Do sand-bags stand a chance?

[204shooter]

Being the frugal type, I was wondering if sand-bags made from blue jeans make a descent rest? I know they won't cut it for real life competition, but what about a friendly grudge match?

What level of long-range accuracy can be realized with such a set-up?

AK

 

[Preacher]

Make them up to look like the Uncle Buds bags and you'll do just fine with them.
Lots of folks have used old shot bags for the same thing.....

 

[222Rem]

#1 Dry the sand in the oven 250˚F,make sure it is dry)
#2 Cool the sand
#3 Put sand in plastic bag.
#4 Put the dry sand in that plastic bag in any thing that you want, be old sock, shot bag old shirt sleeve or jeans pants .

The reason for plastic bag is that fine sand will leak out of cloth and get all over your gun and act as a abrasive on your gun. You might not see it but it will be there.

 

[mudman]

You can use sand bag made like that for sighting in, actual hunting in your stand or laying down at the edge of a field ect.. and they work very well. I dry my sand in a paper plate in the microwave, about 3-4 inches high at about 9 minutes. this actually works pretty good at drying out sand. I then sift it through a strainer and have good sand. Lay your bags length wise and set your barrel forearm between two bags and your front is secure, this works a lot better than setting the forearm across the bags. You want to position the rear bag so you can squeeze the bag and raise and lower the butt of the rifle as needed to get the cross hairs on the bulls eye.

This works but a good manufactured front and rear rest are necessary if you plan on shooting a lot from the bench or are really serious about working the accuracy out of your rifle.

You will have fun either route!

 

[dreever]

Corn cob or walnut shell media works pretty good to and it's a lot less weight than sand too.

 

[rustycj8]

I have both the rest and the bags. The bags are nice for a quick setup on the hood of my truck. The neighbor kid sold popcorn every year for scouts so we had tons of it, well it was the logical choice when I went to make my sandbags and works pretty good. Not too heavy and fairly stable compared to most things I could think of at the time.