ATRS Deathgrip vs Hog Saddle
- Thread starter Horse96
- Start date
I've used Hog Saddles and have a Pig Saddle, no experience with the Deathgrip. Honestly if you want to use a saddle, might as well stick with one of the original offerings from ShadowTech, imo. The Hog is stiffer than the Pig but I never found it to come with a discernible accuracy advantage. The way to go these days is to use a RRS/Arca plate and direct mount. Way less slop than any saddle and much faster in and out if you use a qd throw-lever type mount.
The death grip is worth the money and as good or better than the hog saddle, if your gonna spend your money might as well support local. ATRS let us use one at one of our matches last year and it worked great. They also donated one to the prize table this year at our first match. They are great supporters of our sport and my vote goes to them on this one
I'm pretty green when it comes to tripods. I've got a pig 0311 tripod. Not sure if I want to use a ballhead, the sling method seems to work good for the 6.5 guys.
So which RRS/arca plate mount?
Also, the deathgrip is cheaper than a hog saddle and looks the same spec wise as the hog.
Thanks!
So which RRS/arca plate mount?
Also, the deathgrip is cheaper than a hog saddle and looks the same spec wise as the hog.
Thanks!
I am in no way as qualified/experienced as the two gentlemen above who have commented, however I too have just purchased a PIG0311 tripod, a Feisol CB-50D ballhead as well as an ATRS Deathgrip. My decision to purchase the Deathgrip was not taken lightly (was going to purchase a Pig Saddle), however the choice became clear when Rick posted in the thread listed below, and with the phone call I made to him following his post.
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...grip-quot-tripod-rifle-rest-now-in-production
It was a larger investment than the PIG Saddle, but to me it is money well spent, and spent on a Canadian product from a man known to be OCD about quality - I was sold.
As I stated earlier, any review I could post when I receive the ballhead and Deathgrip would not be worth much in comparison to the gentlemen's opinions above, but I will put something together for you to help your purchase decision if you'd like.
All the best.
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...grip-quot-tripod-rifle-rest-now-in-production
It was a larger investment than the PIG Saddle, but to me it is money well spent, and spent on a Canadian product from a man known to be OCD about quality - I was sold.
As I stated earlier, any review I could post when I receive the ballhead and Deathgrip would not be worth much in comparison to the gentlemen's opinions above, but I will put something together for you to help your purchase decision if you'd like.
All the best.
Same idea, but slightly improved in my opinion. I started with a pig saddle and quickly found it flexs and is not terribly structural, compared to a Hog or Deathgrip.
Boiught a Hog saddle as at that time it was the only other option. My complaint with the Hog is the knob is too small and the pads that contact the rifle are a touch hard so a rifle can slip. Sold both in search of better and when ATRS introduced their version I decided to try theirs. I like the large 4 spoke adjustment knob. Easy to get a good grip on even when you have gloves on. The pads despite being blue seem to really grip well even in the cold and clean easily.
All in all the Hog saddle is good, but my opinion is the Deathgrip is a bit better. Also being made locally and trying to support a fellow Canadian me means something to me.
IF it were an inferior product I would not support local, but this is far from inferior.
Okay, so how about Deathgrip (or other saddle type) vs. a ball-head? I've seen people use the saddle and a sling method to get things good and snug. Maybe that's old now? And is the ball-head easier to use? But is the ballhead better to use and worth the cash?
None of this stuff is cheap!!
None of this stuff is cheap!!
Unless you're really trying to save cash, you want a ball head or levelling base between your tripod and saddle/arca mount. I've got a RRS arca/pic mount on my Sirui K40X ball head. It's a qd throw-lever that will attach to RRS/arca plates and pic rails so it covers every rifle I own. It's much faster into and out of than any saddle and also takes some of the "slop" out of the system. I still use my sling wrapped around the centre column of my tripod (PRST) and clipped to my belt (standing) or wrapped around one of the legs (seated/kneeling). As far as what plate to mount to your rifle, well, depends what rifle you have. RRS make specific plates for some rifles as well as "plain" plates that you can bolt to anything. If you get a RRS qd-lever mount, I'd suggest getting a RRS plate as well. They use a specific spec for their stuff (that is open-source) whereas "arca" has no spec so some might work well with a qd mount, some not so much. That's why most generic "arca" mounts have a thumb screw.
I'd definitely push you towards a RRS-type mount over a saddle, it's that much more rigid.
I think it depends on what gen MPA chassis you have but the newer ones have the RRS dovetail milled in already. Otherwise you should be able to add any plate or just get the dovetail milled into your chassis, although I dunno who offers that this side of the boarder. Any decent machinist should be able to do it for you.
