What fill for shooting bags?

jayquiver · #1 10-29-2018, 08:26 PM

My Protektor Bags are being shipping to me this week. Looking for some suggestions for bag fill, sand type, how full should they be filled? And any other tips on filling.

I ordered a front rest with Caldwell Rock and Rear Bag with hard bottom and Bunny Ears with Slick.

I've done a Google search, I have read anything from play sand to fish gravel to bird seed. haha.

Smokinyotes · #2 10-29-2018, 08:29 PM

Zircon sand if you can find it. A few buddies have filled theirs with lead shot but it makes them very heavy.

Salavee · #3 10-29-2018, 08:35 PM

I use Playground Sand a pack the bags as full as I can and adjust the bag

as required after. Readily available at Home Depot.

fps plus · #4 10-29-2018, 08:42 PM

Sand blasting sand works fine . Can by a 50 lbs bag at princess auto for around $10.

Kurt505 · #5 10-29-2018, 08:52 PM

I filled mine with rice about 4yrs ago, still hasn’t softened up enough for me to bring out the soya sauce.

markg · #6 10-29-2018, 08:57 PM

I have filled some shooting bags with popcorn. Works ok just dont get it wet.

260 Rem · #7 10-29-2018, 10:09 PM

If you accept the purpose of bags is to provide a platform capable of maximizing repeat shot accuracy (consistency), then it makes sense to choose a medium that resists deformation through compression (not mushy), and resists movement (is heavy).
I want a bag that I can “shape” to match the contour of the stock, and retain that shape from shot-to-shot. If the rifle moves on the same slide path every time, I can expect consistent results down range. If the bag is heavy, it also resists moving between shots.
My preference is sand, but all sand is not equal. It is my understanding that sand composed of very small, irregular shaped crystals is capable of packing very tight (resists deformation), and which of course also adds weight.

Smokinyotes · #8 10-29-2018, 10:12 PM

260 Rem what kind of sand do you use?

260 Rem · #9 10-29-2018, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokinyotes

260 Rem what kind of sand do you use?

“Heavy sand”

bwinchg · #10 10-29-2018, 10:26 PM

I was also curious about choices for sand. I found this useful link

http://www.6mmbr.com/sandcomparison.html

trapperdodge · #11 10-30-2018, 06:35 AM

Red Deer river sand. Make sure it's dry.

Pioneer2 · #12 10-30-2018, 06:54 AM

#8-#12 shot works best fore and aft.

mindoutside · #13 10-30-2018, 07:17 AM

A old friend of mine used plastic bb's. You know the ones for the cumby bb gubs? Super light.

graybeard · #14 10-30-2018, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fps plus

Sand blasting sand works fine . Can by a 50 lbs bag at princess auto for around $10.

X 2

What I like about this, is that there is no moisture in the sand....As for the popcorn idea; I did not double the liner zip lock bags and it got wet....stinky....

obsessed1 · #15 10-30-2018, 07:53 AM

My barrier bags and squeeze bags are filled with 6mm air soft pellets. My front bags and eared bags are filled with different materials. One set is sand dug out of a local sand pit, the other is 1/3 air soft pellets 1/3 .177 bobs,1/3 #8 lead shot.

gtr · #16 10-30-2018, 08:19 AM

Frac sand does the trick.

elkhunter11 · #17 10-30-2018, 08:33 AM

The media used for bead blasting is excellent.

Puma · #18 10-30-2018, 11:27 AM

I used play sand in mine, about 5 bucks a large bag.

crazy_davey · #19 10-30-2018, 11:53 AM

Stainless steel shot.

Groundhogger · #20 10-30-2018, 12:06 PM

When I ordered my bags from the US, the seller suggested polypropylene re-grind. Small, slightly irregular/smooth-shaped gobs of plastic. I don't know the whole process, but I'm guessing it's the state plastic is in once recycled, processed, and ready for re-sale. I Googled some area recycled plastic places, asked if they sold this, took about 3 calls to find it. I think they sell by the trailer load, so I had to talk them into filling just a box for me. lol

My back-up plan was maybe popping corn from the dollar store, barley, rice, etc. I'd never personally use lead, or something as fine as sand.

I should add~I have some of this stuff leftover if memory serves. If any of you are in the Toronto area....?

thecashier1 · #21 10-30-2018, 12:36 PM

Try kitty litter

Dick284 · #22 10-30-2018, 12:56 PM

Did any of you read what’s in the link from the 6mm site?

If you’re using bags, heavier is better.

It’s all there if you guys take the time to read.

I’ve got an older bag with play sand, and my newest has Zircon sand. I shoot better with the newer bag, and I’m gonna dump the play sand when ever I remember to do so.

32-40win · #23 10-30-2018, 01:09 PM

So long since I last did it, like 35 yrs or so, not sure, but, I think I used 7-1/2 shot. Hoppes leather bags I believe. Never had any issues with them. They conform pretty easily to whatever stock I am using at the moment. Only thing I've changed since then was the front rest, the vertical screw on my old one is pooched in the lock stop area, won't move up or down any more.

260 Rem · #24 10-30-2018, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick284

Did any of you read what’s in the link from the 6mm site?
If you’re using bags, heavier is better.
It’s all there if you guys take the time to read.
I’ve got an older bag with play sand, and my newest has Zircon sand. I shoot better with the newer bag, and I’m gonna dump the play sand when ever I remember to do so.

A buddy used to say: “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t convince it to try the backstroke”. And so it is with the shooting community

.

obsessed1 · #25 10-30-2018, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick284

Did any of you read what’s in the link from the 6mm site?

If you’re using bags, heavier is better.

It’s all there if you guys take the time to read.

I’ve got an older bag with play sand, and my newest has Zircon sand. I shoot better with the newer bag, and I’m gonna dump the play sand when ever I remember to do so.

Agree 100% with bench bags being heavy as possible. I do tend to prefer my squeeze bags and barrier bags to be firm but light though

jayquiver · #26 10-30-2018, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwinchg

I was also curious about choices for sand. I found this useful link

http://www.6mmbr.com/sandcomparison.html

good article, thanks

jayquiver · #27 10-30-2018, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokinyotes

Zircon sand if you can find it. A few buddies have filled theirs with lead shot but it makes them very heavy.

I looked for Zircron sand online... it's Really expensive. Where did you find it?

Does anyone know where you can find it in Calgary or anywhere else in AB? I'm in Calgary until tomorrow night,

Smokinyotes · #28 10-30-2018, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayquiver

I looked for Zircron sand online... it's Really expensive. Where did you find it?

Does anyone know where you can find it in Calgary or anywhere else in AB? I'm in Calgary until tomorrow night,

I bought mine from Sinclair’s. $19 for the sand but the shipping cost me $60

sns2 · #29 10-30-2018, 09:28 PM

Go to a sandblasting place and pay em a few bucks. Serious. Don't overthink yourself.

bwinchg · #30 10-30-2018, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sns2

Go to a sandblasting place and pay em a few bucks. Serious. Don't overthink yourself.

Did some searching online tonight, 2 potential sources:
http://www.manusabrasive.com/
https://www.targetproducts.com/

Manufacturer : https://www.quikrete.com/ , product sold in many local stores
10+ different sands

Health caution, long term exposure with silica sand . acute, chronic, and accelerated silicosis : https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and...silicosis.html

One has to be very careful with using silica sand !!! The MSDSs (aka "safety data sheet") warn about that potential risk.