Tripod advice

[glennjones]

I am new to shooting off of a tripod and have only had experience with the bog deathgrip tripods. I have learned to shoot better off of them but was wondering if there is a better solution for my type of hunting. My shots from a tripod are across a cutover or crop field max shot distance ~400, 200ish is much more likely. I use the tripods to create a stand in the field or cutover edge. Most of the time I can drive my buggy right to where I'm hunting and unload all of my gear so weight isn't really a concern. I would like to move to an arca based system. I don't want to spend a huge amount of money but don't mind paying for good kit. Anyone have any suggestions for a tripod setup or do I just stick with the bog?

 

[Mike D Texas]

What do you consider huge money?

You can’t buy a cheap tripod and expect stability with an 8-12# rifle attached.

 

[flyfisher117]

Realistically what is your budget?

I don’t like BOG tripods but you do need to spend a bit on a head and tripod to get an actual upgrade and not just a side step or diagonal step.

 

[glennjones]

I'd like to keep it under 1k. Because I know I will have the expense of adding arca rails to my rifles.

 

[TexasScout]

I recently got a Leophoto LS-323C and a MA-30 head, and so far I have been very happy with that set up. I would definitely look into a MA-30 or RRS Anvil style head for shooting off of. If I was to buy another one I would probably get a tripod with inverted legs.

 

[TaperPin]

I'd like to keep it under 1k. Because I know I will have the expense of adding arca rails to my rifles.

Prior to carbon fiber, the most demanding professional photographers used big stout aluminum tripods often made by Gitzo, and big ball heads like the 55 mm Arca Swiss StudioBall, who originally designed the Arca plate system. I think used Gitzo tripods in the larger sizes are the best deals out there for uses where they aren’t carried or moved a lot and are as sturdy as anything available new today. If you watch eBay and search once in a while for camera shop used equipment the largest legs come up for $250ish, with $150ish being a great deal. Arca 55mm StudioBalls are often $175ish with $100 being a great deal. More modern head designs like Really Right Stuff still use the same idea, but have a wider range of motion, less weight, quick lever to tighten it down, and are 4x the price for the same quality. When a head has the number 55 or 40 in the name that’s the diameter of the ball.

The largest series 5 tripod in tall length with StudioBall is over 13 lbs. Easily the tripod I’d use for what you’re talking about. Originally used with medium format cameras, or old school big video equipment on news crews. Unfortunately there aren’t any on a quick scan of eBay, but estate sales turn them up monthly.

My favorite size for spotting scope use in and out of a vehicle is the tall series 4, which is still over 11 lbs. Nearly as steady for shooting as the series 5. I was turned onto it by a professional wildlife photographer (Art Wolfe) that used it for all his field work, including the largest lenses prior to carbon fiber coming out.

The photo is the smaller three series tripod, but it shows the StudioBall.


I just recently started shooting off tripods as well, and whatever size you get, you’ll wish it was steadier, so go big.

 

[glennjones]

Thanks this is the kind of info I was looking for.

 

[doc holiday13]

Get a ballhead with a direct mount and arca mount. Get a arca mount on your rifle

Skip any tripod with adjustable center stem. You want all your height coming from the legs. Center stem = lots of flex

Tricer is coming out with a shooting tripod
2 Vets are huge the PRS world
RRS is the most expensive.

I have a 2 Vets Inverted Recon with a Sirui k30x ballhead

 

[Mike D Texas]

I recently picked up a Fat Boy 2 section tripod and levitate head. I know ball heads have more range of motion but the levitate head is much more stable and still offers enough range of motion for 99% of my needed shooting positions.

I had $300 in Scheels gift cards, an additional $50 off for card holders and 9% on top is that through Active Junky.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[KY_coop]

I've had 2 leofotos ( 324 and 363) and now a fat boy inverted 3 leg. The leofoto 363 is damn near as steady as the fatboy and its like half the price. On a budget, if I wasn't worried about weight or size I think it'd be hard to beat the leofoto 362 inverted leg set up. That said the fatboy 3 section with levitate head is a mean setup, very stable, and smooth controls.
A buddy and I were shooting last weekend and a buck wondered out on the pond dam about 400y out. We had the fat boy and leofoto already set up with our rifles so we took turns with each setup following and setting up a " mock shot" on the deer and dry firing. We both agreed the fat boy was more steady but that buck would have been equally as dead off the leofoto.

 

[ZeroFoxGiven]

Warrior, Two Vets, Innorel, Leofoto, RRS, and Fat Boy all make good tripods. Just depends on your budget and what you’re looking for.

We have a Memorial Day sale going on Warrior tripods right now, both the 3 section Warrior and 2 section inverted Commander. We’ve ran these for a couple years and have shot coyotes and prairie dogs out past 500 off of them.

Warrior Memorial Day Sale



Our Bridger is a great budget friendly option! Rok5 will get you an additional 5% off.

Bridger Tripod

 

[DanetheBoss]

Thanks this is the kind of info I was looking for.

Definitely.

 

[wind gypsy]

I recently picked up a Fat Boy 2 section tripod and levitate head. I know ball heads have more range of motion but the levitate head is much more stable and still offers enough range of motion for 99% of my needed shooting positions.

I had $300 in Scheels gift cards, an additional $50 off for card holders and 9% on top is that through Active Junky.

This is the direction I’d go for peak steadiness under $1000 (if you can find the tripod and leveling base slightly on sale).

You want the inverted legs.