Drag Bag vs Rucksack?

[SupperTrooper]

Looking to get a case for my Tikka TAC A1 to primarily go to a from the range. Possibly do some competition latter. I have seen a bunch of great options and am more curious about the drag bag vs rucksack option.

There has been a number of discussions here on drag bags like Tac Ops, Eberlestock, Midway, Galati, and similar. I did run across Eberlestock t4 terminator with Scabbard for rucksack option, not sure of other similar options. From range gear to shooting mat, what you think is best? I know that if hunting was first prior the choice would be easier, but do hear people complaining about how awkward it is to pick up heavy drag bags.

Thanks all and looking forward to yet another great discussion. Hopefully this is a topic I’m not alone in contemplating.

 

[b6graham]

i have a voodoo drag bag/case / shooting mat. it's fine but i rarely use it. not really great at being a case or shooting mat but does fine for both

eberlestock operator. use the scabbard sometimes but not much. at matches rifle is either just being carried, slung, or if its PRS New England it's going in the scabbard cause you're hiking

pelican case from car to range and just have my eberlestock pack with bags/ammo/gear.

 

[brianf]

drag bags have their place just not in civilian life, in my opinion.

i have more than a few

most of the time they are heavy for no reason, if its truck to range you dont need a 8 pound bag before you fill it.

the pockets are useful but they arent big enough to get rid of a shooting bag

so you wind up filling the pockets with crap making the drag bag heavier, and still bringing a pack anyway.

i dont think anyone brings a drag bag on a hunt for just those reasons, plus the straps are usually uncomfortable as hell

if its just transport get a cheap light weight hard case, twice the protection and you dont have to worry about it as much

the drag bag shooting mats are nice for a all in one idea but if its crappy weather when fold up the mat you are encasing your rifle in all that crap

someone will chime in with the name (i forget right now) but my favorite shooting mat has a roll/stop up front so you can load your bipod it you want

 

[Sticks]

Several different ones have the straps to put the bipod legs in. If you or anyone in house has any basic sewing skills, any shooting mat can be made to accommodate.

I have an EberleStock gunslinger pack that has been retired (too damn heavy) to storage and now am running a Transformer pack and NCStar padded soft case (truck to range or match). Trying to move my shooting to a KISS method and multitask items. Saving my pennies for a F1 mainframe and ditch the tripod.

 

[Devildog]

I’m in the same boat, I have a 72 hour 511 bag that I drag all my range gear, tripod exc in. I can’t imagine adding the weight of my rifle into that mix. I’m not 20-30 something anymore.

I have a couple midway drag bags I got them mostly because there cheap and decent but they also have many short comings. Currently I’m looking at different hardcase options, there heavy but I agree that they appear to provide the ultimate protection and I wouldnt hesitate to throw them in the back of my truck where as I won’t do that with the drag bags.

 

[Shankin]

Condor sniper shooting mat

This is what I have. It protects the rifle pretty well (doesn’t let it flop around at all), it’s pretty light, provides a shooting mat, allows the attachment of gear to the webbing if need be, and can be strapped on your back or carried like a case.

They can be had for $100 or less. NcStar makes this same exact bag too.

Typically I’ll take a small pack with me for my ears, ammo, speedo...., and either put the rifle on my back and front load the small pack, or put the pack on my back and carry the case in hand.

 

[SupperTrooper]

I agree that the Condore is fairly light and minimalistic, but looking at pictures it does not seem to provide much strapping inside to secure the rifle.

It seams the common consensus is that an all in one solution is not paractical, as the weight is too great. That stated, what’s the smalllest option for rifle trasport but is well made and provides plenty of physical protection for the rifle?

 

[Subwrx300]

I'd suggest a solid pack and just buy a packable shooting mat (tab gear or any other thin packable mat, including a DIY mat of plain cordura or similar material.)

Here is why: if you shoot in the rain, snow, mud, dirt , sand or any/all of the above, a combo shooting mat/dragbag will mean your rifle is sitting on all of the mud/sand/dirt/garbage etc for it's entire ride home.

When you separate bag from mat, you can dry the mat out independently of your bag and gear. I use an Eberlestock Gunslinger 2 and also have a Midway dragbag. Drag bag is only used for backup rifles and never as a mat. I strap my thin cordura mat to my Eberlestock pack and makes it easy to keep mess off $4k plus precision rifles and optics until you are in actually shooting something that requires getting into the dirt.

 

[Shankin]

I agree that the Condore is fairly light and minimalistic, but looking at pictures it does not seem to provide much strapping inside to secure the rifle.

It seams the common consensus is that an all in one solution is not paractical, as the weight is too great. That stated, what’s the smalllest option for rifle trasport but is well made and provides plenty of physical protection for the rifle?

Your right in that there isn’t much strapping inside the case, but there is one strap that buckled around the pistol grip, and a sleeve for the muzzle. What I’ve found is that between those two, and the way the case/mat folds around the rifle, the rifle doesn’t move.

My rifle is a Howa 1500 26” barrel in a KRG bravo stock, with an Athlon Argos BTR, and when I go to fold the mat and close the case, the zipper pulls everything in pretty tight. Not so tight that it makes me worry about the zipper failing, but tight enough that the gun doesn’t move. This rifle also takes up just about every inch of real estate inside the case.

Does dirt/mud and whatnot get into the bag? Sure. But I’ve found that it is pretty easy to clean out. If it was nasty at the range, I clean out the bag, and wipe down the rifle when I get home. If it was really bad, I’ll clean the rifle.... but who wouldn’t?

 

[Rob01]

If doing competitions then forget a drag bag and get a good pack. You won't want to be carrying around a drag bag at a match. Most people doing it are new shooters and learn to lose it after a match or two. A good cover for the rifle is nice is raining or dusty like a TAB cover but nothing else is needed. A pack is much more usefull in carrying your gear around at a match.

If just going from home to range a good drag bag works very well. I use an Eberlestock Half Trac pack for matches but when heading to the range I just use my Eberlestock drag bag. Has all the space for range use and protects the rifle in transport in the truck. Ifyou did just want one then you could go with a Eberlestock with the rifle scabbard in it.

 

[Muscleminded]

You will hate your life if you try to use a drag bag while competing in a match. I’ve seen it. Suck it up and buy a quality pack. Eberlstock is what I’m using.

 

[Eustice]

For a match where you are walking short distances or rucking then a backpack will be better. You can go with one that has a scabbard for the rifle or just sling it and use a regular backpack. I don’t know what matches you shoot or how far the walks would be. I do know a drag bag wouldn’t be my choice, though.

I do like a drag bag for matches where you drive between stages. Normally I’ll have one or two more shooters other than me in my Suburban. It’s nice to have the drag bag in the back at that point to maintain the space and just slide it out to shoot then slide it back in when done. But in those cases you don’t need a backpack. A Rubbermaid tote or a cardboard box works just as well. Maybe better.