Looking for shooting bags, help please.

[tobylazur]

Hi all, I'm starting to get serious about shooting longer ranges, shooting more accurately, and reloading for accuracy.

I've always shot with less than optimal rests in the past, and I'd like to change that. Right now I'm looking for something for shooting off a bench so i can start doing some load development.
I was looking at the local outdoor store, and it seems they either have two bag sets like these: Dead Shot Set

or one really long bag that looks like it cradles most of the rifle like this: tack driver

Which do you guys like better?

 

[021411]

Good bipod and a good rear bag. “Good” is subjective.

 

[Covertnoob5]

Good bipod and a good rear bag. “Good” is subjective.

Second this. Bipod and good rear bag. Don’t use a bag on the front end.

 

[tobylazur]

What's the reason behind not using a front bag? What do you guys recommend for bipods (besides Atlas, can't swing one right now)?

 

[aard3]

Yup, Bipod and rear bag is all you need. Don't go real cheap on the bipod, they will just give you constant headaches. Look into a Harris, 6x9 with swivel... will be about $110ish online.
I like the tab gear small rear bags.

 

[DownhillFromHere]

Agree with bipod/rear bag.

I'm very happy with Harris bipods. I bought all of mine (four, two of which have been passed on to family members) used over time at my LGS. Whether you go with Harris, Atlas, or one of the other lesser-known brands, avoid the cheap knock-offs if you ever plan to do anything other than shoot off the bench in a non-competitive environment.

I'm a year and a half, four "significant" matches, and several little club matches into this rifle thing. I long resisted paying $100 or more for a bag, but now I see my GameChanger as an essential piece of kit, for both tactical matches and bench work.

 

[021411]

What's the reason behind not using a front bag? What do you guys recommend for bipods (besides Atlas, can't swing one right now)?

I prefer loading up on on the bipod which you can’t do on a front bag. Not saying you can’t shoot accurate groups off a front bag.
At minimum get a Harris bipod.

 

[tnichols]

What's the reason behind not using a front bag? What do you guys recommend for bipods (besides Atlas, can't swing one right now)?

Good advice above, but, we (collectively) didn’t fully answer your first question. A good bipod and rear support (bag) is really all you should need for most field shooting. I’ve never seen a shooting bench in the timber or on the the prairie. The more “stuff” you have to lug around out in the field (weight), the more you’ll enjoy a sturdy, simple bipod and some means to support the rear of the rifle. Keep it simple and practice with the above mentioned items.

 

[tobylazur]

I've got a Harris 6-9, and sometimes i shoot off a pack. I guess I'm looking for a little bit more of a controlled, stable, rest for shooting groups while working up loads. I've never been very consistent off the bipod.

 

[DownhillFromHere]

I've got a Harris 6-9, and sometimes i shoot off a pack. I guess I'm looking for a little bit more of a controlled, stable, rest for shooting groups while working up loads. I've never been very consistent off the bipod.

If your bipod is allowing the rifle to flop around and affect stability, tighten it.

My approach to groups is Harris bipod tightened up but not locked, with feet on a twice-folded towel (find Lowlight's video on bipod behavior on hard vs. soft surfaces), and height adjusted such that I'm close to on-target with the stock toe securely braced in the "V" of the GameChanger. Then I massage the bag fill and move the stock toe until I have a very stable "base."

Rightly or wrongly, I'm not much for trying to "load" my bipod. In the few matches I've shot, I learned I really don't want to waste time trying to get my bipod set just so. I want to set it down and go.

Shooting off a bag vs. off a bipod alters POI. So, if you work up a load using a bag or other padded rest (like my Calwell "Rock" rest), you're still going to need to check/rezero off a bipod unless you plan to shoot off that bag at all times.

 

[spife7980]

If youre not worried about having to haul it around and just want the best cheap front support I recommend the bald eagle rest, the aluminum slingshot is only 140 right now. I have the cast iron triangle and its great, just hefty.

Throw on a protector bag for it and youre golden.

You can use any rear bag you want but depending n your stock height a rabbit ear would be really nice.

 

[Colt1776]

I really like my Atlas definitely worth the money in my opinion been using it over the last year shooting PRS and it sure takes a beating from all the dirt and getting banged against barricades and what not. The ability to cant the rifle is a huge plus for the model I have. I would also recommend a Gamechanger bag its my go to bag for shooting off of a barricade or using it as a rear bag. Great all around bag.

 

[saltysurfman]

I was looking up the Gamechanger bag based the recommendations in this thread and others when I noticed that in the video and in the photos, they have the bag strapped over the barrel. Does anybody notice a shift in POI from the bag being strapped to the barrel? I would think it changes the barrel harmonics to some degree.

 

[spife7980]

I was looking up the Gamechanger bag based the recommendations in this thread and others when I noticed that in the video and in the photos, they have the bag strapped over the barrel. Does anybody notice a shift in POI from the bag being strapped to the barrel? I would think it changes the barrel harmonics to some degree.

When you shoot you put the rifle weight onto the bag and relieve the tension on the straps. If youre shooting off hand with the weight hanging on the barrel then, well, I dont know why you would do so with a 6lb weight strapped on lol

No one has ever had an objective complaint based on results that Ive ever seen demonstrated.

 

[saltysurfman]

When you shoot you put the rifle weight onto the bag and relieve the tension on the straps. If youre shooting off hand with the weight hanging on the barrel then, well, I dont know why you would do so with a 6lb weight strapped on lol

No one has ever had an objective complaint based on results that Ive ever seen demonstrated.

Makes sense. Thanks! Guess I'll have to pick one of these up to try out.

 

[Fongman]

Slightly off topic, but does anyone know if the wax canvas version of the Gamechanger is available with the barrel straps?

 

[Colt1776]

I was looking up the Gamechanger bag based the recommendations in this thread and others when I noticed that in the video and in the photos, they have the bag strapped over the barrel. Does anybody notice a shift in POI from the bag being strapped to the barrel? I would think it changes the barrel harmonics to some degree.

I would assume it would a little bit also would depend on how thick your barrel is on how much it would affect it. I personally don't ever do that

 

[DownhillFromHere]

I run straps on mine (GameChanger) over the scope, not the barrel. I keep sunshades on my scopes all the time anyway, so here is plenty of "bearing surface" for the straps.

 

[Dutch260]

Hey @tobylazur , I just had a thread on this same topic. https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...ont-bags-for-load-dev-accurracy-test.6904072/

I myself have an Atlas bi-pod which is great piece of equipment, but I must not have the shooter discipline/technique/fundamentals to properly control the recoil when shooting off a bi-pod and especially so when trying to do so off a bench. Don't get me wrong, I can still consistently 1 - 1.5 MOA at 100 yards with the bi-pod but I always feel like there is a bit of me that needs to factor into that. So when I am trying to do load development I feel like there is too much of me in the equation and not just the load itself. Also, my local range doesn't have anywhere to shoot prone so I'm stuck shooting off their shitty wooden benches which are a bit short when trying to shoot with proper technique on a bi-pod.

I have found that I can shoot much more consistently and tighter groups off of a bag or bags. I've used a Wiebad Pump Pillow for the front and a Triad Tactical wedge bag for the rear which has worked pretty well. But I found that the pump pillow starts to lose its shape and droop after a couple of shots. I recently bought some Dog-Gone-Good bags after hearing a few guys talk about them on here but haven't gotten to try them out yet. But just from playing around on them in the house they are super solid and extremely well made. They are going to run you a bit of money though, but they are hands down way better than similar Caldwell bags like the Tack Driver. And for a about the same about of money for a front/rear set of Dog-Gone-Good bags, maybe a tad more, you could go the route that @spife7980 mentioned and get a metal mechanical front rest.

 

[TimK]

Look at Traust for rear bags. As has already been thoroughly covered, a bipod is the answer for the front.

 

[TAHK]

If youre not worried about having to haul it around and just want the best cheap front support I recommend the bald eagle rest, the aluminum slingshot is only 140 right now. I have the cast iron triangle and its great, just hefty.
View attachment 6967224

Throw on a protector bag for it and youre golden.
View attachment 6967226

You can use any rear bag you want but depending n your stock height a rabbit ear would be really nice.
View attachment 6967227

+1

 

[Soulezoo]

Rather than start a new thread, thought I would just ask here...
Looking for a decent squeeze bag for the rear. Any pointers?