When shooting from a tripod and in competition what do you prefer? Ball Head or Leveling Base. I have a ball head right now but have never used a leveling base but looking at the RRS - TAC U LC. Appreciate the advice. Target shooting and competitions.
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Ball Head vs. Leveling Base
- Thread starter Ppierceall
- Start date
I use a 55mm ball. I personally prefer it, but know a lot of people that prefer the leveling base.
I went from using an older manfrotto ball head to the RRS TAC-U on a Feisol 3372 and the difference in stability is AMAZING... I was shocked at how much better it is and easier to shoot from. If you need more angle than the Leveling base provides, just drop a leg on the tripod.
Having said that, I have no experience with the new ball heads that RRS is making but it sounds like they're rock solid.
Having said that, I have no experience with the new ball heads that RRS is making but it sounds like they're rock solid.
I've tried (and own) both. I do not have a tremendous amount of experience with either, and I'm about to switch to an Ingenuity rail on my stock, rather than the RRS VYCE I've been using (so that may change things). That said - the biggest issue I had w/ the ball head (an RRS BH-55) is that there's a lot of room for the gun to flop. Even with the drag set high enough to provide good resistance, it can be hard to keep the rifle upright. The ball wants to tip over, for me. If I set the drag high enough to avoid that, it's basically locked in place and difficult to transition the gun.
The leveling base seems more stable, and is easier to adjust to move controllably for me. The downside is the reduced range of motion (which prevents the "flop", but means I may have to manipulate the legs mid-stage, depending on the stage).
The leveling base seems more stable, and is easier to adjust to move controllably for me. The downside is the reduced range of motion (which prevents the "flop", but means I may have to manipulate the legs mid-stage, depending on the stage).
I don’t know anything about Leofoto but the 3372 is rock solid. Check camraland and b&h photo.. Good folks to work with. Also, once you’re all set up, watch Lowlight’s videos on proper tripod set up and techniques. That helped me a lot, makes your whole system more solid and accurate.
I'm just using a BH40 and I don't have any flop or instability issues. The larger motion range is important if you do any shooting that requires more extreme angles.
I shoot extreme angles with the Leveling head, example, standing up hill shot. I reach down with my off hand, spin the leg lock, drop my knee which lowers that tripod leg, re lock the leg and reengage while keeping the rifle in my shoulder pocket. just takes an extra few seconds and it still rock solid.
I and most of the guys that shoot PRS with me went with the 364c after a friend bought the 404 and said that there wasn’t any real reason for the larger size. Freedomgunworks.com has pretty solid deals on them with quick service!
Had the leveling base, which was more solid, and now have the ball head. The main reason for the ball head is that the tripod folds down smaller if you're carrying it around.
Going to kick this back up. Right now I am using an anvil 30 with a LMSS. The LMSS has a H32 reticle in there and while the anvil 30 is great for shooting I think it's not as great for finely controlling a reticle in a spotter. Thinking of switching to a leveling base...does anyone have some input?
i am not sure the leveling base is going to be that different, besides limited range of tilt.
you might want a fluid head, or pistol grip. ask doug at camerlandny which is best for spotting.
i use a cheap geared head on top of my ball head, but mostly for the rangefinder, i could swap them, but since i shoot alone there is no need.
i can get close with the anvil and then fine tune or scan for the target with good fine control.
just so you get an idea, this cheap geared head is not like an expensive one.
it moves relatively quickly, but you still have fine control.
this is 1/2 turn on the knob and the tree is 223 yards away (through by svbony 20-60x80)
it moves relatively quickly, but you still have fine control.
this is 1/2 turn on the knob and the tree is 223 yards away (through by svbony 20-60x80)
Advanced Marksmanship - Tips & Tricks, from Tripods to Stage Examples for - UKD Team Field Match or Hunting
looking forward to the tripod class also, you are putting out so much info, i really appreciate the time your putting into this.
www.snipershide.com
