Shooting bags/fill media

[TheBman]

Hey guys,
  Been having some success with some makeshift bags for target work (if you would really call them that) with my springers. I'd like to get something much better and of good quality, what would you guys recommend. Also, whats a good fill material?

Thanks,
Brent

[Motorhead]

Want em light ... Buck wheat hulls or ground Cork.
heavier and firmer ... Cat litter or clean Sand.

Many mediums to fill with !!!

[jeff76]

I used rice in mine

[Edtampa]

Used rice in mine as well

[jeff76]

I have some Caldwell shooting bags and I have a few tube socks and sleeves cut and tied on both the ends from a long sleeve shirt.  all filled with rice. 

I prefer the tube sock and sleeves to the actual bags.  although, they all work. I suppose there are lighter substances to use but I cant really comment on that because I have no experience with them,  things like ground cork or ground Styrofoam I think would work well and moister wouldn't be an issue.

I have also used wadded up articles of clothing to great affect in improvised situations

[avator]

Unpopped popcorn in the Caldwell bags. Before the Caldwell bags we just filled ziploc sandwich bags with popcorn and wrapped them in dish towels. Rice would work as well.

[ac12]

As Motorhead said, it depends on how you want your bag to behave/feel.  For my powder burners, and probably co2 and ca/pcp as well, I use sand.  For a spring rifle, I would use something softer, maybe plastic pellets, or seeds.  You want the bag to have some give, like the flesh of your palm.

One simple idea is to cut the legs off old pants, sew one end, and fill with media, then sew shut.  You want the sac to be loose for your spring rifle, so don't pack in the media.

[maraudinglizard]

I have the Caldwell bags filled with old T-shirts, light weight, the rifle nests in it with no problems. No leaking of contents, spills, or bugs.

[Reddleader68]

I'm going to use rice and put a tablespoon of boric acid powder (sometimes called roach powder) in mix to prevent any unwanted critters from starting a home in the bag.

[avator]

You guys are making me reconsider my choice of media. I think I'll replace the insect food with something else. Thanks

[TheBman]

Picked up a set of Caldwell bags at a local sporting goods shop, pre filled. Tried the HW95 on it this morning, pretty sure it's too stiff. Will try some different fills as you guys have suggested. Sure appreciate the help!!!

[ztirffritz]

a sniper on our local SWAT team developed an inflatable system so that he can make minute adjustments to elevation by squeezing the bag. It's pretty slick. He's been selling them but in very small quantities. I'll have to see if I can find a link or photos.

[LeadBreakfast]

a sniper on our local SWAT team developed an inflatable system so that he can make minute adjustments to elevation by squeezing the bag. It's pretty slick. He's been selling them but in very small quantities. I'll have to see if I can find a link or photos.

That is an awesome idea! I use a long (baseball length) tube sock, filled with rice, knotted in the middle and doubled back over itself  Cheap, easy, squeeze bag to adjust elevation, one hand on bag other on the trigger.

[ba49]

 We used to use old lead shot bags for range bags (washed of course) that are made of canvas I think. We filled them with play sand. They were the perfect size and very strong. I was a trap shooter at the time and had lots of bags from reloading and supplied all my rifle shooting buddies. I still have some of the sandbags that are well used and 10+ yrs. old.

[ztirffritz]

a sniper on our local SWAT team developed an inflatable system so that he can make minute adjustments to elevation by squeezing the bag. It's pretty slick. He's been selling them but in very small quantities. I'll have to see if I can find a link or photos.

That is an awesome idea! I use a long (baseball length) tube sock, filled with rice, knotted in the middle and doubled back over itself  Cheap, easy, squeeze bag to adjust elevation, one hand on bag other on the trigger.

I can't find the ones that he makes, but this is probably similar in function, if not appearance.
http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/770883/crosstac-rear-squeeze-shooting-rest-bag-toughtek-black?cm_mmc=pf_ci_google-_-Shooting+-+Rests%2C+Bi-Pods+%26+Benches-_-CrossTac-_-770883&gclid=CjwKEAiA6YDBBRDwtpTQnYzx5lASJAC57ObM6K0aLzXn98lnWKMAz52ua7ORd40NVQoL3FuNa8PTMxoCRpDw_wcB

[ac12]

There is another option for rifles which are sensitive to the hold.
Get a solid rest, on which you place a "GEL" pad, like use for computer hand rests.  The gel mimics the texture of flesh, so you have some give, unlike a solid sand filled bag which has no give.

You could also fill the bag with plastic pellets from the craft shops.  No worries about critters eating the plastic.  And it is light.

[bald1]

I've had a Witchita XBR-1000 Rifle Rest with leather Protector regular Owl front, Rabbit Ear with heavy base rear, and Elbow brick bags all filled with heavy fine sand from Russ Haydon, as well as an Outers Pistol Perch for more years than I can remember.  They work great with my powder burners.

But recently I ordered a Caldwell Deadshot bag (prefilled with ground corn cob granules) off Amazon which will allow me to better use my hand should I wish on the support under my air rifles' forearms.

[Tater]

There is another option for rifles which are sensitive to the hold.
Get a solid rest, on which you place a "GEL" pad, like use for computer hand rests.  The gel mimics the texture of flesh, so you have some give, unlike a solid sand filled bag which has no give.

You could also fill the bag with plastic pellets from the craft shops.  No worries about critters eating the plastic.  And it is light.

I've used a gel pad bicycle seat cover I bought cheap. It's bit wider and another option.