Hiking pack for practice shooting positions

[Rhettster433]

I am trying to start hiking more and my family is planning an overnight trip on a volcano in Guatemala next year so i need a decent hiking pack. I am also starting to try and practice shooting from a pack(despite no need to in the alabama whitetail woods). Preferred budget is 200 but i might can stretch that if i pick up a few more side jobs

I know that exo and stone glacier are THE packs around here but they are simply out if the picture due to budget. I also will not be hauling meat unless i just want to practice. I wont be able to do any western hunting for at least 5-8 years, probably longer, so it doesnt have to be the best pack out there.

I have looked at kuiu divide packs that are on sale right now but that is still stretching the budget. Is there a more hiking focused pack that would be good for shooting position practice? Or is it worth just saving up for a better pack i will never fully utilize just for the slight added comfort with 35-45 pound loads?

I currently have an older colman 45 liter backpack that i can make due with but it just doesnt fit right. I am 5’10” and 140 and wear a 30 waist pant. Small dude so finding one that adjusts down that far while on a budget is gonna be a challenge. I would prefer to buy used because i can get more pack for my dollar

 

[EdP]

Not sure how you plan to use the pack as a shooting aid. Any pack will work fine for shooting prone. My preference from a cross legged sitting position is to use a 2 leg shooting stick up front and the pack as a rear rest. I can make anything from a frame pack to a vintage style rucksack work as long as it fills the gap between legs (or ground) and shoulder.

 

[Rhettster433]

Not sure how you plan to use the pack as a shooting aid. Any pack will work fine for shooting prone. My preference from a cross legged sitting position is to use a 2 leg shooting stick up front and the pack as a rear rest. I can make anything from a frame pack to a vintage style rucksack work as long as it fills the gap between legs (or ground) and shoulder.

I am not really sure either. I have only ever hunted from tree stands and shot from benches. This past saturday was my first time shooting prone off the bag i have now and it left some to be desired, although i probably had unreal expectations because the internal frame on this bag sucks.

Shooting from seated is probably what i want to practice the most as it is most likely to be used. So i need to measure the height needed to go from ground(or legs) to shoulder and find a pack that matches?

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I use my military surplus assault pack as my day pack. If I am camping out, I have the main pack (with the assault pack clipped on top). I am not sure how these compare price or weight wise with good commercial gear. For these, the price was unbeatable (CIF accidentally destroyed my records). But, this may be something worth considering or at least using as a comparison point.

I tend to shoot prone over the assault pack. For seated, given time, I like to use the modified Springbok/Javelin bipod in front and my binocular harness in rear, while leaning against the main pack (or whatever variation is most stable).

 

[EdP]

If going from the ground to shoulder with a frame pack it will work as long as it is tall enough. You can angle it away at the bottom to make it shorter as needed. I think some folks use their frame pack as a front rest and that's certainly better than no rest at all but support up front and in the rear adds a lot more stability. There are a lot of folks on here that know way more than me about building a position. Hopefully some will chime in.

 

[Jpsmith1]

I use my military surplus assault pack as my day pack. If I am camping out, I have the main pack. I am not sure how these compare price or weight wise with good commercial gear. For these, the price was unbeatable (CIF accidentally destroyed my records). But, this may be something worth considering or at least using as a comparison point.

I tend to shoot prone over the assault pack. For seated, given time, I like to use the modified Springbok/Javelin bipod in front and my binocular harness in rear, while leaning against the main pack (or whatever variation is most stable).

While nowhere near the numbers of some Roksliders, I've tried a bunch of packs.

The surplus stuff is underrated for a value pack. They work and fit reasonably well. Sure, the high end stuff fits better and maybe has some nicer features, but the surplus stuff is a super value.

I would 100% second this. Grab something at a surplus store that looks decent and fits and go.

 

[longrangelead]

A bigger pack works for this.
grip the forend with your thumb and index finger alongside the barrel. Then grip the bag with your outside three fingers.
grip the frame if it has one, or roll some fabric up in a fist grip with those 3 fingers.

I prefer the pack at arms length so I can lock my elbow. Then lean into the position with my right elbow on right knee.


seated supported: pack and sticks.

A smaller pack works well for this.
I prefer feet apart, the pack against my belly/chest, pack/supporting the rifle butt and crossed hiking sticks in front.
in pretty much the same form, just using the pack to support my upper body a little and the rifle, elbow locked gripping the rifle the same and sticks with the three outside fingers, right elbow on right knee.

hiking sticks allow a far greater range of elevation adjustment by spreading the tips or actually adjust the sticks longer if you have time.

 

[sbaker0029]

If you're looking for a more hiking focused pack there are lots of options out there in your price range.

I've been using a Gregory Zulu 30L for just hiking for a few years now and it been a great pack. Its got a mesh backing that keeps the pack off you back and allows for great breathability. If you live in Alabama and taking a trip to Guatemala this might be a feature worth considering. The pack is also pretty adjustable for height.

I've been practicing with the zulu and using it for a local shooting competition for several months now. It's holding up to the harder than intended use way better than expected.
It's pretty rigid and has worked for me building the positions longrangelead described.

The surplus assault pack that others suggested is also a good option and very budget friendly.

 

[KY_coop]

Im a fan of kuiu bags. May be able to find something you like on their site.