Best way to pack bags? Heavy Sand or Play Sand

[Endyo]

I know it's probably been beat to death. I've heard completely contrary arguments.

Generally, understand you don't want the front bag packed too hard but I've experienced sand settling firsthand (playsand). Edgewood's new hard insert designed by Speedy Gonzales seem to get glowing reviews. Now that I've packed the front bag with more play sand settling seems to be less of an issue.

My rear bag will also settle (playsand) I've also refilled it. I've recently been experimenting with a dead bottom bag and really like it as it seems to dampen rocking on uneven terrain.

Thoughts?

 

[dreever]

I know it's probably been beat to death. I've heard completely contrary arguments.

Generally, understand you don't want the front bag packed too hard but I've experienced sand settling firsthand (playsand). Edgewood's new hard insert designed by Speedy Gonzales seem to get glowing reviews. Now that I've packed the front bag with more play sand settling seems to be less of an issue.

My rear bag will also settle (playsand) I've also refilled it. I've recently been experimenting with a dead bottom bag and really like it as it seems to dampen rocking on uneven terrain.

Thoughts?

I now buy only Protektor Model DR bags filled with heavy sand by Protektor at the factory. They are perfect from the git go with no worries by me as to did I put in to much or not enough. Cost a bit more but in the big scheme of things what's another couple of bucks?

Danny

 

[Jefferson]

Picture and description of this new invention. Jeff

 

[LHSmith]

I'd like to know where these "glowing reviews" are about those reinforced front bags by Edgewood. IME it is the wrong way to go.

 

[Endyo]

LHSmith. Limited reviews from people I've talked to in PMs and on the firing line.

The research I've done online seems to be trending towards going back to leather and filling the front bag less.

I think I already know the very expensive answer. I'm going to have to experiment to see what works best for me and my set up. I already have two rear bags and two different front bags I suspect it's going to take more than that to find out my own personal "truth".

I'm just debating on investing in heavy sand or continuing to use 'play sand', and if I can eliminate obvious mistakes from the testing process than great.

LHSmith, I believe I had read some of your postings on the matter in another thread, but can you share what YOU'VE found to work?

 

[LHSmith]

LHSmith. Limited reviews from people I've talked to in PMs and on the firing line.

The research I've done online seems to be trending towards going back to leather and filling the front bag less.

I think I already know the very expensive answer. I'm going to have to experiment to see what works best for me and my set up. I already have two rear bags and two different front bags I suspect it's going to take more than that to find out my own personal "truth".

I'm just debating on investing in heavy sand or continuing to use 'play sand', and if I can eliminate obvious mistakes from the testing process than great.

LHSmith, I believe I had read some of your postings on the matter in another thread, but can you share what YOU'VE found to work?

Heavy sand OK only in base of rear bag. Parakeet gravel/ play sand 50/50 mix (or my preference - Black Diamond blasting sand medium grit from TSC) in the ears front bag and rear. Before every match exercise (fluff) the front bag and run the fore-end back and forth to reshape the bag. I am getting away from Cordura and now prefer all leather or leather and 3M superslick cloth.

 

[Endyo]

Heavy sand OK only in base of rear bag. Parakeet gravel/ play sand 50/50 mix (or my preference - Black Diamond blasting sand medium grit from TSC) in the ears front bag and rear. Before every match exercise (fluff) the front bag and run the fore-end back and forth to reshape the bag. I am getting away from Cordura and now prefer all leather or leather and 3M superslick cloth.

Thank you for the thoughtful response. The method lined out makes a lot of sense.

A few questions to clarify:

1. Do you recommend a front bag fill to be soft or just not hard?

When my front bag was softer I had settling issues. The rifle would start to cant during the string of fire as the tracking rails made grooves.

2. I assume a hard insert type bag is not recommended due to an increase in torque and the possibility of fliers as the rifle rebounds off the hard surface?

3. Fluff by pinching the front bag between fingers?

4. Thank you for the tip on the blasting sand. I've heard others mention it, but not specifically for the ears. What properties does it have that makes you prefer it?

Once again thank you for sharing.

 

[LHSmith]

Thank you for the thoughtful response. The method lined out makes a lot of sense.

A few questions to clarify:

1. Do you recommend a front bag fill to be soft or just not hard?

When my front bag was softer I had settling issues. The rifle would start to cant during the string of fire as the tracking rails made grooves.

2. I assume a hard insert type bag is not recommended due to an increase in torque and the possibility of fliers as the rifle rebounds off the hard surface?

3. Fluff by pinching the front bag between fingers?

4. Thank you for the tip on the blasting sand. I've heard others mention it, but not specifically for the ears. What properties does it have that makes you prefer it?

Once again thank you for sharing.

1. Since Black Diamond resists packing, you fill until the ears are full, and once it takes an initial set, there are no settling issues or hard bag issues because of the sharp irregular shaped media
2.True, it provides a uniform platform throughout the duration of a match.
3.Yes
4. see 1, sand is basically tiny spheres and is constantly changing shape

 

[Geno C]

I got half a pallet of the black diamond blasting media. Some pretty coarse stuff for blasting very heavy steel. It has worked well for me mixed with some silica blasting sand 40/60 size. For my bench bags only. Field bags are poly beads used for air soft guns. Work well for large adjustments and is a lot lighter than sand