Using a Pig Saddle, rangefinder, spotting scope, on a SLIK tripod

[CavReconScout]

Recently on another forum a question came up regarding the use of a Pig or Hog Saddle with a ball head tripod mount. A second question was raised concerning the use of a spotting scope, Pig Saddle, and range finder on the same tripod. I snapped some photos showing my setup, and thought perhaps there might be some interest here. Mods, if this is in the wrong place please move it.

Here's my Slik Pro 700DX with the Slik 800 ball head with the Pig Saddle and my 10T:

http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w581/jrm5787/Mobile%20Uploads/2013-08/6B8239D4-65C5-4B62-98D4-9D528EC60FA1_zpsh3owjxex.jpg

Here's the spotting scope mounted and the range finder and Pig saddle ready to go:

http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w581/jrm5787/Mobile%20Uploads/C02B3FB3-AFE9-4381-906B-355E3E21D3A8_zpsr18nwyua.jpg

Closeup of the quick detach mounts:

http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w581/jrm5787/Mobile%20Uploads/6B213316-FF6F-4407-9939-67EE5C4E180F_zpst8t2kjmj.jpg

Closeup of the Pig Saddle on the tripod:

http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w581/jrm5787/Mobile%20Uploads/D5C24129-E885-43BD-AD9B-815981C8347B_zpsn3jwdqqt.jpg

FYI the Pig Saddle can also be used without the ball head, which is what I prefer:

http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w581/jrm5787/Mobile%20Uploads/2013-08/f094a3e4-7602-47da-b882-6cd4bb5c089f_zpskwxr6fng.jpg

[yobuck]

Any rest is better than no rest. Is your ball mount pinned, or does it fall to one side or other when loosened?

[243LPR]

I must be living under a rock,never of a pig saddle.

[yobuck]

Yep there is a pig saddle and also a more expensive hog saddle by the same company.
Also another very similar device called a triclawps. They all clamp on the gun in a similar way.
Great setup for taking pictures of your gun lol.

[Lorenzo]

sweet gun and setup. Ive found that using a tripod with a range finder you can range out farther than you normally would be able to. Tripod is a great setup for the areas I shoot, I like to go prone whenever I can put sometimes brush is in the way.

[DrThunder88]

First thing I thought of when I saw the title:

http://i62.tinypic.com/vj22c.png

Interesting setup to be sure. That tripod itself looks pretty substantial!

[CavReconScout]

Lol that's what I thought too first time I heard the name. There is a lot of tall grass and low scrub where I hunt too. With this I can set up a ground blind or find a good spot to sit if I can't go prone. Due to some injuries incurred when I was younger my legs go to sleep if I try kneeling or squatting for any length of time. The ball head isn't pinned, it has a lock for horizontal movement, a course lock for swivel, and then the large knob is for fine adjustment of the tension. I shoot strong arm on the rifle, support side braced on the tripod, and adjust as needed.