One other option I really use the Arca rail for is my Precision Underground front bag when I’m hunting ladder stands and box blinds. Works extremely well for longer shots. 
- Thread starter Xtate
- Start date
HOG was designed for use in US military sniper units for use with a variety of different military issue weapon systems. Arca-Swiss was originally a large format camera mounting system that became widely adopted in the civilian world. If you want the smallest, lightest, slickest system, then Arca-Swiss is the way to go. If you want the versatility across a variety of different rifles, especially those that may be difficult or impractical to mount using Arca-Swiss, then go with the HOG. They both have their place. If you are at a PRS competition…Arca-Swiss. War zone…the HOG.
Also, there are now HOG clones and even a RRS version.
According to HOG there are other advantages over Arca-Swiss:
"Q: Is a Picatinny Rail or Arca-Swiss direct mount accessory just as effective as a HOG Saddle?
A: No, and here are three reasons why.
A direct mount tripod limits your capabilities to using only a rifle with rails or arca-swiss cut-outs. The HOG Saddle ® will universally secure to any rifle with or without picatinny rails. A tripod rest shouldn’t dictate to the user which rifle is appropriate to employ.
A direct mount tripod creates a metal-on-metal contact to the rifle and tripod. This metal-on-metal contact sends rifle recoil straight to the tripod causing the rifle to erratically hop off target. The HOG Saddle ®’s specially engineered pads absorb rifle recoil and eliminate tripod hop, facilitating rapid follow up shots.
The HOG or PIG Saddle does not need to be used with a tripod head. This gives the user the option to reduce even more weight and streamline their tripod kit. Not incorporating a tripod head also reduces the overall cost to Department and Team purchases.
I think in my situation the Hog saddle is the right way to go.
I've been putting off getting into tripod shooting for a long time now, maybe time to bite the bullet.
I used a Hog Saddle for the first time hunting this fall. It worked well with how I had it set up especially with my rifles that don’t have a dedicated rail. However, I must admit that I need some more practice shooting off the tripod setup. I have an Ingenuity Gunworks Adjustarail on my A5 stock with my Vudoo; with that setup I have an Arca-Swiss adapter which I used with an Arca Swiss monoball. That configuration works well but is heavy. It also allows me to mount up the Hog Saddle but again heavy. I will fix this in due time but I think the Hog Saddle has its place.
