Lightweight tripod set-up for shooting

[ericwh]

Seems like, for stability I should run the longest clamp possible? I assume that's limited to the "bowl" size?

And then, for a hunting setup, would there be any point in using a rail on the rifle that is longer than your clamp?

 

[pyrotechnic]

Seems like, for stability I should run the longest clamp possible? I assume that's limited to the "bowl" size?

And then, for a hunting setup, would there be any point in using a rail on the rifle that is longer than your clamp?

If you're using a quality clamp and rail you certainly don't need a long clamp.

A longer rail will give you more flexibility with positions.

 

[hereinaz]

I bought Area 419 full rails for Mlock. I just ground the back flat and will bed the rail to the stock if needed, but mounted up now it is solid. They are very light. I am putting it on two of my rifle stocks.

Before that, I just mounted a basic rail. You don't need anything more than a simple rail for stability. A 4 inch rail is plenty. I picked one up for a rifle with a short forend and I will live with it being short.

Longer rails are for flexibility. The minimal extra weight is worth it to me. For prone, push it out front. For some positions having the rifle move is easier than trying to make the tripod legs adjust perfectly.

 

[Oregon Hunter]

It's always a compromise between having something that's heavy and rock solid, versus light and stable enough. I've seen a couple people on here mention our Sentinel tripod system (thanks for the shout out), and I wanted to explain something you might not have thought of before. This tripod truly is designed as a system, which means the legs unscrew into trekking poles, you can be turned into a tent, and it's super easy to swap between glassing and shooting from. Whether it's our gear or not, look for equipment that serves more than one purpose. You can leave other items at home because one serves the purpose of many, so you get to divide the weight of that one piece of equipment by the multiple purposes it serves.

 

[Jstevens]

I’ve tried everything and theres no comparison in my opinion to the anvil mounted on the RRS TFCT-24L

 

[Oregon Hunter]

I’ve tried everything and theres no comparison in my opinion to the anvil mounted on the RRS TFCT-24L

How much range do you feel shooting off a tripod has added for you? Do you pack that tripod afield?

 

[Carrot Farmer]

It's always a compromise between having something that's heavy and rock solid, versus light and stable enough. I've seen a couple people on here mention our Sentinel tripod system (thanks for the shout out), and I wanted to explain something you might not have thought of before. This tripod truly is designed as a system, which means the legs unscrew into trekking poles, you can be turned into a tent, and it's super easy to swap between glassing and shooting from. Whether it's our gear or not, look for equipment that serves more than one purpose. You can leave other items at home because one serves the purpose of many, so you get to divide the weight of that one piece of equipment by the multiple purposes it serves.

Are there any retailers in OR? I’d like to look at the sentinel tripod....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hereinaz]

How much range do you feel shooting off a tripod has added for you? Do you pack that tripod afield?

I run an Anvil 30 on a Feisol tripod. I agree it is the best, I will have a RRS tripod soon enough.

I carry my tripod in the field and leave my bipod for the range. I won't hunt without it. I glass with it as well.

In a couple seated positions, I can shoot moa or better out to 800, which is as far as I have practiced. I am sure it would go further, but I am practicing for one shot impacts, so I stay inside 800 for now. It is quite near prone accuracy for me.

 

[Jstevens]

How much range do you feel shooting off a tripod has added for you? Do you pack that tripod afield?

Yes I pack it every hunt. I’m comfortable shooting deer out to 300 yards and I’ve shot gongs with it out to 650. I had the TVC-34 before this but thought it was overkill.

 

[never.truly.lost]

Anyone shooting off of an Outdoorsmans?

I have been searching all over the place to figure out a setup that isn’t brutal for weight but still stable for standing ish.

I think the closest thing I have found is the ShadowTech C4F PigLite (carbon) but really like the idea of the aluminum for winter pred hunting.

I haven’t had personal experience with carbon fracturing in the cold but have heard it is a potential issue (around -20 to -30C generally for the winter here on the good days).

Thoughts in general?

 

[Lawnboi]

Anyone shooting off of an Outdoorsmans?

I have been searching all over the place to figure out a setup that isn’t brutal for weight but still stable for standing ish.

I think the closest thing I have found is the ShadowTech C4F PigLite (carbon) but really like the idea of the aluminum for winter pred hunting.

I haven’t had personal experience with carbon fracturing in the cold but have heard it is a potential issue (around -20 to -30C generally for the winter here on the good days).

Thoughts in general?

Iv had my pig lite in -15* Fahrenheit temps and it was fine. It’s definitely not an rrs though. It’s also not great standing.

 

[hereinaz]

Anyone shooting off of an Outdoorsmans?

I have been searching all over the place to figure out a setup that isn’t brutal for weight but still stable for standing ish.

I think the closest thing I have found is the ShadowTech C4F PigLite (carbon) but really like the idea of the aluminum for winter pred hunting.

I haven’t had personal experience with carbon fracturing in the cold but have heard it is a potential issue (around -20 to -30C generally for the winter here on the good days).

Thoughts in general?

Shadow Tech Pig is a solid choice. I would worry about the lever locks in extreme cold more than twist locks though. Www.rauchprecision.com is a great place to buy PIG stuff. He was an instructor at the Marine Urban Sniper Course and taught me to shoot off a tripod.

Standing asks the most from a tripod. You can get away with a lot more sitting. Don't get a tripod with center column for standing. It is way too wobbly for long range work for sure. It can work for sitting with the column all the way down, or up just a bit.

Pick a carbon fiber or aluminum that goes as high as you need it, no more. Unfortunately, there is a weight penalty for a tripod that you can shoot off standing. Once you see what you can do, the weight seems negligible, but it only applies if you actually fit it into your hunting style and needs.

You can save weight with a smaller ball head, they aren't as critical as the actual tripod. I successfully used a $25 Amazon head until I had money to upgrade. The weight penalty for an Anvil 30 is worth it to me. I would run a lighter head if I had to. Shots will be nearly the same given time to execute. Ease of use won't be the same.

Alternatively, you can just run a bag on top of the tripod if you are familiar with PRS shooting off barricades, its just like that.

 

[never.truly.lost]

Shadow Tech Pig is a solid choice. I would worry about the lever locks in extreme cold more than twist locks though. Www.rauchprecision.com is a great place to buy PIG stuff. He was an instructor at the Marine Urban Sniper Course and taught me to shoot off a tripod.

Standing asks the most from a tripod. You can get away with a lot more sitting. Don't get a tripod with center column for standing. It is way too wobbly for long range work for sure. It can work for sitting with the column all the way down, or up just a bit.

Pick a carbon fiber or aluminum that goes as high as you need it, no more. Unfortunately, there is a weight penalty for a tripod that you can shoot off standing. Once you see what you can do, the weight seems negligible, but it only applies if you actually fit it into your hunting style and needs.

You can save weight with a smaller ball head, they aren't as critical as the actual tripod. I successfully used a $25 Amazon head until I had money to upgrade. The weight penalty for an Anvil 30 is worth it to me. I would run a lighter head if I had to. Shots will be nearly the same given time to execute. Ease of use won't be the same.

Alternatively, you can just run a bag on top of the tripod if you are familiar with PRS shooting off barricades, its just like that.

Thanks for this info guys.

I have a XB-44 GNN I have been trying out on a couple cheaper tripods so far so plan on sticking with that for a while*

For the weight and value, I think that maybe the C4F may be the way to go.

 

[mtwarden]

just a heads up if anyone happens to be looking- Thunderbird is running a special on their Mini Tacky- flat bag combo, both filled with the lightweight git-lite, $59 for both ($40 off) and free shipping

they list the Mini Tacky at 11 oz, the flat bag 9 oz

 

[Lawnboi]

just a heads up if anyone happens to be looking- Thunderbird is running a special on their Mini Tacky- flat bag combo, both filled with the lightweight git-lite, $59 for both ($40 off) and free shipping

they list the Mini Tacky at 11 oz, the flat bag 9 oz

This is really tempting. If I didn’t have a pint sized game changer that weighs a pound I’d bite

 

[Fire_9]

I used a Two Vets no name jr with a Colorado tripod company ball head this year and really liked it. Spent 5 days glassing for coues and the lack of a center column and ball head didn’t bother me at all

 

[hereinaz]

just a heads up if anyone happens to be looking- Thunderbird is running a special on their Mini Tacky- flat bag combo, both filled with the lightweight git-lite, $59 for both ($40 off) and free shipping

they list the Mini Tacky at 11 oz, the flat bag 9 oz

Thanks! Thunderbird is actually me... I am not a sponsor, yet, so that's all I will say.

I think I can say that also sew the awesome Hunter's Wedge that Broz from Long Range Only sells and the Mini version is Ryan Avery's new favorite bag. There is no doubt the Mini version is the absolute best field bag for prone shooting. And, one of my videos shooting off a tripod you can see I used the full size Hunter's Wedge filled with Git-Lite. I carried it for miles in the miserable Alaska tundra, and it was worth it. The Mini is even better for packing cause it cuts weight but gives amazing support. Go buy one from Broz!

 

[wind gypsy]

This is really tempting. If I didn’t have a pint sized game changer that weighs a pound I’d bite

I bit anyway, thanks @mtwarden . I still skip carrying a bag on most hunts so 11 ounces is mo betta than my 16+ ounce pint sized GC.

 

[ericwh]

I used a Two Vets no name jr with a Colorado tripod company ball head this year and really liked it. Spent 5 days glassing for coues and the lack of a center column and ball head didn’t bother me at all

What's the leg diameter on this tripod? Saw sizes on their other models but not the Jr.

It does NOT come with a leveling base, correct?

 

[Lawnboi]

I bit anyway, thanks @mtwarden . I still skip carrying a bag on most hunts so 11 ounces is mo betta than my 16+ ounce pint sized GC.

Fine I’ll bite. I’m a sucker for waxed canvas