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What kind of filler in your bag

I just purchased some new rest bags and was wondering what filler people liked best straight up sand or some use rice. I've even used bags of shot before, just thought there might be something better thanks.
 
For bench rest it has to be some type of sand according to the rules. So do most of you use zircon which is the heaviest but most expensive or chromite which is close in weight but cheaper?
 
181backup said:
For bench rest it has to be some type of sand according to the rules. So do most of you use zircon which is the heaviest but most expensive or chromite which is close in weight but cheaper?

http://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/bag-sand-comparison-test/
 
Lazer said:
Mainly testies, and a little bit of vas defrins in mine.
You need to read the Main Message Board Topic/Subject "Forum Behavior Issue--Watch It Guys" written by the Forum Boss
 
181backup said:
I just purchased some new rest bags and was wondering what filler people liked best straight up sand or some use rice. I've even used bags of shot before, just thought there might be something better thanks.

Don't use rice, cream of wheat, or other food grain - little bugs and animals will love the free meals - you won't love the chewed holes they leave behind.

I use 3mm plastic beads for my casual bags.
 
For field use: Poly pellets. http://www.amazon.com/Fairfield-Poly-Pellets-Weighted-Stuffing-Beads/dp/B0077AQ0W8/ref=pd_sim_ac_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1XQ4D1ZR6ZYA36FD0FMT
 
Depending on which bag I'm filling, I use either zircon or a zircon and lead shot mix (anything not sand is not legal in benchrest) for the weighted part of the bag. For the ears or front bag, I have been working with good old playground sand mixed with silicon spheres (sold as a shuffleboard wax). The spheres change the bridging characteristics of the sand and its dampening characteristics. The ratio of spheres to sand makes significant changes in the settling of the sand and its rebound/dampening.

In case you are curious, yes, the sand in the front bag does affect the tune of the rifle.
 
Really fine "playground" sand used for children's sandboxes ass it packs in. Big box sells it. BUT, I still had 30# after loading two bags and finally had to throw the extra on the driveway to get it out of the garage.
 
I use plain old beach sand. I like my bags a bit on the soft side as I use the bag squeezing method when shooting bench rest. To those who seem to think a hard front bag is the bee's knees I ask, if you aren't shooting bench rest then why not just use a 2X4 for the front rest.

I like your signature, Dickn52. It's a negative world and that is their answer to a problem perceived by some. So answer me this. Why do they hang the sign "Use Other Door"? Why not "Use This Door" on the door they want you to use?
Back in my working days, I painted a park bench in front of the garage and put a sign on it "Wet Paint" and no one used the bench. Two days later I put a sign "Dry Paint" on it and still no one used the bench. My little brain is overactive..
 
Patch700 said:
181backup said:
For bench rest it has to be some type of sand according to the rules. So do most of you use zircon which is the heaviest but most expensive or chromite which is close in weight but cheaper?

http://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/bag-sand-comparison-test/

+1 Great article!
 
I just go to the local pet store and get some reptile sand really fine, I also use a wooden dowel stick and pack the sand into all the voids as I'm filling my bag, just push the sand to where you need it through the fill port and continue packing as you fill will get plenty heavy and nice shape that want sag, but I limit how much in the ears for firmness, your preference ;)


PS. Forgot to mention you can get about any diameter dowel stick from a craft store , I went to AC Moore that was nearby :)
 
Good point Dale. We have gone one step further with the filler tool. We taped a length of aluminum arrow stock, maybe 10 inches long, to a small funnel and pour the sand through it. In this way we can pour and tamp as we go.
 
I have had good results with the plastic pellets used in air guns. They are very good for those who squeeze the rear bag. Somewhat hard to get in but a small funnel and a straw from Berger King make the job go much faster.
 
Playground sand? Really? We ain't playing here.

I never use anything but Ottawa Silica Sand that conforms to ASTM C778.

It is specially graded, natural Ottawa silica sand that will pass a No. 20 (850µ) sieve and be retained on a No. 30 (600µ) sieve. Specific gravity is 2.65. $63.35 for 50 pounds from Humboldt Manufacturing.

If you want to pour them down the same hole, all day long, it is the only way to go.
 

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