Capturing AR 15 brass. Spinal troubles. Catch bags?

[Tallbald]

Moderators please move this if another sub forum would be more appropriate:
I doubt I'm the only shooter out there who has spinal troubles that prevent the constant bending over needed to recover spent brass from a semi-auto. Now I have an AR pistol, and plan to reload at some point. Also hope to own and load for a .300 Blackout. I've considered using my home extension grabbers with the rubber cup tips, except that one---case---at---a---time is very inefficient and time consuming.And sweeping always has led to gathering dirt, .22 rimfire cases, and leaves.
Over the years, I've seen drawing and old photos of catch bags fitted to 1911's, military guns on aircraft, and machine guns. Has anyone found a good catch bag accessory that lets us range bench shooters capture the majority of their brass with their AR's? I'm a leather crafter and my beloved Miss Penny is a remarkable seamstress. I've thought a few times of trying a few home crafted ideas for a catch bag, but don't know if I'd be working to reinvent the wheel. A soft catch bag would also help prevent bending at the case mouth too as sometimes happens when one hits the concrete floor.
Thoughts and suggestions appreciated.
Don.

 

[badkarmamib]

Something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-Res...ss+catcher&dpPl=1&dpID=61dsIzM32dL&ref=plSrch

 

[Curator]

Caldwell makes a catch bag that attaches via velcro to the side of an AR. I have a couple of them and with a small amount of tweaking they work very well. A zipper on the bottom allows one to empty the bag without removing it from the gun. I have not found it to interfere with the function of the gun. They are also pretty inexpensive, hardly worth making your own. They sure beat crawling in the grass to find your brass and eliminate the possibility of hitting shooters to our right with hot cases too.

 

[Havok7416]

Something like this?
View attachment 806130
https://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-Res...ss+catcher&dpPl=1&dpID=61dsIzM32dL&ref=plSrch

This is hands down the only brass catcher you will need for an AR (and several other pic rail rifles to boot). You can leave the zipper closed or keep it open and let the rounds dump out and it works just fine. Spare pic rail mounts are also available for about $12 so you can put the catcher on different rifles with minimal work and no tools. I have 2 of these catchers and a total of 3 rail adapters and I love them.

 

[Maj Dad]

I use catchers, and for those weapons not suited, I use this from Dillon. Almost on the level of the invention of toilet paper...
https://www.dillonprecision.com/brass-wand_8_27_25715.html

 

[Varminterror]

I shot a precision rifle match with a guy last month who had one of those Caldwell brass catchers on his bolt action rifle. I have a dozen or more of the old style with a Velcro strap, and a few others, but the new pic rail version works very well. I wouldn’t go as far to use one during a match like that guy, since it totally blocks the ejection port in the event of a misfeed, but he didn’t have to pick up any brass, while the rest of us did.

 

[Skylerbone]

I’ve found my Caldwell needs the zipper open to not interfere when shooting but mine is the older type.

That brass wand ain’t an original idea; I used something like that to pick up walnuts and hickories a few months back but it was older than I am. Same design, different spacing, but it worked well.

The catcher I saw and really liked looked like a large fishing net loop. Instead of a handle, it say on the right side of the benchtop and used fine netting to catch brass thereby assuring no additional dings, lost casings, or accidental additions from other sources. I should imagine a large skimmer net might do as well if you don’t have an old landing net and fabric or screening available. Otherwise the Caldwell is fairly sufficient.

Just googled and found CTK Precision makes the net I saw ($60 at MidWay) but Caldwell makes a model as well for $34 or so.

 

[kcofohio]

Something like this?
View attachment 806130
https://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-Res...ss+catcher&dpPl=1&dpID=61dsIzM32dL&ref=plSrch

This! Seems to have enough adjustment to work around scopes and such. Detaches easily. Make sure it comes with the rail attachment. Some don't.

 

[Skylerbone]

The aforementioned pair of net style. It appears Caldwell has upped the ante; designing their unit to be tripod mountable for those who stand.

CTK Precision


Caldwell

 

[Walkalong]

Something like this?
View attachment 806130
https://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-Res...ss+catcher&dpPl=1&dpID=61dsIzM32dL&ref=plSrch

That is what I use, works great, easy on and off. It's adjustable so even with scopes you can make it work.

 

[Tallbald]

These are wonderful leads and I thank you folks. I've read recently about "inflated" reviews online at a number of outlets, and thought that a question posed among those I expect have true experience was a better idea than just looking around. Thanks again. Don.

 

[Varminterror]

@Skylerbone - I’m guessing you have the Velcro strap model, because yes, if the bag fills, it causes the stiffened fabric at the top to buckle and start blocking the EP. On most of mine, I’ve stitched different solutions to that section to act as a frame. They’re harder to pack in a bag now, but they don’t sag even fully loaded.

 

[jmorris]

If I am just testing loads and such I use the net for my pool.



I have used the Velcro one and they work but I never liked all the fiddling with them so I went on eBay and got some cheap QD rail attachments and welded the net frames to them.



I also have one from E&L http://www.brasscatchers.com/ I like it a lot but it doesn’t work on all my AR setups.

 

[Charlie98]

Be aware, the small Caldwell has two tiny set screws that hold the sliding adapter in place... they will come loose after shooting a bit. They are also a bit of a pain to get to, through the mesh bag. Having said that, I have one and love it.

 

[BilliamB.]

Those Caldwell brass catchers work pretty well, though I often forget to put mine on for the first few mags. Arrrgh!

Of course, you can always use steel cased ammo and pick it up with a magnet. Once you start doing that, though, you are spoiled.

 

[P5 Guy]

I am wondering if there is one that works for M1 Garands?
The en-bloc are getting pricy, maybe I need a magnet on a stick?

 

[Texas10mm]

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/lawn-and-garden/gardening-tools/gardening-tools/7464217

 

[Dr.Rob]

Bags that mount to the rifle can make it malfunction. Still, they mostly work.

 

[someguy2800]

I have one of the Caldwell bags and I hate it. I took a different approach to this problem. My home range is lined with tall grass so recovering all the brass off the ground is not going to happen. I’m lucky to get 50% back unless I crawl on the ground. When I shoot off the bench I use a 30 gallon tote with a big hole cut in the lid to catch it but that only works at the bench.

My solution was to convert my 300 blk AR to a 7.62x39 and shoot steel case ammo so I don’t have to bother to pick it up. After it builds up around my bench I pick it up with a magnet and throw it in the trash or just leave it to rust. My 223 I don’t mind loosing some brass as I have thousands of it, but Ive also started shooting a lot of Hornady Steel match 75gr bthp factory ammo. It’s the same bullet I handload anyway, cost near as makes no difference the same as my handloads, is very nearly as accurate, and I don’t have to pick it up. I’ve come to the conclusion my time is too valuable for me to spend time prepping brass unless I’m certain I’m going to get it back.

 

[Chuck R.]

Something like this?
View attachment 806130
https://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-Res...ss+catcher&dpPl=1&dpID=61dsIzM32dL&ref=plSrch

I use the same one and it works pretty well. would not use it for a match as I get an occasional malfunction due to a piece of brass bouncing back it.

 

[lovethosesooners]

I had good results with the Caldwell too EXCEPT I had several rifles that the scope was low enough for the rail attachment to not fit under the scope.

I ended up finding a tactical brass recovery catcher and it’s awesome (though expensive):
https://www.tacticalbrassrecovery.com/

I have a short tail on each of my ar types
and it has eliminated the pain in the ass of picking up my brass....

 

[RussellC]

Something like this?
View attachment 806130
https://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-Res...ss+catcher&dpPl=1&dpID=61dsIzM32dL&ref=plSrch

I have a couple of these units which can be found on sale with some regularity. Works great, just slid it to where it is convenient to attach to picatinny rail, easy snap on snap off.

Russellc

 

[RussellC]

Bags that mount to the rifle can make it malfunction. Still, they mostly work.

The picatinny rail Caldwell has never caused my gun to malfunction. I own two of them have fired countless round using them.

Russellc

 

[Dr.Rob]

Mine (it's a vecro style) one is only used at ranges where smacking the shooter next to me is an issue. I'm not burning mags, usually sighting in or shooting for accuracy. Occasionally the brass sticks between the rifle and the bag or bounces out. You should empty it after 20 rounds or so.

 

[ontarget]

Seems like Gunny invented a brass catcher not too long ago IIRC.