homemade sand bags

As mentioned earlier, a length of inner tube filled with sand with wood strips screwed together at either end. You can vary the lengths so they stack nice. Jeans and the like will "leak" sand unless an inner liner is used but even then, the material will likely let go long before the rubber on an inner tube will. You can wipe the outer surface of the rubber clean, with cloth, you will basically be putting your rifle barrel on sand paper. Also, you can leave these outside and the sand won't get wet inside. When this happens with cloth bags, they get much heavier and lumpy. In minus temps, the wet sand freezes like a rock, the rubber ones will have dry sand inside so you won't have that issue. Of course you can bring the cloth ones in to prevent the above issues but I prefer to leave them at the range ready to go, one less thing to load when I go shooting. Cloth is much more likely to split or rip when being tossed around all the time loading and unloading them.
 
Last edited:
TPK said:
As mentioned earlier, a length of inner tube filled with sand with wood strips screwed together at either end. You can vary the lengths so they stack nice. Jeans and the like will "leak" sand unless an inner liner is used but even then, the material will likely let go long before the rubber on an inner tube will. You can wipe the outer surface of the rubber clean, with cloth, you will basically be putting your rifle barrel on sand paper. Also, you can leave these outside and the sand won't get wet inside. When this happens with cloth bags, they get much heavier and lumpy. In minus temps, the wet sand freezes like a rock, the rubber ones will have dry sand inside so you won't have that issue. Of course you can bring the cloth ones in to prevent the above issues but I prefer to leave them at the range ready to go, one less thing to load when I go shooting. Cloth is much more likely to split or rip when being tossed around all the time loading and unloading them.
Click to expand...

Who would have thought homemade sand bags could be so technical ;) :D
 
crazy_davey said:
Who would have thought homemade sand bags could be so technical ;) :D
Click to expand...

... and we haven't even had the "which sand to use?" debate yet !! or the "which rubber is better?" debate. Should we use inner tubes from bias ply tires or inner tubes from radial tires ... oh my .. and what kind of wood strips? Plywood or ... and what type of screws ... brass, s/s .. or ..:)
 
Anytime I made them with sand, they started to leak over time. I switched to crushed nut shells(the ones I use in my case tumbler). Its way lighter, doesnt hold moisture like sand, and they are too big to work thru whatever material you use.
 
geologist said:
Old jeans legs, sealed off with haywire. They're really Trailer Park Boys!
Click to expand...

Around here some folks use their Truck mirrors as a rest...from the inside! :eek:

(Legal disclaimer...don't do this, it is very naughty in the eyes of the law.) :D
 
Sand is a pain in the a## . Too many times I've had to clean up after others have left sand everywhere on the bench.:mad: I did a little measuring and made up a 4 by 4 with a notch padded with thin carpet .Works for me. Lite as well.:)


keith
 
tonyg said:
Sand is a pain in the a## . Too many times I've had to clean up after others have left sand everywhere on the bench.:mad: I did a little measuring and made up a 4 by 4 with a notch padded with thin carpet .Works for me. Lite as well.:)


keith
Click to expand...
Thats cause they don't put the sand in a heavy plastic bag prior to the jeans, and or just fill a bag that gets eaten by the sun . I know exactly what you mean, had to clear quite a few sand hills off benches:rolleyes:
 
Plastic garbage bag filled with the right amound of sand to your liking, then duct tape the whole bag tightly once or twice. A couple of smaller plastic bags with sand can also be added on top for "ears" that is duct taped into place to snug fit the your gun.

Another smaller, sand filled and duct taped sand bag can also be easily be formed as a support and stabilizing rest for the rear stock.

I find that these sand bags for shooting cost pennies, and easy to make and last for years :)
 
Jessica Simpson's old jeans

Makes me smile everytime I put my face on the stock for a shot. :D

Oh she smells good. :dancingbanana:
 
double gun said:
I switched to crushed nut shells(the ones I use in my case tumbler). Its way lighter, doesnt hold moisture like sand, and they are too big to work thru whatever material you use.
Click to expand...


BRILLIANT !! What a great idea double gun. I've actually been wondering what to do with the remainder of the 50 lb bag of crushed walnut shells I have. That was the only size bag I could get in town when I purchased them to use in my Dillion vibratory unit. I like that idea so much I will consider putting some time into making something decent to use. I wonder if I can find a cheap leather jacket or pants in a thrift shop and use the arms or legs? I suppose that would work well enough.
 
I've used flax seed ( if you can get some from a farmer ) to fill blue jean bags. It has a bit of weight and holds shape very well if they are tightly packed. Also, you don't have to worry if they start to leak as flax won't harm your finish or damage an action like sand can.

You do have to keep them dry. Mine have lasted for about 5 years now and show no signs of deteriorating.
 
A friend at the range gave me a tip to use white navy beans from the bulk food store. Much lighter to carry around than sand. Unlike him, I lined my beanbags with heavy-duty 1L milk bags sealed with a hot iron. That way I can shoot in the rain without worrying about the beans sprouting.
 
Instead of sandbags, the plastic bipods that clips onto the barrel, also works well at the target range, as well as they are very light to carry in your day pack while hunting. Comes handy when having time for that important long shoot :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom