Shooting tripod curious...

[Sundodger]

I am interested in dipping my toe into this shooting tripod world. All of my tripods are lightweight backpacking style, so I will need to buy one.

Hoping to get something I can both shoot and glass of off, sitting and kneeling. Standing seems unnecessary for the places I hunt where I would consider caring such a heavy tripod, but I would rather not carry two tripods.


Questions:
1) Of the guys that use shooting tripods out at range, how important is a rear support (backpack, trekking pole, second tripod)? Or is the lockup of the head enough to provide the stability?
2) How important are the inverted legs? Sure I can see how they are faster for height adjustments, but the reduction in stability isn't appealing as is the fact that all the inverted tripods I have seen are rather spendy.
3) Recommendations of a entry level (cost wise), but will still give me acceptable performance? In searching threads, this came up which is quite appealing to me. Being new at this, what are the arguments against this setup? Better options in this zone of price, weight, and performance? https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/no-compromise-tripod-glassing-and-shooting-for-cheap.328509/

I have a rifle with an arca plate, so was thinking of giving the clip in approach a go.

Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[SloppyJ]

I used that same linked article to get into my first "real" tripod and I have zero issues with it after using it for over a year. I've used it hunting in blinds, at the range, and even at a few PRS matches to spot off of. I found it cheaper on ebay, like substantially, and saved even more money. I have that same amazon head for my binos and it works great too.

I have zero complaints about it and I think it's perfect for a budget "do it all" type build. The built in leveling head is really nice to have and I can't imagine that I wouldn't want it on any other tripod that I purchase.

 

[Lawnboi]

Stability is determined by weight and price.

What are you honestly okay carrying and what are you okay spending?

 

[Sundodger]

Stability is determined by weight and price.

What are you honestly okay carrying and what are you okay spending?

Would like something around 4lbs, but could go to 10lbs if needed. My plan for this is to be used when hunting from the truck and backpack hunting close to the trailhead, so weight isn't a huge deal, but lighter is nicer.


Cost, well... Two things I am trying to avoid:
1) Diminishing returns, looking to win the Pareto principal game. Hit the spot of the curve where performance peters off in regard to cost.

2) The whole "I am new at this, so I am not sure of what things are most important" thing or even if this is what I am going to do long term. So I am hesitant to spend a couple of grand until I do, decide this is helpful for me, then drop the big coin on something optimized for my needs.

With all that said, sure would be nice if it was under $1K, but where ever that cost/benefit graph peters out is my actual answer.

 

[TradLife406]

I like my two vets. I can usually get first round hits field shooting at 600'ish with no rear support. But I've been playing with using my trekking poles or pack as a rear.


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[TradLife406]

I like my two vets. I can usually get first round hits field shooting at 600'ish with no rear support. But I've been playing with using my trekking poles or pack as a rear.


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Seated... it's a huge game changer for my kids too.


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[robtattoo]

SIRUI AM-254 Carbon Fiber Camera... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KD56R4W?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

NEEWER Low Profile Camera Tripod... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B8CKD3TN?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I just received these a couple of days ago, after looking for the same thing: lightweight shooting tripod.

So far, from playing around at home, it seems great for the money. Too short for me to use it standing, but sitting, kneeling or prone is really nice. About ⅓ the weight of my Bogpod too.

I use a cheap carbon tripod with a 38mm Arca ball head. 2 of my guns have Arca rails at the front that I can clamp in directly.
I bought a pair of cheap Arca adapters on Amazon for $8 & picked up this swiveling 'V' rest for another $12 (I think) & I'm set for everything now!

The tripod isn't tall enough to comfortably shoot standing, but I don't find that to be any inconvenience.
View attachment 792655

This is what I currently (infrequently) use.

My rifles with Arca rails have them set at the front of the stock for bipod use, so I do need to use something as a rear rest, however placing a rifle into the 'V' rest at the point of balance feels much more stable (& quicker to set up)

It's a very affordable setup & I know it's comparatively crap, but I'm poor & don't shot from a tripod much! It was good enough to one-shot a whitetail doe at 540yds last season though.

 

[omicron1792]

Inverted leg leofoto way to go.

 

[Mike D Texas]

I have a Fat Boy 2 section inverted and it is a great shooting tripod.


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[Sundodger]

I like my two vets. I can usually get first round hits field shooting at 600'ish with no rear support. But I've been playing with using my trekking poles or pack as a rear.


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Which two vets tripod do you have and which head?

Stability to get first round hits at 600 yards without a rear support is exactly the sort of thing I am interested in.

 

[Sundodger]

Inverted leg leofoto way to go.

Which one do you have? The ones I have seen are TALL. As in stick up over your head when strapped to your pack tall.

 

[Sundodger]

I used that same linked article to get into my first "real" tripod and I have zero issues with it after using it for over a year. I've used it hunting in blinds, at the range, and even at a few PRS matches to spot off of. I found it cheaper on ebay, like substantially, and saved even more money. I have that same amazon head for my binos and it works great too.

I have zero complaints about it and I think it's perfect for a budget "do it all" type build. The built in leveling head is really nice to have and I can't imagine that I wouldn't want it on any other tripod that I purchase.

Great to hear, thank you.

Any issues with having less range of motion with the self leveling feature vs a full ballhead? I am assuming one can just adjust leg height to get the angle needed.

How well does that leveling base lock up? If one were to put a big ball head on top, would the leveling base become a detectible detractor to stability?

 

[eric1115]

I'm the OP on the thread linked in OP's first post.

Thoughts after living with that setup for a few more years now -
LOTS about my shooting practice has changed since I got that tripod.

I'm shooting lower magnification, lower recoil, suppressed (went from a braked Bergara 7mmRM to a suppressed Tikka .243AI in a Rokstok, nearly full RSS/S2H transformation).

Prioritizing getting on target faster, less reliance on tripod, fast and accurate follow up shots. I have not attended S2H, but am generally finding myself more and more inclined towards the principles I perceive their training to follow.

I've not done extensive looped-trekking-pole support practice. My poles stay strapped to my pack when I'm actively hunting, get used for pack in/out, hiking in the dark type stuff. My tripod stays in my hand when I'm hunting, one leg extended, used as a single pole for picking my way through sketchy terrain and as a monopod for my binos. Given that it's already out and in my hands, I am definitely faster setting it up than I am getting poles unstrapped and adjusted.

All that said, this tripod still goes everywhere with me and I have no wandering eye lusting after the next/better thing. When seated with time, or standing is required, it is still my for-sure go-to. I'm fortunate to be flexible enough that I can go middle angle, one segment extended, and get good elbow-to-inside knee with crossed legs for rear support (or left hand to right tripod leg with left forearm under magazine in higher positions) so I usually forgo pack under armpit or trekking pole rear support. I have lately started using less tension on the leveling base, generally not locking it down for seated shots. I found that locked down hard the way I was doing, first shot was consistent but muscling the gun into position for a follow up made for inconsistent inputs (or much slower follow up due to unlocking tension, re-acquiring sight picture and locking back down). I am quicker to first shot and nearly as precise, and way less than half the time to follow up shots than before. That's one of the things I really like about the leveling base compared to the smaller ball heads I've used, it allows a lighter tension that allows the rifle to move, but then minimizes wobble once you're where you want to be. Hard to explain, but really nice to use.

I'm betting that if I attended S2H my SOP would change, but as of right now that is where I'm at. Part of it is, the ways and places I hunt in central ID, close/fast shot opportunities rarely present themselves, and 95% of my shot opportunities occur when I've spotted something from a long ways off and moved in to position, or I'm already sitting and glassing off the tripod when an animal walks out within rifle range. Walking over a rise and seeing an animal in range that needs to go from hiking mode to shooting mode is a very rare occurrence for me. If my methods/locations were more like theirs, I'm sure I'd have a different take; there's no way my dabbling in this has produced a better method than all the S2H guys' experimentation, drills, timing, measurements.

 

[wind gypsy]

I haven't used my light backpacking glassing tripods in a long time (promaster, Sirui). Tried a couple weeks ago and holy piss do they feel like trash and 4 leg locks per leg? That's a hell no.

I like the Leofoto SO-282CMX tripod for a weight/price conscious hunting tripod for sitting/kneeling only. Primary down side is it's a bit long strapped to the pack but they could be trimmed down a bit and still be tall enough for sitting/kneeling.

For a weight is no issue option, i'd get the fat boy inverted 3 section. Will be a standing height, sturdy AF option. On this one i only say 3 section because the 2 section standing height tripods are crazy long when stowed and a step too far for being lashed on a pack.

Inverted legs are the way. After spending a week glassing from that Leo 282 where you sit down and only have one lock per leg to adjust at chest height, I cant imagine going back to 4 locks per leg and doing it from the bottom. Adjustments are just so much more streamlined with an inverted 2 section.

 

[omicron1792]

Which one do you have? The ones I have seen are TALL. As in stick up over your head when strapped to your pack tall.

I think mine is 282cx. They make a shorter one 282cmx.

Mine is super sturdy but long. Not for strapping to backpack. The cmx is better and has all the benefits my boy @wind gypsy mentions above.

 

[wind gypsy]

Great to hear, thank you.

Any issues with having less range of motion with the self leveling feature vs a full ballhead? I am assuming one can just adjust leg height to get the angle needed.

Flat range shooting i doubt it's ever close to a problem. For me glassing/shooting from hillsides the range of motion would require more timely and focused tripod setup/adjustment. I'm frequently glassing off tripods with the apex far from level so I dont think I'd wnat a levelling base for crossover glassing/shooting use. The levelling bases are absolutely more stable than a ball head though.

 

[SloppyJ]

Great to hear, thank you.

Any issues with having less range of motion with the self leveling feature vs a full ballhead? I am assuming one can just adjust leg height to get the angle needed.

How well does that leveling base lock up? If one were to put a big ball head on top, would the leveling base become a detectible detractor to stability?

Ive never had a single issue with it. I try to get it close to level and then I make the final touches with the leveling head. Honestly, having to do it with the feet only would suck!

That sucker locks up tight. Never had a problem with it being anything but 100% stable. Surprisingly stable.

 

[Sundodger]

houghts after living with that setup for a few more years now -
LOTS about my shooting practice has changed since I got that tripod.

I'm shooting lower magnification, lower recoil, suppressed (went from a braked Bergara 7mmRM to a suppressed Tikka .243AI in a Rokstok, nearly full RSS/S2H transformation).

Prioritizing getting on target faster, less reliance on tripod, fast and accurate follow up shots. I have not attended S2H, but am generally finding myself more and more inclined towards the principles I perceive their training to follow.

I've not done extensive looped-trekking-pole support practice. My poles stay strapped to my pack when I'm actively hunting, get used for pack in/out, hiking in the dark type stuff. My tripod stays in my hand when I'm hunting, one leg extended, used as a single pole for picking my way through sketchy terrain and as a monopod for my binos. Given that it's already out and in my hands, I am definitely faster setting it up than I am getting poles unstrapped and adjusted.

All that said, this tripod still goes everywhere with me and I have no wandering eye lusting after the next/better thing. When seated with time, or standing is required, it is still my for-sure go-to. I'm fortunate to be flexible enough that I can go middle angle, one segment extended, and get good elbow-to-inside knee with crossed legs for rear support (or left hand to right tripod leg with left forearm under magazine in higher positions) so I usually forgo pack under armpit or trekking pole rear support. I have lately started using less tension on the leveling base, generally not locking it down for seated shots. I found that locked down hard the way I was doing, first shot was consistent but muscling the gun into position for a follow up made for inconsistent inputs (or much slower follow up due to unlocking tension, re-acquiring sight picture and locking back down). I am quicker to first shot and nearly as precise, and way less than half the time to follow up shots than before. That's one of the things I really like about the leveling base compared to the smaller ball heads I've used, it allows a lighter tension that allows the rifle to move, but then minimizes wobble once you're where you want to be. Hard to explain, but really nice to use.

I'm betting that if I attended S2H my SOP would change, but as of right now that is where I'm at. Part of it is, the ways and places I hunt in central ID, close/fast shot opportunities rarely present themselves, and 95% of my shot opportunities occur when I've spotted something from a long ways off and moved in to position, or I'm already sitting and glassing off the tripod when an animal walks out within rifle range. Walking over a rise and seeing an animal in range that needs to go from hiking mode to shooting mode is a very rare occurrence for me. If my methods/locations were more like theirs, I'm sure I'd have a different take; there's no way my dabbling in this has produced a better method than all the S2H guys' experimentation, drills, timing, measurements.

Thank you for chiming in with all those extra details gathered over what's now an extended period of time. I appreciate it.

Since you are hunting in central ID, is it fair to assume you are hunting in some pretty steep rugged terrain where you would be shooting/glassing some steeper angles?

I am mostly planning on using this in eastern MT which is pretty flat, but sure would be nice to use for some of my mountain bear hunts in the PNW with some steep angles that will push the leveling base to it's full range of motion and hopefully not running out.

 

[omicron1792]

Thank you for chiming in with all those extra details gathered over what's now an extended period of time. I appreciate it.

Since you are hunting in central ID, is it fair to assume you are hunting in some pretty steep rugged terrain where you would be shooting/glassing some steeper angles?

I am mostly planning on using this in eastern MT which is pretty flat, but sure would be nice to use for some of my mountain bear hunts in the PNW with some steep angles that will push the leveling base to it's full range of motion and hopefully not running out.

I have used the anvil 30 and leveling base.

For strictly flat land shooting, and good leveling base is as sturdy as they come.

However. If mountain hunting I think the anvil (or leofoto knockoff) definitely give more range of motion and flexibility.

Get the one you hunt the most. Or, get both and swap for type of hunting.