Where to find shooting pack (prone rest)

[Lumpybrass]

I see small field packs used by shooters in prone position. All the tactical suppliers offer large full field packs which would be overkill.
Something smaller for a day of shooting at the range seems hard to find.
Also, the packs used in videos seem firm and full. What's in there that provides a good rest?
As you may have guess, I'm new to this shooting discipline.
Thanks

 

[Alpine 338]

I have been using the Spec Ops brand THE Pack for 10-plus years now. Added one of those Eberlestock saddles that connects to the pocket via PALS webbing. Works good for shooting off of a pack. My pack isn't necessary full, but in addition to spare mags, ammo, water, etc., I sometimes stuff it with rain gear to make it more plump. I know guys who stuff soft foam blocks in their bags to give it that full feeling, without adding weight.

The Spec Ops brand THE pack is made in the USA, and at times made for military contract orders. If you can wait it out, they sometimes go on sale as little as $99.
It has 2400-ci of capacity, made out of 1000d Cordura, and bomb proof. I suggest the hard frame board that goes inside it.

A little more money, but Kifaru makes real good packs, and they even sponsor matches at times, so I would support them. They make some of the best hunting packs out there, and the model Fourteener makes a great shooting pack. Also made in USA.

 

[Lkwoolsey]

2nd on Kifaru. No one makes better hunting packs. I've packed out whole black bear in a single trip on their packs and the pack didnt even flinch (although I may have been.)
I use a 5.11 Rush 72 for my range bag, day pack, etc. Used to use them on patrols in various sandboxes, and I liked them. Got another one recently and been using it ever since. Plenty of room and durable. But small enough for a day at the range. I stuff mine with rain jacket, ammo, water, etc, and sometimes I'll throw a shooting bag in there too, just to give it some more bulk for shooting off of.
Just my two cents.

 

[021411]

Attaches to molle as mentioned above.
http://www.eberlestock.com/store/pack-mounted-shooting-rest

 

[Lumpybrass]

Thanks for the help guys. saw exactly what I was looking for with the suggested products. Big help.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

Attaches to molle as mentioned above.
http://www.eberlestock.com/store/pack-mounted-shooting-rest

+1. This rest works perfectly for me with both my precision and hunting rifles. Note that it is easily moved around the pack's MOLLE for best positioning. It takes me less than a minute to move it.

Harry

 

[cbrslider]

I'm also new to this type of shooting. But I'm not new to backpacks....wife thinks I have a pack fetish. One that I've looked at several times over the years has been a Tenzing TT SP14 Tactical Shooter Pack. I use a couple other Tenzing packs for archery and edc, but always liked the looks of this shooter pack.

Other more experienced guys, could you take a look at the pack and see what you think?

Good luck.
Ray

 

[Alpine 338]

Ok, looks like you can easily carry a rifle on the pack, which would come in handy if it's a field match, and you have to hike a distance.

However, if you plan on shooting PRS/NRL style matches, you'll be carrying your rifle in your arms or slung from stage to stage as the stages are often closely spaced. You may use the feature, if you start or end on a far stage, then have to hike back to your vehicle.

As far as how they advertise using it as a ready to shoot shooting rest with rifle attached, I can't see that ever or rarely happening. I think last season, I only shot off of my pack once, and maybe twice the year before. Most matches your more likely to use your pack as a rear support like when shooting off of a rock, or a position where there's a hole, and you throw your pack into the hole to make a better, more stable position.

One thing I'll mention, not sure if the Tenzing packs have it or not? But I personally don't like the padded straps with the mesh on the inside. Great for cooling, but bad for collecting debris, or things that like to poke or stick you. Here in the Rockies, they are a magnet for pine needles.

 

[Alpine 338]

Something to consider when selecting a pack to shoot matches, or even hunting.

Some packs are designed to load, access, dig for gear, etc. standing up right (top load for example). Other packs are designed to lay down, with a big section that opens up to reviel the contents like a suitcase, without having to dig deep like a top loading pack.
I've shot many a match where it either rained all day or weekend, or been caught up in a sudden downpour while at a match. In my experience, it's easier to access your gear, load magazines, etc, without it getting soaked by standing or kneeling over a top loading pack.
Also, when your dealing with muddy ground, with a top load pack, the mud stays on the bottom of the pack, and only transfers to your lower back or seat. On the other style of pack that need to be layed down for access, the entire pack gets muddy, and it transfers to your entire back and shoulders.

 

[opeagle]

I’ve got the Tenzig pack, I really want to like it, but in the end it’s not been used much. I should dig it up again.
I initially got it for a grab and go type of SPR pack. This is where I saw it’s utility and this is where I came to my first pause. Once adjusted, with an AR in it the pistol grip was in an awkward spot. If you packed it with more stuff that would help, but not a lot.

I think a traditional rifle stock would have mitigated this effect. Either here or at AR15.com I put some pics in a tread. I’ll look for it.

 

[jinxx4ever]

Ok, looks like you can easily carry a rifle on the pack, which would come in handy if it's a field match, and you have to hike a distance.

However, if you plan on shooting PRS/NRL style matches, you'll be carrying your rifle in your arms or slung from stage to stage as the stages are often closely spaced. You may use the feature, if you start or end on a far stage, then have to hike back to your vehicle.

As far as how they advertise using it as a ready to shoot shooting rest with rifle attached, I can't see that ever or rarely happening. I think last season, I only shot off of my pack once, and maybe twice the year before. Most matches your more likely to use your pack as a rear support like when shooting off of a rock, or a position where there's a hole, and you throw your pack into the hole to make a better, more stable position.

One thing I'll mention, not sure if the Tenzing packs have it or not? But I personally don't like the padded straps with the mesh on the inside. Great for cooling, but bad for collecting debris, or things that like to poke or stick you. Here in the Rockies, they are a magnet for pine needles.

following this thread and looking for one for myself, so a question, on a top loader, how often is what u need on the bottom, or if it is, where do u put everything as u want to get to the bottom item when it's pouring? I can see virtues of both

 

[Alpine 338]

As I said earlier, I use a Spec-Ops brand THE pack. This is how I load it;

Main compartment I have a small STR8laced bag. I seldom use it, but it's there if I need it, on the very bottom. Depending on weather, or what caliber I'm shooting, I either have rain gear or MTM ammo boxes at the bottom. The ammo boxes are the 50-round type, flip lid. I can squeeze two at the bottom next to that small bag. Typically you run around 100-rounds per day at a match. If there's a higher round count, I'll also load my magazines, and normally carry three AICS 10-round mags. They go on top of that small bag. Some matches, I've started to use those bullet binder type ammo carriers. They normally hold 40-rounds each, so I carry two of those, in addition to loading up the mags. Again, depending on the weather, I'll keep the rain gear at the very bottom, with the bullet binders on top.
At this point, my pack is half full, and on the top half I will keep my Kestrel 5700, Terrapin, snacks, maybe squeeze a bottle of water or Gatorade to one side. If there's room for it, I'll fill the bag the rest of the way with my Traust rear bag (6x9x4"). Also inside the main compartment, there's a little mesh compartment that holds my data cards, another Kestrel (2500), and countdown timer.
On the outside of the pack, There are two zippered pockets, one over the other. The bottom pocket I put things I don't need that often like gloves, leatherman multitool, a small thin nylon wind shirt, wash cloth, and Velcro straps.

The top pocket I have my binoculars in for quick access.

On the outside of the pack, I clip my Weibad pump-pillow, and a clear map case that holds a paper hard copy of my Dope, just in case the battery dies in my Kestrel, or I don't have time to mess with it.

I also have attached to the top pocket via PALS webbing, a Velcro flap Admin pouch that holds pens, markers, grease pencils, ear plugs, chamber flag, and an Allen wrench in case I need to make a scope adjustment.

I usually carry my rifle slung across my chest, and carry my tripod in my hand. If it's a real long hike, and I know I won't be needing my tripod, I'll strap it to the side of my pack.

Oh, forgot to mention, on one side of my pack, I have a nylon dump pouch with elastic opening, held in place by the compression straps, and dump my brass in there after shooting each stage.

 

[Alpine 338]

You also asked about keeping gear dry in a downpour. I kneel down in front of the pack, and hunched over it, with my rain jacket open, hood over my head. Does a fairly good job keeping the rain out while I access my pack, and also when loading magazines. Wet ammo causes higher pressures if it's fired in your rifle.

To keep the rain off my rifle when not shooting, I cover it with one of those thin nylon covers, I prefer the Rock Solid Shooting Solutions cover. Keep it with my rain gear.

 

[jinxx4ever]

You also asked about keeping gear dry in a downpour. I kneel down in front of the pack, and hunched over it, with my rain jacket open, hood over my head. Does a fairly good job keeping the rain out while I access my pack, and also when loading magazines. Wet ammo causes higher pressures if it's fired in your rifle.

To keep the rain off my rifle when not shooting, I cover it with one of those thin nylon covers, I prefer the Rock Solid Shooting Solutions cover. Keep it with my rain gear.

thanks , i appreciate the response

 

[Scott P.]

Attaches to molle as mentioned above.
http://www.eberlestock.com/store/pack-mounted-shooting-rest

I use one of these and it works!