Tripods for Spotting and Shooting

[JCow14]

I am looking to purchase a new tripod that I can use as a shooting rest for sitting/ kneeling and also one that possibly has an interchangeable adapter for a spotting scope. Any suggestions with pros and cons would be great. Thanks

 

[Kansaswoodguy]

I'm not sure I'd care to carry a tripod around with me to shoot from a pair of shooting sticks would be fine. The monopod shooting stick my oldest boy has leaves something to be desired it's better than offhand but not nearly as good a pair of shooting sticks.

 

[sconnierider]

A tripod is too much to lug around. A shooting stick or sticks that double as a walking stick work fine.

 

[JohnyRingo]

I use a Slik Sprint Mini II tripod with a ball head for this exact setup you are talking. For backpack hunting, I always pack an angled lightweight Vortex spotting scope and Slik tripod. When I shoot, I slip a little yoke on the top of my tripod and it is rock solid for sitting shots.

 

[Timnterra]

It's hard to guess your goals here, but if backpacking you will certainly be more concerned with weight. With that said the best value in a good quality shooting tripod has to be the Hog Saddle pig0311g. If you pair it with a arca-Swiss mount and pig saddle you could swap out rifle and spotter with ease.

http://stores.hogsaddle.com/pig0311-g-field-shooting-tripod-od-green/

 

[rynomar]

I have a Leofoto 364 with a RRS leveling head and Arca mount and have been very happy with it, but it is heavy (6 lbs 13oz). The Arca-Swiss mount allows for very quick transitions from my 20x binos to my rifle and is rock solid sitting or kneeling and very stable standing. I think it is overkill for backpack hunting, but I have taken it the last three years on Coues hunts and will take it again. Even if I don't shoot off of it, it makes all the difference when glassing for hours at a time. I would suggest getting one based on your primary use for it (and budget). Smaller lighter tripods are generally going to be less stable than the larger heavier ones. Carbon Fiber reduces the weight and increases the stability, but they get expensive fast.

 

[Comancheria]

I am awaiting delivery of the Outdoorsmans Tall Tripod with short center extension, long range rear rifle support, Fluid Head with arca Swiss adapters, tall bino adapter, and, in place of the Hog Saddle—which I really, really preferred—the Triclawps model. The whole thing weighs in at (gasp) 6 1/2 pounds—and frankly, may prove too much for my old bones—but after extensive research, I believe it will be the cream of the crop for switching between glassing and shooting.

The weight saving for me is that I do not and will not be using a spotting scope.

When I receive the Gear I will give you my impressions, though not in the Hunting field for a while.

Best regards,

Russ

 

[dfanonymous]

I am looking to purchase a new tripod that I can use as a shooting rest for sitting/ kneeling and also one that possibly has an interchangeable adapter for a spotting scope. Any suggestions with pros and cons would be great. Thanks

Well since you're post is broad, a carbon fiber manfrotto with a 322RC2 grip head and hog saddle will be a good piece of gear. I can vouch. You'll pay to play but it's a setup that works.

 

[Greyfox]

My 5#/24"L, Two-Vets, 'No-Name" Carbon Fiber tripod, with an RRS Anvil 30. Very fast se-up, rock solid support, and the versatility of a combination ARCA/Pic-rail mounting system for heavy rifle, optics, etc. Cost: approximately $850.

 

[Comancheria]

When I see tripods with those large-diameter, rigid m but light carbon fiber legs, I keep getting the uneasy feeling that I am going to regret choosing the much "thinner"—though Lord knows, expensive aluminum rig that I did. Ah well—time will tell.

 

[JCow14]

Thanks for all the input