Looking for a tripod?
- Thread starter hammerz75
- Start date
arcticcathonda
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
Those two phrases- inexpensive and well made do not go together with tripods. What is your budget?
https://www.amazon.ca/Manfrotto-MT055XPRO3-Aluminium-3-Section-Horizontal/dp/B00IQ7PT50
Good price too, these commonly sell for 300+
Good price too, these commonly sell for 300+
- Location
- Richmond, BC
Craigslist always seem to have good finds.
The least expensive tripod out there that works well as a platform for shooting is the Slik DX700 which can be had for about $100 USD. There's a version of this with some modifications to make it "shooting specific" that is sold on the Shadow Tech website (hog saddle.com) It really depends on how you want to use it. If you don't plan on ever shooting standing, or not much, you can get away with a smaller (and lighter) Manfrotto like the 190 XProB but they definitely aren't as stable when standing.
I got an older Bogen 055PROB by Manfrotto off Ebay for $100. Not the nicest but it works.
I was nailing a 10" gong at 680 meters pretty consistently with this setup. Not that it's anything special but what I do is throw my sling over my folded bipod legs so it pulls from the right hand side and then grip the sling against a tripod leg with my left hand. To add tension I just twist the sling around the leg a bit.
I was nailing a 10" gong at 680 meters pretty consistently with this setup. Not that it's anything special but what I do is throw my sling over my folded bipod legs so it pulls from the right hand side and then grip the sling against a tripod leg with my left hand. To add tension I just twist the sling around the leg a bit.
I got an older Bogen 055PROB by Manfrotto off Ebay for $100. Not the nicest but it works.
I was nailing a 10" gong at 680 meters pretty consistently with this setup. Not that it's anything special but what I do is throw my sling over my folded bipod legs so it pulls from the right hand side and then grip the sling against a tripod leg with my left hand. To add tension I just twist the sling around the leg a bit.
Try unclipping your sling from the rear of your stock and then running it straight down from the front, wrap around the centre column and then wrap either wrap it around a leg or clip it onto your belt. I like being clipped in when standing and having it wrapped around the leg when seated. Works wonders.
I have tried that. Two reasons the way I do it work well for me (but not necessarily anyone else):
My sling is usually clipped on the front left side so just throwing it over the bipod legs keeps it from tipping when I add tension.
And I have tried clipping it to my belt but with the sling just wrapped I can walk away to go chase butterflies and leave the rifle there or pull it out of the tripod and change positions quickly.
I will mess around with it some more though and give your way a try again. Thanks for the tips. I'm certainly no tripod expert.
Here's another picture of my setup just because I really like how this picture turned out and I'm showing it to everyone:
With a little creativity you can use a HOG Saddle for a lot of things:
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I think based on how Roddy has been shooting this year he has a good handle on how to run things.
I don't like clipping into my belt either and prefer to wrap it around a tripod leg.
The best thing I did though was replace the ball head with a leveling base. It is substantially more stable.
I don't like clipping into my belt either and prefer to wrap it around a tripod leg.
The best thing I did though was replace the ball head with a leveling base. It is substantially more stable.
I have tried that. Two reasons the way I do it work well for me (but not necessarily anyone else):
My sling is usually clipped on the front left side so just throwing it over the bipod legs keeps it from tipping when I add tension.
And I have tried clipping it to my belt but with the sling just wrapped I can walk away to go chase butterflies and leave the rifle there or pull it out of the tripod and change positions quickly.
I will mess around with it some more though and give your way a try again. Thanks for the tips. I'm certainly no tripod expert.
Here's another picture of my setup just because I really like how this picture turned out and I'm showing it to everyone:
With a little creativity you can use a HOG Saddle for a lot of things:
As we all know, it's about whatever works for you. I dunno if you have a flush cup on the bottom front of your stock but I just detach my sling from the front left (where I usually keep it) and clip it in on the bottom so it's tensioning straight down. The only reason I like being clipped in when standing is so that I can put my support hand on the ballhead and apply forward pressure. For seated I always wrap it around a leg. But again, it's about whatever works for you, figure out a system then practice getting in and out of it.
I used to do the same thing with my Kilo in my Pig Saddle but I know a guy down in Wa who 3D prints a tripod adapter for the Kilo 2000 (pretty much exactly like the one that comes with the 2400) for like 45 bucks. I got him to make mine with an Arca dovetail on the bottom so that I can just remove the saddle and slide the LRF in. Works awesome. I'll shoot you his contact info if ya want? I just keep the adapter on the LRF all the time as it still easily fits in the pouch for it on my belt like that. I shoulda showed you the "tactical table" at the match last weekend. It's another attachment for the tripod we use sometimes. Doesn't weigh much and can be super practical, mainly in field matches though.
My stock is state of the art 1983 technology. No flush cups.
I have the 3D printed Sig Kilo tripod adapter but only one QD mounting plate (with no anti rotation pin so the saddle spins around on the mount lol) so this works for now. I just use it for a spotting scope 90% of the time.
But sorry to get off topic. For the OP, buy once cry once is the rule with tripods for rifles. If you want to save money buy used. Mine needed the leg clamps adjusted but it was easy to do. When you load it up if legs are bowing or collapsing you will just have to get a better one anyways.
Good luck. They are a neat tool and fun to shoot off.
I have the 3D printed Sig Kilo tripod adapter but only one QD mounting plate (with no anti rotation pin so the saddle spins around on the mount lol) so this works for now. I just use it for a spotting scope 90% of the time.
But sorry to get off topic. For the OP, buy once cry once is the rule with tripods for rifles. If you want to save money buy used. Mine needed the leg clamps adjusted but it was easy to do. When you load it up if legs are bowing or collapsing you will just have to get a better one anyways.
Good luck. They are a neat tool and fun to shoot off.
