Tripod question

[TC338]

Is it worth stepping up to an ARCA style tripod and mount over something like a hog saddle? I've got the clamp style tripod for my son, but I'm wondering if I would be better served in my own long range shooting with the other style. What experience can you guys share?

 

[dfanonymous]

The method in which the rifle or accessories clamp isn't a big deal. The arca is just more standard.

If you've been to a PRS match, you'll see us with a tripod and a tree of gear on a tray. That will have our spotters stuff, kestrels, rangefinder etc which all fits on a adapters usually ARCA.

That said, the HOG or PIG is just fine. Many have went through sniper school with those. We've proven them in combat. They work A ok for simply hunting. Go whatever way you want.

 

[TC338]

The method in which the rifle or accessories clamp isn't a big deal. The arca is just more standard.

If you've been to a PRS match, you'll see us with a tripod and a tree of gear on a tray. That will have our spotters stuff, kestrels, rangefinder etc which all fits on a adapters usually ARCA.

That said, the HOG or PIG is just fine. Many have went through sniper school with those. We've proven them in combat. They work A ok for simply hunting. Go whatever way you want.

Thank you for the info. Have you seen any difference in stability between the two systems in your personal use?

 

[Longtine88]

Agree with df and I'll add the arca rail is more compatible if you use binos or spotters. Main reason I would think to go arca.

 

[dfanonymous]

Thank you for the info. Have you seen any difference in stability between the two systems in your personal use?

Stability is more a question of the tripod head and tripod base. The ARCA would be more mechanically connected since its metal to metal caming that holds the weight vs a single thread with spring tension. That said, again, the HOG is battle tested. It's not like it's fragile.

It's not something that really talked about, but the head needs to be able to handle the total weight of the rig plus and loading you put on the rifle. That's where you get out the slop.

Then of course the base needs to have stability too.

 

[Jester896]

I recently picked up a Little Crow kit to make mods to mine. I am getting ready to put it to use. There are videos of the change on their site. The main reason was the better panning ability and uneven ground set up that it will give for shooting running hogs. The head has adapters that convert the original head to ARCA which makes it pretty versatile. Now it will clamp ARCA, pig or picatinny.

 

[med358-boise]

I personally would focus more on my shooting technique for steadying the rear stock for standing and sitting/kneeling shots via a mono pod or your pack. In most "real world" situations, the target is subject to moving after initial set-up so you have to have the ability to make immediate POA adjustments and then re-establish your hold.

 

[Dragoon300]

This has proven to me to work much better than a vise style like the Hog saddle, I have an RRS that is like the other vise clamp units that will work well on guns without rails, just not as well as Arca rails with a quality head and tripod. I modified my 55 RRS ball head by flipping it upside down, which in my opinion makes it better for panning, as the tripod can be in any un-level position. Just set up the tripod, level the rifle using the ball head and scope level, and you can pan on the horizontal plain.

 

[gearguywb]

The ARCA rail gives you a tremendous amount of versatility. I use mine with my spotting scope, then when its time to go after something, the rifle goes on it.

I have used this setup for 4 years now for elk and it has done very well for me.