So this is mainly directed towards @MPHReallyRightStuff but here’s the situation:
Since the Anvil and new RRS clamps have the dual Arca/pic rail interface, what are the trade offs if I clamp on a pic rail instead of an Arca plate? Strength? Durability? I imagine Arca will be better against torsional stress because it has more surface area. But does it matter?
Assume I’m clamping in the same spot on the rifle, right by the magwell. I’m using an RRS stand-alone clamp or Anvil clamp on a tripod. Guns could be light or 16 lbs heavy. I shoot mainly 204 and smaller, some 6 BR, occasionally 308/6.5 cm.
By experience I know getting a pic rail in the Anvil clamp is little more fussy than an Arca plate, and that pic rails seem to vary a lot more so twiddling with the clamp width will happen a bit more than with general Arca plates & non-RRS plates.
BACKGROUND
So I love the Arca interface. Used for decades with camera stuff, have a Whiskey 3 with metal Arca forend, blah blah it’s awesome.
The bit where Arca isn’t so great is if it’s right where you want to grab the rifle and walk with it. No, not in a PRS fashion but in a hunting situation.
Don’t talk to me about gloves. I’m not wearing gloves in 100°F heat or if I’m hiking in cooler temps but I’m hot.
I have a number of traditionally-stocked hunting rifles (wood and a Tikka roughtech) that I’ve been using a Vyce with because slapping a relatively large pokey bit of metal right where I’m grabbing the gun sort of sucks (and it’s ugly).
So it got me thinking about using a nice smooth pic rail, like the Area 419 one, right in front of the magwell instead. BTW that 419 rail has all the sharp edges rounded off.
If I had to choose between Arca or pic rail based purely on one-handed ease of carry, I’d go pic rail (only if it’s rounded off). Still ugly, but not as much as a relatively wide Arca plate on a thin-stocked hunting rifle.
I’ve also noticed Outdoorsmens are offering their own narrower Arca-like interface. Not sure if it’s for rifles and I have zero interest, but I get the appeal.
Ideally, the clamping interface would be set into the stock (like some flush DBM’s) so your hand never touches it. The top of the ballhead is like a mag or a series of pins that are inserted into the stock.
Anyway, appreciate your thoughts and advice.
Cue the guy that says, “Wear gloves,” in 3…2…1…FU buddy lol
Since the Anvil and new RRS clamps have the dual Arca/pic rail interface, what are the trade offs if I clamp on a pic rail instead of an Arca plate? Strength? Durability? I imagine Arca will be better against torsional stress because it has more surface area. But does it matter?
Assume I’m clamping in the same spot on the rifle, right by the magwell. I’m using an RRS stand-alone clamp or Anvil clamp on a tripod. Guns could be light or 16 lbs heavy. I shoot mainly 204 and smaller, some 6 BR, occasionally 308/6.5 cm.
By experience I know getting a pic rail in the Anvil clamp is little more fussy than an Arca plate, and that pic rails seem to vary a lot more so twiddling with the clamp width will happen a bit more than with general Arca plates & non-RRS plates.
BACKGROUND
So I love the Arca interface. Used for decades with camera stuff, have a Whiskey 3 with metal Arca forend, blah blah it’s awesome.
The bit where Arca isn’t so great is if it’s right where you want to grab the rifle and walk with it. No, not in a PRS fashion but in a hunting situation.
Don’t talk to me about gloves. I’m not wearing gloves in 100°F heat or if I’m hiking in cooler temps but I’m hot.
I have a number of traditionally-stocked hunting rifles (wood and a Tikka roughtech) that I’ve been using a Vyce with because slapping a relatively large pokey bit of metal right where I’m grabbing the gun sort of sucks (and it’s ugly).
So it got me thinking about using a nice smooth pic rail, like the Area 419 one, right in front of the magwell instead. BTW that 419 rail has all the sharp edges rounded off.
If I had to choose between Arca or pic rail based purely on one-handed ease of carry, I’d go pic rail (only if it’s rounded off). Still ugly, but not as much as a relatively wide Arca plate on a thin-stocked hunting rifle.
I’ve also noticed Outdoorsmens are offering their own narrower Arca-like interface. Not sure if it’s for rifles and I have zero interest, but I get the appeal.
Ideally, the clamping interface would be set into the stock (like some flush DBM’s) so your hand never touches it. The top of the ballhead is like a mag or a series of pins that are inserted into the stock.
Anyway, appreciate your thoughts and advice.
Cue the guy that says, “Wear gloves,” in 3…2…1…FU buddy lol
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