Printable View
Interested in which specific tripods people have had good experience with, what to look for when buying, and also what you are using to support your rifle - the y shape rests ? or heads that support arca or picatinny ?
Looking to get above scrub, tussock or leatherwood, and hopefully still be light enough that I will actually carry it up a hill or two.
I had read a couple of posts a while back, but can't for the life of me find them in the search.
Cheers!
I've been converted to tripod shooting, and wouldn't look back now.
Went through a few tripods, and finally landed on something that performs very well. Then went through the whole exercise of ball head options, then levelling heads.
What I ended up with is a two section 40mm carbon tripod, with a arca / picatinny leveling head.
Most solid and steady setup I found. It only gets used for rabbit control, but being able to take 100M headshots on rabbits all night, while at full standing height is hard to beat.
Mate has the 4 section version, just because it packs down shorter. Almost as steady as the 2 section.
Attachment 256959
@quentin What brand of tripod it that Q?
Bexin / Innorel (same tripod just different branding on it), and a sunwayfoto leveling head.
The 2 section was a special order from the factory, but the 4 section can be picked up on Aliexpress.
I shall be reading this topic with interest - tried a cheap tripod got what I paid for - horrible - slightest movement was accentuated at the tripod - it slipped- moved took awhile to set up right - soon gave that up - so whats a good one ??
Not a tripod but I've been using a triggerstick for a while and find it very useful for getting above "stuff". It's light quick to set and although it's not recommended does useful service as a hill stick
I have a Primos Trigger Stick Tripod knock off from xHunter. I've used it for rabbit shooting before, but took it on a recent farm hunt for goats and pigs. I was impressed by the stability from standing or sitting. It's light, but couldn't see myself carrying it through the bush. I would also leave it behind if I expected to do any fast shooting. It's quick to deploy, but not that quick and even if you decide not to use it, the movement and noise from putting it down would scare off any self-respecting deer.
I bought a quad stick from supplier at Cambridge. With practice they set up reasonably quick but definitely not a snap shooting solution. They fold up to make a fairly decent walking stick but the velcro strap that holds them together is pretty useless. They are very adjustable with holes and buttons to get your preferred base height, then to get a specific shooting height you just spread the legs in or out a little. They support the rifle at the fore end and just in front of the trigger guard so very stable. Thats how I use them if setting up to monitor say a slip face. If I'm stalking and see target before it sees me but not enough time to set up fore and aft I simply use them as a shooting stick. With practice this is very effective. Height is adjusted simply by leaning the now single stick (x4 together as one), forward or back as suits. Can be very quick to get onto target. If animals, say goats in cover, know I'm there and are moving and I need to snap shoot offhand I just drop them on the ground. Worth putting some flash orange on them to make it easy to find if yiu happen to move off in heat of the moment..
Biggest downside is banging them on stuff can make noise. Why orange flash is good..ive left them in some circumstances and then collected them later..
Cost $180 couple of years ago..Had my $$ worth..
I have an Aziak Backcountry on its way with ballhead. I think there's a tradeoff between weight and function. I asked a few people and they were happy with this. Not perfect but the best compromise. I will have Arca Swiss front on an XLR chassis.
The tradeoff is very real... photographers are advised to always choose the heaviest tripod their assistant can carry! :D
Seriously though the attributes you are looking for are: Cheap. Lightweight. Sturdy... but you can only have two.
AliExpress has some great lightweight and sturdy tripods that are as good as, but cost far less than 'premium' brands in NZ, but they still cost a fair bit. For shooting, the legs need to be thicker than a photo tripod, because cameras don't have recoil when you shoot. 40mm legs is probably as much as you'll need.
I don't own one of these (I have a Manfrotto 055 carbon magnesium) but that is sort of what you are looking for.
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mNJal1E
These are awesome. Great for inexperienced shooters. Turns newbies in to not bad shots.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jhon
I've even converted a few experienced hunters.
Trigger sticks are OK but tripods (Bogpds etc) awkward and slow to set up.
Yes, mine are light to carry and very stable. You often see them used on UK Field Sports vids hunting deer and fox etc. Where I first got onto them..Quote:
Originally Posted by 7mmwsm
You might be surprised how many guides are carrying them here too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jhon
Primos made a five leg version which is like shooting off a bench. But they have stopped making them.
Owl Optics (FSSPrecision?) had a similar one at the Fieldays. About $400 but worth the money.
I don't even use a bipod now.. tricer tripod and arca rail on my rifle. Take all my shots out to 450 so far sitting behind a tripod
Literally just watched this half an hour ago,
Little bit spendy but looks like the goods
https://youtu.be/tLgbidqll4g?feature=shared
I tried a set of owl optics viper Styx and ended up buying them.Quote:
Originally Posted by 7mmwsm
I ended up with the model with the extra leg that clips on or of.
When set up to your height and do a few practice set ups it's incredibly steady with a pretty simple system to adjust for your shot.
Because you set up at full height it negates the belly crawl and trying to smooth down the grass infront of the barrel.
Can be used as a bit of a hill stick as well.
I really rate them. Not cheap but quality.
Sent from my SM-A556E using Tapatalk
@andyanimal31 Damn, they are spendy, aren't they! I see there's quite a few options there - which ones did you get? (and why, if you don't mind me asking)Quote:
Originally Posted by andyanimal31
My son and I have been using a set of Viperflex quad sticks (Journey) for the last 10 years. I bought them off a Finnish guy who was out here trying to find a local company to market them here for them.
My thoughts are that if you are hunting on flat, or reasonably flat ground they are fantastic, but they are not good on the side of a steep hill - particularly if you are shooting across the hill as they are too difficult to adjust the length of the legs on one side quickly.
Having said that, we have shot dozens and dozens of deer off them in and around river clearings and flats as they are very good at keeping you above long grass/reeds etc.
Haven’t tried it yet but for shooting on a hillside I have recently bought an Artcise tripod as suggested by dannyb. To me it looks as though it will be much easier to adjust the leg length individually on the side of a steep hill.
Practice.
They are easy to adjust the height for contour by simply lifting one side and moving it closer or away from the other. And the fact that the rifle isn't fixed to it like some tripod clamps means you can shoot with the sticks at any angle.
They may appear expensive but the look of disappointment from someone who has just missed a shot due to a unsuitable rest (which I've seen dozens of times) is horrible too.
Sorry but you are not correct, but what would I know - I’ve only had them for 10+ years.
I don't actually care.
But will add that I have had numerous clients bring their flash tripods then use my quad sticks to shoot their deer.
But if Danny has convinced you you might be on to a winner.
I guess a lot depends on the individuals ability to adapt and discipline themselves. I have a set of Vipersticks but haven't used them much - my bad. But for hunting they are light years ahead of any of the tripods I've tried. A big thing when hunting is hand movement, it gives you away instantly to game, and the tripod requires more hand movements to get it set than sticks.
One of the professional night shooters on here is consistently donging rabbits too 200 yards and beyond with his vipersticks. Nuff said.
Mine are the Elite with the 5th extra stick for a really wobbly shooter like myself!Quote:
Originally Posted by Speill
Sent from my SM-A556E using Tapatalk
Tentman, the issue has nothing to do with ability to adapt or discipline, it is the method used to adjust the length of the legs. Mine are an older set and have metal spring loaded pins that locate into a series of holes on each leg. You need to adjust both legs on the same side at the same time which is cumbersome and noisey, and once you have done it the quad sticks are no longer at the correct height for you to use as intended - instead you are half crouched behind them when on the side of a steep hill, and this is not an ideal stance for shooting accurately.
I’m sure one of the professional night shooters is donging rabbits to 200 yards, but I’m also sure he is not having to adjust the leg length for each shot because he is shooting on a steep hillside - which is what I said they are not ideal for.
If you need to adjust the leg length for each shot I suspect you aren't understanding how simple it is to adjust the height without changing the leg length.
The way I hunt, the tripod is by far the quickest setup. Rifle is solidly connected to the tripod, and the tripod is kept at the ready to shoot length.Quote:
Originally Posted by 7mmwsm
When it comes time to take a shot, I open the tripod legs, and I'm ready to go. Pan and tilt adjustments do not require leg adjustment, as the ball head looks after that.
This only works when shooting in paddocks, as it's quite ungainly. It is however easy to carry set up this way, and actually allows me both hands free to get thermal out of bino pack.
Would I use this in the bush - absolutely not. But for shooting rabbits at night it's hard to beat for speed and stability.
It isn’t possible to adjust the height of the Viperflex sticks I have without altering the leg length. The design only allows the legs to be opened to a fixed angle- they cannot be opened any further.
If you cannot alter the angle between the legs, and you do not alter the length of the legs, then how can you alter the height? Pretty simple trigonometry.
I use a set of “4 Stable Stix” from France. They’re great to shoot off . It’s mostly fallow here and have shot them out to 290yards off sticks. It’s a sandpit around here so getting in the ground you fill the rifle up with sand. $350 but don’t have the ease of leg adjustment of the Viperflex. I love them for sneaking around d shooting gates in the winter without doing the velvet flop on the wet ground.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sorry I wasnt trying to "get at you" but just pointing out how any gear needs a lot of adaption and consideration as to how to best use it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sauer
I use trigger sticks when hunting varmints at night using thermal bino's and IR scope. Works a treat.
Tentman - I’m not bothered by what you said but I am starting to think that the Viperflex sticks I have are different to those available today. Mine were more than likely the first set in the country as they came from a friend of the owner of Viperflex who was out here visiting Swazi with the aim of the sticks being marketed here by them. As long as 10 years ago I had email discussions with Claus Christiansen (the CEO of Viperflex) over the difficulties we were having using them on steep country. I made suggestions on how I thought the design could be improved for my use, and even provided them with an alternative design that would have suited my purpose.
Mine don’t have the lever arrangement on them that the newer models have so I am not familiar with how this works, but the suggestions that have been made in this thread are simply not possible with the set I have.
Now that you have explained your setup I can see where you are coming from.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sauer
The newer ones are great. And simple.
The Primos Polecat five leg is brilliant.
I was shooting some meat animals with Dave Hearn and he had his. He set up on an animal and stepped away from his rifle. I stepped in behind his gun and the cross was still on the animals shoulder. If I'd wanted to shoot it, all I had to do was touch the trigger. This was at 347 yards. I was sold and have owned sticks since. Prior to that I thought they were a bit gimmicky.
Tried several from various brands including 2vets etc but settled on the Sunwayfoto t2830cs as the best on the market at an affordable price. Designed specifically for hunting, light, inverted ball head, 3 section quick to deploy. Check out Rogee productions YouTube videos. He uses one.
Mine are Rudolph brand. They are not especially classy but I've used them a lot. I did lose the screw and nut that holds the top together but a trip to Bunnings sorted that. The legs are first adjusted to suit my height using the little silver button/hole doodads like tent poles use. Better than twist-lock as they don't slip. Not as good as speed-clamps like I have on my trekking poles. Once the base height is set I don't change that other than to store or transport. As above, it is far to slow a method of adjustment in the field. In the field I simply move the legs in or out to level or height adjust. This copes with fairly uneven ground and is best suited to setting up on game unaware you are present or that you are waiting for to appear. If its a shot that I have to hurry or lose the opportunity I may use the sticks as a monopod. Not as stable but worth practicing lots on the range or dry in the field. I did a lot of practice when I first got them by walking around in the field and pretending a bush or some such was an animal. Highly recommend this. For snap shooting under 200m I simply drop them and shoot offhand.
On the side of a steep hill (which I prefer to avoid), they would be a right pain. If I couldn't use them in monopod mode I'd likely shoot offhand. Or prone. Yeah right lol. But I couldn't see a tri-pod being much better.
My biggest prob with then is noise banging the aluminum against a rock or tree and how best to lock them together as a walking stick but able to be released quickly to spread the legs. For the noise I'm considering wrapping in camo tape which means base height is no longer adjustable without removing the tape. I think I can live with that. They still fit in the truck. A "rubber band" made from a length of stretch cord might be best for locking them into a walking stick/monopod. Better than bloody velcro.
