ARCA vs Hog Saddle

[Bee3440]

Need some opinions on how to top my tripod. Is there a reason why I should run a pig/hog Saddle over the supplied ARCA mount with a rail besides the multi-gun use? Mostly used for hunting with some target shooting mixed in.

 

[Jtate]

A few weeks ago I posted the same question on the Hide, there was a lot of good info from some very knowable men. Based on the feed back I am going to go with the ARCA plate and mount and skip the Hog Saddle. Many who started with the Hog end up with the ARCA mount with the hog on the shelf collecting dust.

 

[Cody Richardson]

We have hog saddles on tripods with a ball head at work (LEO). Most of us now are just connecting straight to the ball head with ARCA rail. We will still use the hog saddle with a 2nd tripod for a rear support if we can. It is just too easy to snap in to an arca rail as opposed to cranking the saddle down. But if your rifle is not equipped for ARCA rails, the hog/pig saddle is no slouch!

 

[rijndael]

Many who started with the Hog end up with the ARCA mount with the hog on the shelf collecting dust.

Then it sounds like there are some good used deals to be had!

 

[GAnderson]

I use the arca for my AR15's and the hog saddle for bolt rifles. The arca is the only way to go with an AR15.

 

[sawcarver]

I like the Arca, for one it's lighter and less bulk. If you have a good spot to mount it they work great.

I still use a pig saddle and Clawps on tripods for stuff like TC contenders and XP-100s. I keep debating about putting an arca rail on an XP but havent brought myself to cut into a Mcmillan yet

 

[Dgd6mm]

Arca is my choice.

 

[LuvDog]

Because I started with Arca for camera gear, I also have plates for all my spotting scopes. So it was a no brainer to use that system for my rifles.

 

[FeMan]

I use both. I use my ARCA head to direct-attach my PRS rifles for match shooting. For hunting, I don't want to put an ARCA rail on my hunting rifle so I use a Triclops saddle. It is similar to the HOG saddle by lighter and less expensive. Ironically, it has an ARCA plate to attach to the tripod ball head.

The saddle is quieter to snap into than the ARCA. Critters can hear metal-to-metal for a long ways. Both work great though.

 

[Delfuego]

No contest. ARCA all the way. However ballhead+tripod quality makes a huge difference. With a cheap tripod/ballhead it's kind of a wash. I have owned too many tripods/ballheads/saddles/clamps to mention. I have shot a lot from them in matches (Steel Safari/PMS/NRL/ETC), however no hunting experience.

For what it's worth, I think the RRS VYCE is better than the HOG-Saddle. The PIG-Saddle is not great, kinda like the MagnetoSpeed Sporter vs the V3 model; you may regret getting the PIG over the HOG/VYCE.

 

[X-Caveman]

I have a RRS soar Anvil 30. I use the Arca connection on my XLR Envy. Use the Picatinny section for my black rifles. For more traditional hunting rifles, I bought a Pig Saddle and bolted a section of Picatinny rail to the bottom of it. This clamps into the Anvil 30. It’s a versatile system.