From Art to Arsenal: usability of tripod ball-heads for rifle shooting
Have you ever had the unfortune of having to clean a tripod ball-head? From the pain of having to dismantle every single screw, to cleaning all of the dirt and debris, you might have asked yourself: “there should be something better to this”. YES!
The evolution of tripod ball-heads, from their inception in photography to their application as weapon mounts, highlights a fascinating journey marked by innovation, versatility, and adaptation. What began as a tool to revolutionize how photographers captured moments has seamlessly transitioned into a key enabler for achieving precision and control in the realm of firearms.
Born in the world of photography, ball-heads are now used in rifle shooting also, because of the ease of movement in any direction they allow when using a tripod.
The question is: do they offer real advantages to achieve accuracy in rifle shooting?
This evolution happened because the same needs for fluid movement and stability that characterize many photographic situations match similar needs when reasoning about marksmanship, tactics, and operational efficiency in rifle shooting.
After all, it is no coincidence that the term "shooting" is used with weapons, but also in photography. The actions of aiming or framing are quite similar.
PHOTOGRAPHY ORIGINS
Tripod ball-heads were first introduced in the world of photography as a solution to offer ease of movement, along with stability, when framing moving subjects with long telephoto lens.
Traditional tripod heads limited the range of motion and adjustment, often requiring cumbersome adjustments to capture shots from different angles.
The ball-head design, which emerged in the mid-20th century, featured a ball-and-socket joint that enabled smooth and intuitive movements in virtually any direction. This breakthrough innovation quickly gained popularity among photographers for its ability to allow a rapid and stable camera alignment while taking pictures of moving subjects, such in sport or nature photography.
FIREARM INDUSTRY INTEREST
The concept of tripod ball-heads soon found application beyond photography. The adaptability and stability provided by ball-heads caught the attention of firearm enthusiasts, military personnel, and law enforcement agencies seeking improved ways to mount and stabilize weapons in various shooting scenarios.
Recognizing the benefits of the ball-head's design, manufacturers began to adapt and engineer these mechanisms for firearm use, adapting the ball-head concept to being able to withstand high calibers. This adaptation allowed for quick and precise adjustments of weapon orientation, making them invaluable for both precision shooting and tactical operations.
This development marked the transition of tripod ball-heads from the world of photography to becoming a useful component also in the realm of firearms and general weapon usage.
A lot of ball-heads these days are rated to hold weights up to 30 to 60 kilograms, however most of them are utilizing the Arca-Swiss mounts (this one also a legacy from the world of photography), and even though it is still preferred by long-range shooters for their chassis rifles, it is limiting as they can’t mount their regular stock rifles.
Since the beginning, designers at KJI identified some limitations (in rifle shooting) of the ball-head concept and decided to work on that.
KJI Reaper Grip
KJI Reaper Grip
PRECISION AND FINE ADJUSTMENT
Achieving precise adjustments for framing or aiming can be challenging when using a ball-head, especially at high magnifications or when making micro-adjustments. Most ball-heads don’t allow for smooth, but rapid movements, which can lead to unnecessary actions on the user’s part.
And while they offer versatile movement in multiple axes, there are limitations when it comes to panoramic rotation. Some ball-heads may not even provide a smooth and continuous panning motion.
Contrary to that, the KJI Reaper Grip System is designed to securely grip your rifle to your tripod, while the direct mount easily threads onto the tripod’s rotatable center column, providing a smooth 360° panning and a tilt range of 109° for separate drag control.
The KJI Reaper Grip system
KJI REAPER GRIP SYSTEM
Born from experience within the Marine Scout Sniper Community and SWAT, the inventors of KJI recognized limitations in the widely used HOG and PIG saddle systems. These traditional systems, while dependable, struggled when gripping tapered stock rifles due to their straight-angle rifle clamps. The singular contact point with the widest part of the stock allowed for unwanted pivoting when clamped.
Based on observation of what does not work, the KJI Reaper Grip System has been designed to allow hunters and long-range shooters to secure both sides of the rifle, ensuring supreme steadiness. Unlike its counterparts, the Reaper Grip eliminates pivot concerns, granting superior reliability in terms of precision.
Additionally, for those wanting to maintain the versatility of a ball head on their tripod, KJI has realized the Reaper Grip Direct Mount, which seamlessly integrates with tripods, granting users the full benefits of the Reaper Grip System.
The Reaper Grip Direct Mount
The Reaper Grip Direct Mount, mounted on a ball-head
The KJI Reaper Grip offers a steady support to the rifle, even with traditional stocks of various profiles
KJI's Reaper Grip leaves the rifle free to recoil, sliding inside the two lateral jaws
If necessary, the KJI Reaper Grip allows to tighten the side jaws, locking the rifle
CREEP AND DRIFT
Over time, the weight of the mounted equipment can cause the ball-head to slowly shift its position, leading to the phenomenon known as "creep" or "drift."
This can be particularly problematic for applications requiring a consistent and stable shooting position.
To battle this issue, KJI came up with the solution of implementing up to 11° of cant on the rail system, allowing the user to lock and level their setup and be sure that it won’t move in the course of action.
EASE OF CLEAN UP
Cleaning a ball-head can be a challenging and less-than-pleasant task, particularly in environments where debris easily accumulates between the ball and the body. This often necessitates disassembling the entire head to eliminate dust and particles that can impede smooth movement.
The cleaning process involves utilizing various tools for dismantling and performing the cleaning itself, as well as lubricating the moving parts of the ball head. To eliminate this issue, KJI has introduced a more practical solution: the removable Dowel Pin Cover in the Mounting System. With this solution, addressing debris stuck in the saddle clamp is effortless. Simply rotate and unscrew the dowel pin and control arm, remove the head's body from the hinge block, and clean the interior using a cloth – all without requiring any additional tools or lubricant!
Born in the world of photography, ball-heads are for sure a great help in some kind of rifle shooting situations also, but they are not to be considered THE best solution. Simply, in precision shooting at moving targets, they can be a good "medium" when mounting a rifle on a tripod, but an accessory like the KJI Reaper Grip, allowing a free and fluid longitudinal sliding of the rifle inside the rest (the grip), provides more control on shooting, both on fixed or moving targets, especially if the situation asks for a second quick shot.
The features of the Reaper Girp system offer some advantages when using a ball-head mounted on a tripod, over the use of just a ball-head, with the rifle fixed on it, directly. In short words, the combiunatiopn nof a KJI Reaper Grip with a ball-head offer the shooters and hunters a wider range of possibilities, delivering enhanced precision, stability, and ease of use.
Nevertheless, for sure, ball-heads will continue to co-exist in the firearms industry. Whether alone or used in combination with tripod mounting accessories specifically designed for precision rifle shooting, it's all up to the shooter’s preference.
But only the "targets" will tell which solution works best.
KJI Reaper Grip with Direct Mount Adapter (for Ball Heads)
https://kjiprecision.com/products/reaper-grip-with-direct-mount-adapter
About KJI®
Designed with precision and stability in mind by two Special Ops Dallas SWAT Officers, the KJI Shooting Rest Kits are purposely built to meet the demanding needs of LEO, military personnel, hunters, and professional long-range shooters.
For more information about KJI products, visit www.kjiprecision.com.