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  #1  
Old 08-03-2022, 7:04 AM
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Default Suggest a Spotting Scope Stand for competition

Seems like many are not available right now. I'm looking for a competition style stand like the Creedmoor. They are not available.

What are my other options? They are all expensive so I'd rather get one and cry once. Seems there are a few out there that people don't think highly of. Any recommendations?

Or should I just get a really nice tripod?
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Old 08-03-2022, 7:13 AM
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Spend the money on a good tripod that you can at least sit behind, and a Manfrotto geared head. It will make things much easier to move from one target to another as a spotter.
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Old 08-03-2022, 9:01 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Tiger View Post
Seems there are a few out there that people don't think highly of. Any recommendations?

Or should I just get a really nice tripod?
Although the trend in Highpower is towards electronic targets, a competition scope stand is still valuable for seeing target/scores on short matches and in general, reading flags/mirage.

The only scope stand I tell people to avoid is the Freeland bipod style. Wobbly feet and thin upright wiggles in the slightest wind.

Good lower-cost suggestions are First Strike:
https://first-strike-products.com/

Gear Buggy: https://gearbuggy.com/

Chippewa: https://chippewafoundry.com/new-prod...ng-scope-stand

I have a Ray Vin (out of production) as my primary. As a loaner, I also have the First Strike and I'm pleased with it too.
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Old 08-03-2022, 9:11 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lastinline View Post
Spend the money on a good tripod that you can at least sit behind, and a Manfrotto geared head. It will make things much easier to move from one target to another as a spotter.
Tripod and scope stands serve different functions.

If user is spotting for self, then scope stand is the way to go. Tripod has too large of a footprint for self-spotting. However, a good tripod like a RRS is still valuable to have for other purposes.

I recommend reaching out to Creedmoor to see how long the backorder is. Camp Perry National Matches are still going on right now. It's possible they brought all inventory to vendor row.

I still have my Ray-Vin scope stand even though I've been out of High Power for over 10 years, mainly for when shooting prone and when I want my spotting scope to read mirage.
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  #5  
Old 08-03-2022, 11:17 AM
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I bought a used Sinclair clamp on and mounted a Manfrotto adapter to it so I can use different spotting scopes on it.
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Old 08-03-2022, 11:53 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smoothy8500 View Post
Although the trend in Highpower is towards electronic targets, a competition scope stand is still valuable for seeing target/scores on short matches and in general, reading flags/mirage.

The only scope stand I tell people to avoid is the Freeland bipod style. Wobbly feet and thin upright wiggles in the slightest wind.

Good lower-cost suggestions are First Strike:
https://first-strike-products.com/

Gear Buggy: https://gearbuggy.com/

Chippewa: https://chippewafoundry.com/new-prod...ng-scope-stand

I have a Ray Vin (out of production) as my primary. As a loaner, I also have the First Strike and I'm pleased with it too.
Thanks. Hard to tell which is truly better. Those all look good
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Old 08-03-2022, 11:59 AM
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Just starting out I would say the Chippewa just because it's the lowest cost. You can always sell it to some other newbie getting into the sport. Have you looked at the US Highpower forum and checked the exchange/sales forums?
http://www.usrifleteams.com

Last edited by smoothy8500; 08-03-2022 at 12:04 PM..
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Old 08-03-2022, 12:47 PM
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https://tacticaltripod.com/pictures-dont-lie-1
Scroll down to mid-page to see their product. I have actually seen one of these in use, and it is more along the lines of a scope stand, as ocabj has described.
Here is a picture of it next to a rifle:
https://tacticaltripod.com/home-page

Last edited by lastinline; 08-03-2022 at 12:51 PM..
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  #9  
Old 08-04-2022, 10:06 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smoothy8500 View Post
Just starting out I would say the Chippewa just because it's the lowest cost. You can always sell it to some other newbie getting into the sport. Have you looked at the US Highpower forum and checked the exchange/sales forums?
http://www.usrifleteams.com
You make a valid point on the Chippewa. For $200 it will likely meet my needs for a while. I will look at those forums and see what is there.
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Old 08-04-2022, 3:15 PM
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What I will suggest is also getting a shelf adapter for holding your tablet while in standing position. That way you easily see your tablet to visualize target/score and make adjustments without breaking position. Maybe a tablet holder for microphone stands? Something similar to this smallbore setup.
https://freelandssports.com/product/...ff-hand-stand/

Last edited by smoothy8500; 08-04-2022 at 3:28 PM..
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Old 08-04-2022, 4:14 PM
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Go to matches and ask about gear.

You would be amazed how many have 2-3 old models that they have not yet sold

One of their old rifle tripods would be a choice for glass.
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  #12  
Old 08-04-2022, 6:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hermosabeach View Post
Go to matches and ask about gear.

You would be amazed how many have 2-3 old models that they have not yet sold

One of their old rifle tripods would be a choice for glass.
That’s a good suggestion. I hope to attend one this month. I’d like to shoot though. I’m almost ready. I need the spotter stand and to make some ammo. I have my load figured out. I just need to make enough to use in a match.
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Old 08-04-2022, 7:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lastinline View Post
https://tacticaltripod.com/pictures-dont-lie-1
Scroll down to mid-page to see their product. I have actually seen one of these in use, and it is more along the lines of a scope stand, as ocabj has described.
Here is a picture of it next to a rifle:
https://tacticaltripod.com/home-page
That set-up looks great. I have a Really Right Stuff tripod with an anvil head. I’ve considering a second tripod and this looks like it will fit the bill.
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Old 08-04-2022, 8:07 PM
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Creedmore has this one in stock. https://www.creedmoorsports.com/prod...tand/creedmoor
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  #15  
Old 08-04-2022, 10:14 PM
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Quote:
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That 3/4" pole "kit" is considered pretty wobbly vs the 1" pole set.
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  #16  
Old 08-04-2022, 10:17 PM
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I have my load figured out. I just need to make enough to use in a match.
Dude, how much work is it to make 88 rounds....
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  #17  
Old 08-05-2022, 7:30 AM
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Dude, how much work is it to make 88 rounds....
Not much but I have to do it. I just made a few small batches for development. That was just last weekend.
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Old 08-05-2022, 9:33 AM
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Bogan tripod with a double gimbal 1/4-20 mount. I've had mine since 1982 and it's as rock stead and tight today as it was when new. Not to be confused with BOG. They have both top and bottom hanger positions. The double gimbal mount insures infinite adjustments. We aren't in the crackerjack box price range though.

The double gimbal mount - once you try one you'll wonder why you ever bothered with anything else. It absolutely removes the problem of you having to adjust to the scope.

They don't make the specific tripod I have anymore but they make comparable models. Mine has gone through harsh weather, it cleans up as new, no corrosion, no wear of the finish. It's been in rainy and salt fog weather without any attention for weeks and it looks like new with just a wipe off.





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Old 08-13-2022, 1:06 PM
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I’m very happy with my Innorel tripod that I use as a spotting scope, binoculars, range finder and rifle stand.

I got it with their own ballhead, thinking I’d replacing it, never had to. I also bought a bunch or Arca rail accessories for it and its been very flexible and sees a lot of use.

Carbon Fiber Bowl Tripod Heavy Duty Bowl Tripod with 75mm Bowl and Bowl Adapter 40mm Leg Tube Ultra Stable Professional Camera Tripod Max Load 88 Pounds/40kg Camera Stand https://a.co/d/1GBZKux

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...-55-ball-head/

Last edited by Tripplet918; 08-13-2022 at 1:10 PM..
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Old 08-22-2022, 10:41 AM
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IMO, this is the “bomb” scope stand. It was specifically designed for “high power” competition that the shooter goes through different positions (standing, sitting, prone). Extremely beefy, easy to use, stable, but $$$. These scope stands are purpose built as it needs to be adjusted from near the ground to the height of your eyes when standing. The scope needs to be close to your body and placed near your face so you and peep into the eye piece with a short turn twist of your head. And adjusted quickly between the stages. And be collapsed quickly to be hauled up/down the range several hundreds of yards. It needs to handle the weight of a HEAVY optic at full extension w/o needing to be readjusted everytime you touch it. These requirements cuts out all the photo tripods that people use for casual range sessions.
Depending on the weight of the scope, the elevation adjustment sometime slips, but it just needs blue locktight to keep the adjustment tight. If the place is windy and the ground is soft enough, the ground spike is a big help to stabilze.

https://giraudtool.com/giraud-spotting-scope-stand.html

Last edited by Fatcat; 08-22-2022 at 10:57 AM..
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  #21  
Old 08-30-2022, 10:23 PM
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Been using this one since i started shooting service rifle back in 2005 https://jarheadtop.com/product/jim-owens-scope-stand/
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Old 09-11-2022, 10:21 AM
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Default Suggest a Spotting Scope Stand for competition

Manfrotto 3046 tripod with a 410 head. Rock steady to 400+ yards even with a huge Leupold SX-4 scope.

The 410 is a 3-axis geared head with slew release knobs for fast repositioning.

Quick-release plates make it easy to switch scopes in seconds for any purpose. I even have my Kestrel rotating base mounted on a plate.

Keep a watch on eBay because tripods and heads come up all the time at good prices.


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  #23  
Old 09-12-2022, 12:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ronlglock View Post
Manfrotto 3046 tripod with a 410 head. Rock steady to 400+ yards even with a huge Leupold SX-4 scope.

The 410 is a 3-axis geared head with slew release knobs for fast repositioning.

Quick-release plates make it easy to switch scopes in seconds for any purpose. I even have my Kestrel rotating base mounted on a plate.
That tripod is not going to work for Highpower. It's fine for just spotting for other people, though.
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  #24  
Old 09-12-2022, 1:31 PM
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I have the older version of this one:

https://jarheadtop.com/product/jim-owens-scope-stand/

It's for holding the scope at eye level while doing positional shooting: standing off-hand, sitting/kneeling, prone.

It works, but I think the Giraud is the one to get if you can afford it.

https://www.giraudtool.com/giraud-sp...ope-stand.html

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