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PRS Talk Does everyone need a tripod to shoot?
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I havent used a tripod in a match unless it was required and a stage prop. I do not own one, either.
I can see how they would be beneficial, but I'm not dropping $1k for a few points here and there.
I'm better served spending that money on ammo.
I can see how they would be beneficial, but I'm not dropping $1k for a few points here and there.
I'm better served spending that money on ammo.
No it’s a real question. Probably good to know if someone is getting into the game and thinks they need to build a position without a prop. It might be a good idea for them to start getting “innovative “ with a tripod rather than other basics.
Plus my dad just got into long range and due to major mobility issues and being 75 he needs a tripod. He was hitting 1000 with it pretty quick. AND his rifle touched the barricade so he was legal.
He was all worried about being the old man that needed to set up with a tripod to shoot, you know he didn’t have that in the early 70s when he was a grunt, so I was telling him all the top shooters use one so he should be fine. So I thought I’d ask if you really needed it.
Kinda like wheelchair tennis you get two bounces.
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Ok, I can get behind that. Your OP was just phrased so that it seemed more like an attempt at trolling than a request for information.
A tripod is a nice to have for many things (including hunting pigs and coyotes at night), but it's not something that anyone should put on a list of "must haves" for someone their feet wet or just starting out shooting matches. There are a ton of things that money would be better spent on, including training, ammo for practice, match fees, and more foundational gear like a good ballistic solver.
At some point it is nice to purchase a tripod for practice (and match use when allowed), and they are an awesome piece of gear to have, but it's not something you must have if just getting started.
I got him a 6mm rpr and an ALTHON scope and he loves it. He’s just worried he looks stupid. Plus I’m wondering if my buddy should get an RRS because he is trying to get in the game. Of course he got a 308.... so there’s that
My wife likes my tripod.
I got one to hold my scope which then I got a bracket to hold my AR this last May. I took it hunting. I used the hood of my pickup still. Lol
I got one to hold my scope which then I got a bracket to hold my AR this last May. I took it hunting. I used the hood of my pickup still. Lol
Has your bud shot a match yet? I've found the folks at club level matches to be super friendly and welcoming. I'd tell him to just figure out his dope, then find a local match to go shoot and have good time. If he tells them he's just starting out all the better, as they will likely go above and beyond to make sure he's comfortable and having a good time. Folks are generally happy to loan gear like shooting bags to new shooters as well, so if he hasn't figured out what he needs/wants that shouldn't be a problem either.
He watched one and it was a gear show. Guys had 3 bags Tripods and like one dude had a 308
I didn't answer the question, as it's not for me to say whether "everyone needs" a Tripod or not. That's something each individual has to determine their need for a Tripod. I personally find them very useful, not only in NRL/PRS Matches that have a lot of unrealistic and silly props, but also in true field Matches where you have to get above the tall grass or sage brush to see the target, and when also shooting high angle like down into a canyon, or up on the side of a high ridge. I don't know why so many people are starting to get butt hurt about people using tripods. If you don't like them, then don't use one, and stop complaining.
Plus the argument that you need $1000 to get a good Tripod is false. I have less than $430 into my Tripod with Hog Saddle. It's a Manfrotto, which I prefer over the higher cost RRS and Fiosol tripods. If someone wants to drop $1000 on a Tripod, then that's their call.
Depends on how seriously you want to compete.
Does everyone “need” a tripod, no. Are they awesome to have for rear support, yes.
I typically only use mine on 1 or 2 stages a match, if that.
I also only use mine as a rear support unless it’s an actual tripod stage. I believe in “the intent of the stage.” Stages weren’t meant to be gamed to the max as often happens.
If/when I ever run a match, I’ll likelh have the rule that tripods cannot be attached to the rifle with any other means than your hand and can only be used behind from the trigger guard rearward, unless specifically stated otherwise in the stage description.
But that’s another conversation. I wouldn’t go out and buy a tripod just yet. Someone will gladly let you use theirs. I let anyone who wants use mine all the time. After a while, you’ll decide what you’d like.
Also, ignore the above on the manfrotto and other cheap tripods. Not on the same planet as the $4/500+ tripods and the RRS are even better.
Does everyone “need” a tripod, no. Are they awesome to have for rear support, yes.
I typically only use mine on 1 or 2 stages a match, if that.
I also only use mine as a rear support unless it’s an actual tripod stage. I believe in “the intent of the stage.” Stages weren’t meant to be gamed to the max as often happens.
If/when I ever run a match, I’ll likelh have the rule that tripods cannot be attached to the rifle with any other means than your hand and can only be used behind from the trigger guard rearward, unless specifically stated otherwise in the stage description.
But that’s another conversation. I wouldn’t go out and buy a tripod just yet. Someone will gladly let you use theirs. I let anyone who wants use mine all the time. After a while, you’ll decide what you’d like.
Also, ignore the above on the manfrotto and other cheap tripods. Not on the same planet as the $4/500+ tripods and the RRS are even better.
It seems like the tripod/camera setup is no different, holding an optical and mechanical device steady during an exposure seems like lock time to me and no one questions photographers needing one. They don't judge your pictures based on how hard it was to hold the camera.
That being said, when I started learning about long range shooting, I was surprised to see tripods since they are not a part of normal hunting life growing up in MI for sure. Flimsy little things for the most part hard to see them being carried around the battlefield but that's not my place.
That being said, when I started learning about long range shooting, I was surprised to see tripods since they are not a part of normal hunting life growing up in MI for sure. Flimsy little things for the most part hard to see them being carried around the battlefield but that's not my place.
so you wouldnt allow a tripod to be used how they were actually designed to be used? lol
im from the opposite camp...my tripod is for the front of my rifle...field stages, getting up over vegetation or down range terrain...taking shots that are precise when prone isnt an option or an extreme angle is needed...holding my rifle when im out hunting over a field i cant shoot prone over
if a stage requires multiple positions at various heights or ports, you dont have time to adjust the tripod for each one if you use it for front support anyways so i wouldnt call it an advantage
i can and have used it for rear support...i dont hardly ever do it though, havent in a long time...MDs can make the use of them this way really difficult with the right movement or space restraints
Care to elaborate as to what is better? Because it has carbon fiber legs, does that make it better? I have seen plenty of RRS and Fiosol legs get broken at Matches, but never one Manfrotto. I prefer the Manfrotto lever system for locking the leg extensions, whereas, the other two brands mentioned use the twist lock rings, does that make it better? Yes, RRS makes a multitude of heads, plates, and other accessories, and I do own some RRS items used for other applications. Not saying RRS or Fiosol are bad and stay away from them. Just saying most people are driven to them by people giving them advice that they need to spend X-amount to be competitive with a certain product. Another example, I primarily use Defiance actions, but I do have a couple rifles built on a factory Remington action. One of those Remington actions has allowed me to win several local matches, and score very well in PRS, with my last PRS match placing in the top 5 with it. Is the Defiance a better action - yes, could I have done better or missed less targets if I wasn't using the Remington action - probably not.
As I stated earlier, you don't have to buy a $1000 setup, something much less in cost will get the job done.
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depends on the job man...ive used plenty of manfrottos, ive used plenty of hog saddles...putting a hog saddle on an RRS will drop the stability below a direct plate mount on an RRS from the start
weird you have seen "plenty of RRS/feisol legs broken" because ive never seen either...and i been to quite a few matches over the years lol i havent seen a manfrotto leg break either but i have seen the clamps quit holding and slip
not everyone needs a $1k tripod...but i wouldnt have ever bought a manfrotto after using them, not even for less than $500...but i did buy a RRS...the stability for the weight in addition to the leveling base or anvil 30 heads are a step above
as the targets get smaller and further out...the RRS wins easily for speed and stability, but not everyone needs/wants it
Maybe "Plenty" was not a good term to quantify. It was one leg of one brand, and two legs of the other brand, cannot remember which?
Yeah, those Anvil 30's are a nice setup.
In a field/ruck/sniper match......I would. Use whatever you want to carry and shoot.
Those things you mentioned would be the stages that make sense.
I was talking about stages where the MD doesn’t specify (and shouldn’t have to) that you can’t do stupid shit like throw rifle on tripod and have the forearm touching the rope (or insert whatever prop).
It’s beginning to get to where you need to make rules for everything and then make the exception on the stage. If you don’t, then guys start claiming ignorance “well the description didn’t say not to.” When they know good an well what the intent was.
i get ya...its pretty easy to beat all this as an MD...the stages open to this are easily identifiable, a quick RO brief solves that issue
i shot a couple matches this year that had "allowed gear" sections on each stage brief...makes it pretty straight forward from there
i would have made the first guy who used it carry it with him the rest of the match
if anyone tries to get cute with any match im part of, im gunna do my best to ruin your day lol
Tripods are amazing for the versatility that they provide the shooter. It opens up a lot more shots that you otherwise couldn't reasonably take. Field matches, hunting, etc. is where tripods shine.
For PRS matches they are not a necessity. The more field oriented matches (like the SHC in Washington) - a tripod was a very valuable to tool to have, and you wouldn't have done well without one. However, most matches which are mostly prop driven, a tripod may be a good tool to utilize on 1-3 stages throughout the entire course of fire.
Using a tripod for rear support is usually not the most effective or efficient way to tackle a stage, IMO. People who try to drag their tripod around stages using it for rear support usually don't do super well. For props, learn to keep it simple: just one bag and a rifle for example. Watch videos of Matt Brousseau or Dave Preston - two of the top PRS shooters. Emulate their style. Rarely will you ever see them use a tripod for rear support.
For PRS matches they are not a necessity. The more field oriented matches (like the SHC in Washington) - a tripod was a very valuable to tool to have, and you wouldn't have done well without one. However, most matches which are mostly prop driven, a tripod may be a good tool to utilize on 1-3 stages throughout the entire course of fire.
Using a tripod for rear support is usually not the most effective or efficient way to tackle a stage, IMO. People who try to drag their tripod around stages using it for rear support usually don't do super well. For props, learn to keep it simple: just one bag and a rifle for example. Watch videos of Matt Brousseau or Dave Preston - two of the top PRS shooters. Emulate their style. Rarely will you ever see them use a tripod for rear support.
Most of the top shooters I see aren't using a tripod at all unless a stage calls for it, or there is simply no other way to make the shot. I think the fixation a lot of newer shooters have on needing a tripod is pretty far out of proportion with their actual utility during a stage.
I'd go as far as saying that it is more of a hindrance than an aid for most newer shooters, based off of how I've seen them use them.
I'd go as far as saying it's a hinderance for 80-90% of shooters for most stages where I see people try to use one, not just the newer guys.
^^facts...i think what happens is newer shooters see how a tripod can be used, and because it "can" make things more stable, it feels good and they might score a few more hits so they get attached to it
there are lots of middle pack to new shooters who use tripods for rear support in our club matches, and guess what
the guys who are winning the top 5 to 10 places every month...arent using them, which is why we dont care to regulate it very hard, the better shooters are still better because building a position doesnt trump dope management, wind calling, self spotting, corrections, transitions, etc
there are lots of middle pack to new shooters who use tripods for rear support in our club matches, and guess what
the guys who are winning the top 5 to 10 places every month...arent using them, which is why we dont care to regulate it very hard, the better shooters are still better because building a position doesnt trump dope management, wind calling, self spotting, corrections, transitions, etc
Or they see a photo from an OK match with 8 tripods on a 6 man squad....
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