Death grip or ….., what do you use for your tripod in the field.

[nakneker]

I have two death grip carbon fiber set ups that get used a lot. They work, it’s helped a lot of new shooters who have little experience in shooting connect both close and far. I think they are hard to beat for the price. That being said I’m thinking about getting another tripod set up for an arca rail. The reason for this thread is I know very little about the newest offerings for tripods, ball heads, arca attachments etc, tripods change almost as fast as electronics. Instead of doing a search and finding older threads that are outdated I thought I’d just ask here,

I’m 6’4”. I’d like something I could stand and use. Weight is a factor, I don’t have to have the absolute lightest rig made but I would prefer a something on the lighter side. It needs to be versatile, several young people will use this too, many of them are my nieces, it needs to work for them too, shorter people. Adjustability- need something where the legs can adjust angles so it can be used standing, sitting or even prone if possible. I’d like something that isn’t a Chinese knock off, doesn’t have to be the best as long as it’s quality and works and will for the years to come. Where’s a good place to buy? Are there sales that come up regularly, I’m in no hurry and can wait for a better price.

I know there are some of you that probably have tried them all or have half a dozen set ups in your man cave. What works for you and why? Please share and I thank you in advance.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I have the aluminum dg, first winter using it. Much more accurate shooting support than sticks, going to shoot prairie dogs with it this summer. I like the spec/price of the predator tactics dead eye tripod, with arca and ball head. Max height is 70".

 

[alf]

I've been through several versions........

Now I've narrowed it down to two that serve me quite well for all I'll ever need.

Both are Leofoto's, the small one is the LS-324C, and gets used 95% of the time, as I generally sit most times for calling coyotes. Extended for standing is marginal for me, but can make it work if I have to.

The other is the LS-364C, bigger, beefier, and will handle your height for standing, and only weighs one pound more at 4 lbs 15 ozs than the other as pictured.

I went away from ball heads, and now use their leveling base and ARCA plates on both setups.

Both will accommodate prone if needed as well.

My AR's all have ARCA plates, 3-4 bolt guns do as well, but I still have a Hog Saddle for the ones I don't want one on.

Open box specials on Ebay are the way to fly from a company in La.....

 

[jds holler]

Mine is an older MotoBogun -- All aluminum cast and tubes. I ought to weigh it, but I'm guessing it's 25 pounds or more. When I set up at chair height, and sit down, I can pretty much shoot MOA. Standing, probably 2 or three MOA.

I love mine when I'm shooting close to the rig, but if I'm walking very far, I put a sling on it and carry it like a rifle. jd

 

[nakneker]

I've been through several versions........

Now I've narrowed it down to two that serve me quite well for all I'll ever need.

Both are Leofoto's, the small one is the LS-324C, and gets used 95% of the time, as I generally sit most times for calling coyotes. Extended for standing is marginal for me, but can make it work if I have to.

The other is the LS-364C, bigger, beefier, and will handle your height for standing, and only weighs one pound more at 4 lbs 15 ozs than the other as pictured.

I went away from ball heads, and now use their leveling base and ARCA plates on both setups.

Both will accommodate prone if needed as well.

My AR's all have ARCA plates, 3-4 bolt guns do as well, but I still have a Hog Saddle for the ones I don't want one on.

Open box specials on Ebay are the way to fly form a Co. in La.....

Why the leveling base instead of the ball head? I found a few good deals on the taller one looking around tonight, I’d like to order a one and get base too. This one fits the weight I’m after and gets the height too, they one other model that goes a bit taller yet, debating which one.

It’s amazing how much a death grip helps experienced and inexperienced shooters. This past year I attribute the filling of two tags for inexperienced hunters to that set up. I would like to try the whole arca rail thing out, just seems a bit less bulky and a better attachment to the rifle.

 

[nakneker]

Mine is an older MotoBogun -- All aluminum cast and tubes. I ought to weigh it, but I'm guessing it's 25 pounds or more. When I set up at chair height, and sit down, I can pretty much shoot MOA. Standing, probably 2 or three MOA.

I love mine when I'm shooting close to the rig, but if I'm walking very far, I put a sling on it and carry it like a rifle. jd

25 pounds! You’re the man, that’s one way to keep in shape.

Btw, I’ve read your posts about your 20-22 for years. Finally built one for myself and shot it for the first today. This is gonna be a fun rifle, no recoil and the accuracy is nuts for the first groups with the rifle. Thanks for the inspiration!

 

[Quickoz]

I run a Leofoto SA403C with the MA30L ballhead. Its very effective for rifle use. I use it for PRS and Varmint hunting.

 

[JSH]

I had tried a few different platforms. Most all of my colony varmint rigs are heavy and some not equipped to work with some of the ball head set ups.
I don’t pack stuff very far. Bought an MTM high low. Pretty happy with it for the most part. Working on building a new top for mine.

 

[jds holler]

25 pounds! You’re the man, that’s one way to keep in shape.

Btw, I’ve read your posts about your 20-22 for years. Finally built one for myself and shot it for the first today. This is gonna be a fun rifle, no recoil and the accuracy is nuts for the first groups with the rifle. Thanks for the inspiration!

I'm probably exaggerating on the high side with 25 lbs, but it seems Gawdawful heavy. I'll have to put it on the scale and see. My rifle weighs 12.5 pounds, and I'm starting to not like that either. Maybe I'm just getting old.

I'm glad that ya got a 20-222 up and running. Now you know what I've been blabbing about. I wonder if we were to start calling that cartridge the "5x43", if it might sound more exotic.

I'm interested to see what kind of tripods folks are using as well. I could do with a lighter one. jd

 

[RedfootRanch]

I run the Death Grip, non-carbon fiber, that I completely removed the factory saddle assembly from and replace with a leveling head fit up for arca rail attachment.

I pitched everything of the removed assembly except the saddle itself, which I attached an acra plate to, which allows the use of the saddle for rifles without a rail.

Edit to add these pics -

 

[DLT]

I run the Death Grip, non-carbon fiber, that I completely removed the factory saddle assembly from and replace with a leveling head fit up for arca rail attachment.

I pitched everything of the removed assembly except the saddle itself, which I attached an acra plate to, which allows the use of the saddle for rifles without a rail.

Care to share how and what you removed ? I’m in need of another tripod but I can’t stand everything thats above the legs. Thanks

 

[Will o]

Hi most of my foxing work is walk and stalk type I use the vanguard quest T62 sticks I can find a nice balance point with it easy to carry good value for money . Saves getting covered in crap at night time as I can shoot standing up easy to deploy and adjust each leg easy if needed

 

[jds holler]

Here's mine. Kind of Rube Goldberg but functional. It's a living system that I'm still working on. I'm very happy with it EXCEPT for the weight. jd

 

[alf]

Why the leveling base instead of the ball head? I found a few good deals on the taller one looking around tonight, I’d like to order a one and get base too. This one fits the weight I’m after and gets the height too, they one other model that goes a bit taller yet, debating which one.

Since most everything I do revolves around coyote hunting, there's a balance between weight & portability. I always carry my tripod in the gun scabbard of my Ebelestocks backpack, so folded length was a concern as well as weight. The LB-65 leveling base and ARCA plate knocks off 5 ounces and about an inch in folded length over the 40mm ball head I had.

Ball heads have more range of movement, but the leveling base has all you need, plus the gun won't flop over 90* & possibly tip over completely as with a ball head.

More weight helps stability, so if you can handle the weight & folded length of the next size, I wouldn't be afraid of it.

Pick your poison......

 

[Dave in WI]

Stupid question on ARCA. On the quick detach can you just set the rail in the mount or do you have to start at one end of the rail and slide it one? Hope that makes sense.

 

[RedfootRanch]

Care to share how and what you removed ? I’m in need of another tripod but I can’t stand everything thats above the legs. Thanks

I edited my OP to show what it looks like now but never took pics of before for comparison.

 

[nakneker]

Since most everything I do revolves around coyote hunting, there's a balance between weight & portability. I always carry my tripod in the gun scabbard of my Ebelestocks backpack, so folded length was a concern as well as weight. The LB-65 leveling base and ARCA plate knocks off 5 ounces and about an inch in folded length over the 40mm ball head I had.

Ball heads have more range of movement, but the leveling base has all you need, plus the gun won't flop over 90* & possibly tip over completely as with a ball head.

More weight helps stability, so if you can handle the weight & folded length of the next size, I wouldn't be afraid of it.

Pick your poison......

Makes sense. I use Eberlepacks too, their gun scabbard design is perfect for what we do, usually me and the wife hunt as a team. One carries the optics, the other the tripod and rifle, works good.

Good info, thanks again. Just need to try them. One thing you point out that’s a good thing to think about is the gun flopping over. I’ve done that when glassing with my 15x swaros and it irks me to know end. My fault but still…..

 

[LonewolfMcquade]

I use the Bog Deathgrip & converted it to use a ball head

 

[RedfootRanch]

Since most everything I do revolves around coyote hunting, there's a balance between weight & portability. I always carry my tripod in the gun scabbard of my Ebelestocks backpack, so folded length was a concern as well as weight. The LB-65 leveling base and ARCA plate knocks off 5 ounces and about an inch in folded length over the 40mm ball head I had.

Ball heads have more range of movement, but the leveling base has all you need, plus the gun won't flop over 90* & possibly tip over completely as with a ball head.

More weight helps stability, so if you can handle the weight & folded length of the next size, I wouldn't be afraid of it.

Pick your poison......

I set this tripod up primarily for use hunting at night. At the truck the rifle is mounted to tripod and IR mounted to rifle, all ready to roll. I carry the whole setup (with the legs together) by the legs and over my shoulder, with the rifle somewhat vertical behind my back. Simply spread the legs, set it down and your ready to hunt. I do carry it around the same in the day time shooting woodchucks and such.

For daytime predation work, with decoy dogs involved, I prefer the tall Swagger's on my calling rifle. If I'm going low drag, the rifle and my 3-leg chair are then carried in an Eberlestock Gunrunner. If I'm filming, it all fits into their X1 Euro.

 

[DLT]

I use the Bog Deathgrip & converted it to use a ball head

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How ? What did you use was it at kit of some kind ?