RRS TFCT 14L w Anvil 30 too heavy for backpack backcountry hunting?

#51
So it will surprise none of you that I wound up with three different tripods. And I may keep them all.

In my own final analysis, the 14L has plenty of stability for seated or kneeling shots, but if you’ve ever handled a three series, you know that you give up a lot of stability. So if you really need to squeeze off that extra pound or 18 ounces or whatever then go with the 14.

When I realized how capable we were with the seven PRC off of a tripod out to 1000 yards on a 12 inch plate, I realized I didn’t want to give up any stability to save that last pound so I bought a 33. It is just over 4 1/2 pounds. I suppose I could see why somebody would get the 34 because it would pack a little shorter and only add 2 ounces. For me, I like the simplicity of just having to worry about two leg extensions rather than three.

After this analysis, the one that really has me scratching my head is the common compromise of the 24L. You’re gonna give up a fair amount of stability compared to the three series and all you gain is 9 inches so if you’re really tall or need to do a bunch of stuff standing I get it. It might be the best all-around compromise if you want to truly stand for blasting or whatever. But if I wanted to stand and shoot, I would definitely wanna step up to the 3 series

That’s my current two cents worth I’m sure it will change with more time in the field




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#52
Oh, and I have posted this elsewhere, but here is a guy who never shot anything Long Range trying my seven PRC for the first time at that 12 in.² plate at 1000 yards off of my 34L

That TFCT33 is gonna be perfect for this hunt especially because we are carrying stone glacier sky talus 6900. So the length isn’t gonna be any problem at all. Also, there’s gonna be two of us, but we’re gonna share a rifle so we can afford The bigger heavier, more stable tripod.

 
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#56
secondofangle2 said:
So it will surprise none of you that I wound up with three different tripods. And I may keep them all.

In my own final analysis, the 14L has plenty of stability for seated or kneeling shots, but if you’ve ever handled a three series, you know that you give up a lot of stability. So if you really need to squeeze off that extra pound or 18 ounces or whatever then go with the 14.

When I realized how capable we were with the seven PRC off of a tripod out to 1000 yards on a 12 inch plate, I realized I didn’t want to give up any stability to save that last pound so I bought a 33. It is just over 4 1/2 pounds. I suppose I could see why somebody would get the 34 because it would pack a little shorter and only add 2 ounces. For me, I like the simplicity of just having to worry about two leg extensions rather than three.

After this analysis, the one that really has me scratching my head is the common compromise of the 24L. You’re gonna give up a fair amount of stability compared to the three series and all you gain is 9 inches so if you’re really tall or need to do a bunch of stuff standing I get it. It might be the best all-around compromise if you want to truly stand for blasting or whatever. But if I wanted to stand and shoot, I would definitely wanna step up to the 3 series

That’s my current two cents worth I’m sure it will change with more time in the field




View attachment 8662207
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Soon you’ll buy a TVC-33/34, because they are even a little bit more stable than the TFC/TFCT series lol

Love my TVC-33, but it’s a wide boi.
 
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#58
Love my TFCT 33, it simply rocks. It allows things not possible with lesser tripods.

I’m thinking, for the mountain hunter/shooter. The TFCT 33 & 14 are great compliments to the gear room. Super stable platform in the 33, and then ultra light compactness when required in the 14. Only have to justify having $3k worth of tripods laying around 😂
 
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#59
I have the
TFCT-34L TFCT-34L
Mk2SOAR® Series 3
Tripod with Anvil-30 ballhead.
Sorry, copied and pasted the model. Idk why it did that.
It’s 4.4 lbs and worth every penny, and oz. I never leave camp without it.( I had 2, but one was stolen) I cut out other things to keep the weight down. It’s great for glassing or shooting off rocky slopes, over bushes and grass, and is as sturdy as shooting prone. I’ll never hunt without it again. I have/do own at least 15 different brands and models. I have also used other buddies tripods, and none stack up to it. You can get it low enough to use like a bipod if need be.
 

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#60
secondofangle2 said:
OK tell me more about this TVC. 🙄
Click to expand...
(setting the hook haha)

But seriously, the wide apex makes the whole setup more stable. One reason is it resists twisting better, and of course having the legs wider makes it slightly more like table vs a triangle.

Then I use the leveling head with a panning head on top. Because that setup is lower than a ballhead (either traditional or inverted like the Anvil) that adds further to the wide apex’s stability.

I’m a pdog shooter so I’m not packing it in anywhere. The most I hike with it is a mile.

Now I use my TFC-34 just for my binos.

Moving from the TFC-34 to the TVC-33 is not as big difference as going from a crappy tripod to a RRS. But there is less reticle wobble. I haven’t measured how much less, but our resident tripod man @Diver160651 wrote something up about it…he isn’t around here much anymore.
 
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#61
To echo the above, I LOVE the TVC. That wider head makes a noticeable difference to me. I shoot of it and have my supporting gear, binos/spotter/range finder/etc on a cinema bar on the TFC.

Currently they both have an ANVL30 on them but I’m starting to come around to the thought of just using a traditional ball head like a BH-55. More experimenting at the flat range to see what I like better.
 
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#62
vanrichten said:
Currently they both have an ANVL30 on them but I’m starting to come around to the thought of just using a traditional ball head like a BH-55. More experimenting at the flat range to see what I like better.
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I have had much better luck with the leveling head plus a panning head vs the Anvil. A regular ball head is in between those two (for me).
640502F3-F9D5-4F6E-908C-6851835C091F.jpeg

I have sort of a tallish pan head on there. Might get a slimmer one. Ignore the neoprene can koosie on the scope haha, that was a failed cheap hood experiment.

I pan a LOT during varmint shooting. It’s very nice to have separate controls for tilt and pan.
 
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#63
carbonbased said:
I have had much better luck with the leveling head plus a panning head vs the Anvil. A regular ball head is in between those two (for me).
View attachment 8662502
I have sort of a tallish pan head on there. Might get a slimmer one. Ignore the neoprene can koosie on the scope haha, that was a failed cheap hood experiment.

I pan a LOT during varmint shooting. It’s very nice to have separate controls for tilt and pan.
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I can totally see how that would be an advantage. I have the RRS pan base that I use for photography along with the video bowl I could put back on to replace the ANVIL apex. My next range trip is going to look like an RRS commercial exploded! Haha!
 
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#64
Could someone kindly provide a link to the best wrap for the top set of legs so I don’t have to reinvent the wheel?

I presume it is largely to protect the outer leg, which is what I would be after. And something that could be removed later if I decided to sell it.
 
#67
I use my 33, never gave it a second thought about slightly lighter options. I am picky about what goes in my pack and if hunting with others make sure you aren't redundant on items that aren't necessary.
 
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#69
secondofangle2 said:
Sunrise tactical website basically unuseable so I got the stuff from amazon

Thanks guys
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Looks like they might be introducing a new leg wrap design or something, as they don’t have anything currently listed under that category.

Their leg wraps are nice, though. I own them. Fussy to install and I had to retighten them once to really lock them on. They tighten like shoelaces…you know, hard to keep the tension up as you move from lace to lace.

I wonder if they will introduce an easier affixing method?
 
#71
I emailed them and they made me a custom case, leg wraps and tripod basket.

Edit: I should add I was satisfied with all three items. It was pricey but top notch work in my eyes made by a very nice gent.
 
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#72
Yeah. I have a bunch of leg wraps, tripod bags, custom spotting scope bags and bino covers etc.

Been running their stuff for years. And will continue to Do so, regardless of price. .

And as far as the camo form wraps are cool cheap alternative. But tend to get sticky over time.
 
#73
NoLegs24 said:
Yeah. I have a bunch of leg wraps, tripod bags, custom spotting scope bags and bino covers etc.

Been running their stuff for years. And will continue to Do so, regardless of price. .

And as far as the camo form wraps are cool cheap alternative. But tend to get sticky over time.
Click to expand...
Interesting I haven’t had the actual Camo Form brand wrap get sticky. Have had the cheap off brand stuff go bad. I like the fact it’s cheap, easy and fairly durable.
 
#74
mrtoyz said:
Interesting I haven’t had the actual Camo Form brand wrap get sticky. Have had the cheap off brand stuff go bad. I like the fact it’s cheap, easy and fairly durable.
Click to expand...
Yeah. I have a bunch of that stuff I would use on my optics. Still do along with the scope chaps.
But matches in rain, then heat and what not.

Would get sticky over time.
Still protects very well especially for the price.

Sticky on the outside. No “tape” style residue when I would unwrap it from the optics. I do like how durable they are and able to reuse.
 
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#76
^yeah I think that’s my final conclusion.

And I like the 33 rather that 34. 33 a couple ounces lighter and couple inches longer. Same extended height, but deploying 1-2 leg sections to get to desired height faster/easier that 2-3 leg sections.

Unless you need it as light and short as possible, I see no use case for 14l or 24l - cuz losing that much stability just seems like too high a price to pay for 18oz or 6” or less

And the 24l is pretty much out together. Once I hit 4.5# w 24l, it seems just silly not to go up to 3-series, if you look at the specs
 
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#77
OK, I’m gonna take my own thread slightly off topic.

We made some additional plans for our hunt and are going to take a Swarovski ATX 65 mm scope with us because we have some additional weight allowances.

Does anybody know which PT – scout panning head from RRS I will need to attach that scope to the anvil 30 for easy switching between scope and rifle?

As usual, the really right stuff page does not make it obvious as to what I will need for that attachment

Here are a couple of pictures with the TFCT33 on the pack along with the rifle and the folding XLR chassis with a 24 inch barrel. Pack has only a sleeping bag stuffed in it for demonstration purposes. As you can see if you’re going to pack your rifle, you can definitely afford to have the 28 inch tripod on the other side.

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#79
excellent question. And definitely an option, it seems. Two questions:

Will a bone stock swaro 65 mm ATX objective go directly onto the anvil? without adapter?

And, do you find it difficult to glass/scope with the anvil 30 alone? I find it a little unforgiving with the clamp - it's touchy; meaning it's either locked, or looser than Mamma Sun's undecariage - not really a "pan and tilt" kind of experience

ETA: I just checked my ATK95 objective (early generation) and it is NOT ARCA compatible
 
#80
I did find this thread but it's a bit dated and the one link is broken/outdated and the PT-SCOUT is not specifically mentioned

www.snipershide.com

RRS Anvil 30 for glassing and shooting?

Some background: I’m largely a hunter but I do some local matches and just generally like to shoot at the range when I’m not hunting. I’m currently running a Promaster xc 525c tripod with a Sirui VA-5 fluid head. To be honest, it was great for just glassing, but it’s terrible as a...
www.snipershide.com www.snipershide.com
 
#82
Thanks! So I get it: tripod, Anvil 30, PT-Scout, adapter plate, Swaro 65mm ATX. That's a STACK of equipment. Is it worth it to do the PT-SCOUT (and, this leaves the question of "which one" as there are 3 variants: https://rrssoar.com/ptscout/), or is it better to save $300-400 and 6-9oz and just glass/spotter with the ANVIL 30?

Sorry to be so dense
 
#83
No. Just the arca adaptor to attach to your swarovski foot. I don't find it to hold me back at all while hunting. It's not the smoothest, but still pretty dang good. I have a older 65mm that needs a B76 to attach to my Anvil 30 and the 95mm that has a arca foot and clips right in to my anvil 30.
 
#86
If you do get a PT Scout. Just get the one that has either clamp.

But I would just run the Anvil30 for both shooting/ spotting.

The only time I’m running a scout is for the monopod or on a plate to align my bino to spotter. Or if I’m RO’ing a stage, align the glass to separate targets with ease of transitioning.
 
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#88
My older swaro sts 65 fits the anvil 30 just fine. I do recommend some time glassing with it before you go. As you said, it’s either too tight or falling over. With some practice you can get to the point of being able to pan with the anvil 30, or at least slightly shift over to pick apart the next area over some what smoothly. Not a rrs tripod or head but same type of head in the pic.

71278179334__BDCE453B-6D31-44BC-AEA9-1AF79D143096.jpeg
 
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#89
Bumping this thread with a question instead of starting a new one.

Have a 14L that came with 2 center columns. One supports my binos rock solid and the center column doesn't budge at all.

The other when I lock it will move if I put slightly moderate weight on top of my binos or even when I grab the center column and put downward pressure with my thumb.

I tightened the center column as much as I could via the hook screw at the bottom but it still presents some movement.

Any tips?
 
#90
On one of the columns I have i have to really tighten. The hook is really stiff to straighten. The other column seems to lock tighter with less pressure. So guess all i could suggest is taking it apart and checking for any debris.
 
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#91
chrome said:
Bumping this thread with a question instead of starting a new one.

Have a 14L that came with 2 center columns. One supports my binos rock solid and the center column doesn't budge at all.

The other when I lock it will move if I put slightly moderate weight on top of my binos or even when I grab the center column and put downward pressure with my thumb.

I tightened the center column as much as I could via the hook screw at the bottom but it still presents some movement.

Any tips?
Click to expand...
@chrome
The center columns are extruded aluminum so there can unfortunately be a slight difference to each one. I am attaching a picture for reference. Use a 3/32 Hex and minimally tighten the screw shown on the inside of the apex. Over tightening can snap the polymer insert, so don't go ape. This will fix that issue. Find the tension you like that works on both center sections.

V/R
Michael

edit: and yes my tripod has dirty internals and I should clean it, I know.
ascend fix.jpg
 
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#93
MPHReallyRightStuff said:
@chrome
The center columns are extruded aluminum so there can unfortunately be a slight difference to each one. I am attaching a picture for reference. Use a 3/32 Hex and minimally tighten the screw shown on the inside of the apex. Over tightening can snap the polymer insert, so don't go ape. This will fix that issue. Find the tension you like that works on both center sections.

V/R
Michael

edit: and yes my tripod has dirty internals and I should clean it, I know.
View attachment 8737096
Click to expand...


That did it! Thanks for response.
 
#95
SoA2, just found this thread while browsing. Have never alpine hunted, but have done many alpine mtn bike rides, backcountry ski trips, and backpacking trips just on foot.

When taking gear backcountry on a pack, weight considerations should flex in favor of the most reliable, easiest to use gear. Even if heavier.

It is way easier to save weight on the food you carry, the extra clothes you carry, and the maybe-unnecessary gear that FOMO has you packing.

Super easy to save weight by wearing the same damned clothes, no change of clothes. Carry a lighter sleeping bag (if winter or cold fall/spring) and sleep in your thermals/insulator layers, socks too, hat too, gloves too if your hands need it. Food -- hell, read Bill Bryson's book about walking the AT and the travails of his friend who wanted comfort food and carried way too much food weight. It's a good example.

Most of the gear you can use wisely on a backcountry hunt (apart from rifle ammo glass) can be found with better selections from outdoor gear companies, not "backcountry hunting gear" companies, who offer fewer options and charge more for their "image" or their color palette. The stuff I have read over on cockslide about gear for backcountry hunts makes me cringe at their need for "hunting specific" gear for everything. Experienced backcountry travelers do not need "activity specific" stuff, they need stuff that works pretty universally in the conditions.

Long tripods -- you can lash them diagonally across your pack. Skis are way longer than my long 2-section tripod collapsed, I have no problem moving about in the mountains with skis lashed to pack. Don't need a "hunting specific" backpack, but one designed to carry skis would surely beat the crap out of a "hunting" backpack.
 
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#96
I agree with everything you said.

You can also lose five or 10 pounds off your belly.

We did bring too much food, but the PEAK meals that are made in Utah are absolutely spectacular in terms of taste and caloric density. Definitely worth the extra you pay for them. We left an extra bag at a trail Junction before we begin our climb so that if we ran out, we could always retreat and wouldn’t be stranded.

Both of us come from a background of backpacking and backcountry skiing more than we do a hunting background. The guy in the photo has through hiked the Appalachian Trail. We borrow our equipment from all disciplines like you suggest.

We had a really great cooking set up that saved us a lot of weight. I had a 20° bag that frankly it was too cold even when I had all my layers on. I will be going to a 10° bag next year. We also brought no changes of clothes And even wore bloodstained clothes to bed at night. We brought almost no “emergency in case you might once in a blue moon, need it” gear relying instead on some spools of para cord and a trustee bench made knife weighing 3 ounces made of S90V cannot be sharpened, but also did not dull skinning an entire Animal

The only mistake I think we made was in bringing a spotting scope. It was the wrong scope, a Swarovski a TX an angled one which didn’t pack well and was way too damn heavy. If it were up to me, we would forgo a spotting scope altogether.

The other major thing we did, was take only one rifle. That cut probably 9 pounds right there on a spot and stock bear hunt, there’s only gonna be one guy shooting at a time and we rarely split up. We did bring a Glock 10 mm full-size, which was our other mistake. Next time we will bring a 9 mm shield and I say that wary that it might raise all the arguments about how that would be inadequate for a bear, but it is just for those times when one guy is in the tent with the rifle and the other guy is going to take a dump or something

I think that if we abide everything you and I said above, we can be 10 pounds lighter between the two of us next year, which will make us more agile and less weary as the days drag on

The only thing I might disagree with you about is the backpack. I still have a Dana designs terraplane backpack from 30 years ago. That is one of the best load haulers ever. I also have a 7000 in.³ mystery ranch G7000 expedition size backpack. The stone glacier backpack beats both of those, especially for the meat hauling ability with the load shelf. Still in glacier borrowed most of the technology from mystery Ranch. It would appear, but they have it pretty dialed. Last year I had an EXO mountain gear pack that I think was one size too small and I sold it because of that and I hated the stretchy material that they make those things from. According to the forums, it’s kind of up in the air between stone glacier and EXO and maybe one other company, but it seems like each guy has his preference based on his body composition.
 
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#97
I did speak a bit broadly on my no-no about hunt-specific gear. Some of the packs are being designed and made by folks with experience in wider applications, and tuning it for hunting needs (glass, bulk meat hauling are 2 I think of as hunt specific).

I needed a pack for PRS and tried using a smaller pack I already had, popped a few seams and went shopping for something better. Ended up with a Stone Glacier that seems to be the one you showed above. Good design, good volume for what I haul in PRS. If I hunted it would be what I'd use, and it will work for backcountry ski trips too... if I do another overnight at this advanced age.

I meant to ask how the hunt went and what your background was. Easy to be ambitious on such a hunt, the elevation is a factor when carrying weight if you come from flatland. And a beautiful place, the Frank Church. My parents gave me for my 40th bday a trip down the ?middle? fork of the Salmon in the Frank Church, they were there too. Incredible place. And ripply topography, steep up/down pitches and lots of them.

What I was suggesting earlier, for general viewers & not so much you personally, is that the heavier tripod, if easier to use in difficult scenarios, is the better to carry and force yourself to pare weight elsewhere if weight is a concern. Or if the hunt is going to be in tough terrain, actually train for the mofo. Train like you are doing a competition of similar exertion, similar weight-carrying, similar needs throughout the day. That way, the hunt won't suck donkey doo-dads when it comes time.
 
#98
Yeah, just for future reference for anybody else planning such a trip I will elaborate a little bit to echo what you are saying.

My buddy shot the bear at only 200 yards through a narrow aperture and he would have struggled to get a shot without that tripod. Kneeling was too short standing was too tall. The tripod made any shot doable through about a 3 foot aperture 30 yards in front of us with the bear 200 yards away. He was the one telling me at the outset that my tripod was going to be too heavy and that was the impetus for this thread. After this Hunt, he said he will never ever go into the field without a three series tripod.

We live in Utah and went out to the west desert and hiked up and down with our packs, carrying steel weights and performed some quick scenarios where we would run to a position set up the tripod quickly while a timer was running, one guy would range the target the other one set up the tripod and shoot.So we definitely did some real life drills, although not as many as we should have. And next time I need to get my aerobic training dialed better because that dude is 20 years my junior, and has the fitness of a navy seal straight out of hell week.

And to reiterate, our gear was a mixture of hunting specific stuff and anything else we used for hiking biking, backcountry skiing whatever we did use our weight savings to bring to collapsible low height chair/stool things so that we could sit down and glass for hours in comfort
 
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#99
You got the idea for sure.

Imagine how it would have gone if you had no experience other than low elev shooting - hunting - PRS, no backpacking experience, no alpine hiking experience. But wanted to experience the hunt in awesome terrain, unforgettable terrain and animals.

I remember the first big alpine MTB ride I did, without much training. It made me start riding MTBs regularly, to make the same kind of ride much easier the next time, so I could enjoy everything about the ride. Not just the feed stops/rests where I almost felt halfway human.
 
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