Heavy Sand/Media for Range Rear Bag

[treillw]

What is the best thing for filling a rear bag for making it as heavy as possible. I don't shoot competitively, so I can cheat and use things besides sand.

I was thinking lead shot mixed with sand might be a good option. The only thing is I don't know how crazy I am about sucking on a block of lead while shooting though. I suppose it is contained pretty good inside the Protektor leather, but everything gives you cancer these days in CA - can't be too careful!

Any other ideas?

Thanks!

 

[Tommie]

I use garnet but mostly so I can say “I use garnet”

 

[ryanjay11]

If you want to use lead mixed with the sand, use nickel or copper plated shot.

This is a pretty good article about the different sand types:
https://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/bag-sand-comparison-test/

 

[treillw]

It's probably advantageous to use lead over heavy sand, right? Heavier, more stable bag, I would assume.

 

[treillw]

I use garnet but mostly so I can say “I use garnet”

What's that?

 

[OmegaRed]

It's probably advantageous to use lead over heavy sand, right? Heavier, more stable bag, I would assume.

I wouldn't assume that. The function of weight would be to make the bag more stable, which can also be achieved by friction. I use "skater's tape" or sandpaper tape to help with this. Different material along with the fill amount will affect how the gun rides and accuracy. The most referenced article on here about sand bags is one authored by Speedy. He explains how bag fill along with other rest alignment/setup can cause vertical.

 

[treillw]

I wouldn't assume that. The function of weight would be to make the bag more stable, which can also be achieved by friction. I use "skater's tape" or sandpaper tape to help with this. Different material along with the fill amount will affect how the gun rides and accuracy. The most referenced article on here about sand bags is one authored by Speedy. He explains how bag fill along with other rest alignment/setup can cause vertical.

Where is that Speedy article? Thanks.

 

[Steve Blair]

Magnetite sand.

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[treillw]

Magnetite sand.

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Heavier than and plated shot?

 

[dogdude]

Try @LoanHarvey

 

[TAJ45]

Mixing the sand w shot will eventually have them separating w the sand migrating to the bottom. The finer media will start filling in the "cracks" w every squeeze.
Then consider if you are a "squeezer" to get the hairs where you want, using a less than full fill, orrrr, a fuller, firm bag making corrections at the rest.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

A bag can be too hard...especially the front bag

 

[LHSmith]

It's probably advantageous to use lead over heavy sand, right? Heavier, more stable bag, I would assume.

Not necessarily. Best fill for a bag is material that will lock together- like jagged pieces of sand-it won't continue to settle from shot to shot. Trying to make something stable over a foundation made of round spheres is futile.

 

[treillw]

A bag can be too hard...especially the front bag

Will always be shooting off a bipod.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Will always be shooting off a bipod.

Then I'd hedge to the softer side with the rear bag but I'm sure there are more experienced bi pod shooters on here, than me.

 

[Steve Blair]

Heavier than and plated shot?

It's fairly dense, consistent and pliant. Note post #12 regarding bag hardness. My rear bag is an Edgewood Minigater and weighs ~25 pounds.

 

[kvd]

Zircon sand is a light tan color and very fine mesh - almost like dust. Zircon sand is roughly twice as dense as silica sand and due to its very fine mesh size can really be packed into the bottom of a rear bag.
This material is not very easy to find. Look for distributors to the casting industry and if possible, find a local source to avoid paying to ship a 50# bag of sand.

 

[tmwinds]

Will always be shooting off a bipod.

I’m not a world class bipod shooter. Mostly 22 rim fire off a bipod. That said, a large, heavy, hard bag is the last thing I would want. I use the rear bag to make the final slight adjustments on the target by squeezing a soft lighter bag.

 

[Terry]

I heard that Tractor Supply has heavy sand.

 

[Big Mc]

What is the best thing for filling a rear bag for making it as heavy as possible. I don't shoot competitively, so I can cheat and use things besides sand.

I was thinking lead shot mixed with sand might be a good option. The only thing is I don't know how crazy I am about sucking on a block of lead while shooting though. I suppose it is contained pretty good inside the Protektor leather, but everything gives you cancer these days in CA - can't be too careful!

Any other ideas?

Thanks!

If you plan to shoot Comp. You can not use shot in your bags. Just my two cents Tommy Mc