Triclawps/ Claw questions

[az41mag]

I'm looking at purchasing a Triclawps/ Claw (I think the name changed but still the same product), but I have some questions for those of you who use them. What kind of tripod head are you using with it? Any advantage to a ball, pan/ tilt, or fluid head? I'm guessing that since the Claw clamps onto your rifle stock, then some of that recoil from your rifle would be transferred to your tripod head and tripod, so do you need a beefy tripod head to go with it? I'm currently using a Jim White head which is great for glassing and it's really light weight, but I wonder how much recoil transfer it would handle. Too bad Jim White has passed away, or I would ask him. Has anybody used a Triclawps with a Jim White head?

 

Thanks.

[Coues assassin]

Never used the triclawps although I almost purchased one then was convinced to go the rifle railz/loc jaw route by other members. Now I have never used the triclawps but LOVE the rifle railz/loc jaw! Sorry if this isn't what you wanted to hear just thought I would throw out my .02

[muledeerarea33?]

I don't use a claw but I do shoot off of my tri pod with the plate and a rag to keep my stock from scratching. Works good and never messed up my tripod head. I imagine the claw would transfer more recoil energy however I think you'll be fine.

[bbd1234]

+1 on loc jaw love mine

[Siwash]

Personally I wouldn't use my Jim White with a tri-clawps. I think you would be frustrated with the stability and the benefit of the TRi-clawps would be negated by the head's inability to handle the weight.

 

I used an older 'Claw" with a Manfrotto 700RC2 on a pretty heavy older Manfrotto tripod and it worked fine, although the weight of the rifle did exceed the max load the head was rated at. You have a good question about recoil; it gets transferred to the head/tripod, but also to the gun's action and recoil screws. If you do purchase a tri-clawps and shoot frequently, make sure you check the action screws (a good habit regardless of whether or not you shoot of a tri-clawps) after each shooting session.

 

Today I use an Outdoorsman flip up rest with a Jim White tripod head and the Vortex Summit SS tripod. Both are ultra-light. I was able to take a Coues at 350+ with this set up in tall grass last fall, and have shot as far as 550 with the set-up. I like either rest for inside of 500, but it doesn't really offer the stability you need for distances greater than that, at least in my experience. I use mine only in situations where a prone rest is not an option (like setting up on a slope or in tall grass). If you did shoot off a really beefy, heavy duty tripod/head it might get you stable enough to shoot with confidence at greater distances though.

[Lucky Draw]

We just started using a Tri-clawps so don't have much hard data to share. We put it on our heaviest tripod and so far have just had the kids shooting the .243 off of it. So far it's working well in terms of them hitting the target while getting used to something that recoils more than the bb gun!

 

 

Siwash has a lot of good info up there.

[Coues 'n' Sheep]

I have used the Triclawps a lot, with great success and can tell you that you will not like the flex in the Jim White head. The other thing to watch out for is flex between your head and your tripod legs... The smallest head that I have found that will work well is the Outdoorsman Pan Head, but for best performance I use the Heavy Gitso legs and large Manfrotto pan head that I use for my Kowas. It is heavy to pack but worth it if you need to make a standing shot or make quick adjustments as animals move in thick country.

[THOR]

I have the claw and my wife killed her first deer with it at about 300 yards. I would use a fluid head ...one thing too think about to reduce the recoil is to have one of the legs of the tripod pointed back at the shooter, that leg will reduce a lot.

[CouesWhitetail]

Even though I love the Jim White head, I agree with most people that have replied here that it's a little too light for using the triclawps to shoot off for longer ranges, like over 400 yards. What I usually do is have my bipod on the front of the gun and use my tripod with Jim White head under the butt of the gun for more stability. That works pretty well. But if you want to use Triclawps, I would get a bigger tripod and head, perhaps the one CouesnSheep recommended. You can also go to the Triclawps website and buy one of the tripods and heads that they recommend.

[az41mag]

Thank you all for the help, it's very appreciated. This will definitely get me started in the right direction.

[azhuntnut]

Since I have a little experience in this area I thought I would add to it. I have been shooting off tripods now for about 4.5 years. I found the best heads to use are the fluid type. The tripod itself should be sturdy in order to hold the weight of the gun. I have used Manfrotto tripods and heads with great success, but now I mostly use the medium Outdoorsmans tripod with the fluid head. Stay away from the pistol grip, they won't hold tight. One concern you had was recoil. When you are shooting your rifle, the gun is still against your shoulder when you shoot. Your body is still going to absorb some of the recoil, but some of it will go down into the legs. All the mount is doing is holding the gun in position and the weight of the gun. I like to point one tripod leg back towards my body if possible. David

[oz31p]

I have the older gun claw. I use a 128rc head. I have had great success shooting off it. Even a bull at 400y and a coues at 425y. My legs are a velbon med I can't think of the model but its not fancy.

[willhunt4coues]

I have the Triclawps set up on a heavy 14lbs gun shooting off a Manfrotto 701 HDV and Promaster 429 tripod. I practice out to 800 yards sitting with this set up so yes it can and will work fine. Of course if you have a heavy gun you need heavy tripods and heads but if you have a light gun then the Jim White should work. You can always try it. If you are up in the Globe Miami area anytime get with me and you can try the clawps on your head and pod.