Tripod Choice

[SPDSpappy]

I'm looking for a more solid shooting tripod supporting up to a 16 lbs gun for long distance shooting/hunting. I'm planning to use it on a hunting trip to BC next month for moose/elk/black bear/wolf. This is replacing my current Leupold Pro Guide CF-436. I recently used a FatBoy at the Bergara Mountain Shooting class and it was pretty solid, but I'm also interested in a few others before I spend this kind of money on a tripod. Have other folks on here had experience comparing/contrasting the ones on this list?

• FatBoy Elevate 3 w/ Invert50 ball head
• Really Right Stuff SOAR TFCT 34L w/ Anvil-30 ball head
• Spartan Hercules
• Two Vets No Name V2 Inverted

 

[wpeach1912]

I think the leupold is just a rebranded Leofoto 364. The 36mm legs are going to be quite comparable to the RRS 34l. The anvil head is certainly the best shooting head, and I would recommend that number one on any of the tripods listed. You may want to look at the RRS 33 or the Leofoto 363 for one less point of wobble since they have 1 fewer leg section (3 section vs 4). The RRS 22 or Leofoto 322 or PRSTF 2 section would all be a good consideration as well, they but they are a bit long and the PRSTF is heavy. Overall, I think you’ll have a hard time stepping up from the stability of the leupold without going to a pretty big tripod. I have used the RRS 34L, 33, and the Leofoto 363 and would say they are all pretty stable. Definitely better than my Leofoto 324.

 

[hereinaz]

My favorite is the Leofoto inverted leg tripod. I can shoot and glass off it. Strongest for the weight of the budget tripods, IMO.

@NSI has the short version and he and @mxgsfmdpx have shot off the tripod like I do. I can go to 1000 yards practically as stable as prone.

Here is one video.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

My favorite is the Leofoto inverted leg tripod. I can shoot and glass off it. Strongest for the weight of the budget tripods, IMO.

@NSI has the short version and he and @mxgsfmdpx have shot off the tripod like I do. I can go to 1000 yards practically as stable as prone.

Here is one video.

Luckily @hereinaz has set it up for me every time. Otherwise I’d look like a monkey trying to hump a football using a tripod for shooting.

 

[NSI]

Love my shorty inverted Leo (282cmx). Wish it had an integrated ball head. When I have more time I’ll spec and import something along those lines. Could also step down a carbon thickness for hunting - these are really more a proper shooting girth appropriate for competition use. That comes with a weight penalty.

-J

 

[Eagleman]

Two vets is what I use in my classes and hunting
work great

 

[SPDSpappy]

I think the leupold is just a rebranded Leofoto 364. The 36mm legs are going to be quite comparable to the RRS 34l. The anvil head is certainly the best shooting head, and I would recommend that number one on any of the tripods listed. You may want to look at the RRS 33 or the Leofoto 363 for one less point of wobble since they have 1 fewer leg section (3 section vs 4). The RRS 22 or Leofoto 322 or PRSTF 2 section would all be a good consideration as well, they but they are a bit long and the PRSTF is heavy. Overall, I think you’ll have a hard time stepping up from the stability of the leupold without going to a pretty big tripod. I have used the RRS 34L, 33, and the Leofoto 363 and would say they are all pretty stable. Definitely better than my Leofoto 324.

Yes, the FatBoy I used in the Bergara class was pretty beefy, butt it was extremely solid. I’d rather have something that’s very solid and pay a lbs or so weight penalty than to get something I can’t get solid on for a 500+ yard shot.

 

[SPDSpappy]

Two vets is what I use in my classes and hunting
work great

Thanks!

 

[omicron1792]

My favorite is the Leofoto inverted leg tripod. I can shoot and glass off it. Strongest for the weight of the budget tripods, IMO.

@NSI has the short version and he and @mxgsfmdpx have shot off the tripod like I do. I can go to 1000 yards practically as stable as prone.

Here is one video.

I made my way to it and I love it. LO282cx for tall and cmx for shorter (most likely one you want for backpack hunting). I have the taller one but mainly I coyote hunt stands and don’t strap it to a backpack.

The make a more robust model but mine does great with a heavy rifle and anvil head.

 

[wpeach1912]

Yes, the FatBoy I used in the Bergara class was pretty beefy, butt it was extremely solid. I’d rather have something that’s very solid and pay a lbs or so weight penalty than to get something I can’t get solid on for a 500+ yard shot.

The two section inverted fatboy, PRSTF 2 section, and the big two vets two section with the anvil head are going to be top of the heap for stability. For hunting, I’d probably go with one of the big three sections just to not have something as long.

 

[KY_coop]

I got the leofoto 363 with the handlebar style ball head as well as a fatboy 3 section inverted. The fatboy is more stable but its alot bigger heavier and harder to pack. If you are okay with the weight, the 363 and rrs anvil/ leofoto ma40 would be a nice shooting tripod to take hunting.

 

[SPDSpappy]

I got the leofoto 363 with the handlebar style ball head as well as a fatboy 3 section inverted. The fatboy is more stable but its alot bigger heavier and harder to pack. If you are okay with the weight, the 363 and rrs anvil/ leofoto ma40 would be a nice shooting tripod to take hunting.

You’re right, the FatBoy is a monstrosity and there’s no way it would fit in the side pouch of my Exo pack!!

 

[SPDSpappy]

The two section inverted fatboy, PRSTF 2 section, and the big two vets two section with the anvil head are going to be top of the heap for stability. For hunting, I’d probably go with one of the big three sections just to not have something as long.

You have a good point about going w/ the 3 section as I probably don’t need the height of the others for hunting.

 

[doc holiday13]

I have the 2 Vets Recon Inverted.. Its nice and solid. I feel confident in landing 800 yard hits with it. I use it for NRL/PRS and hunting

I bought it mostly as a hunting tripod because in my use I need a tripod for a heavy gun. I would have gotten the QDT(2 leg section) but the lower height of the collapsed Recon is better for my purposes.

 

[SPDSpappy]

I have the 2 Vets Recon Inverted.. Its nice and solid. I feel confident in landing 800 yard hits with it. I use it for NRL/PRS and hunting

I bought it mostly as a hunting tripod because in my use I need a tripod for a heavy gun. I would have gotten the QDT(2 leg section) but the lower height of the collapsed Recon is better for my purposes.

Thank you for the info!!

 

[mainbeam pursuit2]

I have a 2 vets, nice tripods.

 

[khuber84]

Man I have several, rrs 22i(anvil head), leofoto so-282c, so-362c(anvil head), 323C (Sunwayfoto IB30 head) old patriot valley 40mm 4 section heavy carbon that has a 75mm bowl. I use the 22i in matches and have the leo 362 as a backup or loaner. The 323C with IB30 is like. 3.6# and I hunt with it. I'm gonna look into modifying the legs on the 282C by shortening them to essentially turn it into a version even shorter than the 282cmx. I'm fine with glassing from seated position or using my pack weight stool. I will still be able to shoot kneeling. I've found in most my situation 90% the time I need a high position of say standing I can still make the shot from a high double kneeling position.

The RRS 34L/Anvil combo you have listed is the best do all very well option. It's also the most expensive. Leofoto is good for the money, but comparing my rrs 22i VS leofoto 362C clone, the rrs is more rigid and the leg locks require less frequent servicing and cleaning. It just always works. The leo will get a lil gummy in lots of dust and dirt.

 

[NSI]

As a rule, you need to step up 4mm per leg to get equivalent stability from a non-RRS tripod.

-J