Just like the title says which is the The way to go, shooting my rifle off it, and using it for my spotter.
Leofoto LN-364C , what RRS BH-55 or Anvil 30?
- Thread starter Stoweit
- Start date
I should’ve been a little more clear. The Anvil is preferred to shoot off of. The BH-55 is an awesome piece of gear as well. They just each have their strengths and weaknesses. The Anvil has a coarse method to lock down. The BH-55 is more fine. This leads to a better sweet spot for panning with the spotting scope. They both will serve you well. The Anvil is also cheaper.
Both are good options, I would (and did) go Anvil 30. It's not hard to glass from at all and for shooting it's hard to beat. The BH55 is a little smoother for spotting, but after a few minutes working with the anvil, you will have no problem running it. It's also smaller, lighter and cheaper, which may or may not be important to you.
Read this - it has some images and might be a bit more informative..
RRS Leveling heads- RRS TVC-33 & Feisol 3372 + Anvil 30 comment
My intent here is to add a few images comparing the setup of the RRS TVC-33 with the TA-3 to the TA-3 used on the 3372 and add a couple of comments about the TA-UL on the 3372 and 3342. Plus, a quick note after a ton of time on the RRS Anvil 30, my overview of the different RRS head options...
www.snipershide.com
Kinda related, I have a Leofoto 404C and an Anvil-30, is there a RRS adapter for the Anvil-30 that allows you to mount it in the bowl or do I have to use the bowl adapter that came with the Leofoto (where the Anvil just threads onto the male end)?
Look in the thread - in post #8 you can see the require opening a few images down, basically you need 70mm NOT 100mm. Just above the picture with the calipers in the Apex opening, you can see the Anvil 30 with the optional conversion plate for the 70mm. Series 3 (70mm) and 2 (smaller) are the only conversion plates for the Anvil 30
Thanks for that. I'll have to see if I can mill a hole through the bowl adapter I have to add a anti-twist screw then.
I use an Anvil-30 with a small cheap ballhead stacked on top of it. My binos and LRF ride on top of the ball head on a wide Arca bar/plate, and the ball head rides on a small Arca plate clamped to the Anvil. I can pop the Anvil lever open, take off the ball head, and mount my rifle in a few seconds with that setup.
Got the tripod Friday, Anvil should be here today. Tripod was nicer than expected, can't wait to try it out.
I started using a Gray Ops Gamer plate thanks to @Dthomas3523 (who has cost me a lot of money this year
.. It is on and off super fast, I do not need extra adapters because the dovetail is milled into the bottom and it includes to light weight QR dovetails for the Optics. The PLRF and 15x56s seem to co-witness just as is.. FWIW, I don't really use my Kestrel mounted that way, I just wanted the option as a fun project.View attachment 7101324
I started using a Gray Ops Gamer plate thanks to @Dthomas3523 (who has cost me a lot of money this year
I added the small ball head only because it was easier to make minute adjustments with the bino/LRF rig using it than the Anvil itself, and the ball head has a dedicated panning function. A wide ARCA bar (like the RRS cinema bar) is going to be lighter and lower profile than the gamer plate, too.
Well.... can you also shoot off the other setup LOL.. I don't, just a joke.
But, I had 2 QR lever release plates, on a 360mm Cinema style and it was actually MUCH heaver than the Gamer is.
I am sure one could find light parts than I tried, but my (Cinema Rail + Levers) was 1/2lbs heavier
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You don't need QR plates on the type of rail I am talking about. My bino mount is attached with a 1/4x20 screw. I could do the same with my LRF, but I used a micro ball head (attached to the rail with 1/4x20) instead to raise up the LRF to be roughly level with the binos and allow me to point the LRF to line up with where I am looking with the binos. I did buy a cheap Chinese one off Amazon to play with the concept, but I will probably eventually replace it with a RRS rail instead. Even on the RRS rails with a double dovetail, you can use a simple screw through the center slot to attach your glass, you don't have to use a clamp.
Got it, agreed - especial if you don't pack from station to station or shooting field matches
That's the beauty of that wide rail - I can still take it off my Anvil or the plain ball head just as fast as a gamer plate to make way for my rifle. The gamer plate might have the advantage if you have items (bino mounts, etc) that already have arca/RRS dovetails on them (and don't need a 1/4x20 at all), but everything I have has to use a screw to mount at some point, so the wide Arca bar is going to be smaller and lighter every time.
I like the gamer plate because sometimes I just want to attach the bino or the laser directly to tripod. Let’s me just have arca mounts on both and swap fast.
I don’t use it for shooting (it’s too stable if that makes sense, as I’m working on being a better marksman and I think it can make you lazy), although, it’s nice to be able to toss a fortune cookie on the plate and use it for barricade practice when you don’t have a barricade.
I don’t use it for shooting (it’s too stable if that makes sense, as I’m working on being a better marksman and I think it can make you lazy), although, it’s nice to be able to toss a fortune cookie on the plate and use it for barricade practice when you don’t have a barricade.
I wonder if anyone has tried an Anvil-30 with the Series-3 conversion and the RRS Series 4 to Series 3 Apex adapter (or the Leofoto version) in a Leofoto 404C?
You need to measure the ins
But.... dang a lot of trouble and now a 3 piece set instead of 2 plus another $105 and shipping. Maybe the lighter Ferisol would have been the better all around budget option
Measure the inside of the Apex of the 404 and call RRS.
But.... dang a lot of trouble and now a 3 piece set instead of 2 plus another $105 and shipping. Maybe the lighter Ferisol would have been the better all around budget option
I'd probably try the Leofoto one as it's only $35 and just measure the inside and call RRS or BHPhoto. The reason I went for the Leofoto is that I wanted the steadiness that comes from the 100+lbs weight rating. The thing is a tank. For what it's worth I had zero issues carrying it, my pack and 20+ lbs rifle around all last weekend for the Snipershide Cup. Even did alright
So I've read through this thread, and not sure its been answered but I think it has.
The leofoto 364c WILL WORK with the anvil 30 and the plate option that comes with anvil 30 to replace the leofoto apex plate and then I could shim in a little with wire or similar to tighten down?
that a fair statement?
The leofoto 364c WILL WORK with the anvil 30 and the plate option that comes with anvil 30 to replace the leofoto apex plate and then I could shim in a little with wire or similar to tighten down?
that a fair statement?
Been using that exact set-up for about a year. the Anvil is definitely your best bet for shooting, it's not bad for the spotter, you don't need a bigger ball head for the spotting set-up.
@Redfisher60 Any issues with the anvil coming loose on counterclockwise pressure with the lack of the set screw engagement?
Yes and no. If everything is locked down hard it will loosen. But the idea isn't really to lock down the lever on the Anvil, but to tighten it to a point that allows a little movement. Also the plate that sits in the area where the bowl would sit can be tightened or loosened, I again keep that tightened to a point where there is significant drag, but it will turn.
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