I just joined a new club. When the range is called cold they don't allow you to touch your rifle. I'm looking for a front bag that will hold the rifle securely. The Caldwell has a grippy surface to hold on, but I am leaning towards the Lyman since it has fake suede, which I think will allow the rifle to recoil more smoothly. What do you like and why?
Which front bag for shooting off the bench?
- Thread starter wh20crazy
- Start date
I'm a big fan of the Atlas CAL bipod for bench work with a rear bag.
I just find it much easier to get the rifle to a good height and it is a lot less to carry around.
I just find it much easier to get the rifle to a good height and it is a lot less to carry around.
Understood, I have a couple bags for simular reasons, can't say I am fond enough of either to recommend it. Only advice I have is don't get a bag too long unless you have all long barrels. I run into problems with muzzle breaks being close enough to do damage on one of them.
USA made Dog Gone Good bags. I have a medium and it’s 14 lbs. The large is farking huuuuge. Edit: Real 1000d Cordura, awesome stitching, and they use real leather suede too.
I use mine prairie dog shooting off a swiveling bench. I’m experimenting with bipods too, but the sheer weight of the bag really stabilizes the bench better in the (almost) constant high winds on the prairie.
For reference, the bipods I’m using are an Elite Iron, LRA Lite F-Class, and an Atlas Scal.
Shipping is $$$ due to the weight. Brownells sells some versions, so their shipping may be cheaper, especially if you’re a member.
Anyway, sounds like you’re shooting off a rigid bench so my experience may not be applicable to your situation. Perhaps it’ll help some other lost Hide soul…lol
I use mine prairie dog shooting off a swiveling bench. I’m experimenting with bipods too, but the sheer weight of the bag really stabilizes the bench better in the (almost) constant high winds on the prairie.
For reference, the bipods I’m using are an Elite Iron, LRA Lite F-Class, and an Atlas Scal.
Shipping is $$$ due to the weight. Brownells sells some versions, so their shipping may be cheaper, especially if you’re a member.
Anyway, sounds like you’re shooting off a rigid bench so my experience may not be applicable to your situation. Perhaps it’ll help some other lost Hide soul…lol
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I shoot off of old BDU's sewn up and filled with sand. Works great.
Sometimes when I shoot off my portable bench where a rear-bag is not always able to fit on it, I'll use my Caldwell Bull-Bag (Shaped like an X) and sit the rifle in it up to the trigger guard, so it supports majority of the center of weight of the rifle and balances it nicely, and tuck my left arm under the buttstock, and grab my right shoulder, to get a steady shot.
Sometimes when I shoot off my portable bench where a rear-bag is not always able to fit on it, I'll use my Caldwell Bull-Bag (Shaped like an X) and sit the rifle in it up to the trigger guard, so it supports majority of the center of weight of the rifle and balances it nicely, and tuck my left arm under the buttstock, and grab my right shoulder, to get a steady shot.
. Absolutely. Our Caldwell bag
Off topic but if the bipod is jumping, it’s fundamentals and position on the bench. That’s been beaten to death on this site.
that aside I always take my rifles off the bench.
Ive seen and had my share of accidents that resulted in rifles bring knocked over.
guy walks by stretching and his jacket catches the butt…things like that.
I will not argue that the jumping is not operator error. Thanks for the tip. I'll search for info on eliminating the jump.
I'm not real tickled about this range set up. There are no racks and I know that my current bag set up is not ideal.
Or you can get the actual original...and made in USA... X-bag from Bullsbag
Field Shooting Rest | Portable Rifle Rest | Bulls Bag
Bulls Bag has expert shooting rest. We have field shooting rest models. At Bulls Bag you will find many different types of shooting rest for expert marksmanships. Call us for more information, 1-888-665-2855.
www.bullsbag.com
That's the same bag I've got... Mine also has a few duct taped spots from muzzle blast from pistols. LOL
I remember seeing those Bulls Bags as well. However, here are some specs off of their site (which, btw, weirdly has some non-secure pages i.e. not SSL):
- Material is 600 Polyester w/UV coating (Moisture resistant)
- Filled bags apparently come from the factory filled with cat litter?
Dog Gone Good bags contain “polypropylene re-grind”, which doesn’t absorb appreciable amounts of water.
Of course, you could take forever and fill an empty bag yourself with something else. I’d rather chew my fingers off.
I’m also thinking DGG bag’s 1000d Cordura is better than 600 Poly, but I may be mistaken. Cordura is nylon, which absorbs a tiny amount of water vs Poly, but nylon is said to be stronger per weight. I’ll let fabric experts have the final say.
I’ve thrown my DGG bag around aggressively (as in frustration, as hard as I could, from shoulder height to the ground) because it’s a pain in the ass being so heavy. No damage, no popped seems, blown sidewalls, etc like I’ve read about with Caldwell bags. I do note I haven’t read anything, good or bad, about Bulls Bags.
I love the DGG and hate it because, well, it’s not light like a bipod, right? But it does some things better.
One thing that bugs me about my bag is the carry strap could be better.
I’m not affiliated with DGG at all.
edit: my brother owns the Caldwell Tack Driver and it is definitely not made as well as a DGG. I believe it has corn cob media in it that absorbs water. The nice thing about it is that the handle is superior in function over the DGG.
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Ah, if I remember correctly, the two companies do throw some bit of shade at each other over who was OG and who copies, whose is better and whose is worse, etc.
I did buy a Bullsbag X-bag but not filled. I mean why...its very easy to fill it and saved shipping costs. He did tell me to fill it with kitty litter and I had the same reaction....his response was that if it got that wet, just replace the fill. He obviously wasn't considering rain or shine comps and the like.
I did fill it with kitty litter and it works VERY well and not as heavy as sand. Its very humid here in Maryland in the summer and the fill has not clumped up or gained weight at all. But no, I haven't had it out in soaking rain.
My thought on using the kitty litter is that if I didn't like it, I could always order fill from a number of companies that sell it and just replace the litter. And, if my kitty litter ever gets clumped up, there are lots of fill options.
In any and all cases I would recommend getting one of these bags empty and fill it yourself with whatever suits you as its dead simple and, as said, eases shipping costs and woes.
Cheers
I agree with the bag length from the other angle. Too long of a bag and a rifle that takes mags can push the bag partly off of the bench (like my swiveling one. I build a bench extension to remedy that).
If I wanted a bag just for the range, shooting off a rigid bench, for lighter recoiling rifles, I’d buy a DGG small just for the trip from your car to the bench.
14lbs for a medium DGG doesn’t sound like much, but when you attempt a single trip to the range shack with all of your crap, lugging something smaller and lighter suddenly becomes irresistibly appealing. That’s why I usually use bipods at the range.
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Also, take a look at the heavy version of the Crosstac BFB. I own a squeeze bag of theirs and it’s well made. I think it’s made in the USA.
Don’t buy their lightweight large bags. I did and they’re too light to work for target shooting, for me at least. I had tried their X shaped bag.
Don’t buy their lightweight large bags. I did and they’re too light to work for target shooting, for me at least. I had tried their X shaped bag.
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