Mechanics of using a tripod as a bipod

[Nik H]

Hi all,

I have seen many photos on this site where shooters are using a tripod like a bipod when in the prone position. I tried this today and it was stable but I do have a few noob questions to ask. Hoping someone with greater experience with this method can chime in, but all comments are welcome.

1. How low should you set the tripod? I splayed the legs out to their maximum. This worked, but the rifle and my position were too low. It was uncomfortable. I intend to try it in a slightly higher position.
2. Tripod head clamp - Do you fully lock the tripod head? I use an Anvil. If yes, how do you fine-tune the rifle position to get on target? If no, how tightly do you close the clamp?
3. Rear bag use - Provided the height of the rifle is similar to the height when using a bipod, you could still use a rear bag. However, with the Anvil locked, there was no real need to. The butt was pretty stable.
4. Loading - I didn't think this was necessary, but my shoulder was up against the butt of the rifle to keep the recoil under control.
5. What else am I missing?

I was using this to shoot groups at 100 yards. I could see that this would be more practical when shooting steel from prone. They are larger targets, and some of the fine-tuning may not be necessary.

Thanks in advance

 

[Secant]

Prone is the worst use of a tripod IME. I think for most, seated tripod should be as precise as prone, but seated tripod is a much faster tripod deployment.

 

[Emerson0311]

Prone is the worst use of a tripod IME. I think for most, seated tripod should be as precise as prone, but seated tripod is a much faster tripod deployment.

My full standing position off any solid support, tripod or not, is almost as good as prone, and I find it a lot more comfortable and faster. Not BR accurate, but certainly under 1 MOA out at 500+ with CF, and 100+ with RF.

 

[Nik H]

Prone is the worst use of a tripod IME. I think for most, seated tripod should be as precise as prone, but seated tripod is a much faster tripod deployment.

I agree that seated is excellent with a tripod. I do it all the time.

I don't understand using a tripod in place of a bipod, but I have seen it here on a few occasions. That is why I was asking.

 

[Secant]

I agree that seated is excellent with a tripod. I do it all the time.

I don't understand using a tripod in place of a bipod, but I have seen it here on a few occasions. That is why I was asking.

When I’ve done it, I set-up the same as sitting, kneeling, or standing. I’ve tried a few different ways and just found it to be unnecessarily slow/inefficient. I basically never do it now as I would rather just have a 14oz atlas on my rifle, or shoot off a backpack or go sitting/kneeling from a tripod. For me, there’s zero benefit to prone tripod and it’s hard to think of an actual application in real life.

 

[JustSendit]

I agree that seated is excellent with a tripod. I do it all the time.

I don't understand using a tripod in place of a bipod, but I have seen it here on a few occasions. That is why I was asking.

High angle is about the only time I end up tripod prone. I can’t think of another situation where I’d look to create that position when I’ve got bipods. My experience at least.

 

[Nik H]

High angle is about the only time I end up tripod prone. I can’t think of another situation where I’d look to create that position when I’ve got bipods. My experience at least.

That is an excellent use case! One that I had not considered.

I could see the tripod having an advantage there.