Filling Calder benchrest bags?

kombi1976

kombi1976

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Because I don't have a bench rest or bipod and half the rifles I own wouldn't really suit one anyway I bought the Calder Deadshot 2 bag rest set that has a large gently indented front bag and a small more tightly shaped rear bag.
But they didn't come with any filling and I'm tossing up what I should fill them with.
What do people recommend to fill these bags for the best flexibility and durability?
 
I used cornmeal for my rear bag (store bought) and rice for my front bags (homemade), both have been fine for me.

I've seen suggestions of real sand, and lead shot (makes it really heavy and solid from what I've read).
 
Bench Rest people use a thing called heavy sand (cause it's heavier than regular sand but regular sand (Home Depot or whatever) bag of "Playschool"sand.It's screened sand for sandboxes ( read that NO CRAP) will work fine.Make sure it's dry.
You may need to make a funnel to poke through filling tubes on bags,(I use a regular funnel with a hollow arrow shaft attached to spout with tape)
If you are planning to carry these bags in the field and don't want them heavy,I use Doll Stuffing (small plastic beads) from Michael's Hobby.
Doesn't soak up moisture and is light.
Just saw you were from Oz so references to stores won't be of value.
But I'm sure you fellows have the equivalent.
Hope this helps
ONT0001
 
I filled my front rest bag with lead shot. It's heavy and stable, but also easily moldable.

However, my front rest is a leather rabit ear bag on a Hoppes orange tripod rest. Not nearly as big as the Caldwell bags, so not nearly as heavy.
 
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I put sand in my rear bag however when I get to it, it will be emptied and I'll either fill it with plastic beads or dried peas/beans.

The sand is to heavy and it soaks up water making it even heavier.
 
ONT0001 said:
Bench Rest people use a thing called heavy sand
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Sinclair sells that stuff, I figured shipping would be a killer so I didn't go for it. I just opted for the home depot sand, along with a long, thin funnel from home depot. My bags have such small openings I don't think rice, peas, beads, etc, would even fit, unless I put it in say, one bead at a time...
 
If you opt for the sand ,a trick for filling them easier is mix talcom powder in the sand and it flows like water into the bags .
 
Just a suggestion regarding sand,rice etc. fills in bags,From time to time it actually rains on the firing line and found that sand ,rice etc tend to absorb water.Using the plastic doll stuffing beads makes the bags light and they do not absorb.
Lead shot will work well (#9) but is not allowed in BRest matches and tends to get heavy in your pack when lugging around range at matches.Also it does tend to stretch the leather quite a bit.Whatever you decide to fill with,You'll need to top it off from time to time because of stretch and settling and sometimes leakage.
For Precision Matches I favor doll stuffing.Small beads fit through filling spouts
 
Depends if you want heavy or easy to carry.
I use the plastic beads. Wallmart has it as well.
I've read that the big pet stores carry a special sand for lizards that is like the heavy sand.
 
There was a post on here not too long about with some guys asking for tips and suggestions on how to make his own bags. In that discussion something interesting popped up there one guy suggested using Airsoft pellets.

Doesn't sound like a bad idea, light for the pack and doesn't absorb moisture.

You should be able to pick those up at the local Canadian Tire.
 
ONT0001 said:
Just a suggestion regarding sand,rice etc. fills in bags,From time to time it actually rains on the firing line and found that sand ,rice etc tend to absorb water.
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SOMEwhere on CGN I heard of using Cat Litter, which is dense, and inexpensive - so I did. Works fine, however, if it ever DOES rain ... well, you see where I am going ... concrete. :bangHead: I think I will be emptying it before the "April Showers" hit ...
 
mysticplayer said:
Sand blasting grit.

My version of heavy sand and it is very heavy. Packs nice and dense too. Great for BR style of shooting.

So far hasn't caused any wear to my protecktor bags.

Jerry
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^ i did the same as Jerry and used sand blasting sand, good and heavy.
 
I use the polystyrene(sp?) pellets that you can find in craft stores. These are the ones that they use to fill stuffed toys (ala beanie babies). You can usually buy them in large bags, and they're relatively inexpensive. Probably less costly than going the airsoft bb route...

hsld.
 
Dam, those Caldwell ones are fancy LOL...mine are made out of my last ripped pair of 501 Levis, with sand and talc mixed in. If you do go the heavy sand route, make sure to use the talc powder, that way the sand never hardens up.
 
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