Tripod Shooting Rests

[jds holler]

Weather is so nice today that I just had to go burn a little powder. Decided to actually shoot some groups from my Bogen Manfrotto tripod and see how I could do. I've shot a lot of squirrels from this rig, and it doesn't compare to bench and bags, but I figured this would be a way to try a few technique adjustments and see what I could do.

Rifle is my beloved little 20 with loads that have done as well as .25" from the bags. If this load shoots over .5" it's my fault or bad conditions.
I was pleasantly surprised to crank off six groups mostly an inch or less. That last one was totally my trigger JERK and time to quit.



Body position and elbow to knees bracing seems to work best for me. Trigger pull on this rifle breaks at just under 3 pounds, but on this tripod it feels like ten. Gotta do something about that.

Anybody else out there shooting from a pod?? How do ya do? jd

 

[snert]

JD

yes, i use a McFadden tripod. I have not shot groups, but have groundhog kills to 700 yards from it. If I were to venture a guess, my groups would be .25 larger from the tripod, mostly due to different recoil/gun movement manners than anything. it certainly is not from being unable to "hold still". I find that the varius guns move or do not move differently, depending on where I have them in the cradle and what type stock. My Arisaka shoots very well with its 4 inch wide 17 pound hulk. The PPC shoots well from it, and the 40X not as well.

 

[jds holler]

My crosshairs aren't as "still" on target as from the bags. I can see about a half inch of movement on paper, and my groups are about twice as big as from my bench. I think with practice I can probably improve that. A new trigger would also help I think. jd

 

[370bc]

My cheap set up with a bog-pod tripod performance has improved w/bicycle tire inner tube hanging down from the top of the bell of the scope, to the in the center of the tripod. I then place my boot inside the tube, bringing it towards me, causing a rifle sling type control. I know it sounds crazy , but it works for me. I also apply a down filled rolled up sleeping bag for my non trigger arm under my elbow. Its the only way can can be steady and still blast coyotes. It makes for a locked-in type of system. I might look like 'The Grapes of Wrath', with all of this gear in my backpack, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do!

 

[varmintshooter]

I just recently picked up a tripod/rest from EW Calls. It has a ball head and is very stable, even when shooting from a standing position. The down side is it weights 12 pounds. I set it up to use with a bolt gun or AR. With my AR I shot a 1.25" 5 shot group @ 200 yds. from a standing position. I bought it for nite hunting but it is working well for groundhogs also. $300.00

 

[JaoeyP]

I was playing with a Caldwell Field Pod on Thursday and doing pretty well banging an 8x8 plate at 355 yards. Not the most stable platform but will work very well for coyotes!!

 

[bsekf]

We have the better Caldwell tripod and I am impressed. Going to compare it to a regular BR setup. I think it will do well. We use in for night hunting predators. Seems to be well made and very steady.

 

[Huntschool]

Been using a Bog Pod with the forked top. Played around with getting the fork to fit up better on my guns and that helped.

No, it does not match bench and bags but for coyote hunting with 300 and under shots it keeps me inside of 1 min. of coyote kill spot with all my #1's. I should add that all the #1's save for one (thats going to be fixed) have triggers at 1.5 or a shade lighter and I really think that helps when you are on sticks as much as a light trigger helps on the bench.

At my age, and physical condition, the longer I need to secure the hold while working the trigger the more I will deviate (obviously). If I have to reset a target and shot process due to trigger pull I will need to reclaim my breathing (COPD) and sometimes that takes a while. Meanwhile Mr. Yote has moved on.......

Just some thoughts.

I am satisfied, for now.....

_________________________
Single shot shooters only need one shot

Bruce A. Hering
Program Coordinator/Instructor (retired)
Game Preserve/Shooting Complex Mgt
Southeastern Illinois College
NSCA Level III Instructor

 

[alf]

Been using a Bog Pod with the forked top. Played around with getting the fork to fit up better on my guns and that helped.

To fix the forked top fitment, I cut two small triangle wedges out of a broadhead target, and wrap them up with black tape. It took a couple three times to get the right squeeze on the foam. The goal was to get the gun snug enough in the rest that it would just sit there, but easy enough to grab and go if need be.

 

[Huntschool]

Alf:

Great minds think alike...... I did try some other material before the ethafoam... but it was by far the best. Like you, it took a bit of "fitting"