More than just a rear bag

[Lawnboi]

Today I decided to do some serious testing of a few lighter weight bags I have laying around. After reading how a few prefer a plate and bag on a tripod I decided to do some more shooting comparing bags on a tripod head alone. Along with that I want to expose others to this style bag, I think it’s the most versatile thing you can carry hunting, whether it be from a stand or blind or on the ground. I’d also like to hear if others are using similar bags as I just don’t have the money, time or primers to test them all.

Before I got an interest in steel matches, I had a plain only brick bag, that I used in the back . That’s about all I thought I needed a shooting bag for. Fast forward to today and I have a bunch of bags, some for my heavy steel match rifle, and more recently some purchased with hunting in mind.

Here was the lineup for testing today. 2 pint sized game changers from Armageddon gear, one with lite fill (this is my go to rear for steel matches) and one in git lite fill. Next to those is a thunderbird long range bag. All these bags are waxed canvas which I prefer, they are also all built very well. The lite gamechanger weighs in at 3lbs, git lite is 1lb and the thunderbird bag is 11oz. In terms of size the thunderbird bag disappears, I see no reason why I would not carry it
All shooting was done prone or off a tripod, at 400 yards, shooting at a 33% IPSC(~6x10”) with my 223 Rem. I spent time focusing on the wobble zone with each bag and focused mainly on the 2 lite bags today.

To be continued

 

[Lawnboi]

First up, the pint sized gamechanger with git lite. This is the bag I carried hunting in 2020. It was used for 3 of the 4 animals I took.
If I want a do everything bag, for hunting where weight isn’t a huge concern this is it. It’s big enough that it holds its shape. I can slap it on the edge of a treestand, tripod head, on a log or rock, and still be just as at home under the butt of my rifle. This bag takes up some room, it’s a little large to leave dangling from the outside of my pack. Mine weighs a hair over 15oz. The bag also can cover a wide variety of elevation when used as a rear.
On a tripod or draped over a 2x4 it’s got a big flat area to contact your stock. This helps with balance, especially on a lighter hunting gun. A bag allows me to ride the rifle up onto the exact balance point on the tripod.

This is my favorite bag. It’s the bag I’ll carry for any day hunting where the weight and space isn’t as big of a deal. I shoot all summer off it’s heavier brother and am intimate with it’s use as a rear bag. This thing can’t be beat for a pound.

 

[Lawnboi]

Next the thunderbird long range mini tacky. 11oz and pretty small. It disappears in or strapped on a pack. I don’t have the time on this bag that I do the pint sized gamechanger however I did shoot a bunch of prairie dogs off it this spring. I could see leaving this bag attached to a flush cup or dangling from my pack. It’a filled with the same fill as the above bag and something I would reach for it I was packing in.
As a rear it’s still very versatile. It turns more into a standard style bag under the rear vs a shaped bag like the pint size gc. It still allows for a wide range elevation, however it’s just not as big as the pint sized. My mini tacky also could probably benefit from a little extra fill, it took a good squeeze to make it solid in the back.


On a tripod head it was great. Smaller contact patch made it a hair less stable, but it held onto the head, stayed in place, and was absolutely adequate for what I was shooting this day.
As above this bag disappears as part of your gear. It’s small enough that it won’t eat up much space in a pack, and light enough that I don’t mind it hanging off my rifle or pack. On a hunt where weight is a serious concern, I’ll take this one.

 

[Lawnboi]

If you havnt used a bag with git lite fill it’s worth a go. Iv used everything from styrofoam bead bags, to heavy sand fill and for a hunting bag this can’t be beat. I couldn’t stand the soft styrofoam bead bags, and no way I’m carrying my 9lb sand filled gamechanger into the field. Git lite fill also dosnt soak up a bunch of water when they get wet. I look forward to doing some more shooting with both of these bags.


Lastly I clipped in right to my anvil head. This was easily the steadiest I was behind the tripod. Almost made it stupid easy. Not as adaptable as a bag, but if I need to make a longish shot off a tripod and have the time, I’m still clipping in.

 

[J Dubaya]

Would you mind sharing a couple links to the bags that you outlined in this thread?


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[Lawnboi]

Would you mind sharing a couple links to the bags that you outlined in this thread?


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Pint sized

https://www.armageddongear.com/Pint-Sized-Game-Changer®_p_136.html





Mini tacky

Mini Waxed

long range shooting bags for precision rifles and shooting

thunderbirdlongrange.com

 

[woods89]

I bought a pint sized Game Changer with git lite this spring. I've been using it for practice and for my squirrel sniping with my 22 bolt gun. Other than packing in for multiple days it will be with me for all my hunting, and without another lighter option on hand I just might be willing to pack it in as well. It's so versatile, throw it over a branch, fencepost, rock, backpack, use it as a rear bag with pack in the front, or whatever. My rifles both have mag systems so you can snug that mag up against the bag and get quite steady.

I day hunt for elk so it will be with me without a question for that. It's a terrific product.

 

[justinspicher]

Good write up, it is something I have thought about but never really put any effort into. I may have to work this into my training program.

 

[willworkforfish]

Greatly appreciate the time and energy in posting this.


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[TheCougar]

I know the point of this thread is the bags (which is awesome), but could you elaborate on your tripod and “anvil” attachment. I’m using the Outdoorsmans Tri-Clawps and I’m not happy with it.

 

[Lawnboi]

I know the point of this thread is the bags (which is awesome), but could you elaborate on your tripod and “anvil” attachment. I’m using the Outdoorsmans Tri-Clawps and I’m not happy with it.

The anvil is the name of the head I’m using. It’s an RRS ascend tripod with their anvil ball head. It was designed for shooting, takes picatinny or arca plates. In the picture above it’s clipped into a 2.5” chunk of picatinny rail mounted on the bottom of my stock.

I tried the clamp route as well, and was not impressed. I was even less impressed when I took it hunting, it just takes too much time to setup.

 

[BRTreedogs]

I picked up a Pint Sized Sticky Gamechanger with Git Lite.
Have only shot with it once but man I'm not disappointed I spent the money.
It was one of those things I had a real mind block on and alot of 2nd guessing as all I had was cheapos and don't hang around anyone I could try there stuff.

 

[CCooper]

I've been shooting the thunderbird wedge bag that @Broz helped develop and it has been a huge improvement from anything else I have used for prone or bench with the bipod. That bag and a rugged ridge bipod is about as solid as it gets for me. They are very nice quality.

 

[BjornF16]

I'm using the Thunderbird wedge bag as well...have one with heavy fill and lightweight fill

 

[CCooper]

 

[JakeSCH]

For hunting I grabbed a US Peace Keeper rear bag off of amazon and filled it with "slime balls" (mini Styrofoam balls).

Weights 2 oz and works well.

 

[TheCougar]

The anvil is the name of the head I’m using. It’s an RRS ascend tripod with their anvil ball head. It was designed for shooting, takes picatinny or arca plates. In the picture above it’s clipped into a 2.5” chunk of picatinny rail mounted on the bottom of my stock.

I tried the clamp route as well, and was not impressed. I was even less impressed when I took it hunting, it just takes too much time to setup. View attachment 303473

That looks way better than the clamp…. Would you use that hunting? I have a Promaster Carbon tripod that I carry when I hunt. Obviously, not as stable as your tripod, but I think the rifle to tripod connection is my weakest link right now. Based on your experience, should I be looking at one of these shooting bags or some kind of rail to tripod attachment for hunting purposes?

 

[BRTreedogs]

I've been shooting the thunderbird wedge bag that @Broz helped develop and it has been a huge improvement from anything else I have used for prone or bench with the bipod. That bag and a rugged ridge bipod is about as solid as it gets for me. They are very nice quality.

I was super torn on this.
I'll probably end up with both.
I started with the GC because I see it as a more versatile hunting bag.
And the Wedge as a better rear only bag.

 

[wind gypsy]

I was super torn on this.
I'll probably end up with both.
I started with the GC because I see it as a more versatile hunting bag.
And the Wedge as a better rear only bag.

Having both, I agree with your logic.

 

[Ens Entium]

I recently purchased an Anvil-30 (put it on my ProMaster 525C) and used a Pint-Sized Game Changer in Git-Lite last year as a rear rest with bipod.

Wouldn't clamping in the extra 5 seconds be preferred to using the pint-sized GC on top? I feel setting up the tripod is a majority of the time rather than the clamping in but this is only in practice around the house (I have a full length arca if that makes any difference).

For example would the pint sized GC be preferred if follow-up shots are necessary?