Don't feel too bad. On my screen, the pic is focused on the optic and everything beyond it is too blurry to make out with any level of detail.
Tripods have come a long way...
- Thread starter AP2020
- Start date
I started hunting (deer) with a Stoney Point Expedition mono pod many years ago, then added a second on a bipod adapter. After running over it in the snow with an ATV, I moved to a BOG POD tripod, but I went with the yolk and for deer, I prefer it. I don't need super high precision for my distances. I took it on my first couple of PD hunts and was super glad to have it. I added a new tripod with a ball mount and ARCA rail last year, but I haven't been back out west to officially try it out yet. Plans with the family have had to take priority. Kids are both teenagers so trying to make the most of the time we have left with them.
I agree on the whole tripod and sitting thing. I won't say its quite as solid as a good prone setup, but not far off. Certainly good enough for 600 yds and in.
I agree on the whole tripod and sitting thing. I won't say its quite as solid as a good prone setup, but not far off. Certainly good enough for 600 yds and in.
ELR LVR
Silver $$ Contributor
Something i am coming around with in accepting
I am not convinced a tripod can offer the same type of accuracy as going prone with a bipod though
which is why I haven't gotten a tripod yet
seems impractical for field use unless remaining in a static position (carrying a tripod around vs a bipod)
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Can a tripod offer LONG RANGE accuracy on par with Prone and a bipod?
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I could see the use for varmints at maybe 300 yds
HillbillyLongRifle
Silver $$ Contributor
Tripods work well!
HillbillyLongRifle
Silver $$ Contributor
I don't think a tripod can offer the same level of stability as a good bipod from prone. The question is how much of a difference is there. From a seated position, the difference isn't much. Variation with either system comes from the shooter so its more a question of how stable can your body be. Laying on the ground is pretty stable, but it is surprising how stable you can be when your slouching down in a decent bag chair with your elbow sitting on the arm rest. IMHO, it's not as stable as prone, but the difference is minimal.
I've found that mobility and stability are usually opposites. The more stable something is, the heavier it is, and the more cumbersome it is to setup. $$ can help close the gap but it only gets you so far. Having a bipod on your rifle is pretty mobile and stable, but there have been very few scenarios over the years where I was able to use a bipod from prone while in the field. There's almost always a small hill or some vegetation in the way. Conversely, shooting from a chair gets me high enough to be able to shoot over a reasonable amount of vegetation or changes in typography. It's not as quick as deploying a bipod and plopping down on the ground, but then again, I don't plop down on the ground as well as I used to anyway
Even for spot and stalk, I can bungie a bag chair to my backpack, pretty easy. I normally keep my tripod in my hand, and my rifle is slung on my shoulder. This is one reason I like my old BOGPOD with a yolk for things like deer. Its much faster to deploy to assist with an offhand shot where as my more robust tripod with ball mount and ARCA rail takes noticeably longer to deploy. I've used the BOG POD out to 600 yds while sitting, but my other tripod is better for that application.
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
I'd agree with that, but some tripods such as the BOG Death Grip tripod has leg settings for prone, sitting/kneeling and standing. But sitting in a light weight lawn char with elbows braced on you knees is pretty dang solid as you note also.
When shooting a ways from the truck, I purchased a tripod sling from Armageddon Gear. Great to not have to 'hand-carry' the thing. So far, no complaints, works well; a bit spendy but very well made. It could be a good DIY project for those so inclined.
I use my DG tripod for rockchuck shooting. Laying prone is now a no-go for me for any extended time, but sitting under a juniper tree partially concealed sitting on my little 3-leg camp stool (Amazon) is now the hot ticket for me. Super light, very small and works very well while waiting for "Chuck" to make his appearance.
I also use my bipod for this too, but as mentioned, prone for me now is only short-term stuff. The tripod is great for seeing/aiming above tall grass and vegetation. Great that now we have some great gear options to fix about any field issues we encounter.
HawgBonz
Gold $$ Contributor
^^This^^Having a bipod on your rifle is pretty mobile and stable, but there have been very few scenarios over the years where I was able to use a bipod from prone while in the field. There's almost always a small hill or some vegetation in the way. Conversely, shooting from a chair gets me high enough to be able to shoot over a reasonable amount of vegetation or changes in typography. It's not as quick as deploying a bipod and plopping down on the ground, but then again, I don't plop down on the ground as well as I used to anyway
Prone with a bipod is mucho stable, but limiting outside of a range. It worked in the groundhog fields cause it was shooting from one hill to the next in pastures n such. Down on my lease it's rolling hills with various levels of skint vs grown over vs forest. Trying to apply prone positioning there severely limits your options for where you can actually get on target w/o an obstruction.
Tripods aren't perfect, but they def have their uses..
My BOG is older and doesn't have that. The legs twist to lock/clamp in place. The advantage is that the legs are smaller and the whole thing is lighter. Very easy to hold all 3 legs closed with one hand and carry it. Works well when I'm not needing to shoot past 200 yds and standing. My new tripod DOES have that feature. A couple of buddies have used the newer BOG design on our last 2 trips and I really like it for PDs. IMHO, its big enough that its cumbersome to carry with one hand and would be tough to sneak through the woods with, but not much of a problem on the prairie. Really looking forward to trying it out on my next trip.
So for a walking and stalking hunt which one of the newer Bog Pods or any other tripod should a person be looking at?
Is there such a big difference between carbon and Alu?
The Death grip "infinity" with the "clamp" has caught my eye
Is there such a big difference between carbon and Alu?
The Death grip "infinity" with the "clamp" has caught my eye
HawgBonz
Gold $$ Contributor
I've got one of those. Not the best but def works and is very flexible. Any new rifles I get that may be used for hunting has to have arca/swiss on it or the ability to attach it. The Infinity works well for non arca/swiss that I already had. And also works with arca/swiss.
IRT aluminum vs carbon fiber I prefer aluminum for the stability and extra weight. If I were to be toting a tripod any distance carbon may come into play. That said, affordable aluminum tripods are less plentiful in my searches. There's a trade also in considering how small it breaks down into vs how long it takes to get set up. Always compromises..
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
That's the beauty of the Death Grip series of tripods, you can use an ARCA plate or just clamp the rifle in for a very solid mount. Most of my varmint rifles (Coopers and others) have nice Claro walnut stocks. No way am I gonna drill out the stock for an ARCA plate on any of those rifles.
The DG tripods with the rifle clamp also come equipped with the ARCA plate, enabling both methods of securing the rifle to the tripod. A very well thought-out unit.
Anyone shopping for any of the DG models should be aware that the base model does not include a ball-head, which makes leveling the rifle/scope very tedious. Not doing my homework prior to purchasing a while back and getting the standard model w/o the ball-head, I had to retrofit mine with the ball-head conversion from Little Crow Gunworks. Problem solved, but had I been a bit more diligent, I would have purchased the DG Infinity unit that includes the ball-head as standard. Duh.
HawgBonz
Gold $$ Contributor
Yup. The devil's always in the details. And with ball heads "size matters"..
The Infinity version has a smaller head, but absolutely fine for most hunting situations. I'm currently piddlin with "beefier" ball heads when my PRC's aren't eating up muh lunch money or have me otherwise distracted with load development.
I got away from rifles for a coupla decades and just recently got back to it so everything I currently use is new and very modular. Def not as pretty as some fine woodwork but suits for my uses.
I found this in a quick look for the old Ultimate Tripod. Sure looks like the original configuration of the one I started with back then. I had thought the Hart Bros made it but it may have been these guys and Hart just sold it.
The Infinity version has a smaller head, but absolutely fine for most hunting situations. I'm currently piddlin with "beefier" ball heads when my PRC's aren't eating up muh lunch money or have me otherwise distracted with load development.
I got away from rifles for a coupla decades and just recently got back to it so everything I currently use is new and very modular. Def not as pretty as some fine woodwork but suits for my uses.
I found this in a quick look for the old Ultimate Tripod. Sure looks like the original configuration of the one I started with back then. I had thought the Hart Bros made it but it may have been these guys and Hart just sold it.
WrathOfMan
Silver $$ Contributor
You need a bigger truck, hillbilly!
ohlongarmisle
Silver $$ Contributor
Or smaller coyotes.Those Va coyotes are well fed for sure.
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I've got one of those. Not the best but def works and is very flexible. Any new rifles I get that may be used for hunting has to have arca/swiss on it or the ability to attach it. The Infinity works well for non arca/swiss that I already had. And also works with arca/swiss.
IRT aluminum vs carbon fiber I prefer aluminum for the stability and extra weight. If I were to be toting a tripod any distance carbon may come into play. That said, affordable aluminum tripods are less plentiful in my searches. There's a trade also in considering how small it breaks down into vs how long it takes to get set up. Always compromises..
Thanks ill have a look at the Alu version, where/how we hunt over here there is a "tracker" with you 95% of the time so he can carry it. Im also not keen on adding rails to my hunting rifles with higher grade walnut stocks so my reason for the clamp
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I waited far too long. I can't believe how good I can shoot standing with a tripod. Can't wait to smoke some prairie dogs this july!
TheOtherZilla
Pull my finger
Prone: The "I've fallen and I can't get up" position for us Geezers.
I always bring a Stukeys table and RRS tripod to my pd trips and set both up. Anything 0-200 yards gets shot off the tripod. Any further than that I move to the table. I also have a cart and do a lot walking and shooting off the tripod to access towns that other hunters don't get to, giving me much more shooting opportunities.
Just for fun, here a couple of videos of me getting doubles. Good times
Doubles 1
Doubles 2
Just for fun, here a couple of videos of me getting doubles. Good times
Doubles 1
Doubles 2
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