Does anyone shoot P Dogs from a stand up tripod?
- Thread starter AndrewB
- Start date
jds holler
Gold $$ Contributor
I look at it kinda like this -- me and my rifle from my bench are pretty much a .5 MOA combination.
Me and that rifle sitting in a chair with my tripod are probably a 1-2 MOA combination.
Me and same rifle standing with the tripod are probably a 3-4 MOA deal, depending a lot on the wind.
I'm shooting squirrels not PD's, so anything over 2 MOA is pretty sketchy. I do it a lot, but anything past 200 yards is in less danger. jd
Me and that rifle sitting in a chair with my tripod are probably a 1-2 MOA combination.
Me and same rifle standing with the tripod are probably a 3-4 MOA deal, depending a lot on the wind.
I'm shooting squirrels not PD's, so anything over 2 MOA is pretty sketchy. I do it a lot, but anything past 200 yards is in less danger. jd
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
Lots of options, lots of choices.
Since I started shooting both PD's and squirrels seriously in 1968, the evolution has morphed into what we deem ideal (to us, maybe not for all). The end result is a BR Pivot or similar rotating bench up off the ground in the back of a pickup, or better yet, from the elevated bed of the ranchers semi hay trailer, ranch flatbed, or from a rise in the elevation if possible.
Moral: Elevation is THE key.
Since I started shooting both PD's and squirrels seriously in 1968, the evolution has morphed into what we deem ideal (to us, maybe not for all). The end result is a BR Pivot or similar rotating bench up off the ground in the back of a pickup, or better yet, from the elevated bed of the ranchers semi hay trailer, ranch flatbed, or from a rise in the elevation if possible.
Moral: Elevation is THE key.
AndrewB
Silver $$ Contributor
I actually tow a flat bed trailer with a base mounted on it I had fabricated for my BR pivot. Been doing this over 25 years now. Have 3 big weathergaurd tool boxes mounted on it for waterproof storage and transport of my stuff and a 4 wheeler. I stop, hook up the 4 wheeler and pull the trailer behind me. No pickup truck goes into the fields. Fast to move around. Have jacks on the trailer to winch it down if real windy. In May I made 3 950-1000 yards hits off of this.
Looking for an easier, faster, lighter solution. Frequently, the majority of the shots are under 400 yards
I ain't as young as I was when I started
Searcher: "My friends and I all use the Caldwell Magnum tripod, with the forearm "V" support removed and replaced to accept the forearm of a benchrest stock (flat bottom)"
If I could trouble you for a picture of this. All my rifles are 3 inch fore-ends.
Thanks to all for the responses
Looking for an easier, faster, lighter solution. Frequently, the majority of the shots are under 400 yards
I ain't as young as I was when I started
Searcher: "My friends and I all use the Caldwell Magnum tripod, with the forearm "V" support removed and replaced to accept the forearm of a benchrest stock (flat bottom)"
If I could trouble you for a picture of this. All my rifles are 3 inch fore-ends.
Thanks to all for the responses
Look for the portable shooting bench thread(s) for some ideas about shooting benches that will fit into the bed of a PU, lightweight, etc.
searcher
Gold $$ Contributor
Here is pic of a forend support that I scavenged off a cheap rest. Holds the 3" stock nicely
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jepp2
Gold $$ Contributor
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The McFadden tripod is the most stable tripod I’ve used. I think it has to do with the wide top apex and two points of support for the rifle. It’s rather ungainly to move around, but it really works. Bug them to produce more…they are on a sort of production pause right now.
My other tripod is a lightweight (but rigid) setup that costs way, way, way more. A RRS TFC-34, Arca Swiss B1 ballhead, and if my rifle doesn’t have an Arca dovetail interface, then I add a RRS Vyce clamp. I also use long stainless spikes instead of the stock rubber pads on the legs. That last bit is critical! Push the tripod into the ground, fellas.
Excepting the McFadden, the most stable sort of tripod that you can still swivel around (i.e. not a surveyor’s tripod with a plywood top) is one with a WIDE apex and low mounting point.
For example, I’ve toyed with the idea of slightly improving my “wobble zone” by buying a RRS TVC-34, which is the same tripod I have except with a wider apex. Then I’d add a leveling base into its 75mm video bowl (it’s lower than a platform) and then add a panning clamp on top of that.
Reports I’ve read say that setup would cut my wobble zone by roughly half vs my current RRS gear. But it is a more bulky setup if I would choose to hike with it, and slightly heavier too.
You see, I like having a tighter tension for tilting, and a looser tension for panning. Helps me during high-volume colony shooting. Some people seem to get on fine with an RRS Anvil 30, which locks up super tight (pan and tilt) with one lever but I am not a big fan as it’s harder to adjust the tension, and as I said I like having separate tension controls.
Another (cheaper) way to accomplish this would be to buy a heavy German wood tripod by Berlebach that are often used for astronomy or large-format photography. This one with an integrated leveling base or this other one that sets even lower but doesn’t allow for as much tilt (and you must buy the leveling base). Both have 100mm width bases so that’s pretty wide (not as wide as the McFadden, though, but wider than the 75mm bowl of the RRS TVC series).
If one likes a separate panning base, this one looks interesting. Have to add an Arca clamp and if you don’t have an Arca plate on your gun, then add a rifle clamp like the RRS Vyce.
Heavy is good in the PD wind, and wood is still the best anti-vibration tripod material.
I too like a swiveling bench the best, but one can set up a tripod much, much faster, and set it up in spots unsuitable for a bench.
Edit: I should say the McFadden (for me) is good for 400yds, maaaybe 450yds. My current RRS setup is good out to 300yds. I shoot prairie dogs with 204 and 17 Hornet. Others have had hits (like @snert) much longer than that off of the McFadden, but I think he’s using a longer-range cartridge than my wimpy 204.
I bet the wider-apex RRS and especially either of the Berlebach’s would almost match the McFadden.
My other tripod is a lightweight (but rigid) setup that costs way, way, way more. A RRS TFC-34, Arca Swiss B1 ballhead, and if my rifle doesn’t have an Arca dovetail interface, then I add a RRS Vyce clamp. I also use long stainless spikes instead of the stock rubber pads on the legs. That last bit is critical! Push the tripod into the ground, fellas.
Excepting the McFadden, the most stable sort of tripod that you can still swivel around (i.e. not a surveyor’s tripod with a plywood top) is one with a WIDE apex and low mounting point.
For example, I’ve toyed with the idea of slightly improving my “wobble zone” by buying a RRS TVC-34, which is the same tripod I have except with a wider apex. Then I’d add a leveling base into its 75mm video bowl (it’s lower than a platform) and then add a panning clamp on top of that.
Reports I’ve read say that setup would cut my wobble zone by roughly half vs my current RRS gear. But it is a more bulky setup if I would choose to hike with it, and slightly heavier too.
You see, I like having a tighter tension for tilting, and a looser tension for panning. Helps me during high-volume colony shooting. Some people seem to get on fine with an RRS Anvil 30, which locks up super tight (pan and tilt) with one lever but I am not a big fan as it’s harder to adjust the tension, and as I said I like having separate tension controls.
Another (cheaper) way to accomplish this would be to buy a heavy German wood tripod by Berlebach that are often used for astronomy or large-format photography. This one with an integrated leveling base or this other one that sets even lower but doesn’t allow for as much tilt (and you must buy the leveling base). Both have 100mm width bases so that’s pretty wide (not as wide as the McFadden, though, but wider than the 75mm bowl of the RRS TVC series).
If one likes a separate panning base, this one looks interesting. Have to add an Arca clamp and if you don’t have an Arca plate on your gun, then add a rifle clamp like the RRS Vyce.
Heavy is good in the PD wind, and wood is still the best anti-vibration tripod material.
I too like a swiveling bench the best, but one can set up a tripod much, much faster, and set it up in spots unsuitable for a bench.
Edit: I should say the McFadden (for me) is good for 400yds, maaaybe 450yds. My current RRS setup is good out to 300yds. I shoot prairie dogs with 204 and 17 Hornet. Others have had hits (like @snert) much longer than that off of the McFadden, but I think he’s using a longer-range cartridge than my wimpy 204.
I bet the wider-apex RRS and especially either of the Berlebach’s would almost match the McFadden.
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Also, there is this guy over on Sniper’s Hide that has done EXTENSIVE testing shooting off of tripods. Reading (and rereading) this whole thread of his (all of it) will put you light years ahead of those that stand straight up behind tripods when shooting.
Invaluable advice for shooting off of side hills, when hunting, during match shooting, how to carry the tripod on a pack, etc etc.
Search under his name on the site for lots of other tripod tips.
P.S. UKD stands for “unknown distance” shooting. I had thought it was a Great Britain Defense reference lol.
Invaluable advice for shooting off of side hills, when hunting, during match shooting, how to carry the tripod on a pack, etc etc.
Search under his name on the site for lots of other tripod tips.
P.S. UKD stands for “unknown distance” shooting. I had thought it was a Great Britain Defense reference lol.
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Kittitas George
Gold $$ Contributor
We cover the pick-up bed with a platform and use pivot benches similar to the BR pivot. The benches are anchored so we can move to a different site without doing a total take down. Everything stores underneath, clean and dry. We may travel with a cooler or two and a 5' ladder for access on top. We also have an aluminum 'cross box' tool box for our rifles and everything else. We have good elevation for the rifles, about 8' and are able to shoot 360 degrees. There is room for 2 benches and a tool box on a standard 8' bed pickup, one shooter and one spotting. Camper braces will steady the truck very nicely. We've been using these quite a few years now. I saw a fiber glass step ladder and bag used for support, it seemed to work pretty well on Nevada sage rats.
JSH
Gold $$ Contributor
Something I will add for those not wanting to spend a lot of $ on a bench. An ironing board can be put into service, no it doesn’t pivot, but it gets you some height. The new ironing boards are pretty flimsy by what my mother used, so if an old one from the 70-80’s can be found it may be more robust.
FYI they work well to clean rifles mid day or in the evening as well. Most motel rooms have little if any thing big enough to get a rifle on.
FYI they work well to clean rifles mid day or in the evening as well. Most motel rooms have little if any thing big enough to get a rifle on.
snert
Silver $$ Contributor
I repeat:
Ultimate Tripod Info
From a single piece to a complex machine, McFadden is your source for quality products and services.
www.mcfaden.com
I shoot from a stable table, but its heavy and pia. I set it up morning and evening. During the afternoon I walk with sticks and a low chair and also shoot off fence posts. Im considering tripods for standing and sitting but they are big and heavy to go too far from the truck. Sticks are good to about 200 yards. 300 is starting to be a bit of luck. My friends all have trucks with tonue covers they shoot off the tonue cover standing with bags and or bipods. This method is good the first couple weeks, but I get way more walking away from roads.
I use to use a rotating bench that I made myself. It was very stable and was great to shoot off of. I found if I'm going to stay in one place for several hours at a time or all day, the table is okay. However, a couple of years ago, I sold my table and went to the tripod. After a few shots, the PD's go down and the shots get longer & longer.
I now use my tripod most of the time or my game cart as a rest. I like walking the area and since I started doing this, the body count has gone way up. I use a 17 HMR to start with and then switch over to a 20 VT as needed.
I will shoot standing most of the time, but with the little stool I carry, I can easily shoot sitting as well.
I now use my tripod most of the time or my game cart as a rest. I like walking the area and since I started doing this, the body count has gone way up. I use a 17 HMR to start with and then switch over to a 20 VT as needed.
I will shoot standing most of the time, but with the little stool I carry, I can easily shoot sitting as well.
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Coyotefurharvester
Silver $$ Contributor
Sun,Mon,Tue out shooting prairie dogs I used my deathgrip tripod for practice. With my 18" suppressed carbine and 55 gr blitz kings hitting over 50% was possible to 245-250 yards. My bolt gun was much over shaking, harder to make hits. Not sure why.
A couple of the younger guys that went with used big pods and were pretty successful with em, but I just couldnt get steady enough without elbow support. I used an all aluminum portable bench, my Sinclair rest and leather rear bag. My kill ratio was great using that set up, but it was tough to turn around. The 84 year old guy that took us used a three legged ironing board, and has for twenty years, but he couldn't hit with the regularity I could. Next year I'm gonna try one of the Caldwell swivel shooting chairs
I've only been on a couple of PD trips, but our group uses BOGPODs. I just use the one with the regular yolk. I've used it with an AR as well as a bolt action 223 in a Boydes at-one stock. On a good day, I can make hits out to 300 yds with it, but realistically it works best under 200 yds. I use it for deer hunting in Indiana as well. On the last trip, I added a trigger stick bipod on the last day. Basically, I used the tripod under the front, and the bipod under the rear. It was a LOT more stable than just using the tripod. Unfortunately, we were in some taller grass and uneven ground (ruts) that day. That made it difficult to adjust the position of the bipod, but I think it would have worked really well when we were in the shorter stuff which is what we were normally in.
I think tripods are great, but if you have to practice with them before your hunt.
When shooting a rifle or pistol, I zero them from the bench. When I know everything is working the way it should. I then switch over to the tripod. I like to shoot sitting from a fold chair or 3 legged stool. To be really accurate, I put a pump pillow made from an old range bag on my thigh. My elbow rest on top of the pump pillow. Makes for a very steady shot.
When shooting a rifle or pistol, I zero them from the bench. When I know everything is working the way it should. I then switch over to the tripod. I like to shoot sitting from a fold chair or 3 legged stool. To be really accurate, I put a pump pillow made from an old range bag on my thigh. My elbow rest on top of the pump pillow. Makes for a very steady shot.
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