Solid as a Rock
We tested the top-tier shooting tripod DeathGrip Infinite from the renowned manufacturer BOG. Is the significant investment in this heavy yet highly quality accessory worth it?
Supports are designed to ensure greater stability for the firearm during shooting, resulting in more accurate shots. There is an overwhelming variety of designs and models, but all of them can be placed on a spectrum between minimalism, in the form of simple, lightweight bipods mounted directly on the firearm, and maximalism. The latter typically consists of massive and stable tripods with many features and a wide range of adjustments, which come at the cost of size and weight. One of the supports on our market that leans more towards maximalism at first glance is the DeathGrip Infinite tripod by BOG, which we will introduce in this article.
Even with Wet Hands
The first thing that strikes you about the tripod upon unpacking is its massiveness. The legs, in particular, boast a diameter that is rarely seen. All parts are robust, almost oversized, and all moving parts are solid and well-fitted. Nothing wobbles, and the quality of workmanship is evident. The main material is a strong aluminum alloy. The legs can be spread at angles of 20°, 45°, and 85°. Their locking mechanisms are strong and robust, with clearly marked locked/unlocked positions that are easy to feel and rubberized. Wet hands will not pose a problem when operating them. The locks tighten/loosen with a twist and won't wear out over time, causing the legs to wobble. One of the legs has a large, profiled, rubberized handle that makes the tripod easy to carry. During transport, a rubber strap is useful, providing an additional safeguard against accidental leg spreading.
No Risk of Scratching
The head is equipped with a special clamp in which the firearm is secured. Essentially, it is a compact vise, lined inside with a special, rubber-like material that has just the right amount of flexibility to mold precisely to the shape of the stock but without being overly compressible. When tightened, the clamp tilts slightly, ensuring maximum contact area between the tripod and the firearm. The result is an exceptionally firm connection.
There is no risk of the clamp scratching the stock. Instead, the rubber might show some signs of wear after about 500 shots, but nothing significant. It is a fairly thick layer, which I predict will have a very long lifespan. Naturally, if you mount a handguard fitted with sharp Picatinny rails, wear would occur more rapidly, but this can be managed with rail covers or an additional protective layer in the clamp. The tilt locking and clamp tightening are handled by large, rubberized knobs, providing a secure and comfortable grip.
The integrated level is useful, helping to set the tripod straight even on uneven terrain.
The leg locking is very firm. The spread can be achieved in the ranges of 20°, 45°, and 85°. A useful detail is the simple spirit level.
Convincing Strength
A useful detail is the integrated level. It is not a sophisticated or precise type, but it helps you set the tripod to more than adequate levelness even on quite uneven terrain. Also worth mentioning is the hook at the bottom, on which you can hang a backpack to gain even greater stability. Thanks to the range of adjustments, it's not a problem to adapt the tripod for stable shooting on a slope or anywhere else. The adjustments are straightforward and, with a bit of practice and skill, can be done in full range with the firearm secured in under a minute. If you spot game during a move and time is of the essence, spreading the legs and inserting the rifle into the clamp without further adjustment is a matter of less than 10 seconds. The movement of all movable parts is smooth, clearly defined, and silent.
When shooting from the ground, the stability is almost comparable to a shooting bench. Honestly, I've never held a folding support this solid. Shooting while sitting, standing, and anything in between is very stable. Significantly better than shooting sticks and yet easier to manipulate the rifle on the joint without needing to hold the support. The joint resistance can be smoothly regulated with a bit of finesse, allowing for quick position changes, precise aiming, and completely locking the firearm in the chosen position. The firearm can be grasped anywhere from the forend to the trigger guard, depending on the protruding magazine or personal preference. Gripping the end of the forend allows for slightly more precise control of the firearm when shooting from the ground, while the center of gravity offers better maneuverability in a wider range without changing position and better balance.
You can shoot from the tripod in any conceivable position, and the level of firmness and stability is truly exceptional.
Advantage of Multiple Functions
Upon firing, the assembly jerks as the firearm attempts to break free, but the tripod holds it firmly. The firearm does not shift within the clamp, and the tripod does not slide. At most, there is only a slight shift in the joint depending on the caliber. A .223 Rem doesn't move at all, while a .308 Win does, but not significantly. The tripod endured shots from a .444 Marlin, and I believe it would have no problem with .300 Win Mag, .338 Lapua, and similar "heavyweights." The advantage of the clamp is that you can securely fasten practically any firearm, without needing a mounting point. I tested a Marlin lever-action, a Ruger bolt-action with both extended and flush-fit magazines, a .22 LR 10/22, and an AR-15 with RIS forearm. All secured without any issues.
There is no risk of the tripod collapsing under the weight or recoil of the firearm. Thelegs are very securely braced. For the sake of testing, I placed a 18.9-liter barrel of water on the head, and it didn't budge, so there should be no problem with any heavy rifle.
The legs have massive rubber feet, which can be fitted with additional steel spikes for use in the field. The package also includes a simple shoulder strap case.
It is worth mentioning that the tripod is multifunctional and will be appreciated not only by shooters. The clamp can be removed from the base, revealing a standard 1/4-20 connection, which allows attaching a camera, a photographic device, a thermal viewer, or a strong monocular for reading hits at the range.
Lying down, the Tripod provides extraordinary stability.
From What Height Can We Shoot?
The maximum height adjustment places the firearm barrel about 155 cm above the ground, allowing for comfortable standing shots. I am 177 cm tall, and I can stand normally for this height. Of course, a shooter who is two meters tall will need to hunch slightly. Conversely, if you don't extend the legs and spread them fully, you can shoot from a very low position, close to the ground, without much bending in your back. The head joint allows for uninterrupted rotation of a full 360° and a tilt of 180°, provided a leg is not in the way. Therefore, shooting uphill, downhill, or from a stand, even at a very sharp angle, will not be a problem at all.
When fully extended, the tripod allows comfortable shooting while standing.
Thanks to the joint, you can rotate the rifle a full 360° horizontally and up to 180°vertically without changing position.
Heavy Weight
However,quality comes at a price, and so we come to the downside of the tripod, which is its high cost. The DeathGrip Infinite on our market costs 9910 CZK, which is quite a lot for a support. But the price is relative here. I have some interest in photography, including under poor lighting conditions with long exposure, and I can say that such a robust tripod would surely place in the professional class in this field. Considering its quality, it would even be among the cheaper options. If you are into precision shooting at long distances, whether for recreational, sporting, or hunting purposes, you will truly appreciate the DeathGrip.
As for technical issues, instead of additional spikes, the manufacturer could have used a solution with a telescopic rubber foot with a fixed spike in its center. But that is a detail. On foreign internet forums, it is rarely mentioned that the screw locking the joint is not the strongest and can be stripped. Personally, based on my own tests, I can't imagine this happening without using pliers and excessive force.
The only significant drawback worth mentioning is the weight. This model, fitted with an Arca-Swiss head, weighs 3650 g. On the range, this is not much of an issue; in fact, you will appreciate that the tripod doesn’t jump when shooting. With this range of adjustments and stability, it doesn’t get much lighter without negatively affecting these qualities. It's always a compromise, which in this case leans towards stability. However, if you need a slightly lower weight without sacrificing capabilities, BOG also offers the DeathGrip Infinite Tripod- Carbon Fiber. As the name suggests, it has legs made of carbon composite, combining strength and low weight. This reduces the weight to 2950 g, which is700 g less than the model we tested. However, for the weight savings, you will have to pay an additional 3300 CZK.
Final Verdict
At the range, it is an outstanding assistant. You can shoot from the tripod in any conceivable position, and the level of firmness and stability is truly exceptional. While a tripod as a type of support is not for everyone—most will opt for a bipod—if you utilize the advantages of a tripod, the DeathGrip is one of the best options.
In the field, the tripod is, of course, a bit cumbersome, and manipulation is somewhat more time-consuming compared to shooting sticks. On the other hand, the resulting stability is incomparable. To sum it up: For long treks into hunting grounds with a lot of walking or into demanding, especially mountainous terrain, a tripod is not very suitable. However, if you need an exceptionally stable spot from which to cover long distances with accurate shooting, the DeathGrip is definitely worth considering.
The DeathGrip Infinite tripod, like other products from BOG, can be purchased from STROBL.CZ s.r.o. More information is available at strobl.cz or on the manufacturer’s website boghunt.com.
Advantages/ Disadvantages
+ Extraordinary firmness and stability
+ Top-notch build quality
+ Wide range of adjustments and numerous functions
- Weight and dimensions hinder transportability
- High price (but appropriate for the quality)
Photo sources: Author's archive
Article author: Tomáš Prachař
The article originally appeared in the Lovec magazine by Extra Publishing.