Carbon tripod

I’m using a Recon wicked lights tripod, it’s nice and light, very stable and will support my 22lb competition rifle no problem.
 
I would be wary of cheap, so called carbon fibre tripods which will likely be an aluminium tube with a thin layer of carbin fibre on top. Probably more decorative than structural although fine for mounting a camera. Check the max load and remember the figure is for a static load, not a rifle with attached hunter :) Even the more expensive Manfrotto MT055CXPRO4 only has a 9 Kg max load. The other thing to look at is the max height.
 
If you look at camera tripods, go to the manufacturer website and see the weight rating.
weigh your kit and there you go.
but no idea about carbon ones. outside my price range.
 
Zomei 888c , used one for years now with a cheap saddle mount, good quality, light and strong , rated to 15 kg.
About £120 and £50 for the saddle.
 
I bought one of these
MENGS CFT-284A Carbon Fibre Tripod 8X Carbon Fibre
They’re £150 on Amazon but I paid £60 on eBay
It’s great, even comes with a ball head. The whole system can support up to a 15kg load. Tripos is very stiff and extra light; it also more than tall enough for shooting. The only thing is it’s let down by the cheap (£60) digitally printed clamp I also got off eBay. Buy a decent clamp that has no slop and doesn’t creek like mine does. TBH, I’ve only used it once as I much prefer quad sticks.
Cheers
N
 
People highly rate the rekon tripods and the wicked lights. Personally I use an Amazon tripod and that handles my SPS in an AW chassis (heavy number) just fine for a 5th of the cost.
 
This thread on snipershide is really good to read. It’s bloody long but has great info. One thing I would say is avoid a tripod with a centre column. It really adds movement.

I’m on the fence about which innorel model to purchase. The RTC80 or the 90. Quite a weight difference in them and the mount that actually attaches the rifle is another issue entirely.

Currently I’ve got an eBay special that I haven’t weighed but works and was £30. Hence my reluctance. But then carbon is sexy.

Edit: just popped it in the scales and it’s 5.5lbs. I have to use is with the centre column down. It will be replaced with a higher legged non centre column model.
 

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I have a Manfrotto with a pig saddle that I used my Accuracy International AX off. Solid as hell. Good for sitting out/target shooting. Not really practical for walking. I use Viper Flex with 5 legs for walking, as good as a bipod stability wise and fast to set up.

You get what you pay for in this game. Sticks will be cheaper I would have thought as a tripod will need a head.
 
If I where to buy a new tripod today, I would buy:

Tripod: Gitzo Systematic GT5533LS ---> Rankings
Ball head: Feisol CB-70D ---> Ball Head Rankings

Both are nearly 2x as stiff compared to others on the market.
The Gitzo often vary in price.. so would wait until its cheaper.

And.. I would use it with my spotting scope, binocular, camera etc etc.. spread the cost out :)
 
I have ended with 2 Innorel RT85C's with ball head if anyone is interested I will let it go for £150 posted, This is brand new and still in the box, It's a long story but I foolishly let Alixpress talk me into buying the second one they sent out by mistake, If anyone is interested I'm away working and not due back until around the 20th of this month.
 
I was chatting to an experienced PRS shooter at a comp the other day, and he said LeoFoto is a real contender for matching the quality and strength of the big money brands like RRS and Vortex. I believe the models with a "video bowl" head fitting offer the best stability for a rifle e.t.c

I believe the LN-364C has a 75mm bowl, and the LN-404C is bigger and heavier but has a 100mm bowl. There are videos online of people hanging from the 364c so i think that should support a rifle just fine!


Haven't managed to find any listed for sale in the UK oddly enough, but have seen them at a match. Im sure a Leofoto dealer could order one in.
 
Feisols are a pretty good compromise in cost versus durability. They hold up well, but need the leg locks cleaned regularly (and sometimes, replaced).

Depending on how much you use it, and how much you're willing to spend, the RRS Anvil-30 ball head is heads and shoulders above anything else out there. Again, a compromise many make is a Feisol or RTC tripod, with an Anvil-30 head. The Anvil was designed with shooting in mind, not a repurposed camera ball head. It has the inverted ball, where the head clamps onto the ball as a lock, vise locking into a post that has a ball at the bottom that moves within a ball housing. This allows the rifle to be locked in closer to the apex of the tripod; thereby reducing the affect of any vibrations or movement to the rifle. It can be set up for left or right handed shooters, and can take ARCA or Picatinny rail if direct attaching a rifle.

Or just go all in and get an RRS TFCT-34L (CF tripod with Anvil 30). They are not cheap, but nothing else performs like they do with a rifle. Rock. Solid.
TFCT Tripod

JMTCW...
 
Oh, and to just add one more comment.

A leveling base is another proven compromise that can be done, if you are not shooting extreme angles. Again, a leveling base allows a shooter to move the rifle closer to the apex of the tripod, increasing stability. RRS makes really nice leveling bases, with the newer ones accepting both Pic and ARCA rails. I used a Feisol and RRS leveling base for years (image below), before finally upgrading to a TFCT-34L.

Montana 2019.jpg
 
I have ended with 2 Innorel RT85C's with ball head if anyone is interested I will let it go for £150 posted, This is brand new and still in the box, It's a long story but I foolishly let Alixpress talk me into buying the second one they sent out by mistake, If anyone is interested I'm away working and not due back until around the 20th of this month.
I would be interested in purchasing this item please?
 
I was chatting to an experienced PRS shooter at a comp the other day, and he said LeoFoto is a real contender for matching the quality and strength of the big money brands like RRS and Vortex. I believe the models with a "video bowl" head fitting offer the best stability for a rifle e.t.c

I believe the LN-364C has a 75mm bowl, and the LN-404C is bigger and heavier but has a 100mm bowl. There are videos online of people hanging from the 364c so i think that should support a rifle just fine!


Haven't managed to find any listed for sale in the UK oddly enough, but have seen them at a match. Im sure a Leofoto dealer could order one in.
Just understand, the Leofoto's are a knock off (rip off) copy of the RRS. Everything RRS does, Leofoto copies...well as cheaply as they can. Leofotos work (no arguing that), but the patent infringement just rubs me the wrong way...plus, I hate giving money to the Chinese PLA.
 
Just understand, the Leofoto's are a knock off (rip off) copy of the RRS. Everything RRS does, Leofoto copies...well as cheaply as they can. Leofotos work (no arguing that), but the patent infringement just rubs me the wrong way...plus, I hate giving money to the Chinese PLA.
I agree, but unfortunately for me I just can't justify or afford £1500+ for a RRS tripod. Even if it was handmade in the UK/US (I am a big fan of buying local), the price difference is going to be difficult to justify for a non-professional/non-LEA/non-military shooter.
 
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