shooting from your glassing tripod (SLIK MINI)

[T3clay]

hi all,

looking for some ideas/guidance. I currently have a slik mini as a glassing tripod (binos only) and im looking into the idea of using the tripod as a shooting rest as well. The slik mini is a sitting height tripod, and my rifle does not have a arca rail. picatinny only. is there an easy way to adapt my tripod head to attach to my rifle? is this tripod big enough to make it worth trying? is this even worth my time to look into ?

thanks!

 

[hereinaz]

How far will you be shooting?
Cartridge?

Yes, it is worth it to learn how to use anything you have for support. Basically, you need something soft on top of the head to support it. Soft makes it recoil better and easier to control.

The easy button is a bag over the head to rest your rifle on. Lots of hunters use our Waxed Mini, 2-5 Ultralight or Mini Ultralight for things like tripods, fence posts, stumps, rocks, etc.

Then, use other things to help with rear support of the rifle or support for your body.

Clipping into a light/wiggly tripod is harder to manage because as soon as you clip in you now have a part of your rifle system that is going to introduce more random variability into the recoil of the shot. I do not recommend clipping in.

When you shoot off a bag on top of your tripod, it is separated and the rifle recoils over the top of the tripod.

 

[T3clay]

How far will you be shooting?
Cartridge?

Yes, it is worth it to learn how to use anything you have for support. Basically, you need something soft on top of the head to support it. Soft makes it recoil better and easier to control.

The easy button is a bag over the head to rest your rifle on. Lots of hunters use our Waxed Mini, 2-5 Ultralight or Mini Ultralight for things like tripods, fence posts, stumps, rocks, etc.

Then, use other things to help with rear support of the rifle or support for your body.

Clipping into a light/wiggly tripod is harder to manage because as soon as you clip in you now have a part of your rifle system that is going to introduce more random variability into the recoil of the shot. I do not recommend clipping in.

When you shoot off a bag on top of your tripod, it is separated and the rifle recoils over the top of the tripod.

Thanks? ill look into those options! im shooting 7mm rem mag

 

[hereinaz]

Thanks? ill look into those options! im shooting 7mm rem mag

Lemme know if you have questions once you get going.

 

[mod7rem]

What I use is a short piece of PVC pipe split in half lengthwise, its 8 inches long and weighs about 5-6 oz. Bolt a tripod shoe to the bottom and buy a piece of pipe insulation to split in half and line the inside of it and use some type of tape to hold the insulation in place. Mine is long enough to support the rifle and I use my hand to squeeze the forend down onto the rest. Works great amd is quick and easy to swap between spotter or binos and the rest.

 

[hereinaz]

What I use is a short piece of PVC pipe split in half lengthwise, its 8 inches long and weighs about 5-6 oz. Bolt a tripod shoe to the bottom and buy a piece of pipe insulation to split in half and line the inside of it and use some type of tape to hold the insulation in place. Mine is long enough to support the rifle and I use my hand to squeeze the forend down onto the rest. Works great amd is quick and easy to swap between spotter or binos and the rest.
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That’s actually a cool mod. I like it better than the yoke or clamp style. Good idea.

 

[doc holiday13]

depends on how far you plan to shoot and if you plan to shoot from the highest a tripod can extend. The higher the tripod extends, the more it flexes. My tripod with ballhead is 5.5# but I shoot off it and out to 500 yards. A glassing tripod is going to be a lot lighter and not stand as tall and I would only bring a glassing tripod if I wasn't going to be doing any shooting. I'm also 6'4" tall so YMMV on tripod selection

If I was using the tripod that @mod7rem i wouldn't go any higher than what the 2nd largest leg section allows and I would not extend the center stem any higher. That saddle is pretty redneck but it works. You should try to add a rubber retaining strap so you can add to stability

 

[mod7rem]

I’ve never used it higher than a sitting position and not past 500m. It’s definitely not perfect but it’s light enough to carry on most hunts, and gives me an option if I can't lay prone over my pack.
A rubber strap might add some support for sure.

 

[Jbuck]

I've worked with shooting off tripods a bunch since it helps my kids hunt more efficiently.

I've never been really fond of arca rails since they often create a hard angle on your hand where you want to carry your rifle. Built in rails seem to be better, but always worry about damaging them.

However if you call seekins they have a hunter arca rail that mounts sideways and has rounded edges which makes it so much nicer to carry in hand. They have two options. One is a mlok the other mounts with T bolts.

 

[fmyth]

What I use is a short piece of PVC pipe split in half lengthwise, its 8 inches long and weighs about 5-6 oz. Bolt a tripod shoe to the bottom and buy a piece of pipe insulation to split in half and line the inside of it and use some type of tape to hold the insulation in place. Mine is long enough to support the rifle and I use my hand to squeeze the forend down onto the rest. Works great amd is quick and easy to swap between spotter or binos and the rest.
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What size PVC pipe?