RRS TFCT 14L w Anvil 30 too heavy for backpack backcountry hunting?

#51
So it will surprise none of you that I wound up with three different tripods. And I may keep them all.

In my own final analysis, the 14L has plenty of stability for seated or kneeling shots, but if you’ve ever handled a three series, you know that you give up a lot of stability. So if you really need to squeeze off that extra pound or 18 ounces or whatever then go with the 14.

When I realized how capable we were with the seven PRC off of a tripod out to 1000 yards on a 12 inch plate, I realized I didn’t want to give up any stability to save that last pound so I bought a 33. It is just over 4 1/2 pounds. I suppose I could see why somebody would get the 34 because it would pack a little shorter and only add 2 ounces. For me, I like the simplicity of just having to worry about two leg extensions rather than three.

After this analysis, the one that really has me scratching my head is the common compromise of the 24L. You’re gonna give up a fair amount of stability compared to the three series and all you gain is 9 inches so if you’re really tall or need to do a bunch of stuff standing I get it. It might be the best all-around compromise if you want to truly stand for blasting or whatever. But if I wanted to stand and shoot, I would definitely wanna step up to the 3 series

That’s my current two cents worth I’m sure it will change with more time in the field




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#52
Oh, and I have posted this elsewhere, but here is a guy who never shot anything Long Range trying my seven PRC for the first time at that 12 in.² plate at 1000 yards off of my 34L

That TFCT33 is gonna be perfect for this hunt especially because we are carrying stone glacier sky talus 6900. So the length isn’t gonna be any problem at all. Also, there’s gonna be two of us, but we’re gonna share a rifle so we can afford The bigger heavier, more stable tripod.

 
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#56
secondofangle2 said:
So it will surprise none of you that I wound up with three different tripods. And I may keep them all.

In my own final analysis, the 14L has plenty of stability for seated or kneeling shots, but if you’ve ever handled a three series, you know that you give up a lot of stability. So if you really need to squeeze off that extra pound or 18 ounces or whatever then go with the 14.

When I realized how capable we were with the seven PRC off of a tripod out to 1000 yards on a 12 inch plate, I realized I didn’t want to give up any stability to save that last pound so I bought a 33. It is just over 4 1/2 pounds. I suppose I could see why somebody would get the 34 because it would pack a little shorter and only add 2 ounces. For me, I like the simplicity of just having to worry about two leg extensions rather than three.

After this analysis, the one that really has me scratching my head is the common compromise of the 24L. You’re gonna give up a fair amount of stability compared to the three series and all you gain is 9 inches so if you’re really tall or need to do a bunch of stuff standing I get it. It might be the best all-around compromise if you want to truly stand for blasting or whatever. But if I wanted to stand and shoot, I would definitely wanna step up to the 3 series

That’s my current two cents worth I’m sure it will change with more time in the field




View attachment 8662207
Click to expand...
Soon you’ll buy a TVC-33/34, because they are even a little bit more stable than the TFC/TFCT series lol

Love my TVC-33, but it’s a wide boi.
 
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#58
Love my TFCT 33, it simply rocks. It allows things not possible with lesser tripods.

I’m thinking, for the mountain hunter/shooter. The TFCT 33 & 14 are great compliments to the gear room. Super stable platform in the 33, and then ultra light compactness when required in the 14. Only have to justify having $3k worth of tripods laying around 😂
 
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#59
I have the
TFCT-34L TFCT-34L
Mk2SOAR® Series 3
Tripod with Anvil-30 ballhead.
Sorry, copied and pasted the model. Idk why it did that.
It’s 4.4 lbs and worth every penny, and oz. I never leave camp without it.( I had 2, but one was stolen) I cut out other things to keep the weight down. It’s great for glassing or shooting off rocky slopes, over bushes and grass, and is as sturdy as shooting prone. I’ll never hunt without it again. I have/do own at least 15 different brands and models. I have also used other buddies tripods, and none stack up to it. You can get it low enough to use like a bipod if need be.
 

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#60
secondofangle2 said:
OK tell me more about this TVC. 🙄
Click to expand...
(setting the hook haha)

But seriously, the wide apex makes the whole setup more stable. One reason is it resists twisting better, and of course having the legs wider makes it slightly more like table vs a triangle.

Then I use the leveling head with a panning head on top. Because that setup is lower than a ballhead (either traditional or inverted like the Anvil) that adds further to the wide apex’s stability.

I’m a pdog shooter so I’m not packing it in anywhere. The most I hike with it is a mile.

Now I use my TFC-34 just for my binos.

Moving from the TFC-34 to the TVC-33 is not as big difference as going from a crappy tripod to a RRS. But there is less reticle wobble. I haven’t measured how much less, but our resident tripod man @Diver160651 wrote something up about it…he isn’t around here much anymore.
 
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#61
To echo the above, I LOVE the TVC. That wider head makes a noticeable difference to me. I shoot of it and have my supporting gear, binos/spotter/range finder/etc on a cinema bar on the TFC.

Currently they both have an ANVL30 on them but I’m starting to come around to the thought of just using a traditional ball head like a BH-55. More experimenting at the flat range to see what I like better.
 
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#62
vanrichten said:
Currently they both have an ANVL30 on them but I’m starting to come around to the thought of just using a traditional ball head like a BH-55. More experimenting at the flat range to see what I like better.
Click to expand...
I have had much better luck with the leveling head plus a panning head vs the Anvil. A regular ball head is in between those two (for me).
640502F3-F9D5-4F6E-908C-6851835C091F.jpeg

I have sort of a tallish pan head on there. Might get a slimmer one. Ignore the neoprene can koosie on the scope haha, that was a failed cheap hood experiment.

I pan a LOT during varmint shooting. It’s very nice to have separate controls for tilt and pan.
 
#63
carbonbased said:
I have had much better luck with the leveling head plus a panning head vs the Anvil. A regular ball head is in between those two (for me).
View attachment 8662502
I have sort of a tallish pan head on there. Might get a slimmer one. Ignore the neoprene can koosie on the scope haha, that was a failed cheap hood experiment.

I pan a LOT during varmint shooting. It’s very nice to have separate controls for tilt and pan.
Click to expand...
I can totally see how that would be an advantage. I have the RRS pan base that I use for photography along with the video bowl I could put back on to replace the ANVIL apex. My next range trip is going to look like an RRS commercial exploded! Haha!
 
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