Kit test: KJI Reaper Grip

Saddles and tripod systems have become all the rage over the past few years, with the pig and hog saddle systems dominating the market. KJI clearly spotted the trend and have launched the Reaper Grip. The ‘Grip’ element is at the heart of the system and consists of a clever pivoting clamp with three padded fingers either side that can rotate on the base plate, allowing the padded fingers to wrap around any forend like a hand.

This is an inspired bit of design, as it allows the Reaper Grip to adjust to any tapering or oddly profiled forend. In the pics you’ll see my custom 10/22, which has a very weird but incredibly comfortable forend design. No saddle I’ve tried before could handle this very organic design and I’ve come very close to dropping the rifle on several occasions with other products.

KJI Reaper Grip The Reaper Grip has no problem holding this rifle in its vice-like grip. My little 10/22 also illustrates another unique feature of the Reaper in that it’s actually offset from the central column. This seemed odd initially, but this is a product born in the home of the AR-15 – the good old US of A.

The offset is to account for the typical banana mags used on the AR‑15 platform and indeed my little Ruger. It allows the mag to hang clear of the central column, for quick mag swaps for any trigger-happy hog hunter. It has the added bonus of allowing torches or other accessories to be mounted directly on the baseplate alongside the rifle via standard ¼" threads.

The system was designed by two Special Ops SWAT team members and in this configuration is primary an ambush rig. It’s pretty heavy when you combine the weight of the Reaper Grip and tripod, and is designed to be set up in advance while you wait for an opportunity to appear.

There’s no ball-head, so you level the head by adjusting the legs to avoid any cant, which doesn’t make it particular quick to deploy when moving from one locale to another on rough ground. But once in place it provides a very solid shooting platform with rotation in every angle and any direction, with the option to lock the pan, tilt and height to your liking.

I suspect the ‘KJI Reaper with a Direct Mount adapter’ may well appeal to the more mobile hunter, as it can be mounted on any heavy-duty ball-head, therefore taking advantage of the much quicker cant adjustment they provide. Additionally, the direct mount adapter doesn’t require a tilt handle, which is handy for lefties like me, as handle placement favours right-hander shooters.

The tripod

The tripod is a beast. With the legs fully extended and locked in place via the excellent quick-release lever locking system it’s ideal for me with the central column in its lowest position – and I’m 6' 4"! With the column extended even a giant could shoot comfortably. It’s a fairly weighty combination with the Reaper up top, but it’s rock solid and an excellent platform for a longer-range ambush

All in all it's a very nice system with the real star being the Reaper Grip itself, which I’m sure will appeal to many. The KJI Reaper Grip with Direct Mount Adapter, at just £202.00, is a bargain and would make a great addition to any set of heavy duty legs already sporting a suitable ball-head.

Key features

Reaper Grip

Vice width: 40-71mm
Pan rotation: 360°
Vertical rotation: 87° down, 21° up
Mounting: 3/8"-16 threaded hole
Material: Aluminium
Weight: 1,134g

Tripod

Material: Aluminium
Maximum height: 1,829mm
Minimum height: 273mm
Centre column extension: 380mm
Maximum load: 11kg
Locking system: Lever lock
Weight: 2,495g