Shooting Tripod

Been seeing in a lot of American practical rifle shooters use tripods lately.
I don't see how a tripod is practical, as most are huge and you aren't likely to be dragging them around the bush or battlefield but I digress.

Anyway, has anyone had much experience with one??
As I almost never shoot from a range or bench, I often struggle with finding a good prone position when on farmland at the ranges I want/need and setting up a chronoy can be a nightmare.
With the ability to shoot from a steady standing, sitting or from a chair could be a great help for sighting in, load development etc.

Be keen to hear feedback.
Cheers

I like my 25" Harris bipod for long steady shots on wallabies. Just sit my arse on the ground (piece of closed cell foam for dryness) and done!!!!!

Would have thought a long bipod like SiB mentions would be just as good.

use a primos gen2 trigger stick tripod 24-62" on special at cabbelas $ 101.99 https://youtu.be/B_E6bFntLsI it is good

Beetroot....I think you'll find most use bipods.Dont see too many tripods at all.Like most anything,it's all what your used too,and how specific you want to get.Try a bipod,I have them on all my rifles,work great.

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Originally Posted by Beetroot

Been seeing in a lot of American practical rifle shooters use tripods lately.
I don't see how a tripod is practical, as most are huge and you aren't likely to be dragging them around the bush or battlefield but I digress.

Anyway, has anyone had much experience with one??
As I almost never shoot from a range or bench, I often struggle with finding a good prone position when on farmland at the ranges I want/need and setting up a chronoy can be a nightmare.
With the ability to shoot from a steady standing, sitting or from a chair could be a great help for sighting in, load development etc.

Be keen to hear feedback.
Cheers

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I've seen them (in photos) in use at their (the USA) matches and generally their "situations" don't bear a whole lot of resemblance to our NZ shooting conditions. As for replacing a bench for testing a rifle . . I doubt it, a bipod with your body on the ground will give you a much more stable "platform". I'm in a similar situation with no "bench" readily available so I made a portable one that folds up out of 19 and 22 mm ply.

seems like a bulky item to carry around. i shoot of a pack a fair bit.

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Originally Posted by Tentman

I've seen them (in photos) in use at their (the USA) matches and generally their "situations" don't bear a whole lot of resemblance to our NZ shooting conditions. As for replacing a bench for testing a rifle . . I doubt it, a bipod with your body on the ground will give you a much more stable "platform". I'm in a similar situation with no "bench" readily available so I made a portable one that folds up out of 19 and 22 mm ply.

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Would be keen to se some pictures of your portable bench, I've often thought of making one but always end up deciding it wasn't worth the effort.
Biggest problem I always foresaw was legs that worked well on both uneven and soft ground.

Bipod is the way ahead mate. Harris do them in several lengths for prone or sitting shots, for standing shots 'Quad sticks' are the dogs dangalies.

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A friend in UK sent me this recently, and swears by the setup for the type of hunting he has on offer

Quote tent SN.."I've seen them (in photos) in use at their (the USA) matches and generally their "situations" don't bear a whole lot of resemblance to our NZ shooting conditions."

I'd be more than happy to debate that...from Alaska to Maine,they have conditions in various states that are close to most conditions we have in kiwi....Fiordland may be the exception,but the "panhandle" of Alaska has something similar.Im not trying to shit on your statement at all,but Ive been lucky enough to have been to every state,Im continually surprised at what is here.

I would also suggest that the yanks are on the forefront of a lot of "fads" in the shooting world,I could point out many, in other disciplines.We have many here on this forum,I believe have spent dollars and time in the US,and for sure,a lot of it is over the top,but I think you'll you'll find many shooters/ hunters in the US,are akin to what we have in kiwi,I can attest to that as I hunt and shoot with many of them.....just a thought.

Within the crowd I hunt with,we all use bipods,no tripods.I f you look at most photos of guns posted on this forum,most have bipods,I would say that speaks for itself,....the big difference,....suppressors,an absolute basstard to get one here,not worth the effort,and limited mostly to law enforcement and for those with a special need.

My local gun club,are NRA sanctioned,but the rules regarding shooting matches are not that dissimilar to what we have in kiwi,it varies from state to state,but the rules are regarding shooting are fairly standard.
Douglas ridge,and Estacada,rod and gun club are two that I shoot.Reminds me of the shoots I attended in Makara,under NZDA rules...

LaRue has a mount for manfrotto tripods I'm tempted to try. I carry my manfrotto for my camera anyway and for the extra few grams would have been real handy for a steep downhill across gully shot on the last Tahr hunt. Only draw back is you need a rail up front.

LaRue SPOTR LT666x06-ADP Tripod Adapter Mount QD | LaRue Tactical

Be easy enough to put a 1/2 inch threaded insert for most camera/tripod mounts into a stock probably

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Originally Posted by Beetroot

Would be keen to se some pictures of your portable bench, I've often thought of making one but always end up deciding it wasn't worth the effort.
Biggest problem I always foresaw was legs that worked well on both uneven and soft ground.

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I made this portable shooting bench using a folding saw stool from Bunnings as a base. Cut out a 15mm ply top and bolted the legs units to it.
Works well as a mobile bench for sighting in rifles and shooting long range steel and it folds up for transport. The legs seem to be far enough apart to cope with uneven ground.
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Tripod shooting seems to be the domain of Precision Shooting mostly in the USA where in competitions the shooter is put in distressed positions i.e. not prone. The ability to shoot well sitting or standing can be the difference in placing well or not at all. The Manfrotto 55 has been until lately the standard go to tripod with no central yoke it is infinitely adjustable from standing height down to sitting. Other very expensive brands are now appearing aimed specifically at shooters most of these are now carbon fibre for weight saving. These tripods coupled with a top clamp such as the Hog or Pig saddle enable with practice very accurate shooting from non prone positions. As our long range shooting competitions here start to follow the USA model more guys here are also carrying this specialised gear around comps. such as the Vortex Mountain Challenge and the Alpine Long Range. I have gone a much cheaper route on the tripod purchasing a Benro A3570F and a Pig Saddle for those shots where prone is not allowed. Yes a good support helps the score but like all things practice is the key.

As far as shooting game I think the rest of the writers are right they are not really suitable, with the setup time for the shot at an animal and the extra weight to carry make their use is questionable. And at the range there are probably better options as mentioned

.

Came through Kutarere today, by Opotiki.. There's a little second hand shop on the side of the road with a cool old shooting tripod for $18... Cracked up when I saw this thread.. Coincidence....

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Originally Posted by A330driver

Quote tent SN.."I've seen them (in photos) in use at their (the USA) matches and generally their "situations" don't bear a whole lot of resemblance to our NZ shooting conditions."

I'd be more than happy to debate that...from Alaska to Maine,they have conditions in various states that are close to most conditions we have in kiwi....Fiordland may be the exception,but the "panhandle" of Alaska has something similar.Im not trying to shit on your statement at all,but Ive been lucky enough to have been to every state,Im continually surprised at what is here.

I would also suggest that the yanks are on the forefront of a lot of "fads" in the shooting world,I could point out many, in other disciplines.We have many here on this forum,I believe have spent dollars and time in the US,and for sure,a lot of it is over the top,but I think you'll you'll find many shooters/ hunters in the US,are akin to what we have in kiwi,I can attest to that as I hunt and shoot with many of them.....just a thought.

Within the crowd I hunt with,we all use bipods,no tripods.I f you look at most photos of guns posted on this forum,most have bipods,I would say that speaks for itself,....the big difference,....suppressors,an absolute basstard to get one here,not worth the effort,and limited mostly to law enforcement and for those with a special need.

My local gun club,are NRA sanctioned,but the rules regarding shooting matches are not that dissimilar to what we have in kiwi,it varies from state to state,but the rules are regarding shooting are fairly standard.
Douglas ridge,and Estacada,rod and gun club are two that I shoot.Reminds me of the shoots I attended in Makara,under NZDA rules...

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I did say "in matches" and thats now been clarified by Dermastor. As far as hunting goes even a bipod is pretty marginal for much shooting in the high country, if go prone there's always a lump of something in the road (saw a very experienced hunter try and bounce his bullet off a rock just to his front one day, needless to say the Tahr had a good laugh as it ran off) and sitting with bipod in very steep country is also a hell of a phaff to say the least. I've tried a couple and getting set up often is enough to spook an animal - movement of hands seems to be a big flag to most game.

I've not hunted North America but I've seen lots of photos. While there's no arguing that their terrain is as tough as ours for some reason they always seem to be shooting from a flat vantage point where a bipod is very useful - that seldom happens where I hunt over here.

Currently I'm trying to persevere with the "improvised" bipod consisting of hill stick or walking poles depending on what I'm carrying.

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Originally Posted by Biggun708

Came through Kutarere today, by Opotiki.. There's a little second hand shop on the side of the road with a cool old shooting tripod for $18... Cracked up when I saw this thread.. Coincidence....

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You must have blinked at the right time:D

I've used them for competition and varminting and they are pretty awesome in steep country where you shoot a bit before moving to the next possie.

As others have said it's all down to time.

I was complaing on here about the lack of getting a decent rest in one of my scruby hunting areas bipod wasn't long enough basically useless & a good fella on here @Sauer sent me some of these thanks again !! they are really light & can strap on the back of a day bag easy , I don't cart them everywhere just to my possie on some tops country its quite nice to be able to get a little setup b4 taking a shot...when things go to plan !
BOGgear BOG-POD® Red Legged Devil™ Shooting Pods : Cabela's

Tentman.....your point is well taken...

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Originally Posted by Boaraxa

I was complaing on here about the lack of getting a decent rest in one of my scruby hunting areas bipod wasn't long enough basically useless & a good fella on here @Sauer sent me some of these thanks again !! they are really light & can strap on the back of a day bag easy , I don't cart them everywhere just to my possie on some tops country its quite nice to be able to get a little setup b4 taking a shot...when things go to plan !
BOGgear BOG-POD® Red Legged Devil™ Shooting Pods : Cabela's

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I think is it @striker or @StrikerNZ that uses shooting sticks for wallabies across gullies also?

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Originally Posted by Nibblet

I think is it striker or @StrikerNZ that uses shooting sticks for wallabies across gullies also?

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Guilty as charged. One of the best hunting purchases I ever made. Hardly ever bother with the bipod these days.

Across gullies, steep uphill or downhill, places you'd never be able to get an angle with a bipod.. Sit or kneel behind them, can track moving targets and be in place the moment they stop.. Rabbits, wallabies and anything else to 200++ once you get your technique sorted.

Most of them fold up like tent poles, so nice and compact for slotting in the side of your pack.

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Im interested in these now as some of my hunting is on steepish clear stuff where bipod is useless and Im a bit too wobbly for freehand. I have used a teetree walking stick as a monopod and its a help but two piont contact would be much stabler.
Does anyone who uses them also use them as a walking aid ? are they strong enough. Ive only looked at the caldwell ones

No, the type I use are generally a bit flimsy to put weight on. If you get some of the bulkier type ones, that use legs like a camera tripod or walking pole, then I guess you could. Just a lot bigger and heavier to cart around..

I'll probably regret confessing to this but oh well . . . I recently bought a set of walking poles, like Marty Henry I've previously used a Knibby (hill stick) but as a monopod it could be better. The ones I got are supposed to be stronger than most (they are a bit fatter - Helinox GL145's)) so hopefully they don't break the first time I use them as a third leg on a nice big shingle slide.

The bipod plan (not yet executed) was to make up a joiner that clips them together. I was thinking of adapting one of those plastic joiner thingies that are on lawnmower handles to set the handle height, that way they could be locked at many different angles. There would still be the phaff about to get them set up however, and I'd want to test them a fair bit to ensure they didn't change my point of impact (POI).

This change on POI is one of the things that I think causes a lot of the unexplained misses that happen on relatively close shots (150 metres +) made from a difficult shooting position.

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Originally Posted by StrikerNZ

Guilty as charged. One of the best hunting purchases I ever made. Hardly ever bother with the bipod these days.

Across gullies, steep uphill or downhill, places you'd never be able to get an angle with a bipod.. Sit or kneel behind them, can track moving targets and be in place the moment they stop.. Rabbits, wallabies and anything else to 200++ once you get your technique sorted.

Most of them fold up like tent poles, so nice and compact for slotting in the side of your pack.

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Nice set up. What at the sticks called and where can you get them?

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Originally Posted by Jit

Nice set up. What at the sticks called and where can you get them?

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Just called 'shooting sticks' I got my current pair from aliexpress, think they were 'vector optics' brand and maybe 25-30 USD, probably cheaper if you wait for a sale.

The elastic does tend to wear out in the joints after a while though.

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Originally Posted by Tentman

I'll probably regret confessing to this but oh well . . . I recently bought a set of walking poles, like Marty Henry I've previously used a Knibby (hill stick) but as a monopod it could be better. The ones I got are supposed to be stronger than most (they are a bit fatter - Helinox GL145's)) so hopefully they don't break the first time I use them as a third leg on a nice big shingle slide.

The bipod plan (not yet executed) was to make up a joiner that clips them together. I was thinking of adapting one of those plastic joiner thingies that are on lawnmower handles to set the handle height, that way they could be locked at many different angles. There would still be the phaff about to get them set up however, and I'd want to test them a fair bit to ensure they didn't change my point of impact (POI).

This change on POI is one of the things that I think causes a lot of the unexplained misses that happen on relatively close shots (150 metres +) made from a difficult shooting position.

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I've thought of a similar scheme using bicycle seat post quick release cams.

Hmmm - you're onto something Gadgetman, I just tried my poles with a scope/torch clamp thing (I think mine is a Lenser copy) and its pretty good, at the least very usable.

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Originally Posted by Tentman

Hmmm - you're onto something Gadgetman, I just tried my poles with a scope/torch clamp thing (I think mine is a Lenser copy) and its pretty good, at the least very usable.

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Could possibly use those rubbery plastic/velcro torch mounts too.

This one looks pretty good , quick adjuster Primos Trigger Stick Gen 2 Bipod | Trade Me

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Originally Posted by Pengy

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A friend in UK sent me this recently, and swears by the setup for the type of hunting he has on offer

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These sticks are excellent, very stable, light and cheap to make. If any forum members are interested I've got a guide / instructions on how to make them, message me and I'll happily Email you a set of plans.

I have used trigger sticks for years, and now use a tri pod from red head on goats etc, it is also sturdy enough to use as a support on steep country, folds small enough to be no problem in the bush.

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Originally Posted by Taff

I have used trigger sticks for years, and now use a tri pod from red head on goats etc, it is also sturdy enough to use as a support on steep country, folds small enough to be no problem in the bush.

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Got a pic mate?

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

As stated buy another poster, a tripod wouldn't be to replace a bipod but to be used on really steep ground or from a standing position.
I use a bipod a lot, and wouldn't leave home without it in my pack.

There seems to be two classes of tripod, the likes of the bog pod that you can carry around all the time and the type that Dermastor pictured (this is what I was more thinking).

I think my question has been answered, in that all though very solid is still won't be close to that of a bench or prone position.
I may have to try make myself a portable bench instead.

I'll get pictures of mine (bench) up later, its got 3 points of contact with the ground for stability . . . far from perfct but its better than most anything except one based on driven posts or concrete piles . . . . . cheers