Advice on what tripod to buy

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Billygoat62

New member
Looking for advice on buying a tripod. All I’ve ever used is Primos trigger sticks tripods. I’d like something where I can clamp the rifle in and not have to hold it. I went to academy the other day and was checking out the bog pod deathgrip. Thought it seemed like a really high end tripod until I started researching online. Seems a lot of people bash it pretty hard. First off I had no idea how expensive some of these darn things are like the RRS and Fatboy. I’m really not trying to spend $1000+ on a tripod.

I’m 6ft so I need something that’s high enough for my height and also goes low enough to hunt out of a chair. Pretty sure I want something with a ball head and something that’s fairly lightweight. We don’t walk too far since we have a buggy. Usually drive to general location and walk 100 yds or so. I thought I wanted something that had the center stem for easy height adjustment since my two young boys hunt with me also but I’ve seen people say not to buy one with the center stem. Also think I would like something that has twist locks on the leg adjustment instead of the lever/clamp style. I’d like to stay $500 or less if possible and figure I could get something that would work good for us at that price point but now I’m not sure looking at the prices of some of these things. Also not trying to spend hundreds on a piece of junk either.

So just curious what you guys would recommend. Any help would be much appreciated.
 
Currently my primary is a FATBOY (PRS) but I just won (PRS Match) a Sunwayfoto T2830CS shooting tripod. It's a carbon fiber 3 section with ACRA/Pic (Nato) clamp system with inverted ball head. 28mm legs and 30mm head and rated for rifles that weigh 44lbs or less. Total Weight 2.9lbs with head for $249.00-$299.00 depending on where you buy it.

I have no problem making hits on steel at 600 yds and decided to make this my hunting tripod because of the weight savings and how solid it is.

Edit: Pic added
 

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my 1st tripod was a Shadowtech PIG0311 with a Sunwayfoto ball head, this was a very good tripod for coyotes, shooting steel at 500yds was no problem. I sold it to upgrade to Leofoto LN 364C carbon fiber and a lighter tripod, I'm still using the same ball head. Sunwayfoto, Leofoto and Slik have some very good tripods for coyote hunting that won't break the bank IMO
 
I have this Leofoto and ball head that I really like. I use it for day and night hunting and it’s been solid. You can find them on sale through eBay from time to time.

Leofoto SA-324CL+MA-30 Tripod Sport Optic & Rifle with Rapid-Lock Ball Head

I also bought one of the Vortex Radian carbon tripods with the leveling base. It’s a good tripod but I prefer the cheaper Leofoto. I’m thinking about selling the vortex and just getting another Leofoto.

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One of the cheapest, stoutest, sturdiest options is an RT90c with something like a Desmond Dlow 55 head. Or skip the Dlow and get the MA-30L head that Duhhh mentioned. It's a little more but also the best style of head to shoot from.

I would try to get in inverted tripod and the MA-30L head. Leofoto probably makes the least expensive inverted tripod besides Fanaue. I was going to buy a Fanaue to test it but the head is built in from what they told me. I worry that the head will wear out over time and then I'll have to tear it apart and hope I can make a flat piece to go in the apex so I can mount an Anvil-30.

Heres a link to the Fanaue. FANAUE Carbon Fiber Inverted Tripod for Rifle With Quick Release Clamp

The BOG legs aren't bad. Probably worth spending a little more though and getting an Innorel, Leofoto, etc to start with.
 
field optics pro32 or pro39

i like thicker legs for a more stable tripod. arca swiss clamp style head securely holds your gun in place, even while walking with the tripod slung over your shoulder with the gun attached
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The
dirtytough said:
One of the cheapest, stoutest, sturdiest options is an RT90c with something like a Desmond Dlow 55 head. Or skip the Dlow and get the MA-30L head that Duhhh mentioned. It's a little more but also the best style of head to shoot from.

I would try to get in inverted tripod and the MA-30L head. Leofoto probably makes the least expensive inverted tripod besides Fanaue. I was going to buy a Fanaue to test it but the head is built in from what they told me. I worry that the head will wear out over time and then I'll have to tear it apart and hope I can make a flat piece to go in the apex so I can mount an Anvil-30.

Heres a link to the Fanaue. FANAUE Carbon Fiber Inverted Tripod for Rifle With Quick Release Clamp

The BOG legs aren't bad. Probably worth spending a little more though and getting an Innorel, Leofoto, etc to start with.
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RT90c is one I’ve seen mentioned a lot but then I also see a lot of people say they bought one and it was way too heavy. Just what I read. I will look into this a little more.
 
I'm a "buy once.......cry once" kinda guy, so I can't be much help in the price range that you specified. I use the Two Vets QDT V2 and a RRS BH55. The ball head was used so I didn't pay new price. The Two Vets was $630. I love this setup and haven't found any shortcomings yet
 
Billygoat62 said:
The

RT90c is one I’ve seen mentioned a lot but then I also see a lot of people say they bought one and it was way too heavy. Just what I read. I will look into this a little more.
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I've had the 90 & the 80, (2 in the back) sold them both and went with Leofoto LS-284 & LS-324, (front 2) sold the 284 & bought the LS-364.

Then I sold the ball heads & went with a leveling base on both. I'm finally in a happy place.

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By the way, there's been a multitude of tripod threads that every aspect has been hashed out several times over.

Pretty easy to search "tripods" and spend the day reading.
 
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I had never shot off a tripod until last year. Ended up buying a Sunway foto 3640cm. With the 65 mm ball head. Haven’t shot any coyotes or game off it yet but it’s working great on steel out to 600
 
Callingyotes said:
I had never shot off a tripod until last year. Ended up buying a Sunway foto 3640cm. With the 65 mm ball head. Haven’t shot any coyotes or game off it yet but it’s working great on steel out to 600
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At least you're taking the time to practice shooting off it as the biggest mistake that anyone can make is not shooting off it and learning what works before hunting!
 
alf said:
I've had the 90 & the 80, (2 in the back) sold them both and went with Leofoto LS-284 & LS-324, (front 2) sold the 284 & bought the LS-364.

Then I sold the ball heads & went with a leveling base on both. I'm finally in a happy place.

aD4K4db.jpg



By the way, there's been a multitude of tripod threads that every aspect has been hashed out several times over.

Pretty easy to search "tripods" and spend the day reading.
Click to expand...
Holy smokes I didn't realize that you were that short.....makes me feel so much better about being 5' 7" :) Ball heads and tripod styles along with them being stronger and lighter have defiantly come a long way.
 
Billygoat62 said:
The

RT90c is one I’ve seen mentioned a lot but then I also see a lot of people say they bought one and it was way too heavy. Just what I read. I will look into this a little more.
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You have 3 things to debate on. You can have two of them usually when it comes to tripod legs.

Stability, weight, and price.

For me stability is number one. Price and weight are a wash. I found aftermarket tripod weights the other day. I’m thinking of adding them to see if it helps my wobble zone.

You have to decide which are the most important to you.

Coyote hunting gear load out is so minuscule I never think about weight. If weight is a factor going from your buggy to the stand 100 yards away than weight should probably be your number 1 consideration.

If you have to sleep outside with the dog if going over your budget it should probably be price.

If you want to hit the most shots then stability.
 
first tripod i bought had 32mm legs and an adjustable middle column that i could lower or raise. i found it to be unstable at my height. the manufacturer let me upgrade to a more expensive one with 39mm legs and a flat top for only $100.00

its very stable and accurate to shoot from. (field optics) lots of options out there. get the one you can afford with the thickest legs and fewer leg sections. i would go more than 3 sections as each section is smaller than the top section.
 
Something to keep in mind, some stocks are fussy and poi changes occur if you zero on bags but shoot with an arca plate attached to the stock/tripod. Just like some stocks off bipod or bags. You will have to test it.
 
spotstalkshoot said:
Something to keep in mind, some stocks are fussy and poi changes occur if you zero on bags but shoot with an arca plate attached to the stock/tripod. Just like some stocks off bipod or bags. You will have to test it.
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Mine is a custom bolt action in a manners stock with mini chassis and built in arca so I shouldn’t have any issues with that but I will test it to see now that you say that.
 
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