. The same is for the head you choose. I can use a "wobbly" tripod, but it requires much more focus and control ovee my rifle and it limits the available positions. Almost always it increases the wobble, and up to 1 moa or more depending on position.
I have commented and shared my experience with tripods on many threads. Future tips will include specifics for tripod selection and positional shooting off a tripod.
Like everything, there are tips, tricks, and pitfalls. Practice will hone your skills. You may get to the point like me and at least a dozen other shooters I know that leave the bipod at home when we hunt, because we carry the most versatile rifleman's tool, the tripod.
