BOG Deathgrip tripod?

[sigstroker]

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1020678542?pid=142811&utm_source=clearance&utm_medium=email&utm_content=prodblock1_link&utm_campaign=process

Is this thing any good? It seems fairly cheap for carbon fiber. Is 9 pounds good or bad? I can't imagine that I need a thousand dollar tripod.

[deckhandmike]

It’s very solid. I like mine. Heavy is good. It’s not meant for hiking. And no, a 1000$ tripod won’t make you shoot better.

[Meety Peety]

What are you going to do with it? Seems pretty limited, but maybe not a factor for you if you aren't trying to do much with it. There are other options that aren't $1k, but you'd still have to spend a bit more than $220, and without knowing what you want to do with it, hard to say what best fits your needs.

I think saying you won't shoot better with a good tripod is a bit misguided. True, if you don't shoot well to begin with, or you don't know how to utilize a tripod, you will have a hard time no matter how nice the tripod is. But if you have a good understanding of how to engage a target from a tripod and are an otherwise competent shooter, you will definitely feel the limitations of this kind of tripod versus something nicer. Maybe that's a discussion for another day though.

I can say that if for whatever reason I was forced to shoot a stage with this tripod, I would probably just throw a game changer over the head and shoot from the bag.

[JackEllis]

I have a Vanguard tripod and have used it for hunting, mostly from a standing position in tall grass (Africa). I've bought several for friends as well. It's about $80, it's tall enough for me (5'8"), it's stable, it's very light but sturdy, and if I can't get the legs to extend or retract after it's been dragged around in the dirt and rain, the price is low enough that I don't feel bad about having to buy another one. I've also used it to shoot squirrels while sitting in a camp chair. I'm not sure what a $1k tripod does that this one does not.

Whether for hunting or competition you absolutely need to practice with it. Most of my range sessions involve shooting from the tripod or sticks. One other thing you might want to consider is checking the zero on your rifle from a "field rest". I'm probably doing something wrong but I've noticed my point of impact from sticks or the tripod is a bit different from the POI I get when using a bench.

[deckhandmike]

I use mine for varmint hunting and as a stand for glassing mostly. I’m sure there are better high speed low drag options but generally if you need that you already know what you need.

[mtenenhaus]

a lot also depends upon the type of rail you're running or planning to run....some won't attach to the increasingly common ARCA rails or allow for changing the attachment head.

[diver160651]

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/field-match-tips-tricks-and-stage-examples-for-ukd-team-challenge-match-11-22-2020.6980614/page-2#post-8495271

[sigstroker]

Oh hell, I saw "carbon fiber" in the description. But then it says the legs are aluminum. So maybe there's carbon fiber in it, but not the part you want to be carbon fiber.

What were the limitations everyone mentioned? In the head?

[NATEWA]

I have the BOG switcheroo system and like it. Friend likes his Primos trigger stick tripod

[diver160651]

Oh hell, I saw "carbon fiber" in the description. But then it says the legs are aluminum. So maybe there's carbon fiber in it, but not the part you want to be carbon fiber.

What were the limitations everyone mentioned? In the head?

Sig,

We all love what we have and tend to promote it to others. In some ways, that good for the economy, but often wrong or inadequate for the individual. We often recommend things before honestly knowing if what we are suggesting is genuinely the best, how it compares, or even if it is the best tool for the job. We also don't know what we don't know, especially if we could not compare and contrast. Fortunately, there are not that many people who have spent hundreds of thousands of $$ learning the hard way, and many that have to take the time to try to help others to end in frustration or a similarly expensive and slow learning curve like they had. Today, people who find top-shelf instruction can accelerate their learning curve and cut their expenses many times over. If your end game interest is off range shooting, come to a Field match you can shoot or help with one; if it is Benchrest, I'd do the same. Either way, it will accelerate your path. It's hard for anyone to recommend a good fit if they haven't experienced a wide spectrum for tripods to stick and impossible if they don't know your end game and expectations.


SIDE NOTE:
Many disciplines of shooting, while similar, often have very different approaches to accomplish the same goals of an accurate shot. No matter the discipline, getting the rifle as stable as possible is key. On one end, Benchrest is putting everything into having the most precision; 3Gun puts everything thing inro being the most dynamic over time. We are all trying to get as close to Benchrest precision with the accuracy needed for uncertain target sizes, terrain, wind, and range; without the bench and 100lbs in front and rear rifle supports. If we accept that the bench and benchrest are the best rifle supports, then whatever else we use is a compromise in stability. The sole job is to get as close to the bench rest stability as possible, secondarily being fast, light, quiet, and field expedient. The military has used tripods for what seems ever; the Manfrotto 555 was the first relevant modern tripod widely adopted by both Mil and LEO. Their tripod works ok on large super soft targets; we're talking 30" heigh and 4x wider than your DRT shot of on hog. These are still in use today, but many outfits have been receiving modern upgrades.

Most of the Primos and like tripod offerings have been trying to emulate the 555, but most are a massive step down regarding stability. Even the 555 is a poor choice for the stability required for long range ethical shot compaired to the current offerings.

Here is an example of my old 555 I still had lying around. I decided to do a stability example. The way I did it was by timing the time the rifle take to settle down on its own so that there was not as much shooter bias.

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/rrs-leveling-heads-rrs-tvc-33-feisol-3372-anvil-30-comment.6570549/page-3#post-7588178

Here is the full thread comparing the two hottest brands and the various heds:

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/rrs-leveling-heads-rrs-tvc-33-feisol-3372-anvil-30-comment.6570549/

[mtenenhaus]

Diver...great post, thank you