Tripod Shot Positions and Western Hunting

[BrentM]

If you need some photos of how to use a tripod with no center post for positional I have quite a few of my set up but also from the classes I instruct. Usually do a couple of long range hunting courses with positional shooting as the main focus. It covers Backpack use, shooting sticks, bipod use on logs/branches etc.

Here is an example of the mounting rail being positioned closer to the action, you mentioned, for more neutral balance.

 

[livetohunt]

If you need some photos of how to use a tripod with no center post for positional I have quite a few of my set up but also from the classes I instruct. Usually do a couple of long range hunting courses with positional shooting as the main focus. It covers Backpack use, shooting sticks, bipod use on logs/branches etc.

Here is an example of the mounting rail being positioned closer to the action, you mentioned, for more neutral balance.

Thanks Brent! I'm sure I'll end up picking your brain about some stuff eventually! Your even in Idaho, maybe we can shoot sometime.

Ken

 

[BrentM]

Thanks Brent! I'm sure I'll end up picking your brain about some stuff eventually! Your even in Idaho, maybe we can shoot sometime.

Ken

I'm in Boise area tho. Plan to move north in the next 8 years if it all works out.

 

[chutinlead]

I started this thread with the intent of people using it as a guide to take full advantage of using a tripod as a shooting platform. As someone who always has a tripod for glassing, it was an easy transition to start using it to shoot off of. This drove me to start making rails to help everyone else take advantage of this!

I will try to cover something weekly, from shooting positions, to what tripod heads and leg combos I've seen used the most, and the pros and cons of these such as weight, stability, and flexibility of use.

Up first, we have the good ol' prone position.

In the photos I am at a range, but it is a good example of an uphill shot where the tripod is taking the place of a "tall bipod". It's much more stable than a tall bipod would be in this position. If you notice the position of the arca rail (SRS arca+pic rail) it's pretty far forward on the stock. In other shooting positions with a tripod having the rifle balanced (usually close to the front action screw) is ideal. This is one of the few situations I find it much more stable to have it further away. Put in the field I call this "shooting off a shelf", where your on a flat area you can lay, but your rifle extends onto a drop off or steep slope.

If you are running a tripod without a center post, you can use it in place of a bipod in flatter shooting position.

Lots more to come,

Ken

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Is that the Mr Q tripod? I've been looking at one of those for hunting. I'm thinking that center would be easy to make an adapter to run the RRS Anvil in.

 

[livetohunt]

Is that the Mr Q tripod? I've been looking at one of those for hunting. I'm thinking that center would be easy to make an adapter to run the RRS Anvil in.

Yes it is! It's not mine, I had to zoom in on the photo and see. I borrowed it as I forgot mine! The head is the anvil 30. Super nice

 

[Tyler75]

What's your budget? IMHO this is like glass, not a place to go cheap. You don't have to spend RRS level money tho. That 3342 worth the coin man. Folds 180 to be more compact, prone is easy with it, can shoot standing, etc. For the money, its one of those that'll last you a life time and you'll actually use it. I instructed a youth class last weekend and the kids absolutely had a blast ringing steel off the tripod. Surprisingly they liked the standing shots from it. I think it was due to making it more challenging, seated off the tripod was too easy, they didn't miss.

I have to buy a scope for my sons rifle (high school graduation/build/gift). That's were I'm spending the money now. I have 2 boys that drew Az youth cow elk tags, and I'm just trying to get them the best way to shoot. With that said, my tripods should be good for there hunt but I do need a new head. I'm looking at the Sirui va-5 for about $165.00, if you know any other options for under $200 would Be appreciated. I've been convinced to look real hard into spending good money on a tripod this off season, especially if we can efficiently and accurately shoot off one this season.

Thanks for this thread; looking forward to learning and being able to teach my boys to shoot off a tripod.

 

[livetohunt]

I do really like my VA5 for glassing. But for shooting / glassing the anvil 30 is hard to beat! There will be another US made option eventually, probably January 2022

 

[BrentM]

I have to buy a scope for my sons rifle (high school graduation/build/gift). That's were I'm spending the money now. I have 2 boys that drew Az youth cow elk tags, and I'm just trying to get them the best way to shoot. With that said, my tripods should be good for there hunt but I do need a new head. I'm looking at the Sirui va-5 for about $165.00, if you know any other options for under $200 would Be appreciated. I've been convinced to look real hard into spending good money on a tripod this off season, especially if we can efficiently and accurately shoot off one this season.

Thanks for this thread; looking forward to learning and being able to teach my boys to shoot off a tripod.

This is what I use. I taught a youth class last weekend and had my rifle on the tripod for the kids to play with. They did very very well with it. The nice thing about the head is you can set tension and move the rifle without the rifle moving on its own. They have other sizes but this head has worked well for me. I did change the arca clamp out for a skeletonized one off amazon for 15.00. Not a fan of their clamp for use with my arca rails.

FEISOL Ball Head CB-50D

FEISOL Ball Head CB-50D

www.feisol.net

 

[Warbird2006]

If you need some photos of how to use a tripod with no center post for positional I have quite a few of my set up but also from the classes I instruct. Usually do a couple of long range hunting courses with positional shooting as the main focus. It covers Backpack use, shooting sticks, bipod use on logs/branches etc.

Here is an example of the mounting rail being positioned closer to the action, you mentioned, for more neutral balance.

Are you setup to shoot off of a tripod for hunting this year? It doesn't have to be a heavyweight shooting tripod! Lots of people use lightweight glassing tripods as a "shot option". I will have my tripod with me on my august rifle elk hunt. It's a must in tall sage brush areas that otherwise you would really struggle to get a shot.

I will be adding to this thread with photos and explanations of shot positions I prefer and how I execute them in the field.

If anyone is already using some of our rails for shooting off there tripod, I would love some photos for our IG and Facebook!

Salmon River Solutions – Specializing in manufacturing Ti brakes and firearm accessories. Brakes sold through Rokslide and unknown munitions.

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I hunt for 30 years and I NEVER used a tripod. I barely use a bipod. Do people lose the touch with creativity? Or are these city slickers buying expensive toys? It must be the new hype these days. Last time I was elk hunting I met few city slickers like that. City boys dressed up in expensive camo, rifles and glass worth more than my new F150, provisions like if they were expecting WWIII. They had every toy, tripods and gizmos in their camp, I was surprised the jetboat guide could carry all this stuff upstream. They camped in the mountains in the river bed for 3 weeks and did not get a squat. And the point of the story?????

 

[livetohunt]

I hunt for 30 years and I NEVER used a tripod. I barely use a bipod. Do people lose the touch with creativity? Or are these city slickers buying expensive toys? It must be the new hype these days. Last time I was elk hunting I met few city slickers like that. City boys dressed up in expensive camo, rifles and glass worth more than my new F150, provisions like if they were expecting WWIII. They had every toy, tripods and gizmos in their camp, I was surprised the jetboat guide could carry all this stuff upstream. They camped in the mountains in the river bed for 3 weeks and did not get a squat. And the point of the story?????

It's not for everyone.

 

[Warbird2006]

It's not for everyone.

Oh, now I get it. You are using this forum to push your products without paying for advertising. Sorry for being a fool and not seeing through it right away

 

[livetohunt]

Oh, now I get it. You are using this forum to push your products without paying for advertising. Sorry for being a fool and not seeing through it right away

That went South quickly. What makes you think I don't pay for advertising? It says it not once, but twice in my banner.

And yes, considering it's my livelihood, I do push products on here.

 

[StanleyActual]

I hunt for 30 years and I NEVER used a tripod. I barely use a bipod. Do people lose the touch with creativity? Or are these city slickers buying expensive toys? It must be the new hype these days. Last time I was elk hunting I met few city slickers like that. City boys dressed up in expensive camo, rifles and glass worth more than my new F150, provisions like if they were expecting WWIII. They had every toy, tripods and gizmos in their camp, I was surprised the jetboat guide could carry all this stuff upstream. They camped in the mountains in the river bed for 3 weeks and did not get a squat. And the point of the story?????

Respectfully, I the grand scheme of things, that means next to nothing. I mean people used to shoot lead balls, and without optics too. Im sure when dudes started showing up with optics on their rifles people said the same thing about them. Technology cannot make up for lack of fundamentals, but when someone with solid fundamentals takes advantage of technology, it's nothing but win.

I came from a time when us in the Marines Corps didn't have ballistically calculators, kestrels, LR Finders, or Bipods on their rifles and we carried tent poles to use as field expedient tripods. Setting up an FFP finding a loophole, using a Mil formula to get an accurate range on a target off of a tent pole / 550 cord tripod and put 1st rd hits on target within your effective range is doable but huge PITA, and you can bet your a** if id have had a RF and quality tripod to use, I would have. Why limit yourself and make your life more difficult that it needs to be? There'a no brownie points earned for showing up unprepared and just "making it happen".

Hindering / Limiting yourself out nothing but spite for technology just doesn't make sense to me .

 

[Bullmark]

This is what I use. I taught a youth class last weekend and had my rifle on the tripod for the kids to play with. They did very very well with it. The nice thing about the head is you can set tension and move the rifle without the rifle moving on its own. They have other sizes but this head has worked well for me. I did change the arca clamp out for a skeletonized one off amazon for 15.00. Not a fan of their clamp for use with my arca rails.

FEISOL Ball Head CB-50D

FEISOL Ball Head CB-50D

www.feisol.net

I've just started using a tripod, and bought a Feisol tripod and cb 40 head......it was used but is in perfect shape and I got it for a great price. I'm wondering if the size 40 head is big enough? If i was starting over I think I'd def go with the cb50 or larger.
Ive only had it out once for actual shooting and had no other shooting aids, benches, chairs or anything to rest my trigger side elbow against. It turned out OK, but not how I had envisioned. I concluded that I really need some support for the trigger side arm/elbow.
Since then several folks suggested a way to sit behind the rifle with one leg extended slightly bent, with the elbow resting on top. I've yet to try it while actually shooting, but practiced and it shows potential.
Lastly, after my first trip to the field, I got home and noticed the arca plate on the ball head was just a tad loose....barely noticeable, but loose. I don't know if it was loose while I was shooting or not. That would have made a world of difference......so that's something that needs to be checked every time it's used.
The Feisol legs and head seem to be very high quality.....