Bag filler media

[jimbo_10x]

Was using lead shot in my rear leather bunny ear shooting bag and think it's been causing accuracy problems .
What is the general thought on best material to fill it with ?

 

[tmwinds]

Sand. Heavy sand if you want the weight. Play sand if not.

 

[Shooter13]

Heavy sand in the bottom and play sand in the ears, you will have to play with the amount you fill the ears until you get it right.

 

[Texas10]

How does the Play Sand stay in the ears, and not just migrate down into the lower reaches of the bag? Isn't it finer than the Heavy Sand?

I'm curious about my Protector bag fill options.

 

[JFrank]

Each ear is separated from the bottom of the bag

 

[kvd]

Heavy sand in the bottom and play sand in the ears, you will have to play with the amount you fill the ears until you get it right.

I've heard this stated before - to put play sand in the ears with heavy sand in the bottom for weight. Why is this so? How does the density of the sand in the ears of the rear bag effect accuracy?

 

[Shooter13]

I've heard this stated before - to put play sand in the ears with heavy sand in the bottom for weight. Why is this so? How does the density of the sand in the ears of the rear bag effect accuracy?

The play sand isn't as dense and therefore a little more "pliable" if that makes sense

 

[R.Morehouse]

Heavy sand.......At Sinclair

 

[kvd]

The play sand isn't as dense and therefore a little more "pliable" if that makes sense

Thank you for the quick response. I can see that. My rear bags filled with heavy sand are "harder" than the ones filled with regular play sand. I guess once adjusted, is that a bad thing or a good thing?

 

[284winner]

Good firm base and workable ears. Base offers the support while the ears offer adjustability. Good combo

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Thank you for the quick response. I can see that. My rear bags filled with heavy sand are "harder" than the ones filled with regular play sand. I guess once adjusted, is that a bad thing or a good thing?

Harder bags mean more bounce. Use paver sand. No need for anything heavier than regular sand. If your bag rocks its too full. If it moves under recoil its not the right bag. If your scope doesnt return to your point of aim its a bad bag choice or not filled right

 

[sqrlgtr]

I like heavy sand in bottom of rear bag and have used in the ears also on occasion.I like zircon myself.Believe it just boils down to personal preference it doesn't matter either way if it works for you.I will advise against using heavy sand in front bag though because of bounce.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Heres an article of interest.
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2016/04/tuning-your-sandbag-hardness-tech-tip-by-speedy/

 

[jimbo_10x]

I read about the black beauty blasting sand at TSC. They said it's between hard and soft sand .

 

[BoydAllen]

Different shooting styles dictate different rear bags and fills. If you are holding the rifle and squeezing the rear bag to refine your aim you want a bag that is not built from leather that is stiff, and you probably do not want it to be filled very tight. With your hand on the bag, you do not really need heavy sand to keep it secure on the bench. On the other hand if your rifle is built to work well shot free recoil using the rest to aim, it needs to stand there, on its own and be stable through the shot. It does not have to be as flexible as one for a bag squeezer and really should not be. For these bags, weight is an advantage. There is a misconception that benchrest is entirely a sport that is shot free recoil. While it is common, there are top shooters that do not shoot literal, total free recoil. The best method for shooting any rifle is the one that gets the best results. For that reason, it is good to learn the "rules" for more than one shooting style.

 

[kvd]

Heres an article of interest.

Good information. Thanks

 

[Shooter13]

@BoydAllen I had forgotten about the "squeeze" bag, I still have the one I had for my one match in '88 and it is very soft and supple and lightly filled but now we have joystick rest and the rear bag is just that, something to hold the stock in place while you aim with the front rest (I shoot UBR).

 

[Rdlningcltchdmpr]

Was using lead shot in my rear leather bunny ear shooting bag and think it's been causing accuracy problems .
What is the general thought on best material to fill it with ?

I use yellow sand , it is much heavier than lead. I dig it out of the creek on my back 40 acres. Work's great.

 

[Uthink Uknow]

I was going to answer early in this thread but I didn’t and it went the way I thought it would. There are as many right answers as there are shooters and disciplines that the shooter shoot and styles of shooting and types of rifles. I use Lake Huron sand in my rear bag and I don’t pack it because I shoot BR free recoil. The only part of me touching the rifle is my trigger finger when I want to shoot. I’m a bag squeezer and don’t have an adjustable front rest. My style is as simple as me.

 

[jimbo_10x]

I shoot off a bench with adjustable front rest and bunny ear leather rear bag when I am working up accuracy loads for a gun .