Lightweight tripod set-up for shooting

[thrash907]

Can you explain the rope etc on this? maybe a demo or something. I know it has something to do with stabilizing your shot/recoil etc.

Here's @hereinaz 's the video explaining how to use.

I made a similar/lightweight setup for mountain hunting using a QD sling that attaches to my belt.

 

[Oregon Hunter]

do you guys feel like the weight of the tripod helps to dampen recoil?

 

[Lawnboi]

do you guys feel like the weight of the tripod helps to dampen recoil?

I don’t care for the pivot point shooting attached to a tripod with something that makes some recoil. Even rifles with little recoil if I’m shootings attached I prefer to have some rear support. I can much more easily control recoil shooting off a tripod if I use a light bag on top of it, with or without a platform for it.

On top of that being directly attached makes it much easier to torque your rifle trying to get it just right, this usually results in a little more reticle movement with recoil.

 

[Dobermann]

Above is an awesome video for tripod shooters to watch, specifically because it highlights what I think is one of the most important aspects of shooting behind a tripod, and keeping your wobble down.

That and I think a lot of what they teach carries over from hunting weight rifles to heavy race guns.

When you figure out what needs to be done to nearly eliminate wobble things become significantly easier. Then recreating that in varying terrain becomes the challenge.

@Lawnboi: guessing you know this already - and your post was from nearly a year ago now - but Frank had a couple of critiques of this vid in a later podcast. Can't remember what episode, and from memory he didn't go into much detail ... but I think some of if was to do with how tripod techniques originated with less stable options, yet people are still using them unnecessarily (such as clipping in, and crossed support arms bracing against the rear leg) ... just thought I'd mention it in case you hadn't run across it.

 

[Bbell12]

So now you guys are saying it’s not advantageous to clip in to a tripod?

 

[Lawnboi]

So now you guys are saying it’s not advantageous to clip in to a tripod?

I think it really depends on your equipment.

Light gun, light tripod, it’s a little more steady to clip in. It requires less equipment as well.
It’s still something I practice, but I greatly prefer shooting off a bag on the tripod now, especially with light table.

Reason being for the above is it’s easier to find tune while maintaining Your natural point of aim, I also find it easier to manage recoil off a bag vs attached

 

[Bbell12]

I think it really depends on your equipment.

Light gun, light tripod, it’s a little more steady to clip in. It requires less equipment as well.
It’s still something I practice, but I greatly prefer shooting off a bag on the tripod now, especially with light table.

Reason being for the above is it’s easier to find tune while maintaining Your natural point of aim, I also find it easier to manage recoil off a bag vs attached

That’s good info to know, what table/bag do you prefer? Looking at something I could also use to hunt with if possible.

 

[Lawnboi]

That’s good info to know, what table/bag do you prefer? Looking at something I could also use to hunt with if possible.

For a table that’s light I have a L3i break fast plate. I havnt carried it hunting big game yet, it’s a hair flimsy but the thing weighs nothing. Iv got a heavier aluminum plate I use for matches and varmints that’s rock solid.

For a bag I always have used a pint sized game changer with git lite. Works as a rear, and front bag. That has always been strapped to the outside of my pack. I just got a git lite schmedium to try, as I use a sand schmedium for match shooting, I think it’s going to be a winner.

The bag and plate is a decent shooting platform, you can use it for glassing, and it makes ranging accurately much easier but I’m not sure how useful it will be during a hunt, I guess it really depends on the type. In the field I’m usually trying to find something solid and natural to put my bag on like a rock or a log. The tripod is really a last resort for me.

It’s good to have options though.

 

[chutinlead]

I finally finished up the plate for the top of my tripod. Had an extra 4" Salmon river arca plate and found some 5x6" thick carbon fiber on Amazon. Ground a couple locknuts to fit in the radius of the ends so they wouldnt rotate and have a slim fairly lightweight platform

 

[seand]

Doesn’t have to be fancy. 1/2” plywood works fine. Fasten to an arca plate if you are running a ball head, alternatively drill and hammer a 3/8” tee nut and you can screw down direct to the tripod with no head.

My kid was training on the tripod last year clipped in with an anvil 30. Now she’s using a plate with a gamechanger bag on top and much prefers it to just the bag on the tripod or directly attaching to the anvil. She shoots as well off either, I shoot a little better clipped in but I can’t manage recoil as well as with a bag.

 

[claymoreclam]

I am new to this forum, and so far this has been the most helpful thread I’ve found. Thanks to everyone for all of the information. It’s been a huge help for someone just getting into lrh.

 

[cktraider]

Looking for more of a shooting tripod, shorter length like bipods. Saw the new Hoplite but $600 seems a tad steep? Anything similar to that yall suggest? Weight isn't that much of an issue, usually only walk a couple of miles and I travel lite. Have shooting sticks as well but spend a lot of time on top of elevations/bowls. No cover so some tripod setup similar to the Spartan Hoplite seems like something I can use. Lots of uneven terrain, rocks etc
Really doesn't have to be a quick setup or lite weight just something sturdy I can shoot from laying down

Would like to do some glassing at some point but I'll have to save up for a spotting scope and again would need to be lower profile due to the lack of cover.

 

[khuber84]

Looking for more of a shooting tripod, shorter length like bipods. Saw the new Hoplite but $600 seems a tad steep? Anything similar to that yall suggest? Weight isn't that much of an issue, usually only walk a couple of miles and I travel lite. Have shooting sticks as well but spend a lot of time on top of elevations/bowls. No cover so some tripod setup similar to the Spartan Hoplite seems like something I can use. Lots of uneven terrain, rocks etc
Really doesn't have to be a quick setup or lite weight just something sturdy I can shoot from laying down

Would like to do some glassing at some point but I'll have to save up for a spotting scope and again would need to be lower profile due to the lack of cover.

Lefoto makes a Tripod called the LM402C, 40mm thick legs for solid stability, it goes from 3.5" tall to 16" tall. With their anvil clone head, that'd add about 2.5". 18" tall is perfect for seated shots, and it just basically turns into a 3 legged bipod as you get lower. It's 11" long stowed, weighs 3.5#, would be about 4.2# with the MA-30L shooting head. If all you wanted was short, packable and stable, it's not a bad setup. Maybe you want something that you could shoot kneeling off of tho, and this is a bit too short for higher kneeling positions.

 

[Wiscgunner]

My Feisol 3342 with long spike feed and older RRS universal leveling base comes in at 3lb 8ounces if I recall correctly. Hard to beat for the weight when it is quite stable to shoot off, even standing to clear brush, and glass. Basically within 2oz of Shokey sticks setup my buddy runs but far more useful. I would never settle for something I can’t do both on and the Shockey Sticks are terrible for shooting off, hardly better than off hand.

 

[NSI]

I want an inverted leg kneeling height 2-section carbon tripod. Who makes that?

-J

 

[Shortschaf]

I want an inverted leg kneeling height 2-section carbon tripod. Who makes that?

-J

Leofoto SO-282CX Inverted Outdoors Series Carbon Fiber Tripod with FIXED Apex/Platform

2024 NEW PRODUCT The Leofoto SO-282CMX/CX "X Version" 2-Section Inverted Carbon Fiber Tripod (FIXED Apex/Platform) is an excellent choice for full-sized firearm combos that need rock-solid support for a full-length rifle chassis with a spotting scope. Available in two sizes for your convenience...

leofotousa.com

 

[NSI]

Leofoto SO-282CX Inverted Outdoors Series Carbon Fiber Tripod with FIXED Apex/Platform

2024 NEW PRODUCT The Leofoto SO-282CMX/CX "X Version" 2-Section Inverted Carbon Fiber Tripod (FIXED Apex/Platform) is an excellent choice for full-sized firearm combos that need rock-solid support for a full-length rifle chassis with a spotting scope. Available in two sizes for your convenience...

leofotousa.com

Looks like the SO-282CMX is my huckleberry. Thanks.

-J

 

[MT_Wyatt]

Looks like the SO-282CMX is my huckleberry. Thanks.

-J

Friend of mine picked one up, I was pretty impressed with how it functioned and setup vs a normal 4-section like we’ve been using. It’s just a bit long on the pack to carry around.