Arca vs bag when shooting from tripod

[Elkman17]

I’m setting up a tripod to shoot off of, and I’ve been reading a lot on the subject. Ive read that clipping in with an arca plate can lead to missing high due to recoil. So my question is, does that actually happen and if so is it better to use a bag with a plate set up rather than clipping in via arca? Shooting a 300 WSM. Thank you!

 

[wpeach1912]

I’d say it is more situational dependent, but in theory it is more likely to pivot upwards on a clipped on tripod. A bag is maybe slightly better, but if your rifle is balanced behind 2-3” in front of the magwell, you’ll still have the problem. I prefer clipped since it’s one less piece of gear to manage while trying to shoot tripod. You can also splay one or two legs wider and backwards to mitigate the tripod wanting to rock back as much

 

[Poppaswish]

following

 

[Elkman17]

I’d say it is more situational dependent, but in theory it is more likely to pivot upwards on a clipped on tripod. A bag is maybe slightly better, but if your rifle is balanced behind 2-3” in front of the magwell, you’ll still have the problem. I prefer clipped since it’s one less piece of gear to manage while trying to shoot tripod. You can also splay one or two legs wider and backwards to mitigate the tripod wanting to rock back as much

Appreciate it. I want to use the clip in method so I don’t have to worry about bags. When slightly leaned into the rifle with rear support how often do those misses actually happen?

 

[DosAmigos]

I am currently running a RRS tfct 33 W/Anvil 30. We do lots of Nilgai/Exotic hunts in Texas, not everyone has arca plates on their rifles so ill run a tactical table with a bag. That being said I personally like to be locked in if the shoot is longer than 300 yards. Being locked in is rock solid, majority of my rifles sit in a manners stock and the ones that are not have Henderson arca plates installed. I recommend shooting the Kraft shooting drill and practice fundamentals. Lots of good videos on the do's and don'ts.

 

[wpeach1912]

Appreciate it. I want to use the clip in method so I don’t have to worry about bags. When slightly leaned into the rifle with rear support how often do those misses actually happen?

It’s mainly dependent on your ability to manage recoil. Put the buttpad more centerline on your body (roughly on your collarbone/upper pec) and square up to the rifle (bore is perpendicular to your shoulders) and you’ll minimize the vertical misses

 

[270-300]

I havent used an arca plate, but i do know putting a shotgun in a set of gripper sandbags makes slugs shoot 6" lower than holding it.