Typically, any rifle tripod would be good enough for occasional shooting and recreational purposes. However, when it comes to using the tripod for hunting or target practicing, convenient tripods don’t seem to hold that well.

There are situations where you might have to shoot in sitting and standing positions. For such purposes, you have to make sure you got the best tripod for shooting and glassing that is made of durable and high-quality material, have stable a stand, can carry the weight of your rifle without wobbling.

Among tons of tripods out there, I found these 6 products to satisfy both beginner and advanced shooters. It took nearly 3 days to complete the list going through hundreds of reviews and feedbacks.

Benefits of Tripods for Rifle Shooting

As mentioned earlier, shooters had to rely more on their creativity instead of tools. But thanks to modern innovation, you can now get tripods that are specially made for hunting! Below, we speak briefly about some of the benefits of using a tripod –

Stability

With help of a rifle tripod, you can get incredible stability which will allow you to clearly see your target and the surrounding areas. Moreover, hunting tripods are engineered to cut down on rifle recoil and prevent other factors such as wind and uneven terrains from affecting your sight.

The stability offered by a hunting period also allows you to take shots at much greater distances than what is possible without a tripod.

Easy and Quick Setup

When you’re hunting, you may need to get in position rapidly. Most hunting tripods just require their legs to be extended,and you can get your best shot almost immediately after you’re done placing it! Furthermore, you can set up a hunting tripod almost anywhere.

Varying Height

Most shooting tripods can extend high enough to be used comfortably when standing, or be shrinked so you can lay low on the ground. High-end hunting tripods also have an adjustable neck with which you can achieve smoother panning and tilting when scanning a landscape.

Lower Eye Strain

Using a tripod will reduce eye strain from extended periods of glassing.

 

Best Tripod for Shooting and Glassing

Some of the aspects you should consider before choosing a tripod include stability, adjustable options, and mobility. In the world of tripods, the weight of a tripod is the balance between its stability and mobility. Below are the best tripods for shooting and glassing.

Predator Tactics Deadeye Rifle Tripod

One of the tallest rifle tripods in the market, the Predator Tactics Deadeye is a fully-fledged tripod that ticks all the right boxes. It is ideal for shooting and glassing as its height can be extended up to 70-inches. Moreover, it is compatible with most rifles’ Picatinny and NATO rails.

The Predator Tactics Deadeye tripod is constructed with a combination of aluminum and steel. Most of its structure comprises matte-finished aluminum that can easily merge with its surroundings by preventing glare. It has 3 legs, each of which has 4 sections that can be extended from 17.5 inches up to 70 inches.

In terms of stability, the tripod can serve as an excellent rest for rifles. With a maximum load ability of 26 pounds, you can use most guns on this tripod with absolutely minimal wobbling. The oversized knobs are a great touch, making the adjustments simple for shooters wearing gloves.

Apart from the 4 sectioned legs, you can also adjust the head of the tripod. It makes use of a ‘DeadEye BallHead’, which is a 45mm ball that allows for 360-degree rotation. Moreover, it is compatible with Picatinny and NATO rails out of the box. It also comes with a ‘DeadEye Arca’ to rail adapter in case you need one.

Pros

• Sturdy mounting system compatible with most rifles
• Robust aluminum structure with matte-finish prevents glaring
• Easily interchangeable rubber and spiked feet
• Impressive maximum height of 70 inches
• DeadEye BallHead offers smooth rotation for panning
• Oversized knobs allow for easy adjustment

Cons

• Center aluminum tube’s threads wear out quickly
• Slightly more expensive than tripods with similar specs

 

Verdict

The Predator Tactics Deadeye rifle offers impressive stability and has smooth panning ability thanks to its BallHead. Although the tripod is costlier than rival models, it should pay off in the long run.

BOG DeathGrip Tripod

The BOG DeathGrip is one of the most rugged options in the market. Its carbon fiber legs and other carbon fiber components make it at least 17 times stronger than aluminum while also being 15% lighter. It also has a clamping head with tension capabilities that can pan 360-degrees.

Its legs are made from carbon fiber, which minimizes the amount of flex and makes for a highly stable gun rest. In fact, a handful of enthusiasts ringed the BOG DeathGrip as the most stable-shooting tripod in its segment. Furthermore, its feet come with retractable steel spikes, which allows it to be used in outdoor terrains.

Although the BOG DeathGrip isn’t the lightest tripod out there, its impressive stability makes up for the weight. It uses a patented clamp that can secure any weapon, including a crossbow! As the name suggests, it does hold the weapons with a strong ‘DeathGrip’.

The tripod’s clamping head can tilt up to 25-degrees and pan 360-degrees. All three of its legs are fully adjustable, so you can ensure a level rest on all terrains. It also comes with a bubble surface leveler and an angle guide display, which allows the user to adjust the tripod adequately.

Pros

• Angle guide and bubble surface leveler useful for quick adjustments
• Sturdy and durable carbon fiber construction with sleek and modern design
• Retractable steel spikes in feet makes it ideal for all terrain
• Patented clamp tightly secures most weapons and even crossbows
• Offers impressive stability in all leg positions
• Class-leading maximum height of 72-inches

Cons

• Matte-finish could’ve prevented its shiny glare

 

Verdict

One of the favorite rifle tripods among enthusiasts, the BOG DeathGrip is a great tripod that is suitable for all terrains. Although it is a bit on the heavy side, its weight makes up for its stability.

Vortex Optics Radian Carbon Ball Head Tripod

If you’re looking for a sturdy rifle tripod and weight isn’t a critical factor, the Vortex Optics Radian should serve all your purposes with finesse. It has a sleek and premium design with a matte finish all around to prevent glare.

The Vertex Optics Radian is built from a combination of carbon fiber and aluminum, which make for incredible strength to weight ratio. On paper, the tripod is said to support a maximum load of 55 lbs. According to most users, it offers great stability and can significantly improve shooting precision.

Vertex went all out on the Optics Radian, and nearly all of its components can be adjusted. Its leg has four sections which can be adjusted with twist locks. It has three leg positions of 25-degrees, 55-degrees or 85-degrees. But the best part of this tripod is its ball head.

It enables shooting and glassing from almost any angle. The ball head has three knobs for adjusting its tension, locking the pan, and another for locking the ball head. It can tilt up to 45-degrees, and be notched up to 90-degrees. In brief, the Vertex Optics Radian is a great tripod for improving your shooting precision.

Pros

• Enables great shooting precision with impressive stability
• Interchangeable spiked and rubber feet make it suitable for all terrains
• Ball Head allows user to shoot or glass from just any angle
• Includes quick release and Arca-Swiss compatibility
• Offers impressive strength to weight ratio with carbon fiber and aluminum construction

Cons

• Despite carbon fiber and aluminum construction, the tripod is heavy

 

Verdict

The Vertex Optics Radian offers incredible stability and enables the user to fine-tune its adjustments to make it perfect for every environment. However, it is not portable and lightweight enough for long hiking or mountain climbing.

BOG Rapid Shooting Rest

If you’re looking for a portable tripod for prone shooting that doesn’t sacrifice durability, the BOG Rapid shooting rest would be a great choice. It is specially made for prone shooting and allows up to 4 inches of height adjustment. Its non-marring rubber feet are a nice touch, making for a very stable gun rest.

The BOG Rapid shooting rest is very lightweight but has a rugged aluminum construction that can withstand heavy usage. It can be folded to a compact 17.9-inch package and can fit inside most range bags.

Although you would be restricted to only prone shoots with this tripod, it serves its purpose extremely well by providing impressive stability. It comes with a ‘Universal Shooting Rest’ allowing you to pan 360-degrees. In brief, the BOG Rapid shooting rest is one of the most stable tripods for prone shooting.

Since this tripod can only be used in prone positions, its height can be adjusted just around 4-inches. While it is not much, it suffices well for prone shooting. Its height can be adjusted with a twist lock that is easy to adjust on the go. It is fairly simple to set up and use, making it easy to use even for beginners.

Pros

• ‘Universal Shooting Rest’ can secure most guns tightly
• Twist lock adjustment makes it easy to control the elevation
• Non-marring rubber feet provide consistent grip on most surfaces
• Can be packed into a compact form to fit in range bags
• Lightweight but highly durable construction
• Compatible with BOG Switcheroo accessories

Cons

• Can only be used for prone shooting

 

Verdict

One of the most rugged tripods in its segment, the BOG Rapid shooting rest offers exceptional stability and can secure most weapons tightly. However, it cannot be used for shooting while standing or kneeling positions.

Vanguard Quest T62U Shooting Tripod

The Vanguard Quest offers impressive portability with its compact and lightweight form factor. It is very easy to set up and adjust and can also be used as a bipod and monopod. Its head yoke can be removed for accessing its universal ¼” thread bolt, which makes it compatible with scopes, cameras, camcorders, etc.

This tripod has a removable third-leg, which could be used as a monopod. Or, you could use it as a bipod with the other two legs. It is made from heavy gauge aluminum and can withstand heavy usage. The Quest’s legs allow height adjustment, so you can adjust to favor all kinds of terrains.

The tripod also offers great ergonomics. It has a soft and contoured foam handgrip which makes it comfortable to handle the tripod. The U-shaped head yoke swivels 360-degrees and allows the user to pan and glass without having to reposition.

Although the minimum height of 27 inches is not suitable for prone shooting, it can still be used for kneeling and standing positions.

The Vanguard Quest has a removable U-shaped head yoke, which allows you to use its universal ¼-inch thread bolt for attaching spotting scopes, cameras, etc. Its height can be adjusted from 27-inches to 62-inches, which is respectable considering its weight and mobility.

 

Pros

• All-weather foam contoured foam grip offers great comfort
• Anti-slip rubber feet provide sufficient grip on most surfaces
• 3-in-1 shooting stick; can be used as a tripod, bipod or monopod
• Sturdy and lightweight aluminum construction
• U-shaped rubber yoke offers good stability for most guns and bows

Cons

• Swivel tends to move around too much
• Not very stable due to its lightweight nature

Verdict

The Vanguard Quest is a great choice for shooters on the go as it can be set up very quickly and can also fold to a compact form factor. However, it needs additional weight for better stability.

SLIK PRO CF-834 Carbon-Fiber Tripod

The SLIK PRO CF is a visually appealing tripod made from strong multi-layered carbon fiber. It is highly functional and can be used as a rest not just for guns but also for cameras and other accessories thanks to its industry-standard mounts. The PRO CF is one of the most lightweight tripods in its segment.

This tripod serves as a sturdy gun rest and does its job just fine. However, its maximum load capacity is 15.4 lbs, making it unsuitable for heavy guns. Moreover, the tripod has a little flex when big guns are used. With guns that weigh within the tripod’s load limit, they can be used without too much trouble.

It is made from eight layers of woven carbon fiber — meaning durable construction. With a weight of just 3.4 lbs, it is easy to carry, even for long adventures.

The tripod’s maximum height is 64.9 inches, and its retracted minimum height is 18.9 inches. It has 4 leg sections, and each of them comes with an independent lock for three height settings; maximum, waist-level, or low-angle photography. This also allows you to alter the stance and height, so you can level it properly.

As the tripod is not solely designed as a shooting rest, you can also use it with other accessories. It comes with an industry-standard mount of ⅜”-inch, which can be retracted for a ¼”-inch mount.

 

Pros

• Highly durable carbon fiber construction makes for a stable tripod
• Lightweight and compact form factor makes it easy to carry
• Independent locks for each leg to adjust from one of 3 heights
• Very simple and quick to set up
• Industry-standard mounts make it compatible with a wide range of accessories

Cons

• Subpar stability in comparison to standard shooting tripods

Verdict

If you need a portable and lightweight tripod for multiple purposes, including shooting, the SLIK PRO CF should serve your purpose just fine. Although it isn’t the most stable tripod, adding additional weight can improve stability.

What to Look for Before Buying

Before choosing rifle tripods and bipods, you should first assess your requirements, including the areas you’ll be hunting in. You could get a full-fledged tripod, but it would be too bulky for mountain climbs. If you get the lightest tripod available in the market, you’re sacrificing stability.

Some factors to consider before opting for a hunting tripod are as follows –

Stability

If the correct mount is used for holding a rifle, the tripod should be able to hold up the rifle without any assistance, even when it is fully extended. It should be noted that a hunting tripod is in its weakest position when you’re shooting off from a standing position.

Therefore, the stiffer the legs of the tripod, the better stability you will have. Simply put, as the legs are most significant to a tripod’s total weight, you will lose stability with lightweight legs and vice-versa.

Adjustability

Before choosing a tripod, you should first assess the highest height you’ll require for shooting. For example, some shooters would never have to take standing shots as they might come across obstacles due to which they’ll need a kneeling position. On the other hand, in a desert environment or clear areas, there won’t be obstacles.

Most hunting tripods offer 3-4 leg positions. Some models of hunting tripods don’t have an adjustable neck, which lowers the center of gravity and increases stability.

However, a fixed tripod head means that you won’t be able to pan your shots without re-positioning the tripod, and it restricts you from making rapid adjustments in the field.

Portability

When choosing a tripod, you should definitely take weight into consideration. As mentioned earlier, the weight of a tripod is generally a balance between portability and stability. A heavier tripod will inherently give better stability than a lighter tripod. On the other hand, a lighter tripod will be easier to pack and carry.

For example, if you needed a tripod for participating in competitions or for hunting sessions where the tripod won’t have to be carried for long distances, you would benefit from having a heavy tripod. But if you will be moving around a lot and repeatedly change shooting positions, you will benefit from using a lighter tripod.

Another aspect of portability should be the packed size of a tripod. It can be lightweight but not collapsible for fitting in a bag. Generally, tripods with adjustable necks are more compact than fixed head tripods.

If you must shave off as many ounces as you can from your backpack, you could look into carbon fiber tripods. However, keep in mind that carbon tripods smaller than ¾” may flex when you’re shooting, potentially ruining your shot.

Durability

The durability of a tripod can vary upon your requirements. For light usages such as competitions or weekly/monthly hunting sessions, you wouldn’t need a rugged tripod. However, for heavy usage, the ruggedness of a tripod will come in handy as you’ll need a more durable tripod.

Usually, a heavier tripod is more durable than a lightweight tripod.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tripod for hunting?

A hunting tripod enables you to shoot from varying positions, such as sitting, kneeling, and standing positions. With at least three legs on most hunting tripods, you will get a stable shooting rest for your rifle.

What tripod does the US military use?

At present, the US armed forces use an M3 tripod that supports the M2 machine gun and MK-19 grenade launcher. It will be soon replaced by the XM205 tripod for heavy machine guns.

What should I look for in a hunting tripod?

There are several factors that you should consider before choosing a tripod. Some of the most significant aspects are height, stability, durability, tripod head adjustability and weight.

Do I need a tripod for hunting?

Hunting tripods are an essential tool for outdoor shooters/hunters as they offer stability to take steady shots. Moreover, they also allow the user to glass their environment without spooking the prey.

Can you use a camera tripod for a rifle?

Yes, you can modify camera tripods to fit rifles, but since they aren’t meant to be used with rifles, you will face trouble when using them. For example, camera tripods cannot take the weight of a rifle very well and tend to bend or break.

How do I know which tripod to buy?

Before assessing the specifications of a tripod thoroughly, you should first see if it matches your desired shooting height. Next, you’ll have to consider other factors such as portability, stability, weight, etc.

What is the glassing method?

The process of searching animal prey from a hidden position is referred to as ‘glassing’. Generally, glassing is done with binoculars or spotting scopes. For best results from glassing, the hunter should have the ability to choose the adequate spots to stay hidden.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right hunting tripod usually boils down to two factors; if you’re looking to go lightweight, you’ll be sacrificing stability. On the other hand, getting a heavy tripod will take a toll on mobility. We hope to have helped you in choosing the best tripod for rifle shooting and glassing. Best of luck!