TRIPOD
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I've been using my old Manfrotto heavyweight camera tripod with an arca head on top. Never really bothered with tripod shooting before, so for the sake of the cost of an arca rail and a new head it's allowed me to see whether I like it without shelling out for a BOG etc.
Main issue is the length of the legs, it runs out way before the height I would like, so end up having to extend the central section which in turn makes it less stable. So may look at getting something taller.
Main issue is the length of the legs, it runs out way before the height I would like, so end up having to extend the central section which in turn makes it less stable. So may look at getting something taller.
I don't use a tripod for rifle shooting, but I do for photography.
I doubt a top notch photography tripod such as an RRS TFC-34, Gitzo Series 5 or similar will be any cheaper than a dedicated rifle tripod. Like @Mungo said, RRS is a company that started with photography tripods but now make dedicated shooting tripods (e.g. TFCT) as well, so a photographic tripod is basically the same.
The advantage of carbon fibre is three-fold - weight, strength and vibration-dampening.
Generally with carbon fibre tripods you pay more for a tripod having larger leg diameter, more leg sections and higher load rating. For example, if you look at the RRS TFCT range you will see that the 3-series has leg sections with significantly greater diameter. For the penalty of some additional weight, this adds significant strength and load capacity.
The top tripod manufacturers offer extra high tripods as well, which avoids the need for a centre column. As @The Grouse notes, a centre column leads to instability.
I doubt a top notch photography tripod such as an RRS TFC-34, Gitzo Series 5 or similar will be any cheaper than a dedicated rifle tripod. Like @Mungo said, RRS is a company that started with photography tripods but now make dedicated shooting tripods (e.g. TFCT) as well, so a photographic tripod is basically the same.
The advantage of carbon fibre is three-fold - weight, strength and vibration-dampening.
Generally with carbon fibre tripods you pay more for a tripod having larger leg diameter, more leg sections and higher load rating. For example, if you look at the RRS TFCT range you will see that the 3-series has leg sections with significantly greater diameter. For the penalty of some additional weight, this adds significant strength and load capacity.
The top tripod manufacturers offer extra high tripods as well, which avoids the need for a centre column. As @The Grouse notes, a centre column leads to instability.
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jthyttin
Well-Known Member
Using center column leads also to much improved versatility and speed of adjustment, if you don't need so much stability.
Plain tripod w/ adjustable head or not, is not very good for ambush if you don't know the exact shooting sector and if you want to sit down (kind of awkward to pan). There are solutions around this, but it also means less stability. Some sitting height bipods might offer better solution.
Plain tripod w/ adjustable head or not, is not very good for ambush if you don't know the exact shooting sector and if you want to sit down (kind of awkward to pan). There are solutions around this, but it also means less stability. Some sitting height bipods might offer better solution.
I bought a carbin innorel Rt90c off amazon, very sturdy and light
I dont use a tripod for shooting but for video work, I usually look at the payload of the tripod to determine its stability with kit on. I have two of these on my kit (same tripod but artsise brand) which have 20kg payload and carbon fibre that makes it really stable... https://amzn.eu/d/4VqYCTG
It is such a faff setting it up for shooting, I prefer quad sticks but would say this would be more than up to the job.
T
It is such a faff setting it up for shooting, I prefer quad sticks but would say this would be more than up to the job.
T
I have a carbon fibre camera tripod with a ball mount fitted and an arca rail on my rifles, very stable and lightweight and came in at less than £50 (2nd hand tripod), prior to that I had a manfroto aluminium tripod, the carbon is noticeably lighter, and before that a surveyors tripod which was the most stable but also the heaviest
jthyttin
Well-Known Member
I have the same Artcise, currently practicing inside with air rifle and Tricorne bag from Coletac. The bag has Lite Polymer fill, and although listed at 1.2kg weight it's only 990g (just weighed). Depending on rifle stock and balance point, it's surprisingly steady. Got rid of everything on the tripod (leveling base etc). Might proceed to actual use, one problem is do I attach the bag with straps (maybe balance problem carrying) or carry the bag on sling or something (extra faff setting up for shooting).
Tricorne Bag - Cole-TAC Europe
The Tricorne Bag from Cole-TAC is the latest innovation in support bags. The name references the Tricorne hats worn by men centuries ago. The three individual chambers provide instant support over a multitude of obstacles. Our lite polymer fill gives the right flow, consistency, and weight to...
coletac.eu
Thing that most people seem not to understand, you don't carry the tripod collapsed if you're in open areas and expect a shot (or need to use support for spotting etc). Depending on tripod and it's balance point, I carry either in full shooting mode, 1 leg "folded in" or all legs folded in. Method of carry, support hand fully extended down (basically no muscular strain), on support side legs pointing back. Very easy to deploy, or just stand on it's legs to free the support hand for other stuff.
Yes, I ‘borrowed’ my wife’s Manfotto - it worked OK. Moved to a Bog now and highly rate it.
I would say in going the cheap camera tripod options, dedicated shooting tripods factor in shooters specific needs - durability, recoil management, weight, features, ergonomics around the ball joint. My advice would be go with a cheap option if you want to try it as a concept, but if it’s something you want to use regularly buy the best shooting specific one you can - the ease of use and stability on target will be so much better.
A cheap camera tripod will have the same faults as a cheap shooting tripod, however the difference of a decent quality one will have two major differences, it won't have the word rifle/shooting in its title and will be noticeably cheaper. I looked at a bogpod chair at the range last week and could make better from scrap
jthyttin
Well-Known Member
Yes but the bog chair (assuming it's the same as Caldwell) is at least somewhat portable. Especially if you take the portability into account, fabricating one would take some time and design. I have the Caldwell one, and the good bits some times outweigh the bad ones...
stevekennedy
Well-Known Member
What height did you go for ?
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