The best tripod for hunting
Quick answer: the BOG DeathGrip Clamping Tripod is our best tripod for hunting overall: it clamps the rifle so you can let go, on aluminum legs that BOG lists from 7 to 59 in. For a lighter carbon clamp kit, the Kopfjager K800 with Reaper Grip. For a shooting stick you set with one hand, the Primos Trigger Stick Gen3 Tall, or the Gen3 Short for sitting in a blind. To switch between a rifle clamp and optics on one carbon tripod, the BOG DeathGrip Infinite, or the lighter DeathGrip Sherpa. For legs under a head you choose, the FatBoy Elevate or Warrior Tripods The Warrior. For a rail-equipped rifle, the Predator Tactics DeadEye system, or the Athlon Midas CF32 for an ARCA rail. For glassing, the Vortex Mountain Pass kit, or the taller Vortex High Country II kit to glass standing.
How we know: this is a research-based guide, not our own field test. Specs come from each maker's own product page or manual, owner opinions from every OpticsPlanet review on each listing, and the few editorial picks we could confirm in saved article texts are named with their publication and author. 3 of the 12 cards carry the maker's own video.
A hunting tripod has one job at the moment of the shot: hold the rifle or the optic still at the height you need. The questions that decide which one suits you are how the rifle meets the tripod (a clamp, a yoke, a ball head or a rail adapter), the height range from sitting to standing, the weight you carry in, and whether a head comes in the box. The table starts with those answers.
Hunting tripods compared: support, height and weight
| Tripod | How it holds the rifle or optic | Height range (maker) | Weight (maker) | Legs (maker) | Interface | Max load (maker) | Best position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOG DeathGrip, aluminum (1099442) | Clamping head, 25 degree tilt, 360 degree pan | 7 to 59 in | 8.5 lb | Aluminum, lever locks | Clamp on the stock or forend | Not published | Standing, sitting or prone (20 / 45 / 85 degree legs) |
| Kopfjager K800 + Reaper Grip (KJ85002K) | Reaper Grip clamp, included | 7.5 to 64 in | Tripod 3.5 lb (table; text 3.85 lb) + grip 2.5 lb | Carbon fiber, lever locks | Clamp; camera thread adapter in the kit | 20 lb | Standing to low sitting |
| Primos Trigger Stick Gen3 Tall (65815) | Quick-detach yoke | 24 to 62 in | Approx. 3.5 lb | Not published | Yoke cradle | Not published | Standing or kneeling |
| Primos Trigger Stick Gen3 Short (65812) | Quick-detach yoke; no camera plate | 18 to 38 in (Primos listing, retailer spec table) | Approx. 2.5 lb | Not published | Yoke cradle | Not published | Sitting, ground blind |
| BOG DeathGrip Infinite carbon (1163389) | UltraLite clamp on a ball head; optics plate included | 20 ½ in (85 degrees) to 59 ½ in (20 degrees) | 6 lbs 8 oz | Carbon fiber, twist locks | Arca-Swiss | Not published | Standing, sitting or prone |
| BOG DeathGrip Sherpa carbon (1168229) | UltraLite clamp on a ball head; optics plate included | 24 ¼ in (85 degrees) to 55 ¾ in (20 degrees) | 4 lbs 1 oz | Carbon fiber, twist locks, removable center post | Arca-Swiss | Not published | Sitting or kneeling; owners stoop standing |
| FatBoy Elevate 3-section (FBTELEVATE3) | No head listed (legs and bag) | Up to 71.5 in; 26.5 in collapsed and spread | 5 lb 14 oz with bowl | Carbon fiber and aluminum, inverted, 42.5 mm tube | Your own head | 150 lb | Standing to sitting |
| Warrior Tripods The Warrior (WT-1) | No head; adapter plate for ball heads | Not published (retailer: 29 to 64 in) | Not published (retailer: 5.9 lb) | Reinforced carbon fiber, 3 sections, 41.5 mm | 70 mm base | Not published | Standing to sitting |
| Predator Tactics DeadEye system (97499) | Ballhead with 38.5 mm Arca clamp and rail adapter | 17.5 to 70 in (60 in without center column) | Not published for the system | Aluminum alloy, 4 sections | Picatinny and NATO rails; Arca | 26 lb | Standing to sitting |
| Athlon Midas CF32 (706007) | Ballhead and leveling head | 9 to 65 in | 5.7 lb | 10-layer carbon fiber, 32 mm | Arca, direct to an ARCA-rail rifle; no Picatinny adapter | 55 lb | Standing to prone |
| Vortex Mountain Pass kit (TR-MTP) | 2-way pan head, for optics | 9 to 56 in | 3.1 lb | Aluminum, 4 sections | Arca-Swiss | 22 lb | Seated glassing |
| Vortex High Country II kit (TR-HCY) | Pan head, for optics | 11.3 to 62.5 in; folds to 24.3 in | 4.0 lb | Aluminum, 3 sections | Arca-Swiss | 22 lb | Stand-up glassing |
Heights, weights, legs and loads are the makers' own figures from their product pages and manuals, except where a cell names the retailer. "Not published" means the maker page we read gives no value. BOG gives the Infinite and Sherpa heights at stated leg angles. Confirm the current price and availability on the retailer page before you buy.
Our picks: the best hunting tripods
Best tripod for hunting overall: BOG DeathGrip Clamping Tripod, aluminum, 1099442
Aluminum legs, 7 to 59 in, 8.5 lb (BOG) · DeathGrip clamping head: 25 degrees of tilt, 360 degree pan (BOG) · leg angles 20, 45 and 85 degrees (BOG manual) · card: aluminum, 1099442
around $190exact price on OpticsPlanet
The pick if you want the tripod to hold your rifle for you. The DeathGrip clamps the rifle in its jaws, so you can take your hands off it to glass or wait. BOG lists lightweight aluminum legs with a 7 to 59 in height range, a weight of 8.5 lb, no-slip lever locks, high-density foam grips and a head that tilts up to 25 degrees forward and back and pans 360 degrees with tension adjustment. BOG's manual gives three leg angles, 20, 45 and 85 degrees, and tells you to clamp as close to the rifle's balance point as possible, never on reciprocating parts, the trigger area or the ejection port, and not to overtighten the clamp. BOG publishes no load rating; the manual says the tripod is intended to support the weight of your firearm only. The manual also warns: "Falls resulting in injury or death may occur if the product is used in a tree stand, other elevated location", so treat it as a ground tripod. BOG's DeathGrip line is a frequent editorial pick, but none of the picks we confirmed names this aluminum item number (see What the editorial guides say). The OpticsPlanet listing covers both the aluminum and the carbon model, and at least 10 of its 129 reviews come from carbon owners. Stability is the most common praise on the listing, and weight the main complaint.
Pros
- Clamps the rifle so it stays put hands-free; 25 degrees of tilt and 360 degree pan with tension adjustment (BOG)
- Leg angles of 20, 45 and 85 degrees in BOG's manual, from standing down to prone
- Five owners on the listing, from 6 ft 1 in to 6 ft 4 in, say it is tall enough for them
Cons
- 8.5 lb (BOG), and weight is the main complaint on the listing; one owner calls it "too heavy for most hunting situations"
- No load rating published; BOG says it is meant for the weight of your firearm only, and its manual warns against tree stand and elevated use
- Five reviews on the listing report a part breaking or loosening (one of them a carbon unit); BOG's manual says its screws may loosen from vibration and to check the cam locks before each use
- Fixed clamping head (BOG calls it the fixed-head DeathGrip), not a ball head for optics
Best for: a ground blind, field edge or prairie setup where you want the rifle held steady while you watch, if 8.5 lb is fine to carry.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | BOG |
|---|---|
| Model | DeathGrip Tripod, SKU 1099442 (BOG) |
| Legs | Lightweight aluminum legs, no-slip lever locks (BOG) |
| Height | 7 to 59 in (BOG) |
| Weight | 8.5 lb (BOG) |
| Head | DeathGrip clamping head, up to 25 degrees of tilt forward and back, 360 degree pan with tension adjustment (BOG) |
| Leg angles | 20, 45 and 85 degrees (BOG manual) |
| Feet | Screw the foot out to expose a metal spike, in to hide it for hard terrain (BOG manual) |
| Extras | Bubble level and non-marring rubber jaw insert (retailer listing; not on BOG's product page) |
| Load rating | Not published by BOG |
| Warranty | BOG's accessory warranty runs one year from original purchase (BOG's warranty page does not name the tripod) |
| Model on this card | Aluminum, 1099442 |
“Excellent stability and movement. It's very comfortable to shoot from even when you are over 6 foot tall.”
Jimmy, owner on this listing (SC) via OpticsPlanet, 2024
Lighter carbon clamp kit: Kopfjager K800 CF Tripod with Reaper Grip, KJ85002K
Carbon fiber tripod, lever lock legs (Kopfjager) · 7.5 to 64 in working height, 20 lb max load (Kopfjager table) · aluminum Reaper Grip rest, 2.5 lb (Kopfjager) · card: KJ85002K
around $400exact price on OpticsPlanet
The same hands-free clamp idea on carbon fiber legs. Kopfjager sells the K800 carbon fiber tripod with its Reaper Grip rest as a kit with a tripod case and a camera thread adapter. Its spec table lists the tripod at 3.5 lb, with a 7.5 in minimum and 64 in maximum working height, a 19.75 in folded length and a 20 lb maximum load; Kopfjager's own description also says the tripod "weighs just 3.85 lbs.", so the maker states two weights. The aluminum Reaper Grip adds 2.5 lb and has an adjustable grip for tapered stocks; its table vise width range is 1.57 to 2.78 in, while its feature list says a locking 1.5 to 3 in grip. Lever lock legs, 3-position angle locks and a reversible center column complete the tripod. Treat the 5.0 rating with care: two of the three OpticsPlanet reviews are the same text from one owner, and the third is from an OpticsPlanet staff member, so there is effectively one independent owner review. Kopfjager's video is below.
Pros
- Carbon fiber tripod at 3.5 lb in Kopfjager's table, plus a 2.5 lb aluminum clamp
- Grip adjusts for straight and tapered stocks (Kopfjager)
- 7.5 to 64 in working height (Kopfjager table)
- The one independent owner calls it easy to set up and "stable enough for the long shots"
Cons
- Effectively one independent owner review: two reviews are the same text, the third is from retailer staff
- Kopfjager states two tripod weights (3.5 lb in its table, 3.85 lb in its text) and two grip ranges
- 20 lb maximum load (Kopfjager): add up your rifle, optic and accessories
Best for: a hands-free rifle clamp on lighter legs than the aluminum DeathGrip, if you accept a thin owner record.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Kopfjager |
|---|---|
| Kit | K800 Tripod, Tripod Case, Camera thread adapter, Reaper Grip rest (Kopfjager) |
| Legs | Carbon fiber, lever locks, 3-position angle locks, reversible center column (Kopfjager) |
| Height | 7.5 to 64 in working height (Kopfjager table) |
| Folded length | 19.75 in (Kopfjager table) |
| Weight | Tripod 3.5 lb in Kopfjager's table (its text says 3.85 lb); Reaper Grip 2.5 lb (Kopfjager) |
| Max load | 20 lb (Kopfjager) |
| Grip width | 1.57 to 2.78 in (Kopfjager table); 1.5 to 3 in (Kopfjager feature list) |
| Grip material | Aluminum (Kopfjager) |
| Model on this card | KJ85002K |
“I have purchased a few of these now to use here in Texas and when I am spotting and stalking. They are easy to set up and are stable enough for the long shots!”
Jack, owner (TX) via OpticsPlanet, 2024
Best shooting-stick tripod (one-hand height adjustment): Primos Trigger Stick Gen3 Tall Tripod, 24 to 62 in, 65815
Adjusts from 24 to 62 in, approximately 3.5 lb (Primos) · pull-the-trigger height adjustment, quick-detach yoke with integrated lock (Primos) · card: 65815
around $150exact price on OpticsPlanet
A shooting stick you set with one hand. Primos says you "Pull the trigger to adjust height" and lists a range from 24 to 62 in, a weight of approximately 3.5 lb, a quick-detach yoke system with an integrated lock, a leg angle lock and a strengthened rotating joint for smoother panning. The rifle rests in the yoke instead of a clamp, so you keep a hand on it. Primos publishes no load rating, leg material or number of leg sections. Owners on this listing call it a rock solid rest standing or kneeling, but weight opinions split: one who carried it in Africa found it "Extremely heavy by the end of a day's hunt", while others call it lightweight. A blind hunter found it hard to set up for sitting in a blind and writes that the low end needs the legs "splayed out at the extreme angle"; another says "it’s helpful to use both hands when spreading the legs". The newest of the 50 reviews is from July 2023.
Pros
- Pull-the-trigger height adjustment and a quick-detach yoke (Primos)
- 24 to 62 in covers standing shots (Primos)
- Owners call it a steady rest standing or kneeling; one: "This tripod offers a rock solid shooting platform."
Cons
- A yoke, not a clamp: the rifle is not held for you
- One blind hunter found it hard to set up for sitting; the 24 in low end needs the legs splayed wide
- Weight opinions split, and one owner says spreading the legs is easier with both hands
- The newest review is from July 2023; Primos publishes no load rating
Best for: still-hunting and spot-and-stalk where you shoot standing or kneeling and want to change height fast.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Primos Hunting |
|---|---|
| Model | Gen3 Tall Tripod Shooting Stick, SKU 65815 (Primos) |
| Height | 24 to 62 in (Primos) |
| Weight | Approximately 3.5 lb (Primos) |
| Rest | Quick Detach Yoke System with Integrated Lock (Primos) |
| Adjustment | Pull the trigger to adjust height (Primos) |
| Load rating | Not published by Primos |
| Leg material and sections | Not published by Primos |
| Model on this card | 65815 |
“This tripod offers a rock solid shooting platform.”
Mark2Cars, owner (TX) via OpticsPlanet, 2018
Shooting-stick tripod for sitting and ground blinds: Primos Trigger Stick Gen3 Short Tripod, 65812
18 to 38 in (Primos listing and the retailer spec table), approximately 2.5 lb (Primos) · trigger height adjustment, quick-detach yoke (Primos) · no camera plate (Primos) · card: 65812
around $120exact price on OpticsPlanet
The short version, for shooting from a seat. Primos's listing gives its height as 18 to 38 and the retailer's spec table as 18 to 38 in; the retailer's title and description show other figures, so we print 18 to 38 inches. Primos lists a weight of approximately 2.5 lb and the same quick-detach yoke system with an integrated lock, and states that it "Does NOT include camera plate". Only eight OpticsPlanet reviews exist, all four or five stars. A ground blind hunter writes that it "Makes a ground blind hunt alot nicer to have a steady base", and another owner bought it for blind hunting after owning the tall one. On the other side, one owner lists it as heavy and bulky and "Long even when collapsed", and another warns that a small amount of grit will damage it.
Pros
- Lower range for sitting and blind shots: 18 to 38 in (Primos listing, retailer spec table)
- Approximately 2.5 lb (Primos), a pound lighter than the Tall
- Owners praise its steady base in ground blinds
Cons
- Only eight reviews
- One owner: heavy, bulky and "Long even when collapsed"
- No camera plate (Primos); one owner warns that grit can damage the legs
Best for: ground blinds and sitting shots, where the Tall model sits too high.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Primos Hunting |
|---|---|
| Model | Gen3 Short Tripod Trigger Stick, SKU 65812 (Primos) |
| Height | 18 to 38 in (Primos listing and the retailer spec table) |
| Weight | Approximately 2.5 lb (Primos) |
| Rest | Quick Detach Yoke System with Integrated Lock (Primos) |
| Camera plate | Not included (Primos) |
| Load rating | Not published by Primos |
| Model on this card | 65812 |
“Makes a ground blind hunt alot nicer to have a steady base”
Bama deer hunter, owner (AL) via OpticsPlanet, 2018
Best for switching between rifle clamp and optics: BOG DeathGrip Infinite Carbon Fiber Tripod, 1163389
Carbon fiber twist-lock legs, 20 ½ in at 85 degrees to 59 ½ in at 20 degrees, 6 lbs 8 oz (BOG) · DeathGrip UltraLite clamping head on a ball head with Arca-Swiss mount, optics mounting plate included (BOG) · card: 1163389
around $450exact price on OpticsPlanet
The DeathGrip for hunters who also glass from the same legs. BOG pairs its DeathGrip UltraLite clamping head with a low-profile ball head with 360 degree rotation and 180 degree tilt on an Arca-Swiss mount, and includes an optics mounting plate. BOG lists large-diameter carbon fiber legs with twist locks, 3-position leg angle locks at 20, 45 and 85 degrees, a max height of 59 ½ in at 20 degrees, a min height of 20 ½ in at 85 degrees and a weight of 6 lbs 8 oz, plus an integral bubble level, a hub-mounted gear hook, rubber feet with removable steel spikes and a padded carry case. On OpticsPlanet, 16 of the 20 reviews are four or five stars, and owners call it rock solid, one with "a very heavy DPMS SASS AR-10 on top". The complaints are specific: one owner who tried both the Infinite and the Sherpa says neither head held its angle after firing a 300 WM, another that the Arca lock mechanism "stripped right out", and two describe a tripod that arrived wet or with mold (a third owner notes theirs was "not molded like the other reviews"). RifleShooter's Ben LaLonde (April 2024) includes the carbon fiber DeathGrip Infinite, without a label, in a five-tripod guide for long-range precision rifles.
Pros
- Clamp and ball head on an Arca-Swiss mount, optics mounting plate included: rifle and glass from one tripod (BOG)
- Carbon fiber legs at 6 lbs 8 oz (BOG), 2 lb lighter than the aluminum DeathGrip on BOG's figures
- Owners call it rock solid, including under a heavy AR-10
Cons
- Two of the 20 reviews describe a tripod that arrived wet or with mold
- One owner who tried both the Infinite and the Sherpa says neither head held its angle after a 300 WM shot; another had the Arca lock strip
- Lowest height 20 ½ in at 85 degrees (BOG), against 7 in on the aluminum DeathGrip
Best for: a hunter who wants to clamp the rifle, then swap to a spotting scope or binoculars on the same legs.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | BOG |
|---|---|
| Model | DeathGrip Infinite - Carbon Fiber, SKU 1163389 (BOG) |
| Legs | Lightweight large-diameter carbon fiber legs, twist locks, 3-position leg angle locks at 20, 45 and 85 degrees (BOG) |
| Height | Max 59 ½ in at 20 degrees, min 20 ½ in at 85 degrees (BOG) |
| Weight | 6 lbs 8 oz (BOG) |
| Head | DeathGrip UltraLite clamping head, non-marring jaw insert, low-profile ball head with 360 degree rotation and 180 degree tilt (BOG) |
| Interface | Arca-Swiss mount; optics mounting plate included (BOG) |
| Extras | Integral bubble level, hub-mounted gear hook, rubber feet with removable steel spikes, padded carry case (BOG) |
| Load rating | Not published by BOG |
| Model on this card | 1163389 |
“The tripod is rock solid even with a very heavy DPMS SASS AR-10 on top. The locking legs are very easy to use, ball head works great.”
50APIT, owner (KY) via OpticsPlanet, 2024
Lightest clamp-and-optics DeathGrip: BOG DeathGrip Sherpa Carbon Fiber Tripod, 1168229
Carbon fiber twist-lock legs, removable center post, 24 ¼ in at 85 degrees to 55 ¾ in at 20 degrees, 4 lbs 1 oz (BOG) · DeathGrip UltraLite clamping head on a ball head with Arca-Swiss mount, optics mounting plate included (BOG) · card: 1168229
around $390exact price on OpticsPlanet
The lighter of BOG's two carbon clamp-and-optics tripods. BOG lists 4 lbs 1 oz, premium lightweight carbon fiber legs with twist locks, the same 3-position leg angle locks, a removable center post for micro height adjustment, the DeathGrip UltraLite clamping head on a low-profile ball head with an Arca-Swiss mount, an included optics mounting plate and a padded carry case. The trade-off is height: BOG gives a max of 55 ¾ in at 20 degrees and a min of 24 ¼ in at 85 degrees. Its nine OpticsPlanet reviews (the retailer spells the name "Shepra") are seven five-star, one three-star and one two-star, and the two longest are the critical ones: one owner finds it "Not tall enough to shoot off of while standing without bending over" and writes that "The center post is incredibly wobbly", and another found that at full height it "becomes very unstable and impossible to hold on target". A 5 ft 9 in owner says it works standing for them, and several owners praise the light weight.
Pros
- 4 lbs 1 oz (BOG), the lightest DeathGrip on this page
- Clamp plus an Arca-Swiss ball head and optics plate (BOG)
- Owners praise the light weight; one used it on a Coues deer hunt
Cons
- Lower top height: 55 ¾ in at 20 degrees (BOG); two owners say they must stoop to shoot standing
- One owner calls the center post "incredibly wobbly"; another found it unstable at full height
- Only nine reviews, and the two detailed ones are critical
Best for: sitting and kneeling shots on a long walk in, where weight matters more than standing height.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | BOG |
|---|---|
| Model | DeathGrip Sherpa, SKU 1168229 (BOG) |
| Legs | Premium lightweight carbon fiber legs, twist locks, 3-position leg angle locks at 20, 45 and 85 degrees, removable center post (BOG) |
| Height | Max 55 ¾ in at 20 degrees, min 24 ¼ in at 85 degrees (BOG) |
| Weight | 4 lbs 1 oz (BOG) |
| Head | DeathGrip UltraLite clamping head, non-marring jaw insert, low-profile ball head with 360 degree rotation and 180 degree tilt (BOG) |
| Interface | Arca-Swiss mount; optics mounting plate included (BOG) |
| Extras | Center post mounted gear hook, rubber feet with removable steel spikes, padded carry case (BOG) |
| Load rating | Not published by BOG |
| Model on this card | 1168229 |
“Tripod can be used for Prone, Sitting or Standing. I am 5' 9" & it works standing for me”
JOHNO, owner (TX) via OpticsPlanet, 2025
Best tripod legs for a custom rifle setup: FatBoy Tripods Elevate Tripod, 3-section, FBTELEVATE3
Carbon fiber and aluminum, inverted non-crossing legs, 42.5 mm tube (FatBoy) · 71.5 in extended, 26.5 in collapsed and spread to the top of the threads (FatBoy) · 5 lb 14 oz with bowl, 150 lb max weight rating (FatBoy) · no head listed · card: FBTELEVATE3
around $680exact price on OpticsPlanet
Legs for a hunter who wants to choose their own head or clamp. FatBoy lists the Tripod and Tripod Bag as what is included, so plan on buying a head. FatBoy's Elevate Three Section is an inverted tripod in carbon fiber and aluminum, with non-crossing legs, a 42.5 mm tube, locking tabs, 47.5 mm rubber feet with integrated spikes and a 150 lb max weight rating. FatBoy lists 71.5 in extended and not spread, 26.5 in collapsed and spread to the top of the threads, and 5 lb 14 oz with the bowl (5 lb 10 oz without). On OpticsPlanet, 15 of the 16 reviews are five stars; the one 2-star owner writes that after six range uses a leg section "fell off completely" and the tripod went back for service. Our full review compares the 3-section and 2-section versions.
Pros
- Tall: 71.5 in extended and not spread (FatBoy)
- 150 lb max weight rating (FatBoy), the highest load figure on this page
- Owners praise its sturdiness and quick setup
Cons
- No head included: FatBoy lists the tripod and a tripod bag
- One 2-star owner had a leg section come off after six range uses
- 5 lb 14 oz with the bowl (FatBoy), before you add a head
Best for: building your own rifle rest from legs plus the head or clamp you already like.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | FatBoy Tripods |
|---|---|
| Model | Elevate Three Section, FBTELEVATE3 |
| Legs | Carbon fiber and aluminum, inverted, non-crossing, 42.5 mm tube, locking tabs (FatBoy) |
| Height | 71.5 in extended and not spread; 66 in extended and spread (FatBoy) |
| Collapsed | 26.5 in collapsed and spread, to the top of the threads (FatBoy) |
| Weight | 5 lb 14 oz with bowl, 5 lb 10 oz without (FatBoy) |
| Max weight rating | 150 lb (FatBoy) |
| Feet | 47.5 mm rubber feet with integrated spikes (FatBoy) |
| Included | Tripod and tripod bag; no head listed (FatBoy) |
| Model on this card | FBTELEVATE3 |
Tripod legs runner-up: Warrior Tripods The Warrior, WT-1
Reinforced carbon fiber, 3 sections, 41.5 mm legs, 1/4 turn rubber leg locks, 70 mm base (Warrior Tripods) · adapter plate and carrying bag included, no head (Warrior Tripods) · card: WT-1
around $600exact price on OpticsPlanet
A 3-section carbon fiber shooting tripod sold as legs and a base. Warrior Tripods lists reinforced carbon fiber legs with a 41.5 mm leg diameter, 1/4 turn rubber leg locks, deployable stainless leg spikes and a 70 mm base, and includes the tripod, an adapter plate for ball heads and a carrying bag, with a 1 year warranty. The maker page lists no weight, height or load capacity; the OpticsPlanet listing gives 5.9 lb and 29 to 64 in. (The listing's "Color: Aluminum" line is not the leg material; Warrior Tripods says carbon fiber.) All 13 OpticsPlanet reviews are five stars, but read them with care: 9 of the 12 dated reviews were posted on February 5 and 6, 2025, and 8 of the 13 mention the separate Chief leveling head, so much of the praise covers the pair, not the legs alone.
Pros
- Reinforced carbon fiber legs, 41.5 mm, 3 sections, 1/4 turn locks (Warrior Tripods)
- Adapter plate for ball heads and a carrying bag in the box (Warrior Tripods)
- One owner says it is the only tripod they have used that gets high enough to shoot standing
Cons
- No head included
- The maker lists no weight, height or load capacity; height and weight here are retailer figures
- Reviews cluster on two days in February 2025, and most rate it together with the Chief leveling head
Best for: a carbon fiber base for a Warrior head, ball head or leveling base you choose yourself.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Warrior Tripods |
|---|---|
| Model | The Warrior, WT-1 |
| Legs | Reinforced carbon fiber, 3 sections, 41.5 mm leg diameter (Warrior Tripods) |
| Leg locks | 1/4 turn rubber (Warrior Tripods) |
| Feet | Deployable stainless leg spikes (Warrior Tripods) |
| Base | 70 mm (Warrior Tripods) |
| Included | Tripod, adapter plate for ball heads, carrying bag; no head (Warrior Tripods) |
| Height | 29 to 64 in (retailer listing; not on the maker page) |
| Weight | 5.9 lb (retailer listing; not on the maker page) |
| Load capacity | Not published by the maker |
| Warranty | 1 year (Warrior Tripods) |
| Model on this card | WT-1 |
“This tripod has made me a better marksman and I will not go in the woods without it.”
Taylor griffi, owner (AL) via OpticsPlanet, 2025
Best complete setup for rail-equipped rifles: Predator Tactics DeadEye Rifle Tripod System, 97499
Tripod, ballhead, rail adapter and padded case (retailer package contents) · 38.5 mm Arca clamp, attaches to Picatinny and NATO rails (Predator Tactics) · aluminum alloy, 4 leg sections, 17.5 to 70 in, 26 lb max load (Predator Tactics) · card: 97499
around $200exact price on OpticsPlanet
Everything in one box for a rifle with a rail. The retailer's package contents list the DeadEye tripod, the DeadEye ballhead, the DeadEye rail adapter and a padded nylon carry case, and Predator Tactics says the system "Securely Attaches to Picatinny Rails and Nato Rails", with a 38.5 mm Arca clamp. For the complete system, Predator Tactics lists an aluminum alloy matte finish, 4 leg sections with flip lever leg locks, 3 leg angle positions, a 10 inch center column with a load bearing hook, a 17.5 inch minimum height, a 60 inch max height without the center column extended and 70 inch with it, a 26 inch folded length, a 26 pound max load, 360 degree rotation, built in rubber and spiked feet and a 1 year warranty. Its product page gives no total weight for the system. Owners, many of them night predator hunters, call it sturdy, but one finds the adapter "a little futsy" in the dark and the tripod moderately heavy on a long walk, one received a bent adjustment screw, and one had the leg locks loosen after a couple of years, after which Predator Tactics rebuilt the legs at no charge. The 13 reviews hold 12 different texts (one is listed twice), and 7 are from January and February 2019. Predator Tactics' video is below.
Pros
- Complete kit: tripod, ballhead, rail adapter and carry case (retailer package contents)
- Attaches to Picatinny and NATO rails, with a 38.5 mm Arca clamp (Predator Tactics)
- 17.5 to 70 in with the center column extended (Predator Tactics); owners call it sturdy with 13 and 14 lb rifles
Cons
- No total system weight on the maker page; one owner calls it moderately heavy on a long walk
- One owner finds the rail adapter fussy to click in by feel in the pitch dark
- Old review record: 7 of the 13 reviews are from early 2019, and one text is listed twice
Best for: an AR or other rail-equipped rifle you want locked to a ball head, bought as one kit.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Predator Tactics |
|---|---|
| Kit | DeadEye tripod, DeadEye ballhead, DeadEye rail adapter, padded nylon carry case (retailer package contents) |
| Legs | Aluminum alloy, 4 leg sections, flip lever leg locks, 3 leg angle positions (Predator Tactics) |
| Height | 17.5 in minimum; 60 in max without the center column extended, 70 in with it (Predator Tactics) |
| Folded length | 26 in (Predator Tactics) |
| Max load | 26 lb (Predator Tactics) |
| Interface | 38.5 mm Arca clamp; attaches to Picatinny and NATO rails (Predator Tactics) |
| Feet | Built in rubber and spiked feet (Predator Tactics) |
| System weight | Not published on the maker page |
| Warranty | 1 year (Predator Tactics) |
| Model on this card | 97499 |
“it holds my 13lb AR with ease it's nice and sturdy and the ball head is slick.”
Zack, owner (IN) via OpticsPlanet, 2019
Rail runner-up for ARCA-rail rifles: Athlon Midas CF32 Carbon Fiber Tripod, 706007
10-layer carbon fiber, 32 mm max leg diameter, 9 to 65 in, 26 in folded, 5.7 lb, 55 lb max load (Athlon) · ballhead and leveling head, Arca compatible (Athlon) · no Picatinny adapter (retailer Q&A) · card: 706007
around $630exact price on OpticsPlanet
For a rifle with an ARCA rail. Athlon says the CF32's ball head has "Arca compatibility for direct-to-rifle attachment", and its CF series manual, which covers the whole series, says you can attach your "arca rail equipped rifle or accessory directly" to the arca mount. Athlon lists 10-layer carbon fiber legs with a 32 mm max leg diameter, a ballhead and leveling head, a 65 in max and 9 in lowest extended height, a 26 in folded height, 5.7 lb and a 55 lb max load, and says it "Includes, tripod hammock, shoulder pad, sling, padded case, and optional spiked feet."; the retailer's package contents list only the tripod. A retailer staff answer from 2022 says there is no Picatinny adapter in the box, so a rail-only rifle needs a separate adapter. Of the 10 OpticsPlanet reviews, eight are about the CF32 and two name the larger CF36. One owner calls it "strong enough to hold most rifles I own with an Arca setup"; on the other side, a 3-star owner says the ball head friction adjustment did nothing with a 27 lb competition rifle, another finds it "on the heavy side for packing in the back country", and one weighed it at 6.3 lb with the ball head on.
Pros
- Direct Arca attachment for an ARCA-rail rifle (Athlon)
- 9 to 65 in and a 55 lb max load (Athlon)
- Hammock, shoulder pad, sling and padded case listed by Athlon
Cons
- No Picatinny adapter in the box (retailer staff answer, 2022)
- One 3-star owner says the ball head friction adjustment did nothing with a heavy competition rifle
- 5.7 lb (Athlon); one owner weighed it at 6.3 lb with the ball head and calls it heavy for the back country
Best for: a bolt gun with an ARCA rail, used from the bench, a field position or a blind.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Athlon Optics |
|---|---|
| Model | Midas CF32, SKU 706007 (Athlon) |
| Legs | 10-layer carbon fiber, 32 mm max leg diameter (Athlon) |
| Head | Ballhead and leveling head; Arca compatible ballhead (Athlon) |
| Height | 9 to 65 in (Athlon) |
| Folded height | 26 in (Athlon) |
| Weight | 5.7 lb (Athlon) |
| Max load | 55 lb (Athlon) |
| Included (Athlon) | Tripod hammock, shoulder pad, sling, padded case, optional spiked feet; the retailer lists only the tripod |
| Picatinny | No adapter in the box (retailer staff answer, 2022) |
| Model on this card | 706007 |
“This tripod has many nice accessories and is strong enough to hold most rifles I own with an Arca setup. The locking and unlocking are smooth, and the tripod deploys quickly.”
Jeremy, owner (OR) via OpticsPlanet, 2024
Best tripod for glassing game: Vortex Mountain Pass Tripod Kit, TR-MTP
Aluminum tripod + 2-way pan head, Arca-Swiss head mount (Vortex) · 9 to 56 in, 19 in folded, 3.1 lb, 22 lb max load, 4 leg sections (Vortex) · card: TR-MTP
around $150exact price on OpticsPlanet
A glassing tripod for binoculars or a small spotting scope, not a rifle rest: Vortex lists its recommended uses as Seated Glassing and Wildlife Observation. The kit is the aluminum tripod with a 2-way pan head, a quick-release plate with a 1/4-20 thread, a rubber packing strap, a counterweight hook, a carry case and a 1.3 mm hex wrench. Vortex lists 3.1 lb, a 22 lb max load, a 9 in min and 56 in max height, a 19 in folded height, four leg sections (the retailer's feature list says three), three leg angles, flip lever leg locks, rubber feet and an Arca-Swiss head mount, and says the counterweight hook "Holds extra weight on the bottom of the center column for greater stability in windy conditions." Of its 29 OpticsPlanet reviews, 25 are five stars, 3 four stars and 1 three stars, mostly from spotting scope and binocular owners. The 3-star owner, who is tall, has to raise the center column all the way and writes that "A slight bump can set up a wobble/oscillation" with an 85 mm scope; another owner wants it about 12 in taller, and one lists "No horizontal lock" as a con. Vortex's overview video is below.
Pros
- 3.1 lb with a 22 lb max load (Vortex)
- Pan head on an Arca-Swiss mount, down to 9 in for seated glassing (Vortex)
- Owners call it stable and quick to set up; owners hang weight on the hook in wind
Cons
- Made for glassing, not as a rifle rest (Vortex lists seated glassing and wildlife observation)
- Tops out at 56 in (Vortex); a tall owner got wobble with the center column fully raised
- One owner lists no horizontal lock on the head
Best for: sitting on a ridge and glassing with binoculars or a compact spotting scope.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Vortex |
|---|---|
| Model | Mountain Pass Aluminum Tripod + Pan Head, SKU TR-MTP (Vortex) |
| Head | 2-way pan head, Arca-Swiss head mount (Vortex) |
| Height | 9 to 56 in (Vortex) |
| Folded | 19.0 x 4.0 in (Vortex) |
| Weight | 3.1 lb (Vortex; it does not say whether that includes the head) |
| Max load | 22 lb (Vortex) |
| Legs | Aluminum, 4 leg sections, 3 leg angles, flip lever leg locks, rubber feet (Vortex); the retailer's feature list says three sections |
| In the box | Quick-release plate with 1/4-20 thread, rubber packing strap, counterweight hook, carry case, 1.3 mm hex wrench (Vortex) |
| Recommended uses | Seated Glassing, Wildlife Observation (Vortex) |
| Model on this card | TR-MTP |
“Purchased as a Vortex spotting scope setup, fairly light weight, can adjust angle and leg length. Additional weight can be hung from the center point to decrease instability from winds.”
Rob, owner (MO) via OpticsPlanet, 2025
Taller glassing tripod for standing: Vortex High Country II Tripod Kit, black, TR-HCY
Aluminum tripod + pan head, Arca-Swiss head mount (Vortex) · 11.3 to 62.5 in, 24.3 in folded, 4.0 lb, 22 lb max load, 3 leg sections (Vortex) · card: black, TR-HCY
around $180exact price on OpticsPlanet
The step-up glassing tripod for when you want to glass standing. Vortex lists its recommended uses as Stand-Up Glassing and Wildlife Observation, and gives 4.0 lb, a 22 lb max load, an 11.3 in min and 62.5 in max height, folded dimensions of 24.3 by 4.0 in, aluminum legs in 3 sections, 3 leg angles, flip lever leg locks and an Arca-Swiss head mount, with a quick-release plate, a packing strap, a counterweight hook and a carrying case in the box. The retailer's spec table gives 11.3 in as the closed length; that is Vortex's minimum height, and Vortex lists the folded size as 24.3 in. Outdoor Life (Andrew McKean, John B. Snow and Tyler Freel, updated February 2025) includes it, without a label, in its hunting tripod guide; from its 2023 gun test it writes "We saw more scope movement on the High Country II" than on a stiffer carbon tripod, and it calls the tripod not the best option for use as a shooting rest. Its OpticsPlanet reviews (two of the 28 are the same text) are about spotting scopes. Owners call it rock solid with large scopes, and a 6 ft 2 in owner says it is the right height standing and goes low enough for prone, but one finds it "A little heavy to pack on a backpacking trip" and a 3-star owner says of the leg angle tabs: "Wouldn't work well wearing gloves." It is also a pick in our spotting scope tripod guide.
Pros
- 62.5 in max height for glassing standing (Vortex)
- Pan head on an Arca-Swiss mount, counterweight hook and case in the box (Vortex)
- Owners call it rock solid with large spotting scopes
Cons
- Heavier and longer folded than the Mountain Pass: 4.0 lb and 24.3 in (Vortex)
- A 3-star owner says the leg angle tabs would not work well with gloves
- Owner reviews are about spotting scopes; none describes a rifle held on it
Best for: glassing standing at the truck, a ridge or a range with a full-size spotting scope.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Vortex |
|---|---|
| Model | High Country II Aluminum Tripod + Pan Head, SKU TR-HCY (Vortex) |
| Head | Pan head, Arca-Swiss head mount (Vortex) |
| Height | 11.3 to 62.5 in (Vortex) |
| Folded | 24.3 x 4.0 in (Vortex) |
| Weight | 4.0 lb (Vortex; it does not say which kit parts that includes) |
| Max load | 22 lb (Vortex) |
| Legs | Aluminum, 3 leg sections, 3 leg angles, flip lever leg locks (Vortex) |
| Recommended uses | Stand-Up Glassing, Wildlife Observation (Vortex) |
| Model on this card | Black, TR-HCY |
“Holds my Vortex Viper HD 20-60X85 angled very steady including pan-tilt positions”
Old Man Winter, owner (TN) via OpticsPlanet, 2025
The best shooting tripod for a rifle: clamp, yoke or rail
How the rifle meets the tripod matters more than the legs. A clamp holds the stock or forend for you: the aluminum BOG DeathGrip, the Kopfjager Reaper Grip, and the DeathGrip Infinite and Sherpa, which set the clamp on an Arca-Swiss ball head so it can come off for optics. BOG's manual asks you to clamp near the rifle's balance point and not to overtighten, because the forend can be damaged. The same aluminum DeathGrip is a card in our best shooting rest roundup, where it covers field support.
A rail system locks the rifle itself to a ball head. Predator Tactics says the DeadEye system attaches to Picatinny and NATO rails and carries a 38.5 mm Arca clamp; Athlon says the Midas CF32 takes an ARCA-rail rifle directly, but a retailer staff answer says it has no Picatinny adapter in the box. If you already own a head you trust, the FatBoy Elevate and Warrior's The Warrior are legs with no head included; our full reviews of the FatBoy Elevate and the Warrior Tripods cover them in depth.
Shooting sticks vs a tripod
A shooting stick tripod trades the clamp for speed. The Primos Trigger Stick Gen3 tripods set height with a trigger pull, and the rifle rests in a quick-detach yoke while you keep a hand on it. Primos lists the Gen3 Tall at 24 to 62 in and approximately 3.5 lb, and the Gen3 Short at approximately 2.5 lb, with an 18 to 38 in range on Primos's listing and the retailer's spec table. Owners split along the same line: Tall owners like it standing and kneeling, and one blind hunter found the Tall hard to set up sitting, while Short owners praise it in ground blinds.
A clamping tripod such as the DeathGrip is the better choice when you want to wait behind a held rifle for a long time, and it is heavier: BOG lists the aluminum model at 8.5 lb. If you move and shoot quickly, a shooting stick is lighter to carry and faster to set; if you sit and wait, a clamp lets you let go.
Tripods for glassing game
For binoculars or a spotting scope, a light tripod with a pan head is the tool. Vortex recommends the Mountain Pass kit for seated glassing and wildlife observation and lists it at 3.1 lb, 9 to 56 in; the High Country II kit, which Vortex recommends for stand-up glassing, reaches 62.5 in at 4.0 lb. Both have Arca-Swiss head mounts and counterweight hooks. The BOG DeathGrip Infinite and Sherpa can do both jobs, with a clamp for the rifle and an optics plate for the ball head. For more tripods chosen for spotting scopes, see our best spotting scope tripod guide.
What the editorial guides say
We name only the picks we confirmed in the saved article text, with the publication, author and date. A label is an editor's pick, not an award.
- BOG DeathGrip family. Top Firearm Reviews (Gary R. Anderson; the page shows no year) names the "BOG DeathGrip" its Best Rifle Tripod Overall without naming the material, and lists a carbon fiber DeathGrip II separately. GunsAmerica (Chris Linville, 2026) names the DeathGrip, in carbon fiber or aluminum, its Best Budget Shooting Tripod; the hands-on account it draws on used a carbon fiber unit. all4shooters (Andreas Wilhelmus, March 2024) tested an aluminum model it calls the DeathGrip Precision, on tripods loaned by a retailer, and writes: "In our test, both shooting stands offered the gun a secure support." None of these names the aluminum item number we card, 1099442.
- BOG DeathGrip Infinite. RifleShooter (Ben LaLonde, April 2024) includes the carbon fiber DeathGrip Infinite, without a label, in its five best shooting tripods for long-range precision rifles.
- Vortex High Country II. Outdoor Life (Andrew McKean, John B. Snow and Tyler Freel, updated February 2025) includes it, without a label, in its hunting tripod guide; from its 2023 gun test it writes "We saw more scope movement on the High Country II" than on a stiffer carbon tripod, and it calls the tripod not the best option for use as a shooting rest.
- Kopfjager K800 with Reaper Grip. The same Outdoor Life guide names it its Best for Hog Hunting pick; the saved text does not show hands-on use of it, and it names no item number.
For the other picks we did not confirm an editorial pick for the exact item we card, so their cards rest on maker specs and owner reviews.
How to choose a hunting tripod
- Support. A clamp holds the rifle for you (DeathGrip, Reaper Grip); a yoke cradles it while you hold it (Trigger Stick); a rail adapter or ARCA rail locks it to a ball head (DeadEye, Midas CF32); a pan head is for optics (Vortex kits).
- Height. Check the maker's maximum against your standing eye height and the minimum against your sitting or prone position. BOG gives the carbon DeathGrip heights at stated leg angles.
- Weight. The makers' figures here run from approximately 2.5 lb (Primos Gen3 Short) to 8.5 lb (aluminum DeathGrip). Check what a figure covers: FatBoy gives the Elevate's weight with and without the bowl, and Kopfjager lists the tripod and the grip separately.
- Head in the box. FatBoy's Elevate and Warrior's The Warrior come without a head; the DeathGrips, the Kopfjager kit, the DeadEye system, the Midas CF32 and the Vortex kits include one.
- Where you hunt from. BOG's manual warns against using the DeathGrip in a tree stand or other elevated location. For a ground blind, owners favour the shorter Trigger Stick.
How we chose these
This is a research-based roundup, not a hands-on test. We started from the hunting and shooting tripods the retailer sells, carded one exact model on each listing, and read each maker's own product page or manual. Where the retailer and the maker disagree (height, leg sections, folded length, material), we print the maker's figure, and where a maker's page disagrees with itself, we say so. We read every OpticsPlanet review on each listing, kept retailer staff reviews out of owner counts and counted repeated texts once. Editorial picks are named only where we confirmed them in the saved article text for the exact model. There is no editorial score on this page; our picks are our opinion. See our methodology for how we work.
FAQ
What is the best tripod for hunting?
From the evidence we read, the BOG DeathGrip clamping tripod for most rifle hunters: it clamps the rifle so you can let go of it, and BOG lists aluminum legs, a 7 to 59 inch height range and three leg angles. Its weight, 8.5 lb per BOG, is the main complaint on its OpticsPlanet listing. For a lighter clamp, the Kopfjager K800 with Reaper Grip; for a shooting stick you set with one hand, the Primos Trigger Stick Gen3 Tall; for a rifle with a rail, the Predator Tactics DeadEye system; for glassing, the Vortex Mountain Pass kit.
What is the best shooting tripod for a rifle?
It depends on how the rifle meets the tripod. A clamp holds the stock or forend: the BOG DeathGrip, the Kopfjager Reaper Grip and the DeathGrip Infinite and Sherpa, which put the clamp on an Arca-Swiss ball head. A rail system locks to the rifle: Predator Tactics says the DeadEye attaches to Picatinny and NATO rails, and Athlon says the Midas CF32 ball head takes an ARCA-rail rifle directly. If you already own a head, FatBoy's Elevate and Warrior's The Warrior are legs without one.
Are shooting sticks better than a tripod?
They do a different job. The Primos Trigger Stick Gen3 tripods set height with one trigger pull and cradle the rifle in a quick-detach yoke, so they are fast for standing or kneeling shots, but you keep a hand on the rifle. A clamping tripod such as the BOG DeathGrip holds the rifle for you and is heavier. Primos lists the Tall at 24 to 62 inches and approximately 3.5 lb, and the Short for sitting at about 2.5 lb.
Can I use a hunting tripod in a tree stand?
Check the maker first. BOG's DeathGrip manual warns that falls resulting in injury or death may occur if the product is used in a tree stand or other elevated location, so we do not suggest a DeathGrip for a tree stand. The other makers on this page do not address tree stands on the pages we read.
How tall should a hunting tripod be?
Tall enough to shoot standing without stooping, and low enough for your sitting or prone shots. Compare the maker's range: BOG lists 7 to 59 inches for the aluminum DeathGrip, Kopfjager 7.5 to 64 inches for the K800, Primos 24 to 62 inches for the Gen3 Tall, and Predator Tactics 17.5 to 70 inches for the DeadEye with the center column extended. Owners of the lighter DeathGrip Sherpa, which BOG lists at 55 3/4 inches at its 20 degree leg angle, report stooping to shoot standing.
What is the best tripod for glassing?
A light tripod with a pan head and an Arca-Swiss mount, such as the Vortex Mountain Pass kit, which Vortex recommends for seated glassing and wildlife observation and lists at 3.1 lb. To glass standing, the Vortex High Country II kit reaches 62.5 inches, per Vortex. The BOG DeathGrip Infinite and Sherpa also take optics on their ball heads with the included optics mounting plate.
More gear: Warrior Tripods review · FatBoy Elevate review · best spotting scope tripod · best shooting rest · how we evaluate.