Best/Most Heavy Duty Tripod and Mount?

[Strykervet]

Never shot from a tripod but I'd like to. I see guys on here with these heavy duty looking tripods and I don't know where to start. When I got my Sirui for the spotter, I just had Camera Land pick it out for me based on the specs I had. I think it holds 27lbs.? Something like that. It was a killer deal and on sale too but it's nothing special, $126 with the ball head IIRC. I was thinking that 0311 looked nice but somebody said the little Surui I have supports more weight?

My heaviest rifle is gonna be the HTI .50. It's 26 stripped but it's got a 25x USO scope and a PVS30 and there's an LRA bipod plus a suppressor so I'm guessing maybe 37 pounds? And of course it should probably be rated for more so it's not maxed out and wobbly.

Is there one that supports a lot of weight and doesn't cost a fortune? What about the saddle? One that can easily clamp down on a heavy rifle like that? I know I take the recoil, but that hard hitter is still gonna pass some energy through it and I'd like it not to break or fold.

 

[bribassguy]

You're going to give up something... there are very stable tripod capable of TONS of weight but you're not going to hump them around in the field or you'll pay for carbon.

I think Gitzo 5 series have a 88 lb load limit and RRS TVC45 is something closer to 100. They are about the best big tripods out there but I don't think you really need something that big. You'll also have some issue with the bowl diameter on really bug tripods and spend $1500 on the tripod.

Most shooters user something like a Gitzo 3 of RSS TVC33... stightly smaller not quite as large of a load capacity but it works for most shooters. Some where around $1000.

You can look at PVA's Comp40 it's got 40mm tubes and a 75mm bowl so that's a plus. It's only $500 but uses a mix of US and Imported parts. I've shot off one and really can't find any complaints with it.

I bought a Gitzo 3 back when you had to go to a camera store. It's been really stable over the last few years and would likely buy it or a PVA

BCM

 

[bribassguy]

Also, check out Diver's post comparing heads.

RRS Leveling heads- RRS TVC-33 & Feisol 3372 + Anvil 30 comment

My intent here is to add a few images comparing the setup of the RRS TVC-33 with the TA-3 to the TA-3 used on the 3372 and add a couple of comments about the TA-UL on the 3372 and 3342. Plus, a quick note after a ton of time on the RRS Anvil 30, my overview of the different RRS head options...

www.snipershide.com

 

[Strykervet]

You're going to give up something... there are very stable tripod capable of TONS of weight but you're not going to hump them around in the field or you'll pay for carbon.

I think Gitzo 5 series have a 88 lb load limit and RRS TVC45 is something closer to 100. They are about the best big tripods out there but I don't think you really need something that big. You'll also have some issue with the bowl diameter on really bug tripods and spend $1500 on the tripod.

Most shooters user something like a Gitzo 3 of RSS TVC33... stightly smaller not quite as large of a load capacity but it works for most shooters. Some where around $1000.

You can look at PVA's Comp40 it's got 40mm tubes and a 75mm bowl so that's a plus. It's only $500 but uses a mix of US and Imported parts. I've shot off one and really can't find any complaints with it.

I bought a Gitzo 3 back when you had to go to a camera store. It's been really stable over the last few years and would likely buy it or a PVA

BCM

Thanks... Damn they're kinda more expensive than I was thinking. Can't swing that now. I'm gonna look at those links though.

What do you think about getting something lighter and less expensive that'll support an SR25 w/LR17, suppressor and PVS30? Don't know the weight but I'm guessing ~20lbs. That'd be my second heaviest rifle at the moment so the rest of the small frame AR's will be less regardless the attachments. And this would get used far more than the .50 and maybe I don't really need a tripod for the .50 considering it's low use. Especially since those tripods are $1000+

So then what would you recommend for a something like that? Capable of 20+ pounds but rated higher? The 0311 is rated to 26lbs and they claim they've used Barrett .50's and they did fine and those weigh more than 26lbs.

Or do you have a better suggestion? One capable of around, say, 40-50lbs more or less? Not too expensive, not too heavy? Not that'd get used a lot I imagine since pretty much all my rifles will fit it. Or is the 0311 GTG for this?

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

[Strykervet]

Okay, so I see there are some that are in the 50-60lb. rating for $500-$600. Any others like that you can recommend that maybe cost less?

On the other hand, this will handle the .50 so maybe it's the best of both worlds.

Just like some more suggestions still...

 

[beretta_man11]

I've got a Desmond CF432. Does it meet your criteria of, Best- nope, Heavy duty- not so much, but they're fairly inexpensive and I've had my 20lb rifles on it with acceptable results.

 

[bribassguy]

Some guys have had some pretty good luck with Fiesol tripod. They are imports that are a little more budget oriented and some guys have had good luck with them but I have never personally shot off of one.

There is another company rebranding ProMediaGear tripods but I forget there name. They've got a ~1k kit that has a nice ball head and tripod.

 

[Strykervet]

Some guys have had some pretty good luck with Fiesol tripod. They are imports that are a little more budget oriented and some guys have had good luck with them but I have never personally shot off of one.

There is another company rebranding ProMediaGear tripods but I forget there name. They've got a ~1k kit that has a nice ball head and tripod.

Thanks, I'm looking at the Feisol now but it's hard to find their whole lineup.

I'll check out promediagear like you said.

 

[pbgunrunner]

For what it's worth, I bought a nice semi pro video camera tripod for the old style TV station type cameras. It's aluminum and definitely beefy! Paid less than $50 for it since no one needs that heavy of a tripod anymore! I've also had pretty good luck with a fiberglass surveyors tripod.

 

[canezach]

@Strykervet For the Feisol tripods, look at the 3342 and 3372. I've used both extensively and they're great. The 3372 is a little beefier, can support more weight, and costs a little more, but I couldn't tell a difference between it and the 3342 until you're shooting standing. When I was seated or kneeling, both were incredibly stable.

For the mount, I recommend the RRS universal leveling base (TA-U-LC, if I remember correctly) or the TA-3. The downsides are they're pricey and you'll need to use an Arca or dovetail rail on your rifle, if you don't have one already, but they lock up to the rail tightly and make a really stable shooting platform.

I also have the PVA COMP 40 and it's a really nice tripod. The 40mm legs make it really stable when standing, but seated or kneeling, I didn't notice a difference over the 3342 or 3372