Tripods

[ds1]

Following on from brown dogs scope stand post............as far as just scope scope stands go I like my Ewing but I also want the stand to double as a rifle tripod, so I can shoot from sitting or standing as well as using the tripod for a spotting scope.

 

The idea originated with a need to shoot from a minibus or back from a window or at high angle - the idea also had to use a standard plod tripod a Zeiss or Manfrotto 055 series tripod with normal head.

 

To mount a rifle on a tripod needs nothing more than a 10 quid quick adapter plate from Manfrotto

 

 

 

However it aint perfect, the rifle will shake just like a spotting scope on a small tripod. The solution to getting a rock solid platform is to use a third leg, in this case a 'trigger stick' works very well

 

 

The trigger stick quickly adjust for height and takes any flex out of the system. From the AI rifle it shoots sub 1moa groups standing, with about 1.5moa change in poi (directly up).

 

For the original purpose it works. The thought is could this be adapted to be field expedient.

 

2 thoughts - the 055 series tripod does the job very well but it may be very possible to use a Manfrotto 190 carbon tripod and save a lot of weight and size. second a small thought, when photographers use big primes they either use a well made ball head - Markins or better get expensive real quick, I priced upto 80mm specialist ball heads up or gimbal heads again Joby etc are not cheap but offer a better system of balancing the scope / rifle or whatever - you are not fighting the weight. Possibly the best value is a Manfrotto 393 gimbal head - a double U brackek.

 

At the monent this is spculation but my next tripod system will be a Manfrotto 190 Carbon and 393 gimbal head. it should prove more versitle - it is already been proven as a good option for big camera lens's and spotting scopes. I think it should work as well as a rifle tripod.

 

Daid.

[brown dog]

David,

 

Very nice!

 

I do wonder though, whether your verical POI change is a result of having the rifle fixed to the tripod; and not free to recoil.

 

I played about with this (with much less posh kit!) a few years back; accuracy sitting was the same as prone; with no elevation change.

 

The mini rest on the top of the tripod in my pic is basically a bean bag attached to a stiff piece of bent aluminium. It was made by Center Mass ( http://www.mcssl.com/store/center-mass/cat...ategory/5060174 - you might also recognise their tactical sharpshooters rifle rest as the item supplied by AI for CT use).

 

I found that the key to accuracy was pressing down firmly on the rear rest.

[ds1]

I think the poi shift is from the rifle being attached to the tripod - guess harmonic change. Anyway it is a consistant and repeatable change.

 

In truth a long bipod works very well for sitting position but standing is where I still want something light and rock solid. A gimbal head and carbon tripod looks like a fairly good answer. Just wish I had the smarts to make it work with a Ewing tripod (have used the Ewing as the third leg in the past).

 

David.

[Barrelsniffer]

I was also going to say the same as matt...maybe as its fixed to tripod and not free for recoil..??

But matt beat me to it...i have same tripod and am thinking of doing same as matt..make a makeshift U shape attachment with some cushioning to rest rifle in.

 

Mick

[ds1]

The poi shift is no biggy, it is the same as using a mod, just note the poi change and thats it.

 

With the QD plate the rifle becomes hands free, so you can use bins or have a coffee. I know in BDs pic is also hands free - but would not want to leave a rifle in a U rest standing off horizontal. A way to get no poi shift and keep the rifle hands free is to make a V_____V type support. I did this and attached it to the Manfrotto tripod by QD plate but in the end just did not want to pack it.

 

I like my U bracket though on top of the Ewing tripod with 4 or 5 sections of pole - it is not great stability but alot better than nowt.

 

David.

[brown dog]

The poi shift is no biggy, it is the same as using a mod, just note the poi change and thats it.

 

...yes, but the mod stays on. If you're switching from prone to standing tripod or vice versa I bet 4 large Czech beers (so that's 80 pence or so ) that under stress you'll one day forget to add or take off the extra elevn.

 

...and what's this 'Minutes of' stuff anyway?!

 

Your pics make your S&B look weird too

[ds1]

did you notice the correct AI brake though.

[brown dog]

Touché!

[deerman]

Following on from brown dogs scope stand post............as far as just scope scope stands go I like my Ewing but I also want the stand to double as a rifle tripod, so I can shoot from sitting or standing as well as using the tripod for a spotting scope.

 

The idea originated with a need to shoot from a minibus or back from a window or at high angle - the idea also had to use a standard plod tripod a Zeiss or Manfrotto 055 series tripod with normal head.

 

To mount a rifle on a tripod needs nothing more than a 10 quid quick adapter plate from Manfrotto

 

 

 

However it aint perfect, the rifle will shake just like a spotting scope on a small tripod. The solution to getting a rock solid platform is to use a third leg, in this case a 'trigger stick' works very well

 

 

The trigger stick quickly adjust for height and takes any flex out of the system. From the AI rifle it shoots sub 1moa groups standing, with about 1.5moa change in poi (directly up).

 

For the original purpose it works. The thought is could this be adapted to be field expedient.

 

2 thoughts - the 055 series tripod does the job very well but it may be very possible to use a Manfrotto 190 carbon tripod and save a lot of weight and size. second a small thought, when photographers use big primes they either use a well made ball head - Markins or better get expensive real quick, I priced upto 80mm specialist ball heads up or gimbal heads again Joby etc are not cheap but offer a better system of balancing the scope / rifle or whatever - you are not fighting the weight. Possibly the best value is a Manfrotto 393 gimbal head - a double U brackek.

 

At the monent this is spculation but my next tripod system will be a Manfrotto 190 Carbon and 393 gimbal head. it should prove more versitle - it is already been proven as a good option for big camera lens's and spotting scopes. I think it should work as well as a rifle tripod.

 

Daid.

 

 

David,

 

Your post makes good reading. Where did you get the quick adaptor plate for the Manfrotto tripod? I have what looks like a very similar Manfrotto tripod - if not the same - that I use for the sound level meters for moderator suppression testing and if I could use it for the rifles too that would be great. I think that for added stability you can use a sand bag dangling down from the centre of the tripod.

 

I used a shooting rest made by this company http://www.lonestarfieldproducts.com/ in the US and I was very impressed. The guy who designed and manufactures these shooting rests makes parts and systems for jets so the level of precision machining and functionality is second to none. They are not cheap, but once again I think it is money well spent. If I am not mistaken I believe Riflecraft distribute them here in the UK, but I must say that I have never seen them in civilian use over here. Has anybody ever seen one over here?

 

Best,

 

George

[ds1]

Hi George,

 

Manfrotto QD plates come in a range of shapes, you just need whichever one its the tripod head. The plate is designed to screw into a camera body - I took this bolt out and replaced it with well a nut bolt and washer for the AI rail, TRG rifles just need a bolt and nut that slides into the rail. A rifle without a rail would be a problem.

 

I've seen the LoneStar rest' excellent but was way out of budget here. The main idea was to get something working with a TRG22 and using a 055 type tripod. Just think the idea could be made lighter.

 

One thing - the tripod and 141 Rc head which is a chepo head will hold an AI 338 Lapua and has not broken under recoil.

 

David.

[deerman]

Hi George,

 

Manfrotto QD plates come in a range of shapes, you just need whichever one its the tripod head. The plate is designed to screw into a camera body - I took this bolt out and replaced it with well a nut bolt and washer for the AI rail, TRG rifles just need a bolt and nut that slides into the rail. A rifle without a rail would be a problem.

 

I've seen the LoneStar rest' excellent but was way out of budget here. The main idea was to get something working with a TRG22 and using a 055 type tripod. Just think the idea could be made lighter.

 

One thing - the tripod and 141 Rc head which is a chepo head will hold an AI 338 Lapua and has not broken under recoil.

 

David.

 

 

Thanks a lot David.

 

Best,

 

George

[Foxshooter]

What about something like this

 

http://ukvarminting.com/forums/index.php?s...amp;#entry84194

 

MArk

[ChrisF]

I take it , that when you are talking of a large ball head , its something like the ball swivel mech on the GPMG Tripod , thats a great solid situp .

[tburkes]

Just a quick post to display some tripods that I have right now that may give some idea as to scale and features. I'll make a more detailed description of them as time permits.

 

 

In order from left to right:

 

Manfrotto 055OXPROB with 322RC2 swivel head

 

Alamo Four Star DCLW with a DLOC-D swivel head

 

PRS large

 

PRS Medium

 

PRS Small

 

I went with the 055 model on the Manfrotto since I'm not concerned at all with the weight of this tripod and wanted the bigger heavier version over the 190 models

 

I've used all of the tripods in the field with the exception of the DCLW, Which I've played with quite a bit at the house.

 

In my opinion, for a field type tripod that you'd carry a lot, the PRS Large tripod is the best bang for the buck in both price and versatility. It comes with two attachment plates to allow you to quickly swap out accessories. It will extend up as high as you can use. It's pretty sturdy, and the ball head has no problem holding up a 17 pound rifle with one of Danel's rifle rests installed.

 

The PRS Medium tripod is also very nice and a great deal. I carried it during two different high angle classes at Thunder Ranch and it worked out just great. It'll hold a rifle up just fine with the rifle rest too.

 

 

 

 

In order for the PRS Large and PRS Medium to be lowered all the way to the ground the two piece center shaft has to have the lower portion removed first. The bottom of the shaft is what you're seeing leaning up against the two tripods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Someone asked if the Large PRS tripod could hold up a 17 pound rifle, so here's a pic of it doing so.