Shooting tripods

99% of my foxing is now done static with me waiting up in a likley area scanning with the thermal from the boot of the car, then when charlie comes its onto the quad sticks. But if im honest its a bit of a faff trying to deploy the sticks, get the rifle, kick the pard and ir into life and keep a eye on the fox as I do it all and was thinking about one of these tripods where you leave the rifle clamped up ready to go but, they seem to be eye warteringly expensive for the ball head types which is what want so I started to look at other options and a normal camera tripod is a fraction of the price even in carbon fibre seems to be able to take the weight of a rifle, has a ball head adjustment and seems to have the same fittings that will take a pig saddle. Now am I missing somthing here will it work and is the just the shooting equipment tax in action
I use a Primos Gun Rest with an old camera tripod and a Ball head I got from Amazon for about £30
 

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I just use a simple pair of sticks. Set them up slightly too long, put rifle and take half a step back so that you are leaning into them. And as cross hair moves through fox squeeze.

If you want more stability lean yourself against a tree, fence post etc, or widen and drop down to kneeling or sitting.

I do think in the UK we have forgotten or unlearned how to shoot and we are totally reliant on lots of kit.

God knows how our forefathers ever managed with open sights, no range finders, no thermal / night vision / lamps and just a pair of binoculars that fogged up at the mearest hint of rain.
 
2 things come to mind if your laying up waiting for a fox, being comfortable and ready for the shot youve been waiting on for a couple hours with the frost or rain nipping at you

if it works use what you like, probably only get one chance
 
I have used a Manfrotto and pig saddle. Very good. Saddles are now available a lot cheaper. You don't really need a ball head either you can screw the saddle onto the tripod directly; although that is a bit limiting it is a hell of a lot cheaper and lighter.

Unless you have to change elevation quickly.

You can get ball mounts really cheaply, Ebay is awash with them. You just need to make sure it can take the weight of the rifle.
 
I just use a simple pair of sticks. Set them up slightly too long, put rifle and take half a step back so that you are leaning into them. And as cross hair moves through fox squeeze.

If you want more stability lean yourself against a tree, fence post etc, or widen and drop down to kneeling or sitting.

I do think in the UK we have forgotten or unlearned how to shoot and we are totally reliant on lots of kit.

God knows how our forefathers ever managed with open sights, no range finders, no thermal / night vision / lamps and just a pair of binoculars that fogged up at the mearest hint of rain.

Because they could only use what was available, and I'd guess, they missed a lot !

But I'd agree, I'm sure they were very skilled, in relative terms, and for them, it was either eating, or starving.
 
I cant fault the carbon Bog Pod for sitting out for vermin and deer but wouldn't use it for walking/stalking too cumbersome, quad sticks for that.

if your looking to make one just ensure you use quality parts, dont want it all collapsing to the floor!!


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£180 isn't bad, considering my 10 year old Bog Pod was £125.

£360 though would be plain theft.
I have to say I wouldn‘t be without it but for £380 I would have to think twice, a ridiculous price when they are currently £220 in USA.

I assume you like yours if you have kept it 10 years?
 
At UK prices not a chance, £180 and I would probably try them instead of faffing about trying to cobble together some Heath Robinson contraption.
 
I have to say I wouldn‘t be without it but for £380 I would have to think twice, a ridiculous price when they are currently £220 in USA.

I assume you like yours if you have kept it 10 years?
I have kept mine. One V of the cradle has snapped and it's only the rubber lining that's holding it together. I keep fixing it with araldite. I prefer it to the Primos sticks that I've also got. The Bog Pod legs don't slowly compress under weight. They do on the Primos. The legs of the Bog Pod are a little clacky when being carried but I developed the knack of holding them so they're kept apart. But it's very light, rapid to deploy and I can pretty much do it one-handed. It's been a good tool and has accounted for thousands of rabbits and foxes and not a few deer.
 
The Spartan stuff is expensive but it works, it's really strong but light and most importantly it's fast to set up or remove. Not only that but the one set up can be a tripod, bipod, single stick or a full 5 leg shooting platform or get a clamp and mount it to your highseat rail too.

If you want a cheaper tripod then just buy the Davros head and fit that to your existing or cheaper tripod.
 

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99% of my foxing is now done static with me waiting up in a likley area scanning with the thermal from the boot of the car, then when charlie comes its onto the quad sticks. But if im honest its a bit of a faff trying to deploy the sticks, get the rifle, kick the pard and ir into life and keep a eye on the fox as I do it all and was thinking about one of these tripods where you leave the rifle clamped up ready to go but, they seem to be eye warteringly expensive for the ball head types which is what want so I started to look at other options and a normal camera tripod is a fraction of the price even in carbon fibre seems to be able to take the weight of a rifle, has a ball head adjustment and seems to have the same fittings that will take a pig saddle. Now am I missing somthing here will it work and is the just the shooting equipment tax in action
Nothing new to me ,I bought a adjustable aliminium rod rest back from Turkey but not quite the height I wanted so moved onto camera tripods ,bought a pack of rod rest heads ,found one with the right thread and it's ok for what I need, there is a guy sells camera equipment on a local flea market and his tripods are around a tenner each so often have a root thru his stock.
 
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