Anyone switch from RRS TA-3 Leveling Base to Anvil 30?
- Thread starter Glassaholic
- Start date
I did so shortly after the anvil 30 came out. It’s a huge improvement and I wouldn’t go back. the anvil 30 gives me all the adjustment I need, and it tight. The only negative for me is it’s not as precise as a ball head when you have a spotter. It’s worth the upgrade good Luck.
Appreciate that ^^^ So was the lockup on the TA-3 not as tight? Does the Anvil provide a more stable platform?
Anvil-30 holds up my 26lb gun with a 26" barrel with practically zero play. It's as stable as it gets.
I’m far from a high round count expert on this, but I have had the leveling base and currently have the Anvil 30. No issues with rock solid lockup on either. It does seem like the leveling base was easier to use in that area between totally locked up or too loose. For example, i shoot at running hogs a lot. Seemed like the leveling base was just fine in that medium tension range, while the Anvil is either too loose and floppy, or 100% locked up and unmovable.
it could very well be user error though, and I’m very happy with the equipment.
it could very well be user error though, and I’m very happy with the equipment.
You bring up an interesting situation for resistance when shooting moving animals, I'll have to give that some thought. If I found a good deal on a used TA-3 I might be persuaded to go that route, but can't find them used anywhere. Anvil 30 may be the way to go.
i went from leveling head to anvil a few years ago...compared them side by side for deflection and what not when i had both
iirc the anvil seemed to be about 90-95% of the leveling base stability wise...set a rifle up on both, locked in on a POA, pulled different directions with a force gauge, and noted how far the cross hairs deflected for each head...shooting in fairly calm conditions its hardly noticeable, winds get up 10+ mph and the anvil has a little more shake im guessing just from the geometry differences...either head is easily 1moa or better standing capable
i much prefer the anvil for my uses, but i had no real issues with the leveling base either, just preference...i like the 1 throw lever on the anvil and not needing to torque the handle below head to tighten it (always made getting a solid NPA a little more tedious cause when i would start torquing the handle it would slightly twist everything), and also MUCH prefer the smaller diameter the anvil allows it to collapse to...fits in my packs a lot better
imo, if looking for absolute stability...leveling base
packing size/speed of use...anvil
iirc the anvil seemed to be about 90-95% of the leveling base stability wise...set a rifle up on both, locked in on a POA, pulled different directions with a force gauge, and noted how far the cross hairs deflected for each head...shooting in fairly calm conditions its hardly noticeable, winds get up 10+ mph and the anvil has a little more shake im guessing just from the geometry differences...either head is easily 1moa or better standing capable
i much prefer the anvil for my uses, but i had no real issues with the leveling base either, just preference...i like the 1 throw lever on the anvil and not needing to torque the handle below head to tighten it (always made getting a solid NPA a little more tedious cause when i would start torquing the handle it would slightly twist everything), and also MUCH prefer the smaller diameter the anvil allows it to collapse to...fits in my packs a lot better
imo, if looking for absolute stability...leveling base
packing size/speed of use...anvil
Another good point worth mentioning. 
the smaller diameter of the apex is MUCH nicer to carry around, especially on the side of a backpack. The giant 75mm bowl is a real pain in the ass for portability.
the smaller diameter of the apex is MUCH nicer to carry around, especially on the side of a backpack. The giant 75mm bowl is a real pain in the ass for portability.
Will report back soon. Been using a leveling base for a while now. I just picked up an anvil 30 for the same reasons people mention above (portability, range of motion, etc). I hope it was the right choice.
Can you post a couple comments? Looking at the newer TA-2U-LC vs Anvil. The newer 2U version is supposed to have improved on the older TA-U-LC.
Thanks
Sure! I bought the TA-U-LC probably 4 or 5 years ago. I was using a Feisol tripod at the time and iprobably sent 10000 rounds downrange off that combination. I would've bought the TA3 if it would have fit perfectly into the Feisol bowl without using a shim, but it didn't. I found the TA-U-LC was perfect for me. I know some people complained about the 12° or 15° (I can't remember what it is off the top of my head) of elevation or declination, but it's honestly more than a shooter will use 99.99.999999% of the time. I don't think people realize just how large of an angle 15° (30° of total movement) is when it comes to shooting. If you really need more, you can always adjust your tripod legs.
I found my TA-U-LC locked up really well on my rifles (AIAX chassis, AI AX short action, and Desert Tech all using the RRS adapter blocks, and another rifle in an MPA comp chassis, so it has the built in dovetail rails). I also found a dab of blue loctite kept the TA-U-LC secured onto the Feisol's post fairly well, as long as I didn't try panning the rifle to the left with the TA-U-LC's collar "locked". I found I could turn the collar and get to a "gray area" where I had just enough resistance to go from one target to the next quickly and accurately. Too much tension and it slows your transition. Too little tension and you'll have the gun tilting as you pan, resulting in a "floppy" gun. If you're just at the range, it's no big deal, but in a comp, those extra seconds matter.
There is a bit of a wobble zone in any apparatus, since you're compounding systems. The connection between the tripod and the base, and the base and the clamp, and then the clamp and the rifle all have their small amount of play that equal a sum slightly greater than its parts, but it wasn't extreme. I'd venture to say the years of recoil may have also added to the wobble, but even after years of use and abuse, countless matches, like the Sporting Rifle Match or NRL matches, where I carried my tripod across BFE in rain, dust, snow, etc, it was still perfectly usable. I would also say any system will wear slightly, so i fully expect my Anvil to have a bit more play after years of use. I have to now, my tripod and leveling base were used for shooting first, then spotting when i wasn't shooting. I know guys who have a veritable workbench on top of their tripod, with a rangefinder, binos, Kestrel, note pad, cup holder, arm rest (now I'm just being facetious, but you get the idea), and their tripod and head never get subjected to much use, but I'm not that guy.
So, why did I switch to the Anvil? Honestly, it was mostly GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome). It was the new shiny, and sometimes I get into that "gotta have the new sexy" mode. The Anvil offers a little bit more range of motion at the expense of potentially less stability. The TA-U-LC is flatter with a wider footprint. The Anvil, for a good as it is, is still a grapefruit on a toothpick, for lack of a better description. I do think the ease of use on both is about equal. With the Anvil, I can get to a perfectly stable shooting platform and not have the lever completely locked. I think the TA-U-LC had a wider range of resistance, meaning the resistance gradually increases as i turn the collar, whereas the Anvil tension ramps up more quickly over a shorter range. Both the TA-U-LC and Anvil, even the TA3 for that matter, are perfectly viable. If you can find a better deal on one than another, and you know it'll fit the way you want it to, i don't think you'll be at a disadvantage choosing any of them
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Correct. I bought the custom plate here on the Hide from midwestoffroad so I would've spent about $75 less. Honestly, like I said before, the leveling base offers a very stable shooting platform and the roughly 30° of movement is quite a bit. I've actually been meaning to post my TA-U-LC for sale, so if you're interested, let me know
The Anvil 30 is awesome. It does need some 'break-in'. I can easily adjust steady but movable to pan. Full slop to full lock down. It takes some touch and some practice. Use the lever like a handle for leverage. Pun intended. 
Bring the base tomorrow, I may be interested as I’m not happy with how the sunwayfoto lockup works.
Well I ended up grabbing canezach’s TA-U-LC yesterday during our shoot. He let me mount it on my tripod and I think I like it more than the TA-3, the lock/release lever feels more natural at the top vs reaching underneath. His Anvil 30 was really nice but I do not think I’ll be handicapped by the leveling base.
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