Range bag.

[Jurist]

What are you using as a substitute for a range bag?.I am using a vertical messenger bag that I used when working to carry my cell phone,rolodex,smokes ,pen and pencils,ruler,daily paper and bagged lunch.Now I am using it to carry any one of my pistols,one at a time 686 357 mag,with 3 boxes 357 ammo,Ruger MKIII W/300 RNDS 22RF,Stoeger 8040 200rnds,380 and 9mm 150 rnds of each,safety glasses,targets,magazine loader and leatherman.

 

[conw]

I use interchangeably and sometimes together, depending on # of shooters etc, either a Case-Gard ammo case (which kinda sucks - the handle falls off easily) or a black messenger bag (commonly available for $20-30 as an "engineer's bag"). The ammo case is much better for carrying ammo but holds fewer things like ear-muffs.

 

[Twmaster]

I've got a bag from an old (and huge) VHS video camera. I bought it at a yard sale for $2. It was new.

My cousin has a range bag bought at Academy. Other than the color it looks almost identical! She paid $26 for her's!

 

[Hardtarget]

I used an old camera bag for years. It wasn't a true hard shell type but it was a firm retangular shape. After about 15 years it was past time to change so i bought a bag at the gun show...$20 . A good change for me. I almost put too much stuff in...trying to keep it to just one bag...then its almost too heavy!
So now I just ddon't worry about it...I just make extra trips.

Mark

 

[Furncliff]

I used a laptop case for a few years. My wife gave me a Midway bag (often on sale for $39) I can not say enough good things about it, worth way more than the sale price.

 

[cottswald]

I also use the messenger bag. Works great on the hunt as well.

 

[Robert]

Little black Craftsman tool bag. Right now it has 11 30 round AR mags, ear pro, cleaning kit, and oil in it for the match tomorrow.

 

[splithoof]

One of the rifle cases is a reinforced custom made guitar carrier (or so it looks like, complete with tour stickers). Sits on the back seat with an old microphone, tye-dyed robe, and sandals. On vacation up and down the Left Coast it never got a second look.

 

[bigfatdave]

I bought a Wolf-branded bag at a gunshow a while back, I use it for ammo and magazines/speedloaders, mostly. It is sturdy and has adjustable compartment sizes, so it gets the heavy stuff. The pistol pouches that came with it were junk, though ... I never put a gun in that bag any more, just shooting supplies.
Targets, hearing protection, string, and staplegun live in the trunk of my car all the time, they're in a really cheap sling backpack I got on clearance.
Smaller pistol cases can go in a backpack easily, or I have a really big Plano case that will take 4 handguns, mags for all, ammo for all, and some targets ... I use it for a super-compact range trip on the motorcycle once in a while.

 

[CapnMac]

Years back, I did a pretty good deal on the "military looking" nylon bags with three "magazine sized" pockets a side, and a central compartment. The good ones have a velcro-closed pocket between the center and side pockets. They have hand carry straps and a shoulder strap--both are useful.

I have one for pistol shooting and one for long arms. The pockets are used for all sorts of things on each. Like each one has a pocket dedicated to tools.

Before (learned this the hard way) going to the range, I can stack the ammo I want in the middle, and make sure I have the correct magazines for what is going out the door, too.

But, all I carry is ammo and possibles (shoulder strap carries a Case, First Aid, Individual on each, too) in the bag--the weapons all have their own bags or cases.

 

[Nushif]

I use an old black backpack ... It has two sidepouches for hearing protection, a front pouch for a punch, oil and brass .. And uh ... A big ol' compartment.

 

[Dr.Rob]

A range bag is for the range, it needs a reinforced bottom and carry handles or your ammo will overcome your seams.

I've had a number of 'sports' type bags fail at carrying more than a few pounds of ammunition.

 

[Twiki357]

One of the few good buys I have ever got at a gun show. An injection molded case/box a little more than double the size of a 50 cal ammo can for $20. A compartment in the lid for small tools, bore light, knife, screw driver, etc. A lift out tray for larger tools, magazines, sledge hammer, etc. And the main box has enough room for 400 to 500 rounds and two hand guns. Sometimes I wish a had gotten the larger size for $30, but then this one will hold enough that I can hardly carry it.

 

[Inebriated]

I've got an ammo box that came with some paintballs years ago as my "traveling" tool box. Just things that come to the range, just in case there's an issue. The rest of my stuff goes in surplus ammo cans. Cleaning supplies, ear/eye pro (always have some for guests), mags, and of course ammo... I separate the ammo by caliber, so I could end up with 5 cans at any one time. But they're compact, stack/travel well, and the benches at my range are pretty large. So I like my method. If I go indoor, I just throw every thing in a small duffel bag. It's closer to home and has a shop, so it's not like a wasted day if something goes wrong.

 

[EddieNFL]

A range bag is for the range, it needs a reinforced bottom and carry handles or your ammo will overcome your seams.

I've had a number of 'sports' type bags fail at carrying more than a few pounds of ammunition.

BTDT.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I was given, as a gift, a piece of Samsonite luggage that I suppose would be called an "overnight case." It is made of a heavy nylon and has a sheet of plastic in the bottom to reinforce it and external, removable pouches. I quickly put it to work as a range bag. Sometimes I even use it for its intended purpose.

 

[303tom]

I use Ammo cans, don`t like plastic, plastic can create static electricity & sparks and gun powder don`t go good together.

 

[woodsoup]

My Dodge pickup.

 

[Jaybird78]

plastic can create static electricity & sparks and gun powder don`t go good together

Manufactures ship gunpowder in plastic containers, not sure about blackpowder.....FWIW


I finally just bought a midway small range bag. Used to use backpack or tote or cooler.

 

[Armored farmer]

I bought a plastic tool box from my local NAPA. It is heavy duy, has 2 detachable containers moulded into the lid, and a tool tray. The bottom of the box is large enough to hold plenty of ammo, and 2 holstered guns. The trays and containers are plenty big for all the shooting accessories that you might need. Cleaning kits; glasses; earplugs; etc. The best part may be that it doesn't scream <GUN> if you carry it into the motel.

$24.00

 

[Blackhawk30]

I use 30 & 50 cans for carrying ammo and ammo that has been loaded into clips.I use a plastic detergent bucket to carry guns,muffs and glasses.Since the bucket is white its easy to find stuff in it vs a black range bag.

 

[M2 Carbine]

What are you using as a substitute for a range bag?.

I use a couple plastic tool boxes. The small compartments under the lids are good for small tools, spare batteries for the lasers or Red Dot sights, etc.
The larger box will hold a lot of ammo, loaded magazines, mag loader, etc.
Plastic case for spotting scope.
Heavy duty case for handguns.
Carry the long guns, as in this case a AR.

 

[Lex Luthier]

Large Condor brand double rifle case (in digital camo) for mags, tools, muffs, etc. and also holds four handguns. Expensive, but built to last and has molle all over it. It is a keeper and worth the investment.

Smaller molle expandable backpack for ammo cleaning supplies. This is also used as a regular range bag when I don't need the long guns. It will hold the broken down Uzi.

There is an old camo fanny pack with muffs, plugs, eye protection and maybe an extra box of 9mm or .40 that stays in the car when I am in the neighborhood and want to shoot off a box.

Have never been one to repurpose a briefcase, etc. for shooting. It might suffice for a while, but seams and hinges and zippers are not designed to function too long under these conditions. I learned that lesson hauling guitars and musical gear around. Unless of course, one is in a pinch.

 

[mortablunt]

I've never used a dedicated range bag. Normally, I just either use my hiking backpack or a duffle bag.

 

[ZCORR Jay]

I use an old black backpack ... It has two sidepouches for hearing protection, a front pouch for a punch, oil and brass .. And uh ... A big ol' compartment.

I second the old back pack. My pack has 3 side compartments perfect for hearing protection and misc. tools. The main compartment also has a padded divider which offers some nice protection from things bouncing around.