RRS Universal Leveling Base & BH-55 LR SOAR

[st1650]

I'm in the process of upgrading my rifles with RRS dovetail adapters so that they can all be mounted on a RRS Base.
I do a fair amount of downward angle shooting that goes almost to 18-20 deg, I see that the leveling base can allow allow only 15 in that direction so I was considering the ballhead instead. I currently run a Manfrotto 496RC2 and a Pig saddle on a DTA covert and I'm not very impressed with the amount of play in the vertical axis, so I was wondering for those who runs the BH55 Head and also have tried the leveling base, is the BH55 ballhead less stable than the leveling base ?

 

[Lowlight]

I run both and actually just moved to switch my TVC 33 legs to the Leveling base again vs the BH55. I really like the BH55 and when I need the angles it's easy. Now I don't need the angles as much so back to the leveling base.

You can maximize the angle with the legs if you have the time. The Stem on BH55 is pretty darn thick so you don't see the same amount of movement. Not to mention it has very good lock up.

The leveling base is a bit more stable, but it also depends on target size and distance you are shooting whether you will see it show up.

 

[st1650]

I run both and actually just moved to switch my TVC 33 legs to the Leveling base again vs the BH55. I really like the BH55 and when I need the angles it's easy. Now I don't need the angles as much so back to the leveling base.

You can maximize the angle with the legs if you have the time. The Stem on BH55 is pretty darn thick so you don't see the same amount of movement. Not to mention it has very good lock up.

The leveling base is a bit more stable, but it also depends on target size and distance you are shooting whether you will see it show up.

You can't pan with the leveling base right?

 

[ZY100]

The RRS universal leveling bases go in any direction, similar to a ball head.

 

[mrtoyz]

Yes you can pan with the leveling base however the BH55 is slightly smoother.
It's even possible to use both with a QD adapter on the bottom of the BH55 if you wantt he best of both worlds.

 

[mlpkhl]

I would go with the ballhead to start with, BH-55LR. It is the best all around option for rifle and spotting scope use. Also if the new clamp becomes ready soon you'll be able to attach the tripod and your bipod back and fourth on your covert at the center of balance point with a flick of a lever.

 

[BA226]

" Also if the new clamp becomes ready soon you'll be able to attach the tripod and your bipod back and fourth"
Please let us know when that becomes available. Thanks for your time in advance.

 

[st1650]

I would go with the ballhead to start with, BH-55LR. It is the best all around option for rifle and spotting scope use. Also if the new clamp becomes ready soon you'll be able to attach the tripod and your bipod back and fourth on your covert at the center of balance point with a flick of a lever.

Is this new covert plate be used with the new A1 smooth handguards or with the earlier picatinny Gen 2 covert.

 

[Captramrod01]

If you need to pan skip the leveling base. I tried to make it work for my coyote hunting rig but there's just too much resistance. I thought maybe something was wrong with it but rrs confirmed with me that they were not designed to pan.

Go 40 or 55 depending on how heavy your rifles are. I glass alot so I went 40 to save a pound. It handles my 7-10# calling rifles just fine and pans like a dream.

 

[MPHReallyRightStuff]

Is this new covert plate be used with the new A1 smooth handguards or with the earlier picatinny Gen 2 covert.

We are not making a new plate for the srs platform. The plate we have works on the SRS A1 and will work on the alike covert. The bsrs-A1 plate directly screws into the six o clock side of the forearm with three screws that are designed into the dt to add or remove picatinny form the smooth surface rail.
We are working on a new clamp system is what I was working towards with that message.

 

[Conrad]

If you need to pan skip the leveling base. I tried to make it work for my coyote hunting rig but there's just too much resistance. I thought maybe something was wrong with it but rrs confirmed with me that they were not designed to pan.

Go 40 or 55 depending on how heavy your rifles are. I glass alot so I went 40 to save a pound. It handles my 7-10# calling rifles just fine and pans like a dream.

So does it just pan too slowly or not very good at all? I know coyote hunting requires fast and wide panning as the dogs will try to circle downwind. Would the leveling base be fine for setting up on say a group of feeding deer or elk? It sounds like the ball head is the most versatile, but the leveling base is the most rock steady. What are most running in field matches? What are most running when hunting for both rifle mount and spotter?

Thanks.

 

[Captramrod01]

If you need to setup on feeding deer or elk, or are looking for a solid base to shoot matches the leveling base will kick ass.

If you are glassing or hunting for anything that will wind you the leveling base is not a good option. It can physically pan but is not smooth at all. The 40 and 55 ball head both can set tension individually on the ball itself and the panning base. This alone makes it superior to the leveling base for glassing and coyote hunting.

 

[Conrad]

What about spotting for other shooters as well as shooting targets off the tripod. Is leveling base ok in this scenario or still better to have ball head for all spotting?

 

[Sheldon N]

I run the TA-3 leveling base for both shooting and spotting. I think it's fine for panning between targets. It's not going to be the same kind of free floating perfectly horizontal pan you get when you set the panning base on a BH-55, but it's more than fine for transitioning between targets up/down/left/right. If you run a really big left right sweep (45 degrees or so) you will get some slight loosening or tightening of the head depending on which way you pan because the rotation of the handle underneath is what tightens or loosens the head.

The ballhead would be better if you wanted to glass in a grid where you could set vertical then run a horizontal row across with the panning base. However for just spotting for other shooters I love the TA-3 base with either a spotting scope or binos, it works great.

 

[Conrad]

Thanks. Based on what I've gathered I think there are 2 ideal set ups for me. 1) A lightweight highly versatile option for all spotting and hunting, this would be the Feisol 3442 coupled with the RRS BH40 and attachments. 2) Ultimate for precision rifle stability: RRS TVC-34 and leveling base, plus attachments. Probably would start with option 1 assess justification for option 2 later.

 

[Lofty]

The leveling base pans just fine. It doesn't pan smooth enough for film work....which is what it was designed for. But it's more than adequate for simply changing targets.