Tripod ball head

[bramble basher]

Quick question I already own a carbon tripod that currently has a Spartan adapter on top just feel a monkey style clamp might be better for night time fox shooting what are people using as a ball head to go on tripod have seen a few on eBay rated to
40 kg around £45 pound so not so expensive seem to fit the bill are there any to avoid being there probably all made in the same factory in China likewise with the array of monkey clamps available any to avoid

Bb

 

[DVS1]

The thing I consider is this....your rig is being held by this single area above the ground, skimp here and you risk a potential breaking of expensive kit. It's a bit like scopes and mounts, buy a 3k scope and using £20 mounts. I appreciate funds may be a major factor but I'd buy the nest I could and probably new unless from a known member off here.

Try Sporting Services or Spartan Refinishing, maybe Scotts country also.

I tried the Arca system and it wasn't for me so I went with the pig saddle, extra weight (if that's a factor) but I have a warmer fuzzier feeling about it

 

[bramble basher]

The thing I consider is this....your rig is being held by this single area above the ground, skimp here and you risk a potential breaking of expensive kit. It's a bit like scopes and mounts, buy a 3k scope and using £20 mounts. I appreciate funds may be a major factor but I'd buy the nest I could and probably new unless from a known member off here.

Try Sporting Services or Spartan Refinishing, maybe Scotts country also.

I tried the Arca system and it wasn't for me so I went with the pig saddle, extra weight (if that's a factor) but I have a warmer fuzzier feeling about it

Cheers will not go down the cheap route just wondering what’s good like you say lot of money in that clamp also find when foxing tend not to have hold of rifle busy with thermal and fox call so need it safe and stable
Bb

 

[3.5mag]

I have the steel Pig Saddle, as mentioned it's heavy but strong.
The only downside to it was the amount of "slop" allowing the gun to rock more than acceptable on the ball head. I remedied this by closing up the slide rebates carefully in the vice.

 

[Eric the Red]

For Ballhead - try the Koolehaoda E3 - has a single lever grip on the ball making it very simple to adjust. The Pig Saddle (as opposed the Hog) is the one to go to for me.

 

[DVS1]

Cheers will not go down the cheap route just wondering what’s good like you say lot of money in that clamp also find when foxing tend not to have hold of rifle busy with thermal and fox call so need it safe and stable
Bb

I've spent many an hour with the rifle in the clamp and hands free to use thermal, caller, or just keeping them warm in pockets...no snooker pocket jokes please guys lol...there are some 3d printed ones that have good reviews and will be lighter.

Nice tripod clamp here...think its new Tripod Review For Clamp

Bombproof and my choice Clamp

 

[Jelen]

Try looking on photography stores such as Wex or Park Cameras and go with the heavy duty ones.

 

[Len the dog]

Manfrotto do some decent ballheads, there are always loads available on Gumtree.
That said, a pig saddle places the centre of gravity somewhere around the magazine well, any body movement will be magnified greatly at the target.
I tried a pig saddle on top of a pan & tilt head on a sturdy camera tripod but on a windy night I found it almost impossible to aim accurately. I have since moved to a set of deluxe B&Q quads that I find quicker & easier to deploy, much more stable, and a damned sight lighter to carry.
The only advantage that I can see of a tripod and saddle grip is that you can mount the rifle without shoulder strain, but I can stand the rifle muzzle up and away from me using my quad sticks.

 

[samdk]

This is the set up I use and would be my recommendation.

Have taken many foxes from it comfortably out to 360 yards.