Inexpensive shooting bag filler...any particular preference?

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want2learn

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Minuteman
Sep 7, 2013
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#1
I've been searching the forum and while i haven't seen a consensus i have seen mentioned:
rice
beans
polyfill
plastic poly pellets
airsoft bbs
sand.

Wondering which might be preferable.

I don't think i'd like to try food.

Sand sounds like it would be pretty heavy.

Some of the commercial fills marketed specifically for this purpose are pretty expensive and while i bet they represent excellent options....the reality is that i'm never going to be a significant player in this sport.....i just want to learn a lot and have fun, so pretty good would suit me just fine.

thank you
 
#4
Popcorn. Doesn’t react to moisture like rice or beans do. Used it on an old issues sock as a rear bag for years until I got an Armageddon bag, but it’s still living in my range bag.
 
#7
First one was a green gi sock filled with 30 bucks of air soft bb's. Worked great for many years. It got a hole in it so I stuck it in another green gi sock. Still works.
But there are some pretty nice ones for decent prices. Go check out the equipment section and scroll through a couple pages. There are plenty of threads on them.
 
#10
thanks everyone....very grateful for the help as always.
the reason i'm asking is I saw MidwayUSA has some bags on sale and the rice filled sock i've been using has seen better days.
 
#11
want2learn said:
thanks everyone....very grateful for the help as always.
the reason i'm asking is I saw MidwayUSA has some bags on sale and the rice filled sock i've been using has seen better days.
Click to expand...

Or buy once cry once and hit up @Precision Underground for the ultimate rear bag I had him design and make for me which is now a regularly stocked item with him. Best rear bag Ive ever owned, its used weekly since I received it and I own at least 15 other bags from all the big names....
 
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#17
I made two bags and filled the first with plastic beads from a hobby store. I really like it, but it's heavy. I wanted something lighter for hunting and found my kids bean bag chairs were filled with styrofoam pellets. I stole some and really like the feel. It only weighs a couple ounces and I clip it to my hunting pack.
 
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#18
1 for 10.20 it's a one lb bag take what you want and jam it into a you fill bag . acts just like poly fill just the beads are a little larger a little but still tiny it even makes for a nice fill for a pillow if you don't mind the crunching sound as you head rolls on them . but for 36.00 you could do away with the need all together and go to a lab jack and have an adjustable rear bag like thing just takes a tiny alteration .

Amazon.com: OESS Lift Table Lab Stand Lifter Scientific Scissor Lifting Jack Platform 4''X 4'' Aluminium Oxide: Home Improvement

Amazon.com: OESS Lift Table Lab Stand Lifter Scientific Scissor Lifting Jack Platform 4''X 4'' Aluminium Oxide: Home Improvement
www.amazon.com
I am not thinking this would work for say a prs but bench or prone shooting . Our so far it has put the bags we have wasted $80.00 on to shame . taking out the middle section on the lab jack the thing sits less than 1/2 in high so its low enough on some tables if I need height I crank it up total height is like 6 inches if I ever find a need for that much height and that has worked really well on the ground . You would have to decide on your own feet as it does not have any I used screws so its pointy and grips wood tables real nice , good luck on what ever you get .or dirt is't everywhere , cost nothing its free . just unzip empty and refill where and when ever needed .
 
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#20
I had access to unlimited 4mm stainless bbs through work so I filled mine with that. Heavier = less recoil = better... Right? I had to go back and replace 3/4 of them with plastic toy filling because they were so heavy. There's probably something useful in there, something like 'don't be dumb like me' I suppose.
 
#22
I've used the filling from inside the U-shaped neck pillows that are super light. Have no idea what its called but its crazy light, no issues with water, packs a rear bag really tight. I made two socks that way over 10 years ago and they are still going strong.
 
#23
Has anyone tried crumb rubber (the stuff they use for filler on astroturf fields )? It is supposed to weigh 32lbs/cf. It is like 80 bucks for 50lb bag on Amazon shipped.

Not sure if there are local sources for it?
 
#25
padom said:
Or buy once cry once and hit up @Precision Underground for the ultimate rear bag I had him design and make for me which is now a regularly stocked item with him. Best rear bag Ive ever owned, its used weekly since I received it and I own at least 15 other bags from all the big names....
Click to expand...
Thank you sir! We’ve sold a ton of the 3d ELRs!
 
#26
I can't find them anymore but they were little pieces of plastic, about the size of the beads shown above oh, maybe a little bit larger but they were shaped like the anti-tank blockers below

If anybody can find them I'd like a link... They self lock when tight and slip around each other when loose.

MHFF5J.jpg
 
#27
Bridog said:
Has anyone tried crumb rubber (the stuff they use for filler on astroturf fields )? It is supposed to weigh 32lbs/cf. It is like 80 bucks for 50lb bag on Amazon shipped.

Not sure if there are local sources for it?
Click to expand...

Yes, I got some used from a decommissioned field. It works, but heavier than I want for field style matches.
 
#28
Definitely have to look at the weight when considering bag media. I thought I found some good stuff a little while ago... 75 to 95 lb per cubic foot...

But for those that are okay with it Go research tumbling media... pyramid, wedge, cone
 
#29
Kitty litter, particularly Tidy Cat! Haha

the fellow who makes Bull Bags told to use that as fill in his bags and it works and it’s cheap.

and I guess if I have the urge at the range to piss in sand and scratch around a bit, I’m set haha
 
#31
Baron23 said:
Kitty litter, particularly Tidy Cat! Haha

the fellow who makes Bull Bags told to use that as fill in his bags and it works and it’s cheap.

and I guess if I have the urge at the range to piss in sand and scratch around a bit, I’m set haha
Click to expand...
The thing with kitty litter is if it gets wet the bag is done. You want something that won’t absorb moisture unless you’re sure it will never get wet.
 
#32
Precision Underground said:
The thing with kitty litter is if it gets wet the bag is done. You want something that won’t absorb moisture unless you’re sure it will never get wet.
Click to expand...
Yep, and that was my reply to him. But, on the other hand, kitty litter is fairly cheap and readily available and he was rather persistent in recommending it.

I do NOT use it in my other bags, but that's what I used in his X shaped bag. It is very stable and seems to support gripping the fore end well.
 
#35
I've done the airsoft bb's but I either liked or disliked it depending on the type of bag and use. What I have come to use in most of all the bags is some plastic pellets you can find on Amazon. Just search, plastic pellets for weighted blankets. For my barricade bags or gamechanger style bags I really like using the little pellets mixed with chipped foam. I feel its a good balance of weight and flexibility to allow the back to fit over whatever I'm shooting off of.
 
#41
want2learn said:
I've been searching the forum and while i haven't seen a consensus i have seen mentioned:
rice
beans
polyfill
plastic poly pellets
airsoft bbs
sand.

Wondering which might be preferable.

I don't think i'd like to try food.

Sand sounds like it would be pretty heavy.

Some of the commercial fills marketed specifically for this purpose are pretty expensive and while i bet they represent excellent options....the reality is that i'm never going to be a significant player in this sport.....i just want to learn a lot and have fun, so pretty good would suit me just fine.

thank you
Click to expand...

I've got a fair amount of the poly-bead fill. PM me if you're still looking.
 
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