Tripod Guidance

[DesertPinstripes]

Could use some tripod guidance here. Currently have a Slik CF-634 that I use for glassing. It has worked well enough for me for that purpose.

What I’m struggling with is using the side of it while seated for longer distance (500yd) shooting when I cannot get prone. It isn’t stable enough. I’m eyeballing an Outdoorsman’s tall tripod (aluminum gen 2). Ideally I’d like to be able to use it for glassing and have a sturdier tripod to brace my rifle on to shoot seated.

I’m not sure that I want to attach the rifle to the top of the tripod—having to take off the binos and put on a gun seems like a hassle. Or is it? I don’t want to carry two tripods either and enjoy glassing while standing.

Thinking something a little more sturdy to shoot off the side of would be good enough. What are your all’s experience? Any good product recommendations?

 

[dirtytough]

$800 is a lot for an aluminum tripod.

It is fast and easy to unclip bino's or spotter from arca and clip in the rifle. Or shoot off a bag sitting on top of the tripod. 500 yards using the side of the tripod sounds like failure to me more times than not. I don't know of anyone shooting like that.

People use a leg for the rear rest if you are resting the forend on something already.

 

[hereinaz]

Do you want to train to shoot clamped in? It is more stable and can be very quick.

How far will you shoot?
What gun/cartridge?
What is smallest animal?
Do you glass standing or sitting?
How tall are you?
Do you put a premium on overall length or weight?
Do you use a bipod?

 

[DesertPinstripes]

Do you want to train to shoot clamped in? It is more stable and can be very quick.

How far will you shoot?
What gun/cartridge?
What is smallest animal?
Do you glass standing or sitting?
How tall are you?
Do you put a premium on overall length or weight?
Do you use a bipod?

I’m open to adjusting how I train if being clamped in is better.

Shooting a 6.5 Creedmoor at whitetail deer. I glass standing and am 6’2”. Lighter is better, but I really don’t want to spend more than $1k for the whole setup. I don’t use a bipod—I use a pack if I can get prone.

 

[Eric_F]

Tripods are great, but absolutely do not spend that much on an aluminum tripod. I've used carbon fiber Artcise tripods for two elk hunts in Colorado now, and settled on a CT70C with a 46mm low profile ball head and a Sunwayfoto Arc/picatinny clamp. It weighs ~5 lbs, goes up to my 6 ft standing height, and I've got it on a little holster mount so I can get moving quickly on spot and stalks. It cost me under $250 total, and it's solid enough for my 26 lb match gun.

 

[Eric_F]

Here's the holster thing, which I put on the side strap of my pack. It wouldn't work if you were too much shorter or had longer tripod legs, but the added mobility for me is great.

861: BlackWidow Tripod Carrier Kit - Holster + Tripod Leg Adapter

The Spider Tripod Carrier Kit is designed to safely carry any tripod or monopod up to 5 lbs. Attach the Spider pin to a tripod leg using the included high strength fasteners, mount the included holster on your belt, and mount your tripod using the Spider pin. The low profile does not interfere...

spiderholster.com

 

[DesertPinstripes]

Tripods are great, but absolutely do not spend that much on an aluminum tripod. I've used carbon fiber Artcise tripods for two elk hunts in Colorado now, and settled on a CT70C with a 46mm low profile ball head and a Sunwayfoto Arc/picatinny clamp. It weighs ~5 lbs, goes up to my 6 ft standing height, and I've got it on a little holster mount so I can get moving quickly on spot and stalks. It cost me under $250 total, and it's solid enough for my 26 lb match gun.

Appreciate the tip, @Eric_F. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[hereinaz]

You in AZ? I will shoot with you.

I am 6”2 and shoot and glass off my tripod. I run this, but it is not short when collapsed. Though it is pretty light for what so can do off it. With only two leg sections though, it is stronger for the weight. I don’t take a bipod either. I can shoot as stable as prone and it is more comfortable for me.

If you want to add tripod shooting to your bag of tricks, and basically be able to use one or two positions for most all shots, I recommend this one.
The inverted legs make it easy to use, always within reach without even getting out of the glass. And, the locks never get in the mud or dust to get messed up like regular legs where the twist locks are on the ground.

It does everything better except shrink. But, I strap it to the outside of my pack, so it’s no big deal. They makes it super fast to set up and move to a new glassing area.

If you are going to sometimes use it to shoot, a good carbon fiber 3 leg section tripod with no center column makes a good compromise. The stability makes glassing easier too. Center columns compromise stability for shooting too much. Leofoto makes good tripods for cost. You still want a ball head of some sort. I think 35mm is the minimum for shooting. The Leofoto MH style has been great for glassing with its tension system. It’s better to me for shooting than the Anvil 30.

I can shoot to 1000 yards and have helped others kill elk with my set up that far. Coues at 700. Conditions matter, and AZ lends itself to long shots in calm conditions early am and late evening when wind dies.

If you only want to shoot to 400-500, you can do it with a less stable setup.

Running a rail on the rifle and clamping in makes it far easier to use a tripod and opens options that you don’t get with a bag. Depending on the hunt, I may take my table and glass and shoot from it if I expect shots inside 400 and more dynamic.

Avoid clamps or yokes on top of tripods. They suck.

 

[hereinaz]

Everything I run, tripod, head, and plate/bag are well under $1000.

 

[DesertPinstripes]

@hereinaz Wow, this is some great advice and exactly the type of response I was hoping to get. Yes, I’m in AZ. What part of the state are you in?

 

[hereinaz]

@hereinaz Wow, this is some great advice and exactly the type of response I was hoping to get. Yes, I’m in AZ. What part of the state are you in?

Chandler