Rifle tripod setup for Elk hunt

[motorhead]

Hey all. New to the forum. I will be doing my first guided Elk hunt in Colorado this year. I have been shooting long range as a hobby for several years. I am fairly accurate prone with a bipod. However, I doubt that I will he able to shoot prone on the hunt given terrain and brush. I was hoping to use a tripod to get as close to the stability of prone position as possible.

On an actual hunt, do you have enough time to deploy the tripod, mount your rifle, etc? And is a tripod even effective given uneven terrain? Any recommendation for tripods models $400 and under? What heads do you use?

Very much appreciate any advice ...

 

[eddielasvegas]

As the self-appointed chairman of the welcoming committee, it is my privilege to extend a laurel, and hearty handshake (virtual, of course) to our new member.



Eddie

 

[CAhunter]

Don’t count on having the time to deploy a tripod while elk hunting. In my limited experience shots can be quick and elk always seem to be moving. That being said, I do have an Outdoorsmans V mount that fits my tripod head. It has helped me have an elevated rest for somewhat closer shots in a few scenarios

 

[CApighunter]

A tripod will excell in uneven terrain and tall vegitation. On a budget id look at the Innorel tripods on Amazon, they've been called the poor man's RRS. Right around $300 for both the tripod and 52mm ballhead

 

[Texasbuckeye]

Another option would be a medium/tall height bipod up front and an easy to deploy bipod for the rear, that can stabilize as well as a tripod up front.
I personally would use a bipod over a tripod in hunting situations just due to the extra leg you have to keep grounded with a tripod, but to each their own.

 

[tdot]

I'd only expect to use the tripod if you already have it out for glassing and occasionally when you're setup on a specific animal, waiting for a shot opportunity. Most of the time I can't see having enough time. Though I'm basing that on my Elk zones which are pretty tight, maybe in more open terrain it could be different.

Ask the guide, he'll know the terrain. Also ask him the expected range, some guides have fairly strict limits.

 

[TNKnoxville]

I use a Primos Trigger stick tripod. I have both the short for when I'm sitting and the longer one for standing shots. The longer one can also work for sitting shots but the leg angle gets a bit unstable. The 2 elk I shot using them were 505 and 550 yards very stable. I never had a quick shot so had plenty of time to set up. I also use the longer one as a walking stick. We are also hunting fairly open sage brush and not timber.

The guide I've hunted with loves them and has several for people to use.

I also used the longer one to shoot my mule deer. That was a quick set up but I was walking with it and its super fast to adjust. The muley was chasing a doe during the rut and we caught him in a field just before dark. Glad I had my tripod or it would have been a tough unsupported shot.

 

[Wiscgunner]

A tripod for hunting is a huge bonus to setup up a steady shot above the weeds and uneven terrain as well as hillside shots. Great for standing Personally I run a light weight rifle tripod setup using a Feisol 3342 with RRS Universal leveling base. I have the long spike feet i stalled that really help anchor the setup. This allows me to clamp in for max stability or throw an UL filled GameChanger bag on top for more “active” scenarios. A dinky little glassing tripod is not cut out for intentionally plopping a rifle on for best results.

Be sure to study up on tripod technique and practice with it before hand. Lots of good info out there for tripod shooting from the PRS crowd.

If I could only have one, a bipod or a tripod, I would leave the bipod at home for sure.

 

[Gila]

I am perfectly happy with the BOG POD. I have the swivel attachment on the rifle. I use it as a walking stick or fold it up and strap it onto the pack. It is preset for a standing shot when I walk with it. It only takes a few seconds to deploy. Sitting at an ambush point is nice of course. The PRS guys like heavy and stable. Elk hunters want something light and easy to carry and deploy. I think the BOG may come in carbon. I have aluminum. My suggestion is to try a few and get the one that is right for you. Anyway it works for me.

 

[LightFoot]

A tripod for hunting is a huge bonus to setup up a steady shot above the weeds and uneven terrain as well as hillside shots. Great for standing Personally I run a light weight rifle tripod setup using a Feisol 3342 with RRS Universal leveling base. I have the long spike feet i stalled that really help anchor the setup. This allows me to clamp in for max stability or throw an UL filled GameChanger bag on top for more “active” scenarios. A dinky little glassing tripod is not cut out for intentionally plopping a rifle on for best results.

Be sure to study up on tripod technique and practice with it before hand. Lots of good info out there for tripod shooting from the PRS crowd.

If I could only have one, a bipod or a tripod, I would leave the bipod at home for sure.

Why do you wrap the scope? Is that medical-type wrap?

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

[shax2lex]

It’s to keep from scratching the scope.

 

[Slowshot18]

I went down the path of the tripod myself here recently.
Bought an innorel ST344C tripod as it checked all the boxes for weight, heights, etc. With this tripod's purpose being used for 90% hunting related activities, I figured what the heck.
I wanted to use an Anvil 30 with this commie pod so I ordered an RRS series 3 adapter plate in hopes that it would work. It kind of does but doesn't fit extremely tight so I had to get creative. I ended up getting a 3" long 3/8-16 stud to use with the included handle and put an O-ring on the bottom of the adapter plate under the lip. Surprisingly, it is actually really damn snug and no wiggle at all. Pictured is my 12 lb 6.5 and the 14.5 lb 300wm hanging from the pic rails.
I will say that after taking the tripod to the range, I was blown away at how easy it was to hit targets out to 600 yards. This fall will be interesting to see if I actually get an opportunity to use it on an elk, but if I do need it for farther shots, I will have it.

 

[Wiscgunner]

Why do you wrap the scope? Is that medical-type wrap?

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

It is self-cling camo tape off Amazon. Helps avoids scratch but also softens the metallic sounds in the woods. Kind of a personal choice but I like it

 

[Msowa]

The No Name JR Tripod. *** DISCONTINUED*****

Hunting Tripod

twovetssportinggoods.com

The No Name Jr model has treated me well for backpack hunting. I always crave my rrs setups but for the weight it's a solid choice for kneeling height shooting.​

 

[WCB]

A tripod would be beneficial IMO if stationary or if say you sneak in on elk that are feeding in the open and everything is calm. However, you better practice practice practice with them in real world conditions. When I was guiding the more crap a guy brought with them the more I cringed. In most elk country there is a tree, rock, something to throw your gun across.

Do you have a pack with a frame (internal or external) ? Practice shooting with it sitting up on end with your gun resting between the shoulder straps. A lot faster and steadier in quick situations than trying to get three legs stabilized.

Also, just because you bring it don't get locked in that you HAVE to shoot off of it. A couple times I ripped the shooting stick out of a clients hand and pulled them towards a tree or other rest because they were dinking around trying to get it unstrapped or to the right height.

 

[HNTR918]

I used my glassing tripod and arca rail.

 

[motorhead]

This has been really beneficial feedback. Thank you. I am also thinking of getting a shooting bag in case I need to shoot off a rock or a tree and don't have time to set up a tripod. I am looking at the Game Changer by Armegeddon Gear.

 

[SDHNTR]

Hatch Bipod

 

[gilby]

I used my glassing tripod and arca rail.

I am jealous of that setup! How is it shooting off that setup? and what slik are you using?

 

[SDHNTR]

I used my glassing tripod and arca rail.

With that pan head? Explain to me how you are able to work that setup with only 2 hands? Wouldnt a ball head, like on most purpose built shooting tripods, work better?