Thought others might find feedback on this piece of kit of interest.

This worked nicely on a recent elk hunt.

After trying a few different shooting sticks, I ended up with Primo's Gen 2 Trigger Stick tripod, tall version, and replaced the "V" on top with a "Hog Saddle."

http://stores.hogsaddle.com

The Trigger Stick tripod with the V was a marked improvement over a monopod and extended high enough to shoot standing and yet remain very stable, which helped, especially when in undergrowth and brush.

The addition of the Hog Saddle resulted in a very stable rest, much more so than the "V" which came with the Trigger Sticks. The set-up was still light enough to carry 3 - 8 miles a day in the mountains of Colorado on an elk hunt.

The Hog Saddle had the advantage of being able to hold the rifle securely handsfree, which is nice for periods of sitting without having to hold the rifle while waiting out some rain storms.

Hands free:

$310 + $150 = $460 for a rest?

In general, yes. The sticks were $99 on ebay. The top fits on most common threaded stick or photo tripods.

For the top, he makes a less expensive model, the Pig Saddle, which is $135, but heavier.

They have a lifetime warranty.

http://stores.hogsaddle.com/pig-saddle/

I like the idea of the saddle on a tripod. Here's another I found that is similar, lighter, and $100.

http://www.triclawps.com/shop/triclawps-adapter/

Looks substantially similar for a better price and a bit lighter too.

Hopefully someone will try one and provide some real world feedback.

Good info, thanks pointer.