Author Topic: Caldwell Dead Shot field pod (Read 4132 times))

Tweeter · « **on:** January 30, 2016, 04:35:11 PM »

I came across this while trying to find a quicker easier way to set up for a shooting session. I have to say, this thing rules! It adjusts in every imaginable way and also folds right up for transport. Once you center the balance of your rifle it stays put but still allows pan and tilt in any direction. It has made my shooting more enjoyable so I thought I would share. Much better than lugging a wooden bench around and a set of shooting bags!

GD Giles · « **Reply #1 on:** January 30, 2016, 04:50:36 PM »

BlackDiesel has one and I shot off of it a few times. Very nice piece of gear.

DOKF · « **Reply #2 on:** January 30, 2016, 05:26:33 PM »

Just received mine yesterday. Waiting for the rains and honeydews to subside so I can try it out.

So far, looks good in my office ...

.

Tweeter · « **Reply #3 on:** January 30, 2016, 05:59:00 PM »

It's not like shooting off a bench with front and rear bags where I could make my rifle extremely steady, with the tri pod you still need to practice a little technique or your shots will wander. I think that is a good thing. A little practice never hurt anyone.

Tims229 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 30, 2016, 06:19:39 PM »

I have one also, it's not as steady as a bench where you can lead into it to steady yourself, but a nice quality piece. I use mine quite a bit when I'm cleaning/maintaining my rifles.

n1as · « **Reply #5 on:** January 31, 2016, 10:57:35 PM »

I borrowed one for a weekend. I really (really) wanted to love the system as it would have been wonderful for steading the gun when shooting pest birds at the farm. What I found though was the tripod was too small for the task. It would wiggle ever so slightly side to side and the least amount of pressure up or down would cause the mount to rotate leaving me pointed above or below the target. The wobble was less than shooting off-hand and even less than shooting from seated in a chair resting my elbows on my knees but I got much (much) steadier results by using a studier camera tripod with a yoke, resting the forearm in that yoke and just supporting my right elbow on my knees.

I wanted to love it. Really I did. In the end I was quite happy to return it to its owner.

DOKF · « **Reply #6 on:** January 31, 2016, 11:11:06 PM »

Keith,

What gun were you using with the field pod? I was hoping to use mine with some of my heavier springers ...

.

maraudinglizard · « **Reply #7 on:** February 01, 2016, 12:06:02 AM »

I have one that I use for practice and hunting. It's great for quick setup for short shooting sessions for those heavy big bore rifles. The pod can be a little unstable with the lighter rifles but with practice you will get the same results as with a shooting bench. I like it because I can set up anywhere and anytime with it. It's easy to put in a backpack or use the carry strap that came with it.

bantam5s · « **Reply #8 on:** February 01, 2016, 12:50:38 AM »

Quote from: n1as on January 31, 2016, 10:57:35 PM

I borrowed one for a weekend. I really (really) wanted to love the system as it would have been wonderful for steading the gun when shooting pest birds at the farm. What I found though was the tripod was too small for the task. It would wiggle ever so slightly side to side and the least amount of pressure up or down would cause the mount to rotate leaving me pointed above or below the target. The wobble was less than shooting off-hand and even less than shooting from seated in a chair resting my elbows on my knees but I got much (much) steadier results by using a studier camera tripod with a yoke, resting the forearm in that yoke and just supporting my right elbow on my knees.

I wanted to love it. Really I did. In the end I was quite happy to return it to its owner.

tripod and yoke is exactly what I use too , but mainly because I already had the tripod, and took the yoke off a shooting stick I had previously bought for 2$ at goodwill

William · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2016, 01:06:45 AM »

I also have a Caldwell Dead shot and I use it for all my guns, shooting targets, hunting, plinking and it makes a great tool when you are working on them as well. Really works great in my hunting blind.

Everyone should own 2 of these

William

SaltwaterSlick · « **Reply #10 on:** February 01, 2016, 12:36:23 PM »

Quote from: n1as on January 31, 2016, 10:57:35 PM

I borrowed one for a weekend. I really (really) wanted to love the system as it would have been wonderful for steading the gun when shooting pest birds at the farm. What I found though was the tripod was too small for the task. It would wiggle ever so slightly side to side and the least amount of pressure up or down would cause the mount to rotate leaving me pointed above or below the target. The wobble was less than shooting off-hand and even less than shooting from seated in a chair resting my elbows on my knees but I got much (much) steadier results by using a studier camera tripod with a yoke, resting the forearm in that yoke and just supporting my right elbow on my knees.

I wanted to love it. Really I did. In the end I was quite happy to return it to its owner.

Before you give up on the idea, you might want to try the MAGNUM version of the Dead Shot field pod. I have one of those and it is MUCH more sturdy, especially for shooting from the standing position. I shoot my Crickets off of it as well as an old original R1 Beeman, and that sucker is HEAVY! I got the optional spotting scope/camera mount and it is pretty cool to put a normal video camera or GoPro on that mount and shoot with the casio high speed camera with the eagle vision mount... gives 2 views of the same shot. Cameras don't work too well with the R1... just too much forward "recoil" to get anything but blurred shots... but the tripod is pretty steady.

Rico14 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 01, 2016, 03:38:06 PM »

I've had both the Dead Shot Field Pod and the Magnum Field pod. I sold the smaller one, as it was a little too low for me, topping out at 42". With the Magnum, I can shoot standing up and the legs also extend far enough to use it shooting prone. Besides being taller, the main difference is in the feet. The Magnum has angled spikes sticking out of the bottom of the feet. Once these dig in, this rest is as stable as you can want. Those of you who are having stability problems with the regular one, see if you can add a metal spike to each foot. This will make a big difference

blackdiesel · « **Reply #12 on:** February 01, 2016, 03:49:58 PM »

Quote from: Rico14 on February 01, 2016, 03:38:06 PM

I've had both the Dead Shot Field Pod and the Magnum Field pod. I sold the smaller one, as it was a little too low for me, topping out at 42". With the Magnum, I can shoot standing up and the legs also extend far enough to use it shooting prone. Besides being taller, the main difference is in the feet. The Magnum has angled spikes sticking out of the bottom of the feet. Once these dig in, this rest is as stable as you can want. Those of you who are having stability problems with the regular one, see if you can add a metal spike to each foot. This will make a big difference

I have the magnum version also. It's great for when you don't want to drag around a table/bench. Caldwell also make a version called the Max which is like the original but it can extend to 48" so you can shoot standing with it. I thought about getting one because it seems very light and easier to carry than the magnum.

n1as · « **Reply #13 on:** February 01, 2016, 04:31:17 PM »

Quote from: DOKF on January 31, 2016, 11:11:06 PM

Keith,

What gun were you using with the field pod? I was hoping to use mine with some of my heavier springers ...
.

I used it with S410 Carbine, S410 Classic, S200 and R7. All light guns. None of them were as steady as I wanted. I suppose if you want to be steady enough to shoot 6-8 MOA it would be great, but if you're trying to nail a 1" target at 50 yds and you think this is going to let you lock your cross hairs on the target with no wobble you'll be sorely disappointed.

I did get the stability I was looking for with a $130 Bogen camera tripod + V yoke under the forearm and a Trigger Stick bipod under the butt stock. That was rock solid but was also a pain to adjust so you were on target. After playing with these ideas I settled on a Trigger Stick tripod as the best portable, rapidly deployed, solid field rest solution.

Oh, one other thing I remember. You could pivot the gun and move it up & down but the rotation surfaces tended to stick so you try to move 1/2" to the right and it goes 2".

n1as · « **Reply #14 on:** February 01, 2016, 04:34:56 PM »

Quote from: bantam5s on February 01, 2016, 12:50:38 AM

tripod and yoke is exactly what I use too , but mainly because I already had the tripod, and took the yoke off a shooting stick I had previously bought for 2$ at goodwill

Yep. I too already had the tripod and the yoke came from a hiking stick I already had.

William · « **Reply #15 on:** February 01, 2016, 10:08:43 PM »

For those of you who don't like the Caldwell Dead shot Field Pod, well I got some bad news for you,,,, its not made for bench rest shooting, it was designed for hunting! A nice easy to carry piece of equipment for the field, I use mine in my blind all the time, keeps my gun at the ready position and is more than stable enough for hunting! I do admit it does need to be about 4 to 6" taller but it serves its purpose very well.

Its just like any other new piece of equipment, you need to practice with it and get the feel of what and what not to do with it, I have shot many a squirrel in the head using mine out to 40 yards and never had a problem.

Like I said, if you want to bench shoot, buy a Caldwell Lead sled for the bench top table....

William

Rodentor · « **Reply #16 on:** February 02, 2016, 09:42:48 AM »

Yep, made for hunting. I have mine on the front porch ready for squirrels I see out the front window. I really do need a second one for the back yard.
Love it!

Underdog · « **Reply #17 on:** February 02, 2016, 10:11:43 AM »

I was just looking at the similar Caldwell Dead Shot chairpod Sunday at Sports Academy.... anyone ever try it?

josixpack · « **Reply #18 on:** February 02, 2016, 12:38:13 PM »

I love mine!

However, it was just a little too short for my liking so I added some pvc leg extensions which work great.

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=101123.0

I also created a roller rest for my springers.

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=101782.0

straightshooter · « **Reply #19 on:** February 02, 2016, 01:01:42 PM »

I have both the regular version and the magnum, and like both better than my stable table which I am kinda disappointed in. I would be interested if CE were to offer a deluxe model that had a more precise fluid movement. That would be my biggest complaint, but find they both work really well especially with my sidelevers, not having to remove rifle to cock is awesome.

I tried the chairpod, tried to like it, but it went back. It was to rickity for me, didnt like how you had for the most part, needing to remove the rifle before getting up or the whole contraption could fall over with your rifle. Also liked being able to scooch back from the reg pods in my blind when there is no prey in sight and not being married to the chairpod all the time.

Actually I wish someone would make a more permanent type that I could leave out in the backyard, maybe using a auto tire rim or tire concreted with a pipe standing upright and similar functioning rifle movement.

E

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Caldwell Dead Shot field pod

Author Topic: Caldwell Dead Shot field pod (Read 4132 times))