What stuff to fill rifle rests?

[IMtheNRA]

I returned the Caldwell shooting rest bags because they leaked from the seams and picked up a set of unfilled bags.

What do you suggest I fill them with? Something not as heavy as shot, but not as light as media. Something small enough to make the bag malleable, but large enough to keep the stuff from sneaking out of the seams...

Any ideas?

 

[JonB]

Rice? Sand?

 

[Shawnee]

I made several from "play sand" (which is nothing but fine-grained, clean sand) that I got from Lowe's. Large bag for just a few bucks. I used quart-sized zip-lock bags and doulble bagged them. They work just fine.

HTH

 

[skinewmexico]

I bought plastic beads at Hobby Lobby. Expensive, but they work well.

 

[MilsurpShooter]

Tight packed newspaper. Light weight and if you pack it tight enough you shouldn't have a problem with squishing

 

[K3]

I'm in plastics manufacturing, and I used some HDPE pellets from a sample we had laying around. Works perfectly.

 

[Clipper]

My buddy uses ground corncob animal bedding, but it might be lighter than you want, but cat litter would be heavier, but lighter than shot or sand...

 

[ArmedBear]

The bones from a bald eagle.

Dry dog food.

Seriously, though, I've found maggots in rice and other edible dry goods. Rice might not be the best idea, though it should work well.

What about crushed walnut shells, as used for tumbling brass? They might be perfect. Or is that what you meant by "media"?

 

[Outlaws]

Sand.

 

[Bacchus]

Definitely not food. May lead to problems with rodents and/or rot. Personally, I use sand.

 

[newsavageowner]

I believe many of the commerical bags come with crushed walnut (or other nut) shells....and unlike rice or another food product..is not likely to attract pests.

 

[neolithic hunter]

if you don't mind the weight #12 shot. i have all of my bags filled with it. there heavy but when you put them down they stay put.

 

[Conqueror]

Dried beans are good.

 

[GCW5]

I use clean, white foundry sand in my bags. Using beans, wheat, rice, etc. will eventually draw unwanted guests, weather they be bugs, mice, or bigger.

 

[Mal H]

I used the dense plastic beads like skinewmexico and K3 on 4 bags. Works great as it is heavy enough for a "sand" bag and seemed easier to fill the bags than sand. I got mine at a craft store ("Ben Franklin" I think).

 

[moooose102]

i have been using silica gel bags that i got from the honda/yamaha dealership i used to work at. they used to come in motorcycle and yamaha snowmobile crates, and they would throw them away. when i am not using them for a shooting bag, they double in my gun safe to keep the guns dry. baking them in the (garage) oven for a couple of hours @ 200 degrees f seems to work drying (not that they ever really get wet) them out. double duty / no cost . works 4 me!

 

[Howard Roark]

Kitty Litter. Light, feels like sand and bugs won't get in it. Its' cheep.

 

[deputy tom]

I made my own bags from cut off BDU pants bottoms and filled them with cat litter.Been fine for over 25 yrs.YMMV.tom.

 

[rc109a]

Marbles???
I use the old media that I would normally throw out to fill the bags. At least it is not wasted. I tried hardwood mulch, but that just was not enough weight.

 

[761]

The bones from a bald eagle.

Pretty funny. Thanks.

 

[db_tanker]

it was pricey, but my BB guns will never go hungry if it comes to that...


I got the large cartons of BB's and used them to fill up my caldwell bags.


They work quiet well.


D

 

[George Hill]

"What about crushed walnut shells, as used for tumbling brass? They might be perfect. Or is that what you meant by "media"?"

That's why I use. The media is light, but packs a good density for a nice stable rest. It doesn't absorb water, attract pests, or make you hungry like beans and rice. Sand is heavy and makes it something you don't want to pack around. Many shooters have tumblers full of walnut media and they end up tossing the dirty media out. That's a waste! Use it! Old jeans? Cut off the legs, sew up one end, fill it with walnut, sew it shut... you have a good solid rest.
I've one that's made of leather, filled with the stuff, it's awesome. It's my favorite sandbag.

 

[DWH]

Airsoft BBs are in mine.