Photography was my main hobby for over four decades, I had a huge variety of equipment in the past, always swapping and upgrading.
To the OP:
There are ball heads, pan heads, levelling heads, gimbals to call out the most common styles, also there are way more expensive exotics.
What you/me/all we need is the most important to keep the vertical = bubble in level. There are easier way and not so easier way.
The ball heads will tip over when you un tighten, and you need to keep the gun all the time and check the bubble.
The pan heads you can lock the horizontal (assuming a good solid tripod), much easier to work with vs ballheads, but a complication with locking handles, also not all panheads are built for swiss-arca, Manfroto in example won't fit.
The levelling heads are usually stronger, but the motion is limited maybe 15-20 degree F-R and L-R. This I am mentioning if you have up-downhill shots.
Gimbals, no need to spend high dollars just any will work for you.
Me personally using a levelling head for BR, but for a hunting setup I vote for gimbals.
