Background: This past year I renewed my interest in PCP air rifles and set forth to improve my accuracy. Years ago, I used a bench that I constructed which, along with the rest, was both challenging and cumbersome to move in the hallway space designated for the hobby.
With a background in photography, I not surprisingly, decided to try it with a tripod. Owning numerous tripods and heads, I began to experiment. However it didn’t work out so well initially. Starting with a variety of ball heads, I experienced problems with balance, steadiness, drift and the ability to move from target to target in a convenient manner. After considerable experimentation, it soon became apparent that I needed rear stability, and that a single tripod even with an extension arm was not going to suffice.
I proceeded to purchase a Saber Tactical Pro Universal Bench Monopod ST0069 and with a 3/8 16 tapped hole in the center, I mounted it to sturdy tripod. While this was major step forward, I wasn’t satisfied with the way the stock rested on the Saber Tactical rest. Back to the drawing board, I proceeded to purchase a Saber Tactical Pro Roller ST0086, took it apart, discarded the roller part, and constructed a clamp and mount from readily-available parts that could be adjusted and tightened to hold a stock.
While this was an obvious improvement, the front tripod head issues persisted.
My next step was to try a fluid head — the type used for videography. That actually worked rather well as the pan and tilt was smooth and I could easily move from target to target using the X and Y axis controls on the rear rest alone.
Then another challenge surfaced – leveling the system. While that issue was partially solved using a leveling device inserted between the front tripod and the head, it was still somewhat cumbersome as both tripods had to be leveled and aligned.
After considerable experimentation, I finally discovered the perfect head. It is the Leophoto Pro G4 Four Way Geared Head. The pan and tilt is smooth and one additional feature stood out to make a huge difference – a lateral leveling axis precisely adjusted with a simple knob.
Just when I thought I had it solved, another problem reared its ugly head. As I adjusted the X and Y axis on the rear rest, the vertical and horizontal angles of the stock remained clamped in with increasing tension placed on the rifle, binding it in certain positions. The final solution was a simple one — an inexpensive ball head mounted on a readily-available L bracket.
So how does it function?
In order for this to work, I’ve attached Arca plates to each rifle I own — an FX Panthera, Daystate Alpha Wolf and the Skout Evo.
The rifle is first attached to the front rest (Leophoto) via an Arca plate. The Leophoto’s pan and tilt levers are released with free motion in those planes. The only axis that remains controlled by a knob is the level axis, which additionally serves to enable precisely level scope mounting rather quickly as the angle can be easily and finely tuned.
After mounting the rifle to the Leophoto Arca clamp and quickly leveling the rest, I then proceed to adjust the distance to the second tripod in order to position the rear Arca plate which is then quickly and easily attached to the free-moving ball head Arca clamp mounted on the Saber Tactical rear rest.
The bottom line is simple — this system is light-weight, readily transportable, height adjustable, remarkably stable, and set up is fast and easy. Hole into hole accuracy is facilitated by simply adjusting the Saber Tactical rear X and Y axis upon which sits a free-moving ball head that automatically adjusts and aligns to the front rest and never binds as the stock of the rifle floats on the ball head.
Please note: I typically shoot paper targets indoors at distances of 10-25 yards, and this set up remarkably improves my precision and overall enjoyment . This unique combination of readily-available parts simply works well in a variety of settings.
I hope the documentation of this journey and the attached photos help anyone facing the same challenges. Please note I have no financial interest or relationship with any of the companies mentioned.
Barry
With a background in photography, I not surprisingly, decided to try it with a tripod. Owning numerous tripods and heads, I began to experiment. However it didn’t work out so well initially. Starting with a variety of ball heads, I experienced problems with balance, steadiness, drift and the ability to move from target to target in a convenient manner. After considerable experimentation, it soon became apparent that I needed rear stability, and that a single tripod even with an extension arm was not going to suffice.
I proceeded to purchase a Saber Tactical Pro Universal Bench Monopod ST0069 and with a 3/8 16 tapped hole in the center, I mounted it to sturdy tripod. While this was major step forward, I wasn’t satisfied with the way the stock rested on the Saber Tactical rest. Back to the drawing board, I proceeded to purchase a Saber Tactical Pro Roller ST0086, took it apart, discarded the roller part, and constructed a clamp and mount from readily-available parts that could be adjusted and tightened to hold a stock.
While this was an obvious improvement, the front tripod head issues persisted.
My next step was to try a fluid head — the type used for videography. That actually worked rather well as the pan and tilt was smooth and I could easily move from target to target using the X and Y axis controls on the rear rest alone.
Then another challenge surfaced – leveling the system. While that issue was partially solved using a leveling device inserted between the front tripod and the head, it was still somewhat cumbersome as both tripods had to be leveled and aligned.
After considerable experimentation, I finally discovered the perfect head. It is the Leophoto Pro G4 Four Way Geared Head. The pan and tilt is smooth and one additional feature stood out to make a huge difference – a lateral leveling axis precisely adjusted with a simple knob.
Just when I thought I had it solved, another problem reared its ugly head. As I adjusted the X and Y axis on the rear rest, the vertical and horizontal angles of the stock remained clamped in with increasing tension placed on the rifle, binding it in certain positions. The final solution was a simple one — an inexpensive ball head mounted on a readily-available L bracket.
So how does it function?
In order for this to work, I’ve attached Arca plates to each rifle I own — an FX Panthera, Daystate Alpha Wolf and the Skout Evo.
The rifle is first attached to the front rest (Leophoto) via an Arca plate. The Leophoto’s pan and tilt levers are released with free motion in those planes. The only axis that remains controlled by a knob is the level axis, which additionally serves to enable precisely level scope mounting rather quickly as the angle can be easily and finely tuned.
After mounting the rifle to the Leophoto Arca clamp and quickly leveling the rest, I then proceed to adjust the distance to the second tripod in order to position the rear Arca plate which is then quickly and easily attached to the free-moving ball head Arca clamp mounted on the Saber Tactical rear rest.
The bottom line is simple — this system is light-weight, readily transportable, height adjustable, remarkably stable, and set up is fast and easy. Hole into hole accuracy is facilitated by simply adjusting the Saber Tactical rear X and Y axis upon which sits a free-moving ball head that automatically adjusts and aligns to the front rest and never binds as the stock of the rifle floats on the ball head.
Please note: I typically shoot paper targets indoors at distances of 10-25 yards, and this set up remarkably improves my precision and overall enjoyment . This unique combination of readily-available parts simply works well in a variety of settings.
I hope the documentation of this journey and the attached photos help anyone facing the same challenges. Please note I have no financial interest or relationship with any of the companies mentioned.
Barry
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