Looking to mount air rifle to tripod

I got mine from eBay it is a vortex picatinny to camera mount for 20-25 bucks. Hope that helps 

Got mine from SPAW, its doesnt need a adapter its picatinny and swiss mount combined.

https://spaweapons.com/collections/saber-tactical-accessories/products/saber-tactical-arca-swiss-picatinny-trigger-guard-rail



Another one is picatinny to swiss

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RWRVFRF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For anyone using a tripod -- do you have to worry about the front or back of your airgun hanging down too much because it's heavier on one side? Or does your air rifle stay perched pretty much horizontally? Does it put a lot of strain on the rail? 

Depends on the quality of the swiss head, they can be adjusted to tilt/pan easily, hard or not at all, If you tighten it close to where it barely still moves it won't move on its own. My Impact is heavy as $#@%.

[Picatinny To Arca Swiss Adapter / Mount]

"Vortex Optics Picatinny Rail Tripod Mount"

After comparing a handful, I opted for this one. I grabbed it on Scamazon for about $25 bucks:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FSGHZ4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My only gripe is the small hex head / screw that's used to tighten the mount to the picatinny rail, 
but, I already intended on replacing it with a thumb-screw or d-ring.so no tool would be needed..

Anyways, they work Great!

Just remember - You'll want to use a solid / sturdy tripod w/ a good sized leg-span, since the setup can get top-heavy.. 
I use mine w/ my heavy duty metal tripod w/ heavy duty heads.

I set it up on my light weight carbon fiber tripod ONCE and Never Again.

If you'd like to get a lot of free range motion out of things, I recommend a nice "fluid head" for the head/mount.
I use those and a few different pistol-grip mounts. Also try to avoid plastic.. All metal mounts are the way to go.

Shot of a direct to tripod [no head] install for rigid-mounting - used when I take rifle photos: 





Sam -

For anyone using a tripod -- do you have to worry about the front or back of your airgun hanging down too much because it's heavier on one side? Or does your air rifle stay perched pretty much horizontally? Does it put a lot of strain on the rail? 

Click to expand...

If you use a nice heavy duty / all metal tripod & head setup, there shouldn't be any issues at all.. 
I'm also a photographer so I have a bunch of tripod setups anyways - but opt for the heavier / wider legged ones. 
Everything can be tightened to the point that Nothing will move. It can also be adjusted anywhere in between.. 

The closer to the center of balance would definitely be best, but with most pic rails being located more forward, 
the majority of the weight will be towards the rear.. That said - Yes - It can/will put stress/strain on the rail/mount.
[The more solid everything is - build wise / install wise - the better]




Sam -

I would say balancing the gun on a gimbal head is much preferred to using a ball head with and off-balanced gun with a huge lever arm on a ball head. I have a Gitzo carbon fiber tripod and was using ARCA B1 ball head. Yes the system could lock down enough to hold an off-balance gun. However moving the gun around with more of a pain in the ass and it could easily get off level having a ball tilt left or right. I replace the B1 with a low cost Chinese gimbal head. Used a counterbalance weight on front of the gun so they was perfectly balanced on the Pivot Point. This is Pure Heaven compared to using a ball head with a lot of friction to keep an off-balance gun from moving. Of course this isn't very portable but it's great for a stationary setup. I had to use a 7 lb counterweight.

I know this thread is old but for folks considering buying a tripod, I would recommend the amvona from ebay. Full metal, extends high and wide, each leg can be different angle, and it is heavy duty. Last time I have seen it for about $50 for a new and that is a steal. I have collected two of them during years.



Also a table top size Moman tripod, comes in different configurations, I believe I've paid something like $75 CAD @ amazon. The design and built quality is eye opener.