Rear Bag Question

[Oldeadeye]

I have a Kelbly’s bench rest stock with a 1/2 inch flat on the butt stock. I was going to order a Protektor bag. Should I order the bag with 1/2 inch spacing so it can ride on the bottom of the bag or a more narrow space so it rides on the ears only? Thanks, Jim Alt

 

[butchlambert]

I like riding on the ears and not the bottom. Works for me anyway.

 

[CharlieNC]

My experience is opposite Butch, ride stock on bag top not ears. For me very difficult to always squeeze and hold ears during recoil to achieve consistent vertical. Give Protektor a call and they will discuss and recommend best bag with you, good guys.

 

[dmoran]

Depends on the weight of the gun, and the twist of the barrel. For instances:
- light rifles with slow twist barrels seem to work best riding on the ears (a 10.5-lb 6PPC for example)
- heavy rifles with fast twist barrels seem to work best riding on the stitching (a 17-lb 6.5x47 for example)
What's your rifle weight and intended use?

 

[TrxR]

Ive also heard that if the bottom of you stock is round its better up in the ears but if its flat to let it ride on the bag.

Not sure if its true . I think it might be one of them things that should be experimented with to see what works best for you and the rifle.

 

[butchlambert]

What ever floats your boat. I use Protector bags but didn't ask them why I was doing the wrong thing.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Ive also heard that if the bottom of you stock is round its better up in the ears but if its flat to let it ride on the bag.

Not sure if its true . I think it might be one of them things that should be experimented with to see what works best for you and the rifle.

I've heard the same but still not sure how it makes sense. I prefer to have the stock on the ears. YMMV.

 

[Bkluke]

Depends on the weight of the gun, and the twist of the barrel. For instances:
- light rifles with slow twist barrels seem to work best riding the on ears (a 10.5-lb 6PPC for example)
- heavy rifles with fast twist barrels seem to work best riding on the stitching (a 17-lb 6.5x47 for example)
What's your rifle weight and intended use?

I run my 17 pound Dasher on the stitching.

 

[JFrank]

Normally I find myself in the minority.
I'm currently running my mid range br on the stitches, I also like the ear spacings snug to the stock.
which is correct?

 

[dmoran]

Look at this picture from this daily bulletin: 0.1 MOA at 1k to see the rear bag setup to a world record setting rifle.
It's a typical setup (butt riding on the stitching) that LR Benchrest shooters use.

 

[expiper]

since you asked,,,to me the factor that determins how wide to have the stiches ,,,is,,,are you using the rear bag to aim the rifle (bag squeezer ???) or are you aiming the rifle with the front rest ????...if squeezing ,,then I prefer narrow stich,,,if using front rest (joystick or knob twidler ) then the stock resting on the stiching will work,,,,however the narrow stiching will work either way,...!!!...I would go with two rows of stiching that works with round bottom stocks or the typical Kelbly style that has ~1/2" flat,,,,,,Roger

 

[alf]

 

[JFrank]

 

[Kurt Blasser]

Another question is whether to have the slope of the bag sloping forward or backward. Any advantage to either?

 

[Oldeadeye]

Depends on the weight of the gun, and the twist of the barrel. For instances:
- light rifles with slow twist barrels seem to work best riding the on ears (a 10.5-lb 6PPC for example)
- heavy rifles with fast twist barrels seem to work best riding on the stitching (a 17-lb 6.5x47 for example)
What's your rifle weight and intended use?

Depends on the weight of the gun, and the twist of the barrel. For instances:
- light rifles with slow twist barrels seem to work best riding the on ears (a 10.5-lb 6PPC for example)
- heavy rifles with fast twist barrels seem to work best riding on the stitching (a 17-lb 6.5x47 for example)
What's your rifle weight and intended use?

The rifle is HV 30br. 17 twist. It will be be used for benchrest competition with a joy stick front rest.

 

[JFrank]

Another question is whether to have the slope of the bag sloping forward or backward. Any advantage to either?

Interference from the palm swell would be of interest.
Another would be the overall foot print of the bag for stability.
I find mine to be somewhat lacking in footprint

 

[CharlieNC]

Another question is whether to have the slope of the bag sloping forward or backward. Any advantage to either?

Most logical to me is to have the slope of the bag to match the slope of the butt, such that the surfaces make parallel contact vs a limited "point" of contact in order to achieve consistent recoil control.

 

[JFrank]

^^ agreed
I suppose I interpreted the question differently.

 

[Kurt Blasser]

Thanks! I’ve tried both on different rifles. One of my rifles has a slope in the stock and tends to slide back and forth on the bag. I’ve seen pictures with the bags turned both ways, so just wondering.

 

[BartsBullets]

I run my short range rifles on the ears of the bag. As for long range rifles I have done both, running the rifle on the ears and on the stitching. There is no wrong or right answer here. It’s whatever works best for you and your set up. I will say that I went through several different bags for long range trying to find one that worked as well as shooting off the ears of my short range bag!

I just got this in yesterday! I’m looking forward to giving it a try!