Tripods??? Where to start???

[Stoweit]

Tagging in for group buy.

 

[winniethepooh]

Well I went ahead and orders an rt90c. This thing is a beast.

 

[Marine4589]

 

[Marine4589]

This is the 40 Mike Mike unit which is our larger tripod but has no problem handling me at all at 150lbs. Light weight and compact enough to handle prs and hunting. Has 75mm center bowl 40mm main tube 63.5 max height collapsed to 23 inches all at 515 shipped

 

[Nodakplowboy]

@Marine4589;

I've checked the leveling head on your website. Very reasonably priced, to say the least. Question: What is the weight rating? Any other specs one should be aware of?

Thanks.

 

[winniethepooh]

This is the 40 Mike Mike unit which is our larger tripod but has no problem handling me at all at 150lbs. Light weight and compact enough to handle prs and hunting. Has 75mm center bowl 40mm main tube 63.5 max height collapsed to 23 inches all at 515 shipped

Do you guys build them? Or those spec’d out?

 

[The Durk]

Nightforce bipod, with a PIG saddle, and TAB gear PRS sling works pretty well for me.

 

[Nik H]

Do you guys build them? Or those spec’d out?

I'm sure that they are spec'd out. Comparing the photos to photos of the PVA will show you that it is very similar. Carbon layup on the legs and diameter of 40mm is identical. The Apex assembly looks very similar. Slightly different shape and finish but that isn't a biggie for the OEM to customize. The money is in the carbon legs and they look identical. Not that ii's a bad thing. That is how they can deliver a quality product at a good value.

 

[mckchome]

I’m looking for an entry to mid level tripod set up to try out. And frankly the options and brands are quite overwhelming. It will be used mainly on my ax308 with arca rails but would also like to use it for my manners stock remington. Any recommendations?

I'm a professional photographer and so we have a range of tripods at our disposal. I've still had great luck with Manfrotos in the context of hunting and PRS style matches. I like using the PIG Saddle as a "one and done" clamp for hunting, because I can (1) clamp my binoculars into the saddle for extended glassing sessions and (2) effectively shoot off of the tripod when necessary. It's a very stable platform for my 6mm CM, 300 WM, and .308. The pistol grip heads are helpful for rough adjustments (as when shooting) but less helpful when glassing for animals, where finer adjustments are often needed.

 

[Nik H]

I’m looking for an entry to mid level tripod set up to try out. And frankly the options and brands are quite overwhelming. It will be used mainly on my ax308 with arca rails but would also like to use it for my manners stock remington. Any recommendations?

I'm in the same boat and have read a bunch...I use an AI AT. There are a number of great chassis plates for the AI series of rifles versus a clamp. If you haven't read the excellent threads that @Diver160651 put together, you should.

Tripod s and Barricade Practice
Tripod and Head comparisons

They made up my mind

 

[tyrex13]

Here’s my budget tripod set. I’m looking forward to testing this out tomorrow.

SLIK 700DX (center column removed)
Sunwayfoto DYH-90B Leveling Base

I got the leveling base used on Amazon for $50. It feels pretty solid.

I’ll see how it works with for $150 total. I’d like to get a full RRS setup eventually.

View attachment 6961715

View attachment 6961716

What adaptor did you use to mount to the rifle?

 

[winniethepooh]

The current set up. Budget friendly I guess. Innorel Rt90c and Desmond DLOW 55. Feels really solid...

 

[kdmcd]

This thread might prove helpful....

https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...r-actual-leo-sniper-use.6900149/#post-7218924

 

[garmil]

The current set up. Budget friendly I guess. Innorel Rt90c and Desmond DLOW 55. Feels really solid...View attachment 7014389

How's the lock up on the ball head? Saw one review that said they couldn't get it to fully lock solid.

 

[winniethepooh]

How's the lock up on the ball head? Saw one review that said they couldn't get it to fully lock solid.

Locks up pretty solid. I’ve haven’t shot it yet. But when I do I’ll give a report.

 

[winniethepooh]

 

[Wiseshot]

I shopped around on here and bought the pieces. Manfrotto 055 tripod, Manfrotto ball head, and hog saddle. A lot of the guys I shoot with have several of these setups as well as much higher end and much cheaper. Either way you go seems like a waste to me. I couldn’t be happier. This setup is proven as reliable and solid as a tank. And with patience and shopping you can get in it right. I ended up with $350 in my complete setup ad it is all used, like new condition.

 

[Wiseshot]

And we tried a couple of the cheaper ball heads and tripods for shooting first. Didn’t work so now they are on spotting scopes.

 

[winniethepooh]

I finally took it to the range the ball head locks up tight. Very easy to set the tension. The tripod does seem very slow to deploy. But it’s a very solid set up. Easily punching the bullseye and spotting my own shots. I have maybe 500? into it

 

[acudaowner]

I purchased a vortex high country for my spotting scope it was nice and cheap , sadly on the same day i ordered i saw another tripod no idea if its really good or not just something i had not seen before which is always fun and its only 700 something and looks compact.

 

[Marinevet1]

Check out the PIG0311. I picked one up last fall when they came out and I believe they’re right around $150. Made by hog saddle. Very rugged and well built Tripod. I also have an AX308. I would go with. RRS clamp mount though.

I saw one of these at a local gun show last weekend...........seemed pretty solid, price is right.........

http://stores.hogsaddle.com/pig0311-g-field-tripod-od-green/

 

[Slu54]

What RRS tripod and RRS head? I want to do it right.

 

[winniethepooh]

What RRS tripod and RRS head? I want to do it right.

Probably anything Milehigh has. I didn’t want to spend that kind of money for my first tripod hence my RT90C and DLOW55 ballhead

 

[TomRC]

I'm a newbee to this game but have an extensive background in professional photography. RRS is as good as it gets....own a bunch of thier stuff but it comes at price. Benro is a name in the photography world that is gaining solid favor quickly. Particularly some of their newer carbon fiber tripods. Might be worth a look.

https://www.benrousa.com/products/benro-tma38cl.aspx

 

[MPHReallyRightStuff]

What RRS tripod and RRS head? I want to do it right.

Any of our TFCT tripods that come with the Anvil are a hit currently. I have not been able to keep them in stock for the past year and they are strong! Hit me up if you want to talk more about it.

 

[Wiseshot]

Any of our TFCT tripods that come with the Anvil are a hit currently. I have not been able to keep them in stock for the past year and they are strong! Hit me up if you want to talk more about it.

I really like when you have personel from the company on these forums here to help us out. To me that’s customer service at its best

 

[Zeroit]

Hog Saddle with the PIG 0311 tripod.
Good price, good quality, does 99.9% of anyone is going to use it for.
When I wear it out, I’d buy another.
Plus you’re supporting a veteran owned business.

That's my vote

 

[kdmcd]

Hog Saddle with the PIG 0311 tripod.
.

This is great advice. It is also the package choice of an elite Fed agency at the moment.

Look through this thread and give the guys at Hog Saddle a call.

https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...r-actual-leo-sniper-use.6900149/#post-7218924

 

[Changed]

I’m extremely happy with the anvil 30 and PVA Comp 40.

 

[garmil]

I ended up finding a
Gitzo G1325V MKii
Arca Swiss Monoball
Rrs qd arca clamp

 

[christopher.dow]

I’ve posted before about my “buy many times, cry many times” tripod experience that led to the RRS Anvil. In the end, I couldn’t leave well enough alone, so I bought the PVA COMP-40 because I still wanted to see if it was possible to get a solid shooting tripod for less than $1600. I’ve now had it out shooting a couple of times with different heads.

I started with the Sunwayfoto DYH-90B leveling head mounted to the plate that came with the COMP-40. That worked, but the lever to tighten & loosen was difficult to operate and stripped pretty quickly. I then ordered a RRS TA-3 and installed it on the COMP-40. The short conclusion is that I cannot distinguishe the stability of that setup from my Anvil 34.

There is a real difference in range of elevation (the Anvil has more) and weight (the Anvil is lighter), but if the Anvil is beyond what you’re willing to pay, I think the COMP-40 with the TA-3 will take away all the frustrations that I experienced trying to shoot well off the Pig 0311 w/ the RRS BH-55 ball head.

Or, you can just practice until you have a technique nailed with the Pig.

 

[Throwinsparks]

Check out TWO VETS Sporting Goods. They offer a couple CF tripods that are fairly inexpensive for the quality you get. Daniel is very knowledgeable and will work with you to get you setup with whatever you need.

I'd suggest the "40MikeMike" but you cant go wrong with the "NO Name" either.

He also offers combo deals with Reaper Grips that's hard to beat!!

Tripods

Two Vets Sporting Goods

www.twovetssportinggoods.com

 

[4darkseid]

I have and like a Berlebach tripod. It has wood legs which damp vibration well and cost less than carbon fiber. (They have a technical note on this in their web site.

Some of these come with a large ball at teh top that lets the center column set up vertically when the tripod is not straight vertical.

These are not well known but they are excellent.

 

[sleeplz]

@The_Count any photos of your setup? Does anyone know if Leofoto or any other tripod will attach directly to anvil 30 apex combo.

 

[Changed]

@The_Count any photos of your setup? Does anyone know if Leofoto or any other tripod will attach directly to anvil 30 apex combo.

The anvil can be mounted several ways. I’m using the type 3 plate. You could mount it on a stud. Per your request, see pics.

 

[Meety Peety]

@The_Count any photos of your setup? Does anyone know if Leofoto or any other tripod will attach directly to anvil 30 apex combo.

As @The_Count mentioned, the series 3 adapter works well. There were a few guys trying to make the apex conversion work on Leofoto legs a while back and I believe their conclusion was that it couldn't be done without heavily modifying the legs. Not sure if anyone was ever successful in doing it.

Since you asked about Leofoto tripods, here is what it looks like with a series 3 adapter paired with Leofoto 364c legs. Note the orientation of the bowl tensioner in picture 1 and 3. In picture 3 the tensioner is 90º down (It's actually a little tighter than it needs to be here but why not), this will lock the series 3 adapter in place and it will not move. The orientation shown in picture 1 the tensioner is around +/- 45º and it will allow the series 3 adapter to smoothly pan with no snags but without releasing the adapter. I can pick up rifle while attached in this position and the series 3 adapter will not fall out. I don't pan a whole lot and find myself keeping the bowl locked tight and just using the Anvil to position the rifle or binos most of the time, but for those of you who like to pan, it can be done.

 

[hafejd30]

Just picked up a pig saddle/pig 0311 tripod/fb52 ball head. Seems very well built. Unfortunately the abundance of white stuff in the background keeps me from really trying it out for a few more months

 

[Diver160651]

As @The_Count mentioned, the series 3 adapter works well. There were a few guys trying to make the apex conversion work on Leofoto legs a while back and I believe their conclusion was that it couldn't be done without heavily modifying the legs. Not sure if anyone was ever successful in doing it.

Since you asked about Leofoto tripods, here is what it looks like with a series 3 adapter paired with Leofoto 364c legs. Note the orientation of the bowl tensioner in picture 1 and 3. In picture 3 the tensioner is 90º down (It's actually a little tighter than it needs to be here but why not), this will lock the series 3 adapter in place and it will not move. The orientation shown in picture 1 the tensioner is around +/- 45º and it will allow the series 3 adapter to smoothly pan with no snags but without releasing the adapter. I can pick up rifle while attached in this position and the series 3 adapter will not fall out. I don't pan a whole lot and find myself keeping the bowl locked tight and just using the Anvil to position the rifle or binos most of the time, but for those of you who like to pan, it can be done.

View attachment 7035279View attachment 7035280View attachment 7035281

Meety,

Not sure you’ve actually shot that setup yet, but you will find monumental improvements by mounting as close to the mag as possible.

Jim

 

[Meety Peety]

Meety,

Not sure you’ve actually shot that setup yet, but you will find monumental improvements by mounting as close to the mag as possible.

Jim

Shot it plenty of times, and yes, I mount the gun similar to what is shown in picture 1. The second picture is to show the leverage that the tripod is holding up similar to what is shown in the post that I mentioned. I'm sure he is not shooting with rifle mounted to the tripod with the spigot either, but it's a pretty easy way to show leverage in a picture. That being said, if for whatever reason a stage required me to shoot with the gun mounted forward like that, it could be done and I would look for something to support the rear of the rifle or my shooting elbow, or both.

 

[96C]

I use a Mission Critical Designs PRST with a RRS SC-LR Arca clamp, Hog Saddle if rifle not able to direct mount or the Slik Mini with Precision Rifle Solutions SSP1 cradle for hunting (super light).

P.R.S.T™ Precision Rifle Shooter Tripod | Mission Critical Designs

Our mission is to design and develop the best equipment for the individual, in order to give the organization an edge to deal with the task on hand more...

missioncriticaldesigns.com

PRECISION RIFLE SOLUTIONS, LLC

We are offering a premier 100% American made shooting cradle for precision shooting at extreme distances.

www.precisionriflesolutions.com

 

[Diver160651]

Shot it plenty of times, and yes, I mount the gun similar to what is shown in picture 1. The second picture is to show the leverage that the tripod is holding up similar to what is shown in the post that I mentioned. I'm sure he is not shooting with rifle mounted to the tripod with the spigot either, but it's a pretty easy way to show leverage in a picture. That being said, if for whatever reason a stage required me to shoot with the gun mounted forward like that, it could be done and I would look for something to support the rear of the rifle or my shooting elbow, or both.

I certainly was not being critical. Just bringing it up because I see so many mounting the tripods far toward.

But generally, if someone is looking for the flexibility to do so the full length rail is the ticket. Generally, you will not get enough time to brake out tools to move a plate.

 

[Meety Peety]

I certainly was not being critical. Just bringing it up because I see so many mounting the tripods far toward.

But generally, if someone is looking for the flexibility to do so the full length rail is the ticket. Generally, you will not get enough time to brake out tools to move a plate.

I hear ya, I think you see people doing that just for the sake of a picture, at least that's why I do it. Just about any tripod and any head will hold a rifle balanced in the center, for the same reason it is preferable to shoot there. I guess in my head throwing it out on the end of the rifle in the picture shows that the setup is capable of supporting that weight without give. I can't recall seeing a whole lot of people shooting that way by choice in a match. It's kind of similar to when you see a picture of a rifle mounted on a 34L that is fully extended.. it's not Shaq shooting up that high, its just answering as many questions as you can with a single picture.

Not sure I follow what you're saying about using tools to move a plate, but I would agree, having the full length rail definitely has a lot of benefits. Area 419 makes a nice 14" rail but I haven't gotten around to buying 3 of them just yet, I guess it just hasn't posed enough of a problem to move it up the priority list yet. Moving the bipod off the spigot and onto the arca doesn't require any tools, just run the knob and move it. Usually when I approach a stage that would require me to slide my bipod around for a short prop or to use as a barricade stop, I would just slide the bipod to the arca before the stage and call that my limit, spigot not really necessary. I have never had to do it, but I guess I would do the same thing with a tripod if I had to. I can't think of any time I would put my spigot on a tripod except for taking a picture.