I have a tripod with a head unit that clamps down and holds the rifle. When I go to the range to sight in, I use a front bag or bipod. She I use the bag or bipod I get pretty good results.
Has anybody found that the squeezing of the forend etc changes the harmonics enough to be really “off”

I think it can from limited experience, not as much in group size but point of impact unless one is changing things around between shots then all bets are off anyway

If you’re using an AR with free float rail shouldn’t change anything. Bolt gun in regular stock it might, but probably not enough to miss an animal.

I shoot off bags at my range and tripod with hog saddle clamp in the field - no issues

With the clamp device I always secure it as close to the receiver as possible (as opposed to length of handguard)

I do see a difference if I don’t shoulder the rifle with the same forces between seated / bagged versus standing / tripod

I’ll never zero off a tripod, as I’m sure it’s different and less repeatable based on more variables than seated and bagged

BIL -- I have had no issues with AR platforms going from bag to bipod to 'claw/clamp' tripod head.

On bolt guns I have yet to see an issue but I have not shot from my clamp further than 250 yards. I have the same worries about causing a POI shift from introducing stress into the system. I normally clamp the rifle around the floorplate/recoil lug so I know there is some bedding material and I'm using quality aftermarket stocks.

I have shot my Rem 783 with the flimsy, un-stiffened factory stock from my clamp. I clamped in the same location (around the mag box on the 783) and had no noticeable POI shift but didn't run it past 100 yards.

Here is the real difference, it all boils down to how you're driving the rifle. Your main POI shift is going to come from input from the shooter.

I’m just going to have to do some field experiments to see

I can shoot half inch with the flir if you need someone who actually knows wtf they are doing. Just saying...

He’s not exaggerating. Seen him do it. Now why he can’t shoot a regular scope well enough to save his life I have no idea.


BIL, I sight in my thermals usually from a bipod/bag or just bag/bag, then hunt with a tripod. Just recently got a Reaper Grip and tested it this weekend to see if there were any POI issues, nope. Between all platforms I tested, regular stocks and AR’s, none had issues.

I try to keep my thermal shots inside 150 yds. I don’t think you will have an issue if you do the same.

Went back out and have confirmed is wasn’t a tripod issue. I learned more about my reticle and just how far I was shooting.

I usually zero thermals off of a tripod. Thermal distances usually don't matter if it's a half inch one way or the other. That said, I switch optics a lot and it's just faster for me like that for me rather than setting up on a bench and all. With practice you can be really steady off a good tripod setup.