RRS Ascend ball head vs BH-30

[Crews]

It looks like the ball head that comes on the new Ascend tripod can be used to hold a hunting rifle of reasonable weight, based on some of the pictures I’ve seen.

With that as a reference, would it also be safe to consider the BH-30 ball head capable of doing the same thing? @MPHReallyRightStuff

I am considering downsizing from TFCT-34 with Anvil 30 to something smaller and shorter. I glass and shoot from sitting exclusively, and want more portability.

 

[RMOReallyRightStuff]

Hey there,

My name is Ryan and I'm a SOAR specialist here at RRS. Yes, you are correct with the BH-30 being capable of doing the same thing. It will hold a hunting rifle of reasonable weight without any issues. Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

 

[MPHReallyRightStuff]

@Crews Depends on what you are shooting when you aren't glassing. Lately we have been recommending BH-25 and above for hunters using rifles as well. The Ascend Ballhead will hold but there are limits as it wasn't designed high leverage and people using in a free recoil setting. I personally like the Ascend tripod with platform center column with BH-40 SC or the Anvil. I lose the excess weight of the 2 or 3 series TFCT and I can have a 3 inch center column by removing the bottom portion for smaller adjustments.

 

[Crews]

I am thinking TFC-14 (no center column), and BH-30 because it saves me a good amount over the BH-40. As long as I am not sorely disappointed on stability. I am only using 10# hunting rifles and certainly not doing any free recoil. In all honesty I only mount a rifle 20% of the time to begin with.

 

[MPHReallyRightStuff]

@Crews that would workout great. Only thing I’d say between the 30 & 40 is the independent panning feature on the 40. The 40 always wins in a toss up for me due to that reason.

 

[Crews]

Got in the TFC-14 and BH-30. I am 5’9” so at max height it is just tall enough for me to shoot standing at full extension. I couldn’t stand upright and glass with the 34 anyhow, so no big loss there. I did some dry firing while standing…. I don’t feel like I’ve given up a ton of stability over the TFCT-34 and Anvil 30. From seated and kneeling it’s about the same. The ballhead is definitely a bit nicer for observation, can set the tension for moving binoculars around without them flopping loose like the Anvil 30. The whole package is lighter, and 3”+ shorter so it’ll be easier to fit in the backpack. All in all, I am very happy with the decision to downsize.

@RMOReallyRightStuff
@MPHReallyRightStuff
Thanks for the advise. A very happy customer with 1st and now 2nd RRS product.

 

[Crews]