Rifle Mounted On A Tripod.

[Pete E]

I've notice there seems to be a degree of interest in tripod systems for rifles, so when I came across the pic below on another forum, I thought I'd post it here:

The writeup said: "Manfrotto 055 NAT3, with RC141 head. goes from high prone to standing and use the manfrotto RC2 quick detach mount - rifle on or off in a second." It further states that it uses a standard Manfrotto QD plate which is fixed to the stock.

The rifle shown is a .223Rem...I've no idea how a system like this would cope with the recoil from say a .308win or bigger.

Personally, I think I'd prefer a cradle type rest fixed to the tripod to one where the rifle is mounted solidly...

 

[Insayn]

Re: Rifle Mounted On A Tripod.

The recoil is minimal and you can still reacquire a sight picture pretty quick after a shot is taken. We use them for the ease of packing and deploying. Compared to our Spec Rest I'd haul a Manfrotto anyday. You can essentially create any type of mount your imagination allows. Just bend up some aluminum to fit your rifle stock, pad it and secure it to a quick attach base.

 

[Michael]

Re: Rifle Mounted On A Tripod.

http://www.lonestarfieldproducts.com/vrs507.html

photo on the top right of the home page.
Nice for long term wait and see stuff, securely mounts the rifle, adjusts and tracks smoothly. 1/2 second dismount for the rifle.

 

[257speed]

Re: Rifle Mounted On A Tripod.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Michael</div><div class="ubbcode-body">http://www.lonestarfieldproducts.com/vrs507.html

photo on the top right of the home page.
Nice for long term wait and see stuff, securely mounts the rifle, adjusts and tracks smoothly. 1/2 second dismount for the rifle. </div></div>
Played with them quite a bit. You aren't going to want to carry them too far. They are nice, but not really any better than a tripod setup like the one pictured, which would cost half the money.

 

[AlabamaShooter]

Re: Rifle Mounted On A Tripod.

If you are looking for a cradle system, PRS tripods (platypus here on the hide makes them) are a good choice, its a simple squared off channel that screws on the tripod. I have the short version of the tripod and its great for prone or bench shooting. But he does make a taller version for sitting or standing. Id PM him, he might be able to help ya out, not to mention he is a great guy to talk with.

 

[Platypus]

Re: Rifle Mounted On A Tripod.

Thanks Alabama Shooter. The question as I see it is “how much tripod are you willing to tote around?” If getting it out of the trunk and setting it up on the flat range is your thing the bigger, tripods are not a problem. The smaller SLIK's that we utilize are much smaller with an amazing weight to strength ratio. The idea of locking your rifle into a cradle is not one that I have subscribed to. What I have found is that when the rifle is secured in the tripod recoil is transferred into the tripod causing recoil to transfer in different directions and recovery that much more difficult unlike the linear recoil of a free recoiling rifle that returns to the line of sight without having to muscle the rifle and tripod as one unit. Just some food for thought and results may vary the biggest thing is practice with whatever you use as the shooting platform as the dynamics whether a bipod, tripod, pack, or unsupported all change the application of the fundamentals of marksmanship.

 

[MtGoat]

Re: Rifle Mounted On A Tripod.

Unless it is way new I doubt it is a 223...the 223 magazines are only 2 months new. The gun sure looks like a AI which does not come in 223 (unless a custom barrel turned around in one or two months and a custom bolt...possible but not probable). This would put the whole idea of a gun attached to a tripod in doubt Yas Platypus states free recoil is MUCH better than the forces that may occur with a rifle solidly attached to a tripod (which would throw more unknowns in than a bipod).

Oops just saw the metal mags...definately NOT a 223...the AI .223 mags are synthetic)
Just noticed the brake is a two chamber brake which would indicate that it is for a AWSM. 223 is even less likely.

I wonder what the knob is on the left side of the photo (right side of the rifle)....maybe for the bipod????
The balance point of the gun is way off as well...when they loosen the head to adjust to get on target the butt of the gun will fall rapidly. Hmmmm looks like maybe a set-up photo????

Pat

 

[MtGoat]

Re: Rifle Mounted On A Tripod.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Michael</div><div class="ubbcode-body">http://www.lonestarfieldproducts.com/vrs507.html

photo on the top right of the home page.
Nice for long term wait and see stuff, securely mounts the rifle, adjusts and tracks smoothly. 1/2 second dismount for the rifle. </div></div>

They all look to be free recoil and not "attached" to the stock. It would seem to be a nice system if it is solid but packing one very far may be for the young bucks

The Playpus set-up may not be as solid but seems to be "good enough" for a number of applications. The tripod is the key to a solid set-up and the heavier the steadier but the less user friendly if packing it very far.

Pat