The Claw

[mcelkhunter]

I have read several posts that refer to "The Claw" and saw a picture of it in one of them. Can anyone tell me who makes it and where it can be purchased?

[GameHauler]

Make sure your sitting down before you look at the price

[CouesWhitetail]

Cade Smith makes it. You can purchase it on his website: thgunclaw.com

 

I tested one out the other day and found that it's usefulness is highly dependent on having an absolutely sturdy tripod and tripod head. I have bogen/manfrotto 701rc2 head and I never thought it had much play in it before I tried to use the claw on it. There was enough "micro" movement between the plate and the tripod head to make the crosshairs unsteady. I have talked to Cade about that and he suggested that the upgraded version of that tripod head has less play. I also tried it on the Jim White tripod head and found it also to not be particularly steady. I sent the product to Red Rabbit to test out on some other tripods/tripod heads. So far his experience is the same as mine.

 

 

Amanda

[cmc]

 

Field photo from their web page... And yes the price is the deal breaker for me... But love the idea.

 

[mcelkhunter]

Thanks for all the information!! It is appreciated. You weren't kidding about the price !!

[Guest 300ultramag.]

I like to shoot off my pack it has an aluminum support in it.... but if a someone gave me one I would use it..

[Red Rabbit]

I just talked with Jay Lopeman about the Claw and the tripod head issue. He suggested the Bogen 701 HDV head as the plate is larger and locks in well without wiggle.

[firstcoueswas80]

When I first saw the price, I was astounded as well!

 

But think about it this way.. How much do we have invested in the tripod already? Not to mention the other "gear". When it all boils down to it, making the shot is the 2nd, maybe 3rd most important part of the trip! (Finding the deer, and getting to a position to shoot.)

 

If it works out that this particular item is 100% worth the price and peice of mind making a loooong shot 'easy', then by all means it is worth the $180! Dont get me wrong, I think that is a crazy amount, but if the difference between a 100" buck being dead, and walking away is $180, I will pay that every day of the year!

[CouesCrazy]

I havent used it but if you look at the success already achieved with it, I say its well worth the price. As long as you have a good pan head as Jay recomended Im sure its rock solid. I love to shoot off of a pack as well, but as we all know in alot of coues deer country its hard to find a stable rest with the steep angles and rough terrain. With a good soild tripod Im sure it will help in these situations. Ive used and seen other similar products and this one seems to be a much better design and much easier to use.

[COOSEFAN]

I haven't checked this product out yet, but it sure looks like you wouldn't have a "dead rest" with it on a tripod for long distance shots. There is a lot of weight in a rifle, just look how much your 15's can wobble when there is a breeze, even off a heavy duty Bogan......imagine how much a 7-10 lb. rifle will move?

 

For me it looks more beneficial for locking a gun in for a person who is having a hard time finding the animal, but at reasonable distances. For long distance shooting (400-800) yards I feel it requires a rock solid rest with absolutely no wobble! I still swear by my tripod on the front and shooting sticks under the rear technique, once situated, the rifle sits on it's own and all you have to do is reach around and pull the trigger......just like a bench! Anything less than that affects accuracy.

 

Cool product nonetheless, wish it were cheaper, I'd keep one in my pack while guiding for sure! JIM>

[Red Rabbit]

Jim,

What I would like to do in testing the Claw, is to shoot off the bench, off a pack, Harris Bipod, tripod and rear sticks like you and I are doing now, and with the Claw.

 

Doug

[CouesWhitetail]

I definitely found it not nearly as stable as when I used my bipod on the front of the gun and a tripod under the butt. Of course you could always use something under the butt and the gun claw in the front of the gun.

 

Jim raises a good point about it making it easier for someone to find the buck in the scope. It also allows for easier tracking of the buck with the gun mounted to your tripod.

 

 

Amanda

 

[COOSEFAN]

Jim,

What I would like to do in testing the Claw, is to shoot off the bench, off a pack, Harris Bipod, tripod and rear sticks like you and I are doing now, and with the Claw.

 

Doug

 

That would be great, I look forward to your results! The one thing I do differently is my sticks are custom built by a friend of mine and are sturdier than any store bought sticks and the top ends are shortened so they don't dig into your face while under the butt of the gun. Also the front fork I have is custom but it is just pretty much a standard "U" shaped fork which is mounted to a Jim White adapter plate that i just slide into the Jim White Pan head. I might need to show Mr. White what I've got here!

[CouesWhitetail]

Jim,

 

You mean like this one that Jim White already makes and is available on this site?

 

 

http://www.coueswhitetail.com/bookstore/adaptors.htm

[mcelkhunter]

Well I know what I will be doing when I go to the range. I've got everything talked about except the claw and now I have some excellent options for getting a steadier shot and will be trying them all out. Still considering the claw as well and will be purchasing a new (and steadier) tripod in the near future as well. Thanks for all the info!!