Ian M
Well-Known Member
New Toy - Nightforce Shooter\'s Tripod
I am working with a prototype shooting tripod from Nightforce that is very interesting. The small tripod is made expressely for this purpose, it is not a re-hashed camera tripod. Quality, design and construction are what you would expect from Nighforce - first rate. The tripod is intended for tactical shooters (as in snipers) and for serious long range hunters (as in us guys).
The steel tripod is very light, probably a couple of pounds and it is very quick to deploy in the field. It is fully adjustable, including a rotating ball-head complete with extremely sensitive vertical adjustments.
The legs are adjustable for spread angle and also length. Circular steel pads that pivot almost 360 degrees are on the end of each leg so they will sit flat on virtually any shaped surface. Three hardened steel tips protrude from the pads so that they will not slide.
The cradle is a simple three-piece hard rubber setup that is composed of a basepiece and two sidepieces. The sides are fully adjustable to fit the forend of the rifle. The rubber is very hard and it is bolted to the head, it is not going to shoot loose. The entire head is simple and very strong.
Main features are:
..the fully rotating ball head
..the fact that the ball head also adjusts upward with great precision
..the excellent versatility of the three-piece head that will accomodate virtually any rifle forend
..the ease with which the legs can be opened and spread adjusted
..the fact that each leg will sit flat, regardless of where it happens to sit
..the beautiful, rugged construction
So far I have been able to shoot 3/4" - 1 1/4" inch groups at 100 yards from sitting using a rifle that will shoot 1/2" from the bench. From prone I shot a little better but not as good as I shot with a Harris as the Harris enabled me to get down into the extremely low prone position being taught at the tactical schools. The tripod is a little higher, necessitating my elbows being closer together and the position was not as solid.
I am confident that there is a learning curve that must take place so I intend to track the improvement in my groups as I become more familiar with the tripod. Most shooting will be from sitting, at distances to be determined.
I also have a lot of shooting to do to determine where best to place the forend (ballance point or farther forward?) and to try different shooting positions including elbows on knees and even the use of a second forked rest under the toe of the butt.
I can see this tripod being great for varminting, particularly if the grass is up a bit and one cannot shoot from prone. I would also consider carrying it on a big game hunt if I was hunched in a location and waiting for the critter to show. - although it is not very heavy it would probably be a pain to carry much. I might use it on an upcoming Quebec caribou hunt where long shots are going to be the order of the day.
Like Nightforce scopes, this tripod is not for everybody - it is not cheap. It is built as well as any photo tripod on the market. I have some top quality French and Swiss photo gear and this tripod is as well built and sturdy. You generally get what you pay for and this tripod is no exception - it is very well thoughtout and superbly built.
I intend to let some tactical guys (SWAT snipers) shoot it to get their opinions as their use will be much different than my gopher popping.
Anyone interested in more info can contact Nightforce. I will also try to answer any questions if there are any.
I am working with a prototype shooting tripod from Nightforce that is very interesting. The small tripod is made expressely for this purpose, it is not a re-hashed camera tripod. Quality, design and construction are what you would expect from Nighforce - first rate. The tripod is intended for tactical shooters (as in snipers) and for serious long range hunters (as in us guys).
The steel tripod is very light, probably a couple of pounds and it is very quick to deploy in the field. It is fully adjustable, including a rotating ball-head complete with extremely sensitive vertical adjustments.
The legs are adjustable for spread angle and also length. Circular steel pads that pivot almost 360 degrees are on the end of each leg so they will sit flat on virtually any shaped surface. Three hardened steel tips protrude from the pads so that they will not slide.
The cradle is a simple three-piece hard rubber setup that is composed of a basepiece and two sidepieces. The sides are fully adjustable to fit the forend of the rifle. The rubber is very hard and it is bolted to the head, it is not going to shoot loose. The entire head is simple and very strong.
Main features are:
..the fully rotating ball head
..the fact that the ball head also adjusts upward with great precision
..the excellent versatility of the three-piece head that will accomodate virtually any rifle forend
..the ease with which the legs can be opened and spread adjusted
..the fact that each leg will sit flat, regardless of where it happens to sit
..the beautiful, rugged construction
So far I have been able to shoot 3/4" - 1 1/4" inch groups at 100 yards from sitting using a rifle that will shoot 1/2" from the bench. From prone I shot a little better but not as good as I shot with a Harris as the Harris enabled me to get down into the extremely low prone position being taught at the tactical schools. The tripod is a little higher, necessitating my elbows being closer together and the position was not as solid.
I am confident that there is a learning curve that must take place so I intend to track the improvement in my groups as I become more familiar with the tripod. Most shooting will be from sitting, at distances to be determined.
I also have a lot of shooting to do to determine where best to place the forend (ballance point or farther forward?) and to try different shooting positions including elbows on knees and even the use of a second forked rest under the toe of the butt.
I can see this tripod being great for varminting, particularly if the grass is up a bit and one cannot shoot from prone. I would also consider carrying it on a big game hunt if I was hunched in a location and waiting for the critter to show. - although it is not very heavy it would probably be a pain to carry much. I might use it on an upcoming Quebec caribou hunt where long shots are going to be the order of the day.
Like Nightforce scopes, this tripod is not for everybody - it is not cheap. It is built as well as any photo tripod on the market. I have some top quality French and Swiss photo gear and this tripod is as well built and sturdy. You generally get what you pay for and this tripod is no exception - it is very well thoughtout and superbly built.
I intend to let some tactical guys (SWAT snipers) shoot it to get their opinions as their use will be much different than my gopher popping.
Anyone interested in more info can contact Nightforce. I will also try to answer any questions if there are any.
