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Author Topic: Tripod v2.0
knockemdown
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Icon 1 posted December 20, 2016 07:30 AM      Profile for knockemdown   Author's Homepage           Edit/Delete Post 
Ok dudes, you might remember BS-ing about using a tripod on stand? Well, I kinda went off on a tangent and figured a way to attach a rifle to a tripod/ballhead that doesn't involve clamping the stock into a cradle...

Here's what I used:
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That is an Arca-Swiss plate, which is a common interface for attaching camera/video gear, to a tripod head.
The T-nuts are 1/4-20 thread, with long threaded shaft
And 1/4-20 thumbscrews, for quick mount/removal of the plate, to the rifle stock...

I decided to use my .22 as a guinea pig, before butchering any fiberglass! After marking off & driling pilot holes, used a 3/4" counterbore to make a happy home for the T-nuts, recessed in the barrel channel:
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After that, attaching the Arca-Swiss plate to the stock was as simple as snugging the two thumbscrews:
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Now, on to the ballhead! I took the baseplate off my Sirui K-10x, and replaced it with a RRS (Really Right Stuff) QD throw lever base. This allows really fast & easy on/off!
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And just like that, drop the plate into the QD base, and clamp it in. Takes only one second to do, and it is ROCK SOLID!
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Can't wait to get out & try this. I think its alot more streamlined & easy, as compared to using a Triclawps (or Hog Saddle) clamp. And, when ya don't want/need the Arca-Swiss plate on the stock, you can remove it, via the thumbscrews...

Thought I'd share, for shits & giggles!

P.S.
I removed the first (smallest) set of leg extensions from that Feisol tripod. Still have plenty of height adjustment, and saved a couple ounces...

[ December 20, 2016, 07:33 AM: Message edited by: knockemdown ]

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booger
TOO BIG TO FAIL
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Icon 1 posted December 20, 2016 11:21 AM      Profile for booger   Email booger         Edit/Delete Post 
Fred,
That is genius! Not sure if there is anything out there like that, but you should explore getting a patent!!!

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knockemdown
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Icon 1 posted December 20, 2016 12:46 PM      Profile for knockemdown   Author's Homepage           Edit/Delete Post 
Thanks Tim!
The company RRS started a division that caters specifically to the precision rifle market, and they have been coming out with some innovative rifle/chassis specific mounts. But, shooters with standard stocks really don't have a way to interface with an Arca Swiss baseplate. As of yet, anyhow...

Just figured I'd bow-hack something together & see what all became of it. Very tempted to butcher a McMillan, tonight!

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DAA
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Icon 1 posted December 20, 2016 01:28 PM      Profile for DAA   Author's Homepage   Email DAA         Edit/Delete Post 
Very slick Fredo!

- DAA

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"Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." -- George Hanson, Easy Rider, 1969.

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Kokopelli
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Icon 1 posted December 20, 2016 02:11 PM      Profile for Kokopelli   Author's Homepage           Edit/Delete Post 
Just thinking out loud, but couldn't something similar be done with a couple of Earth Magnets ???

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CrossJ
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Icon 1 posted December 20, 2016 03:44 PM      Profile for CrossJ   Email CrossJ         Edit/Delete Post 
Nice Fred. Whats the spaceing (center to center) on the screw holes?

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knockemdown
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Icon 1 posted December 21, 2016 04:55 AM      Profile for knockemdown   Author's Homepage           Edit/Delete Post 
Thanks guys...
Geordie, that Arca Swiss plate has two independant slots for the screws, so you can space them anywhere from 3/4 - almost 1.5" apart. I spaced them far apart as possible...

Here's a linky to the Arca Swiss plate I used
If you scroll down the photos in the link, you'll see the orientation of the slots.

While I'm at it, here's a linky to the screws

And, here's the linky for the 1/4-20 T-nuts

Posts: 2202 | From: behind fascist lines | Registered: Mar 2010  |  IP: Logged
knockemdown
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Icon 1 posted December 21, 2016 05:06 AM      Profile for knockemdown   Author's Homepage           Edit/Delete Post 
Shot these five with the .22LR @ 25yds, off a tall chair w/ tripod almost fully extended:
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Point of aim was dead center, POI was hitting on the high side (50yd zero). Didn't even get my elbows on my knees, just let the tripod hold the rifle & touched em off. Man, even at the tall seated position, that little Savage rimfire felt bedded to the ground...

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Leonard
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Icon 1 posted December 21, 2016 06:15 AM      Profile for Leonard   Author's Homepage   Email Leonard         Edit/Delete Post 
Cool little "handyman" project and all, Fredo. Not exactly genius, though, so don't get a swelled head.

My question: the location on the forearm looks off balance to me? Hard to tell, is that where it worked out, or just as close as you could get?

I'm still a little bit not sold on the app? (tripod) Too much gear for my tastes, but if it keep you off the porn sites, more power to ya.

You know I'm just kidding, good work, Dude, and thanks for sharing. Sudden thought, I wonder if you have ever tried "barking" your squirrels with that 22?

Good hunting. El Bee

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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!

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knockemdown
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Icon 1 posted December 21, 2016 08:25 AM      Profile for knockemdown   Author's Homepage           Edit/Delete Post 
Na, I don't 'bark' squirrels, they get a head shot! Been using a .410 for them, anyway.

That lil' rimfire is a pisser around the old barn, for pigeon & starling detail. Set up ~100yds away with seat & tripod, then crack a cold beer to sip while waitin' for winged vermin to settle on a likely perch. Makes for a good hour of plinkin', when the weather is warm...

The plate is as close to the magwell as I'd care to get it. Depending on barrel length & contour, that might not exactly be at the balance point. NO biggie, cuz the clamping ability of the K-10x ballhead is strong enough to handle the minimal front/back torque from the plate not being ideally positioned.
In reality, its actually about the same point where a cradle/clamp mount would grab the stock. Again, that's due to the detachable magazine needing to be unobstructed...

Gonna get a drill press set up to wreck some McMillans. Silly as the project is, I'm not gonna risk fucking those stocks up with a handheld drill. The cosmetic damage to the exterior of stock itself is minimal, just two holes where the threaded portion of the T-nut sits flush with the bottom face...

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DAA
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Icon 1 posted December 21, 2016 08:55 AM      Profile for DAA   Author's Homepage   Email DAA         Edit/Delete Post 
Be interested in how it goes with the McM's Fred. Got an HS that might be a candidate.

- DAA

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"Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." -- George Hanson, Easy Rider, 1969.

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knockemdown
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Icon 1 posted December 21, 2016 09:15 AM      Profile for knockemdown   Author's Homepage           Edit/Delete Post 
Will do, Dave.
Here's what the bottom of the stock looks like, with plate removed...
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If you do want to try it on your HS, DON'T buy any T-nuts! I bought a 50 pack, and sure ain't gonna use all of 'em. I'll throw a couple in the mail to ya, along with the counterbore bit. Just grab plate or two, and a couple 2pks of those stainless screws. You'll be done, lickity split!

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Lonny
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Icon 1 posted December 21, 2016 11:50 AM      Profile for Lonny           Edit/Delete Post 
Looks dandy Fred.

That setup would also be great for the walk around varmint shooter.

Glad to hear about a fellow starling shooter. I love to puff the feathers on a starling. Not sure why I love to see them and pigeons die, but I do.

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knockemdown
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Icon 1 posted March 02, 2017 04:44 AM      Profile for knockemdown   Author's Homepage           Edit/Delete Post 
Bumping this up, for interested parties...

And realized, I never followed up!
Wound up I mounted plates to a couple other rifles, same parts & tools worked fine on a fiberglass Micky. After a bunch of miles @ home and in OK, this setup works just how I'd hoped!
My 11.5 lb. .22-243AI, in que:
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As for stability & movement, killed a double on the first stand in OK, and a triple shortly thereafter (two shot on the run). Needless to say, the ability to smoothly & easily get on target & track a mover are quite good, IMHO.
One thing bout them Okies, they make ya drag everything ya shoot! [Wink]
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As for portability & ease of carry, we made 18 stands on one particular day, and I didn't feel bothered to tote the tripod. Rifle slung behind the back, e-caller over a shoulder, seat in one hand, tripod in the other...no worries!

Not sayin' its for everyone, but I'll be mounting those QD plates on every varmint rifle I got...

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Leonard
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Icon 1 posted March 02, 2017 04:18 PM      Profile for Leonard   Author's Homepage   Email Leonard         Edit/Delete Post 
If it works for you, I'm happy. I see no need to change out my bipod, just yet.

Good hunting. El Bee

PS oh yeah, of course you drag every coyote. That's a must, in my book. Leave 'em lay is for dinks.

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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!

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DAA
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Icon 1 posted March 03, 2017 04:34 AM      Profile for DAA   Author's Homepage   Email DAA         Edit/Delete Post 
Nice Fred!

Still thinking I might do this to my favorite 'chuck rifle, a .22-250AI in an HS.

- DAA

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"Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." -- George Hanson, Easy Rider, 1969.

Rocky Mountain Varmint Hunter

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knockemdown
Our staff photo editing Guru, par excellence
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Icon 1 posted May 22, 2017 06:04 AM      Profile for knockemdown   Author's Homepage           Edit/Delete Post 
Just a quick update...
Been carrying this tripod around for some "walk in" woodchuck shooting. Man, it sure is nice to have when the fields are growed up! Fireforming .223AI has never been more fun...
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Also, this is my taller (Manfrotto) tripod, with RRS leveling base. Although not quite as stable as seated, standing shooting is surprisingly stable...
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knockemdown
Our staff photo editing Guru, par excellence
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Icon 1 posted May 22, 2017 06:29 AM      Profile for knockemdown   Author's Homepage           Edit/Delete Post 
Thru da scope pic, target is a 8" steel plate @ 355yds away. No problem pepperin' that sucker, even with a stiff wind working against stability...
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knockemdown
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Icon 1 posted July 28, 2017 04:01 AM      Profile for knockemdown   Author's Homepage           Edit/Delete Post 
Well, photo-suck-it shit the bed, so there goes all those pics!
Been shooting quite a bit off the tripod and its still working as advertised! Heck, I don't even need a bipod on my rifle anymore, as the legs of the Feisol spread out near flat & allow prone shooting...
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Have hits out to 405yds off the tripod while sitting on my butt, and alot further than that while prone, as shown in pic...

Hoping Brent updates on how he's liking his setup!?!

[ July 28, 2017, 04:04 AM: Message edited by: knockemdown ]

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Leonard
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Icon 1 posted July 28, 2017 05:47 AM      Profile for Leonard   Author's Homepage   Email Leonard         Edit/Delete Post 
I guess I can let you keep your custom title if it's not your fault losing the photos? (just kidding) But how does that happen? Do uploaded photos to Photobucket have a half life or what?

Looks like quite a lot of expensive gear you have wrapped up there.

Good hunting. El Bee

--------------------
EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!

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knockemdown
Our staff photo editing Guru, par excellence
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Icon 1 posted July 28, 2017 07:48 AM      Profile for knockemdown   Author's Homepage           Edit/Delete Post 
PB changed policy & began charging $$$ for hosting photos. That was the end of that! Rather just deleted photos & account, so all the (blocked) links go to non-existent pics.

Signed up for (free) Imgur, they host for free & it seems more user friendly than PB...

As for the gear? To borrow your phrase: "it keeps me outta the honkey tonks" [Smile]

Thanks for the new title, didn't even notice it til now!

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DAA
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Icon 1 posted July 29, 2017 05:18 AM      Profile for DAA   Author's Homepage   Email DAA         Edit/Delete Post 
That's a pretty slick looking 'chuck outfit Fred. I think you'd enjoy the stick and move, walk and pop 'chuck hunts I still do about once a year.

Target rich environment and you could get shots as long as you wanted. I normally don't bother past about 450 very often anymore. But plenty of 'em out there.

- DAA

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"Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." -- George Hanson, Easy Rider, 1969.

Rocky Mountain Varmint Hunter

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CrossJ
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Icon 1 posted July 29, 2017 08:24 AM      Profile for CrossJ   Email CrossJ         Edit/Delete Post 
Fred, I visited with the RRS guys a couple weekends ago.....they were demoing a new mount that took up recoil. It is basically a slideing plate with spring tension. Shooting my 6.5 off of it I was able to stay on target to see impacts, even on closer in targets. I doubt I'll ever own one, but quility equipment none the less.

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A friend will help you move. A good friend will help you move a body.

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knockemdown
Our staff photo editing Guru, par excellence
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Icon 1 posted July 31, 2017 03:45 AM      Profile for knockemdown   Author's Homepage           Edit/Delete Post 
Thanks Dave!
Funny you mentioned that, as I took the .17Predator on a walkabout. Had been neglecting it, so was nice to whack a bunch with it!!! Did the same Arca Swiss plate install on that GameScout...can't beat it for poppin' a squat & taking care of business!
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That lil' 30 Gold gets to 300yds pretty quick!!!
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Geordie, RRS is really onto something with their dedicated SOAR equipment. Still, gonna keep slummin' it with these tripods, maybe one day will splurge for an RRS tripod...

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Grizz
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Icon 1 posted August 03, 2017 08:46 PM      Profile for Grizz           Edit/Delete Post 
Freddy always has nice stuff. That scope reminds me of my Schmidt and Bender Long Range 4-16 X 50's. Rick

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