Need Advice re Rear Bag

[driver69911]

New to shooting from bench. Now doing groundhog (paper targets to 400 yds) shoots, usually in a "factory" class, which means a more-or-less standard hunting-style stock.

Have a Farley front rest. What sort of a rear bag should I get?

Any help appreciated.

 

[Terry]

749-013-305WS
Edgewood Minigator Rear Bag w/ Handle 3/4" Stitch
Mfr Part: MGHAN34STREAR
$199.99

http://www.sinclairintl.com/shooting-rests-bipods/sand-bags/rear-bags/edgewood-grab-handle-bags-prod38047.aspx

 

[driver69911]

Looks nice, Terry. Thank you. I see it's out of stock at Sinclair's, though.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

If your using a standard hunting stock you want something with tall ears and no gap. Like this http://www.amazon.com/Protektor-Model-Rabbit-Rear-Bottom/dp/B006MFYQ5C

 

[driver69911]

Thank you, zfast. What is the "gap" you refer to? Do you mean the point at which the ears come together where they join the lower part of the bag?

 

[Terry]

Some of us like a gap with hunting stocks.

Works great with my Savage LRPV's.

 

[LHSmith]

If your using a standard hunting stock you want something with tall ears and no gap. Like this http://www.amazon.com/Protektor-Model-Rabbit-Rear-Bottom/dp/B006MFYQ5C

+1 Rounded butt stocks (such as found in Hunter Class) will benefit a bag with tall ears (unless it has a high profile cheek piece).
Pretty sure on all my hunting and Hunter Class stocks, 3/4" between the ears would not work. For a stock to work riding the bottom of the ears, the amount of the fill in the ears becomes super critical...IF you can get it to work at all.

 

[driver69911]

This is really interesting. Glad I asked.

The rifles I'm using are:
1. Tikka T3 Lite 223, for Light Sporter class.
2. Savage LRPV 223, for Heavy Sporter.
3. Sig-Sauer SSG 3000 308, also for HS. This has a cut-out at the bottom of the butt.

Am I correct in thinking the same bag woud serve for the Tikka and Savage, but that a different shape would be better for the SSG?

 

[dkhunt14]

If your stocks are the same on the bottom you can use the same bag. If some have flats and are different widths on the bottom you will need different bags. I like a big heavy one with the same spacing as my stock. One of my stocks I use a smaller bag and squeeze for elevation changes but the spacing between the ears match my stock. Matt

 

[LHSmith]

I should have said in post 7: for a stock to work riding "any flat between the ears", the ear fill becomes critical.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Thank you, zfast. What is the "gap" you refer to? Do you mean the point at which the ears come together where they join the lower part of the bag?

Yes. If your stock has a flat on the bottom you want the ear spacing to reflect that, if your stock is round on the bottom its better to use ears with no spacing.

 

[driver69911]

Thanks to all. This has been really helpful.

 

[LawrenceHanson]

I like a rear bag with tall ears and a single line of stitching between the ears for my hunting rifles. These stocks typically have a narrow bottom and may have sling swivel studs in place. The tall ears, when filled to the point where they are plump, will prevent the swivel stud or stud hole, from dragging on the bag. Hunting stocks also typically have narrow rounded forearms and the tall ears provide sufficient support to the buttstock to prevent the rifle from tipping over when you walk away from it. One thing to watch out for with a tall eared bag is interference with the cheek piece, if the stock has one. Check the position of the stock in the rear bag to ensure there is no contact between the cheek piece and the top of the ears. Reposition the rifle or fill the ears plump enough to keep the cheek piece up off the ears.

 

[driver69911]

Excellent, Lawrence. Thank you.