Shooting rests, bags, lead sleds, etc.

[Skydog]

Looking for recommendations on shooting rests, bags, lead sleds, etc. to use for general sighting in/checking zero off a bench at the range.

This will not be for long range/precision shooting or extended 1000s of rounds per year training. The use case is just the average hunter (me) with a new rifle/scope combo to sight in, comparing groups with different factory loads, and occasional practice/checking zero. Shooting primarily at 100-yard ranges (I'm not aware of any ranges near me that go past that) off a bench. My rifles do not have attached bipods, so will require something to support the front end.

Feel free to point me to other threads if they exist. I feel like this topic is probably already covered somewhere, but I couldn't find much with the Search function other than some scattered posts here and there. That may just be an indication of my searching inability though.

Here's some examples of the types of setups I'm considering...but don't hesitate to point me in an entirely different direction if I'm way off.





Thank you!

 

[hereinaz]

Do you already have any bags?
Are you going to use the bags hunting?

 

[Skydog]

Do you already have any bags?
Are you going to use the bags hunting?

"No" to both questions.

I'm getting back into hunting after several years of being out due to health conditions, life, etc. So, I'm basically having to start over at obtaining some of the basic equipment that I need.

 

[hiker270]

Cheap sand bags work just fine for 100 yards. Cut the legs off some old blue jeans sew one end shut fill with sand and sew end shut. For a quickie grab a roll of electrical tape and twist the jean ends shut and wrap with tape. I personally don't think lead sleds are a good idea as these can be hard on or even destroy rifle scopes.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Looking for recommendations on shooting rests, bags, lead sleds, etc. to use for general sighting in/checking zero off a bench at the range.

This will not be for long range/precision shooting or extended 1000s of rounds per year training. The use case is just the average hunter (me) with a new rifle/scope combo to sight in, comparing groups with different factory loads, and occasional practice/checking zero. Shooting primarily at 100-yard ranges (I'm not aware of any ranges near me that go past that) off a bench. My rifles do not have attached bipods, so will require something to support the front end.

Feel free to point me to other threads if they exist. I feel like this topic is probably already covered somewhere, but I couldn't find much with the Search function other than some scattered posts here and there. That may just be an indication of my searching inability though.

Here's some examples of the types of setups I'm considering...but don't hesitate to point me in an entirely different direction if I'm way off.

View attachment 845423

View attachment 845424

Thank you!

That heavy front bag works fine. That little rear bag sucks.

You want something low filled, where you’re off hand controls the gun, but the low fulled bag or pliable item can fill the void as needed.

 

[Skydog]

That heavy front bag works fine. That little rear bag sucks.

You want something low filled, where you’re off hand controls the gun, but the low fulled bag or pliable item can fill the void as needed.

Is the large front bag preferable to the other style of front rest that has the elevation adjustment with a small bag on top?

Can you give me a specific recommendation of a good rear bag?

 

[hereinaz]

"No" to both questions.

I'm getting back into hunting after several years of being out due to health conditions, life, etc. So, I'm basically having to start over at obtaining some of the basic equipment that I need.

Just some sand bags work for that. Use a 4x4 to raise the front. It's good to have heavy fill inside of the bags.

Any of the bags will work, but there is a system to using them. Follow the system and it works. Otherwise, it is frustrating.

 

[satchamo]

[mention]hereinaz [/mention]is being modest. I’d go pickup some bags from him at lswild.com. I have been using the backcountry hunter combo. They’re insanely light but work phenomenally. I have just been using a few 2x6s under the front bag. The rear bag is under filled so you can really manipulate and squeeze it like you’re supposed to.

I’ve tried these Caldwell bags and they work, but whatever fill you use will end up sucking somehow. Rice is ok but rots if wet, sand is just too heavy. Cat litter is ok but it tends to turn into a brick over time… spend the money on a decent set, you’ll use them forever.

 

[Skydog]

[mention]hereinaz [/mention]is being modest. I’d go pickup some bags from him at lswild.com. I have been using the backcountry hunter combo. They’re insanely light but work phenomenally. I have just been using a few 2x6s under the front bag. The rear bag is under filled so you can really manipulate and squeeze it like you’re supposed to.

Looking at the Back Country Hunter Combo now. These seem to be designed more for actual in field/hunting use rather than shooting from a bench. But I can see how using the 2X6s could make it a good range setup also. Thank you for the suggestion. Do you use them for hunting as well as range use, or just the range?

I can envision that the front bag could potentially even be positioned over the rail on my tree stand and used that way.

 

[juju]

For a light Sporter, you tend to get more muzzle rise than anything. Uncle Bud's Bulls bags handle that. A rabbit ear rear with a dryer sheet across it is a great addition. You can adjust elevation of the bulls bag with a lab jack or sandbags. I like sandbags because two stacks makes for better leverage with the bulls bag.

 

[Skydog]

For a light Sporter, you tend to get more muzzle rise than anything. Uncle Bud's Bulls bags handle that. A rabbit ear rear with a dryer sheet across it is a great addition. You can adjust elevation of the bulls bag with a lab jack or sandbags. I like sandbags because two stacks makes for better leverage with the bulls bag.

What is the purpose of the dryer sheet?

 

[Bluumoon]

I’ve been shooting off a literal 50lb sand bag and the shoot2hunt front and rear bag for a while, it’s good. Had a guy I work with give me a new front bag (he ordered wrong size), combined w the LS Wild waxed lite bag for rear is a stellar combo.

 

[Bluumoon]

The Wiebad is the “large” range bag I believe, it is much larger and heavier than the orange bag, just a bad angle. The Wiebad can be shot w it on its end or side. A bunch on prarie dogs can attest to its stability.

 

[Skydog]

The Wiebad is the “large” range bag I believe, it is much larger and heavier than the orange bag, just a bad angle. The Wiebad can be shot w it on its end or side. A bunch on prarie dogs can attest to its stability.

So, would this be something like these two items combined:

Range Cube | WieBad Gear

wiebadgear.com

2-5 Ultralight Rear Bag

2-5 Ultralight Rear Bag is an ultralight long range shooting bag for use as a rear bag or support bag. Weighing less than Lobo's Garmin watch, this shooting bag should go into every pack or range bag. Backpack and back country hunters love this bag for its versatility with the rifle. Doubling as...

www.lswild.com

 

[Bluumoon]

So, would this be something like these two items combined:

Range Cube | WieBad Gear

wiebadgear.com

2-5 Ultralight Rear Bag

2-5 Ultralight Rear Bag is an ultralight long range shooting bag for use as a rear bag or support bag. Weighing less than Lobo's Garmin watch, this shooting bag should go into every pack or range bag. Backpack and back country hunters love this bag for its versatility with the rifle. Doubling as...

www.lswild.com

Exactly, I like the waxed 2-5, but it picks up dirt if you care about that.

 

[Skydog]

I’ve been shooting off a literal 50lb sand bag and the shoot2hunt front and rear bag for a while, it’s good. Had a guy I work with give me a new front bag (he ordered wrong size), combined w the LS Wild waxed lite bag for rear is a stellar combo.

What is the "shoot2hunt front and rear bag"? I googled it, but my search just returned a bunch of random bags/products from various manufacturers.

 

[Bluumoon]

Shop - Shoot2Hunt

shoot2hunt.com

The Molinator is the front rest, the Jelly fish is the rear. I have these attached to my pack for field shooting. The Wiebad and 2-5 are much preferred for me for sighting in/shooting at the house. Not sure that I'll carry the molinator going forward for hunting, likely the molinator and 2-5 combo.

The molinator for "bench rest" sits atop the aforementioned 50lb sand bag, ammo can, or cinder block.

 

[TaperPin]

I’m a big fan of a front rest that is easily adjustable for elevation and a leather rear bag. It’s a basic traditional setup that is easy to use.

A front rest at least 8 lbs or so stays put under recoil. Lighter rests are always moving with recoil. This cast iron Caldwell rest has cheap bags and works ok, although the rear bag is too short for my taste.

 

[Skydog]

Shop - Shoot2Hunt

shoot2hunt.com

The Molinator is the front rest, the Jelly fish is the rear. I have these attached to my pack for field shooting. The Wiebad and 2-5 are much preferred for me for sighting in/shooting at the house. Not sure that I'll carry the molinator going forward for hunting, likely the molinator and 2-5 combo.

The molinator for "bench rest" sits atop the aforementioned 50lb sand bag, ammo can, or cinder block.

For some reason, I'm having trouble getting this S2H URL to work for me at the moment: https://shoot2hunt.com/shop/

The home page will load fine, but the shop page will not load any content/products...just a blank page. I'll try again later.

 

[Bluumoon]

For some reason, I'm having trouble getting this S2H URL to work for me at the moment: https://shoot2hunt.com/shop/

The home page will load fine, but the shop page will not load any content/products...just a blank page. I'll try again later.

Unknown munitions has the same bags. For sighting in/bench shooting I much prefer that Wiebad. Also appears to be half the price. It's heavy, not something you'd want to carry away from the house/truck.