Tripods and Bipods in ICE and MUD

[wigwamitus]

Over the past several weeks, our environment has alternated between heavy mud and solid ice as the environment freezes for a week and then thaws for a week and then freezes for a week, etc. The cycle is continuing this week as we are 7F this morning and everything, except the running creeks and springs, are frozen solid.

So, whether shooting prone or with tripod (RRS with Anvil 30) ... (Atlas) with stock "feet" ...
in the mud the feet dig in and/or slide ...
in the ice the feet "bounce" ...

Does this affect the results on the targets ? I think so, as I see some fliers ... that I have not seen over the groups I've been firing over the past 3 months.

So, based on my assumption that mud and ice are affecting group sizes ... with both tripods and bipods ... my question is, will either the claw feet or the pointy feet help (reduce unwanted movement) for either ICE or MUD.

I didn't realize how important this was, but I now see that my whole schedule for shooting groups and dots roughly every day, is being impacted by the continuous presence of either ice or mud and that waiting for the weather to "get better" is not viable or even desirable. My strategy must be to adapt to the conditions, not wait for the conditions to adapt to me.

Another option is to shoot off a bag ... and I have a commanche bag ... and that's now at the top of the list to try next. I've sure that is viable for ice. But burying the bag in mud day after day might cause other issues. I'm sure it will work, but trying to clean the bag and carry the bag, etc. might be an issue.

All input appreciated!

 

[Kasey]

Mud, you need to spread the bearing surface away from the feet, meaning put a 2x6 down then the bipod feet on it, put a 12" x 12" piece of heavy canvas down then put bipod feet on it. Same applies to tripod. Spread the bearing surface out. This is on a range day or planned shooting session. If your hunting and dont have anything to spread the bearing surface out, extend the legs and go into the muck for that ONE shot. You'll get the muck all over the legs but so what, you made that shot. This is why the OUTER legs move to extend heigth on all Atlas bipods, so they get dirty, muddy and stay on the outside. Other bipods that use the inner leg to adjust for heigth, all that muck will then be pushed back up inside the outer leg.

Ice, think ice of those cleat things they wear to climb Everest. Then stay inside.

 

[elwarpo]

My trick for mud, snow and ice has always been a steel nail/cleat with attached large plastic disk. Get a 3/16 " or 1/4" stainless steel threaded rod. Cut it about 3-4" long, and sharpen 1 end into a spike. About 1" from the non sharpened put a bolt, 3-4"" diameter disk with a hole drilled in the center and another bolt to sandwich the disk. Modify bottom of bipod/tripod so you can screw in these feet. The point works in hard pack snow/ice, and helps stabilize the feet in snow/mud where the disk distributes the weight better. Total cost about $5 and a bit of fun time in the shop.

 

[THEIS]

Hi,

Hmmm, I wonder if I could take a thin sheet of delrin but cut into a diamond shape that has a lock in collar for the bipod feet to secure in.

Could make 2 other drilled holes for ice spikes to be used.

Sincerely,
Theis

 

[carbonbased]

I try to buy RRS, but when they don’t carry something I want…in this instance, unfortunately, these Leofoto fucks make it. Much of what they make is ripped off from RRS (unsure about the ski basket spikes, RRS doesn’t make something like that but maybe Leofoto ripped it off from someone else).

For mud, snow, and ice, try these ski spike/basket things. I think Field Optics Research make them too. Too tired to find and link to them.

For other environs, “Leofuckto” also make both titanium rock claws and titanium short spikes that weigh almost nothing. I own the short spikes, but I wish they (or someone) would make long spikes out of titanium.

C’mon RRS, make us some titanium tripod feet! We pay a lot of cash for a light tripod only to stick heavy stainless spikes on them? No way. @MPHReallyRightStuff

I have a bad taste in my mouth just recommending Leofuckto, but there you have it.

 

[MPHReallyRightStuff]

Yep these are what we have at the moment,

Really Right Stuff - Camera

Discover RRS's world-class camera gear. Crafted for quality and performance, our tripods, heads, and supports empower photographers to capture perfect shots.

www.reallyrightstuff.com

 

[carbonbased]

Yep these are what we have at the moment,

Really Right Stuff - Camera

Discover RRS's world-class camera gear. Crafted for quality and performance, our tripods, heads, and supports empower photographers to capture perfect shots.

www.reallyrightstuff.com

View attachment 7689920

You guys are awesome. When you make longish titanium spikes I'll screw them on my TFC-34 asap.