I’ve just gotten back into the realm of PCPs and am enjoying it immensely. I primarily focus on plinking (within 50 yards) and occasional target practice in my garage (10 yards).
While I prefer not to use a bench, I truly appreciate the accuracy it affords. I do not formally compete — my only competition is myself.
With a longstanding affinity for photography, I’ve accumulated multiple tripods of different sizes. I decided to purchase an arca adapter and mounted the Alpha on several high end tripod heads. Even the rather expensive ones (heavy duty fluid and ball heads) didn’t seem to work as the weight distribution on the Alpha Wolf is rather far back. I finally settled on a Leophoto MA-30L, and it successfully keeps the Alpha in position despite the weight imbalance.
After discovering that the MA-30L solved the balance problem, I soon realized that a lateral wobble while aiming was extremely difficult to reduce. Despite watching multiple videos online, I improved to some degree but could not tame the beast to my satisfaction. I know what you’re thinking . . . I should have just practiced more. However that wasn’t the point.
I experimented with multiple tripods and gadgets I built — some suspended from the main tripod and others mounted on a separate tripod. Finally after lots of experimentation, the lateral wobble improved considerably.
However despite some degree of success, another challenge immediately became apparent — the ease of adjustability and changing aim was challenging at best. Frankly it just wasn’t enjoyable adjusting the aim from target to target on a 25-yard multiple target sheet.
Finally online I found a Saber Tactical Pro Bench Monopod, a rear rest that had potential. I contacted the company and discussed this challenge at length with them. They actually tapped the base with a 3/8 16 thread for tripod mounting and shipped it the very same day.
Frankly I could not have been more pleased. It works great, is rock solid, and makes shooting without a bench highly accurate and enjoyable. Setup is quick and it’s precision and ease of adjustment serve my purpose perfectly. In fact, I’m so pleased that I decided to photograph the setup to share with this audience.
While I could not find much online, I’m certain that I’ cannot be
the only one struggling with considerable lateral wobble on a tripod.
While this post is not intended for hunters, benchrest shooters, or those who line up and shoot rapidly in varying settings, I hope it provides a rather effective e solution for those who prefer to use a tripod for target practice.
I extend thanks to Saber Tactical for a great design and superb service, and to this forum for a host of valuable insights that helps us better enjoy and advance in this sport.
While I prefer not to use a bench, I truly appreciate the accuracy it affords. I do not formally compete — my only competition is myself.
With a longstanding affinity for photography, I’ve accumulated multiple tripods of different sizes. I decided to purchase an arca adapter and mounted the Alpha on several high end tripod heads. Even the rather expensive ones (heavy duty fluid and ball heads) didn’t seem to work as the weight distribution on the Alpha Wolf is rather far back. I finally settled on a Leophoto MA-30L, and it successfully keeps the Alpha in position despite the weight imbalance.
After discovering that the MA-30L solved the balance problem, I soon realized that a lateral wobble while aiming was extremely difficult to reduce. Despite watching multiple videos online, I improved to some degree but could not tame the beast to my satisfaction. I know what you’re thinking . . . I should have just practiced more. However that wasn’t the point.
I experimented with multiple tripods and gadgets I built — some suspended from the main tripod and others mounted on a separate tripod. Finally after lots of experimentation, the lateral wobble improved considerably.
However despite some degree of success, another challenge immediately became apparent — the ease of adjustability and changing aim was challenging at best. Frankly it just wasn’t enjoyable adjusting the aim from target to target on a 25-yard multiple target sheet.
Finally online I found a Saber Tactical Pro Bench Monopod, a rear rest that had potential. I contacted the company and discussed this challenge at length with them. They actually tapped the base with a 3/8 16 thread for tripod mounting and shipped it the very same day.
Frankly I could not have been more pleased. It works great, is rock solid, and makes shooting without a bench highly accurate and enjoyable. Setup is quick and it’s precision and ease of adjustment serve my purpose perfectly. In fact, I’m so pleased that I decided to photograph the setup to share with this audience.
While I could not find much online, I’m certain that I’ cannot be
While this post is not intended for hunters, benchrest shooters, or those who line up and shoot rapidly in varying settings, I hope it provides a rather effective e solution for those who prefer to use a tripod for target practice.
I extend thanks to Saber Tactical for a great design and superb service, and to this forum for a host of valuable insights that helps us better enjoy and advance in this sport.
