I’m using an old slik tripod with the center post with a 55mm ball head. It has served me well for almost a decade. It’s for something new. What do most of u guys use for tripods and heads. What’s steadier a ball head or a leveling head. What’s a good tripod with thick 40mm legs a guy who’s 6’5” can shoot comfortably off?
Tripod
- Thread starter Damon Dog
- Start date
DoubleLungRage
Well-known member
I use the BOG Death Grip. I just can't see spending $600-700 on a tripod.
My hunting buddy bought his boy a bog and it’s too short for me.
coyote_thumper
Active member
I'm 5'17", aka 6'5".
I have a bog death grip. It works ok but is a bit short for me. I also have a Kopfjager K700 tripod with Reaper grip system. I like the Kopfjager a lot.
What I like about the Kopfjager:
-It's plenty tall for me.
-The gun clamp has a swivel on one side so it matches the profile of the rifle for a better grip. (Bog deathgrip clamps are locked parallel. This isn't great for clamping on a tapered stock foregrip)
-Height adjustment clamps on tripod feel more sturdy than the bog.
-The swivel joints feel smoother to me than the bog.
I haven't used a ball head or arca rail mounts. I've heard many good reviews of them.
I have a bog death grip. It works ok but is a bit short for me. I also have a Kopfjager K700 tripod with Reaper grip system. I like the Kopfjager a lot.
What I like about the Kopfjager:
-It's plenty tall for me.
-The gun clamp has a swivel on one side so it matches the profile of the rifle for a better grip. (Bog deathgrip clamps are locked parallel. This isn't great for clamping on a tapered stock foregrip)
-Height adjustment clamps on tripod feel more sturdy than the bog.
-The swivel joints feel smoother to me than the bog.
I haven't used a ball head or arca rail mounts. I've heard many good reviews of them.
Another plus for the Reaper Grip over the BOG DeathGrip is that the head can be locked in place more securely/easily with the rotating handle. Less concerns about trying to balance the rifle on the tripod and it possibly moving or falling without keeping hold of it. I haven't used a Reaper or BOG in a long time. It's easy to get spoiled after evolving to more expensive tripods/arca over time but they all work.
I currently have a Two Vets QDT V2 with their 55mm ballhead but I did swap out their clamp for a RRS SC-ARC clamp, SC-ARC Bipod Clamp. I also have RRS TFCT 34L with Anvil-30 ARC, TFCT Tripod. I really like the RRS R-Lock feature for additional security when carrying a rifle attached to the tripod in the field. It also keeps the rifle from slipping from recoil.
Not to sound like a snob, but anything made by BOG is entry level stuff. I own one and if it wasn't a Christmas gift from my girlfriend it would be LONG GONE!!
We've went over this tripod suggestion many many times and with the search function there's some great info already posted on tripods.
You don't have to spend 700-1k to get a solid platform to shoot from. The Innorel RT90 on Amazon is what I would consider the lowest option for a rigid and well made shooting tripod. It's about $350 bucks with the leveling bowl and in every way far superior to a BOG.
We've went over this tripod suggestion many many times and with the search function there's some great info already posted on tripods.
You don't have to spend 700-1k to get a solid platform to shoot from. The Innorel RT90 on Amazon is what I would consider the lowest option for a rigid and well made shooting tripod. It's about $350 bucks with the leveling bowl and in every way far superior to a BOG.
hunt0168
Well-known member
Ive been running a Sunwayfoto T3240CS which has an integrated ballhead design. It has the ability to clamp a picatinny rail or ARCA rail in the same clamp which is kinda cool I guess. I ran a pinch clamp in it for a while and still use it now and again if I’m messing with a rifle without an arca rail. I’m only 5’8” though and have read where taller guys can’t achieve the height they want so probably not a great choice for the OP. I believe the 3640 model is a bit taller though.
I have never used a leveling bowl but I have to believe that between a ballhead and a bowl the bowl will be the most stable option.
I have never used a leveling bowl but I have to believe that between a ballhead and a bowl the bowl will be the most stable option.
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Hey thanks for reminding me about the search function. I just thought maybe some guys have tried something new or cool and would have something POSITIVE to add. Don’t ask any questions on here when a guy can google it or YouTube it. When I get my new tripod set up and rockin I’ll post a video of it. Hopefully that’s allowed in here.
Really??? I was simply stating there's been a lot already posted as well as suggesting the RT90, sorry I wasn't positive enough for ya!
I suggested the search function because I been pretty busy today, didn't have time to post some lengthy suggestions and there's a ton written on here about the subject.
IndexFinger
Custom Accessory Maker
Those Innorel RT90's really are best bang for your buck-$ for CF tripods.
This probably related to other tripod, but also with the Innorel CF Tripods. They come with a set of threaded spike feet .
If you spike the legs into the turf. The stability/rigidity is really increased. you really feel the difference when you input a little load on the rifle when shooting. The Spikes just anchor the legs, and you get a way better rigid stiff platform, over using the smooth rubber feet.
I switched-out my Innorel rubber feet for the spikes, and i cant see myself ever going back to the rubber pads.
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Duhhh
Well-known member
I have a Leofoto 364 CL with the MA-30 head and it’s been pretty solid so far. This is it pictures next to standard doors so I’d think it would be tall enough for you. It holds my 13lb rifle very well. It’s definitely not a RRS tripod but you can find them on eBay for about $280-$350.
I just got done spray painting it but the carbon looks pretty good out of the box too.
spotstalkshoot
Well-known member
I went 21 in a row with this setup, #22 hit a fence wire I couldn't see at 20 below thru the thermal. Prairie dogs out to 240 yards no problem, with 223 carbine, sitting in folding chair. I now have a ballhead/arca on it, which is better for longer distance shots as it is easier to level.
i agree 100% i got a nice carbon fiber tripod and 55mm ball head,with 2 arca rails,i have 300 in it all from amazon. been a year and still going strong
Spurchaser
Well-known member
Yes sir, you are correct. About as entry level as the Primos and I have them both. I’ve looked at some of those tripods and they were as much as decent rifle or more.
I’m not taking offense to anything said, but what’s makes them more stable than the Bog? I’ve even considered dropping the clamping head and adding the Arca? Or ballhead? I don’t have a clue, so any help here is appreciated.
Now you also have to remember just because we frequent this site doesn’t mean we are professionals. I just wanted something to help steady the rifle and wasn’t too heavy. I do like the photos of everyone posts of their rifles with the mount on the bottom.
The BOG is as flimsy as it gets, the good carbon fiber are WAY WAY more rigid thus they have a much higher weight capacity and are much more solid to shoot from.
I think sometimes guys look at a tripod as an accessory, IMO it's a mandatory piece of kit no difference than a quality scope or trigger. I don't care how much money you put into the rifle, it don't matter if you can't hit anything if your not stable and a quality tripod is the foundation for the entire system. Why go through all the trouble to go hunting, spend money on a good gun, accurate ammo, call a coyote but be hamstrung by a garbage tripod at the moment of truth???
Like I stated above, the Innorel RT90 is the starting point for a solid shooting platform that comes with mostly what you need for about $350. By the time you add an ARCA plate to your gun and an ARCA clamp to the tripod your about $425 or so deep. That's a tripod that will last you a long time and if you miss it's not because of the tripod.
I went from a pig saddle to a arca plate and I’d guess it’s a good 25% more steady for me. My set up is ancient compared to what is out there now. Mine is an aluminum Slik tripod. When my rifle is on it and I just move the butt of my rifle I can see the legs flexing. When I had the pig saddle mounted there are rubber pads on the jaws. The rifle would wiggle just a little bit but in your scope is was a lot. I’m 6’5” bare foot so I need something tall. There’s two tripods I’ve seen that look like they’d get the job done. The athlon cs40 and the sunway foto t4040 Cm. These are both tall and beefy 40mm top sections.
DoubleLungRage
Well-known member
I'm not doubting that another kind of tripod may be better for your needs especially if you are hunting hill country or super long range. With that said, I have three BOGS and none of them are flimsy. They are solid. I've only ever had two mishaps with the BOG. 1. I loosened it up and forgot and my rifle fell out of it. 2. I "squeezed" in the legs to make it taller instead of extending them, walked away and when I came back it bumped it with my foot and it tipped over. Both were 100% my fault and no fault to the tripod whatsoever.
Again. I am not trying to debate. Just curious, how is yours flimsy?
When I put the rifles in the "clamp" I slide them fwd as far as I can to help with balance and to keep the pressure from clamping down on the barrels on my bolt rifles. I hardly even tighten them that much. I keep them loose enough that if I have to swing right or left and the crosshairs aren't level I can just twist the rifle a tad and be good.