Front Bags
- Rabbitz
- .338 Lapua Magnum
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Front Bags
I've just taken delivery of a brand spanking new Protektor front bag to go on my Caldwell rest. I have been using the narrow bag that came with the rest for more than a decade.
Since I have been playing around with a plate under the fore-end it doesn't fit anymore, thus the new bag.
Every time I pump up the new bag it simply won't hold any air. Is there a trick to making it airtight?
Just kidding, What I really want to know is how hard I should pack it with sand? Rock hard? Still pliable, or is this another BR secret that only comes with years of intricate experiments?
Since I have been playing around with a plate under the fore-end it doesn't fit anymore, thus the new bag.
Every time I pump up the new bag it simply won't hold any air. Is there a trick to making it airtight?
Just kidding, What I really want to know is how hard I should pack it with sand? Rock hard? Still pliable, or is this another BR secret that only comes with years of intricate experiments?
Re: Front Bags
Just get some Zircon sand, dry it out and fill the bag tight. You can try other sand, but ultimately this is where you will end up. After a while you may need to top it up if the bag sags or the sand settles.
You are going to probably or possibly see a change in POI or grouping from rifles tested in the original bag. The Caldwell bags stick to fore-ends causing them to jump or release inconsistently. They're OK for a quick sight in, but beyond that need junking. Same same for the rear bags.
Deer hide bags slicked up with talc or bags made from Cordura are about as good as it gets to get the best rifle potential.
Depending on who you talk to there is a case for bounce affecting groups if the bag is too hard. Some will try multiple bags packed with more foregiving material, whatever that is. The reason i say this is that bounce is a function of poor stock design or poor material. A good stock will work if the front rest was a house brick. Some bags i have seen over the years are about as hard as a house brick, which actually contravenes BR rules. It was said to me that in past years that a little cement was added to the sand where over time the bag would set like concrete. In BR terms that was and still is illegal, but it seems that there is a train of thought a bag can never be too hard. I don't know as i never did it.
While this is really more about rear bags, it is still worth a read and the sand used is applicable to front bags as well.
http://www.6mmbr.com/sandcomparison.html
You are going to probably or possibly see a change in POI or grouping from rifles tested in the original bag. The Caldwell bags stick to fore-ends causing them to jump or release inconsistently. They're OK for a quick sight in, but beyond that need junking. Same same for the rear bags.
Deer hide bags slicked up with talc or bags made from Cordura are about as good as it gets to get the best rifle potential.
Depending on who you talk to there is a case for bounce affecting groups if the bag is too hard. Some will try multiple bags packed with more foregiving material, whatever that is. The reason i say this is that bounce is a function of poor stock design or poor material. A good stock will work if the front rest was a house brick. Some bags i have seen over the years are about as hard as a house brick, which actually contravenes BR rules. It was said to me that in past years that a little cement was added to the sand where over time the bag would set like concrete. In BR terms that was and still is illegal, but it seems that there is a train of thought a bag can never be too hard. I don't know as i never did it.
While this is really more about rear bags, it is still worth a read and the sand used is applicable to front bags as well.
http://www.6mmbr.com/sandcomparison.html
- Rabbitz
- .338 Lapua Magnum
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Re: Front Bags
Hi Tony,
Thanks for the info.
For the want of materials I'll start with Sydney washed sand (aka beach sand). I'll have to pack a bit more in it seems.
Again thanks.
Thanks for the info.
For the want of materials I'll start with Sydney washed sand (aka beach sand). I'll have to pack a bit more in it seems.
Again thanks.
- MISSED
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Re: Front Bags
Sydney washed sand is a bit of a misnomer as it comes from Williamtown lol
Rabbitz see if you can find some dried Sydney sand Quality Sands down Lavis lane (The road you access Stockton Beach)do the job
Rabbitz see if you can find some dried Sydney sand Quality Sands down Lavis lane (The road you access Stockton Beach)do the job
- Rabbitz
- .338 Lapua Magnum
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Re: Front Bags
I thought about that but they weren't on site at the dry dock when I went looking.
The stuff they mine in the Hunter does come from Sydney - every time we have a big storm and the beaches disappear.
I actually had a bag of Quality Sands Sydney sand in the shed. I use it for mixing into potting mix for pineapples, who don't like wet feet.
Now that the bag is filled I just need to get the other ingredients needed to go shooting:
Time;
Money.
- trevort
- Spud Gun
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Re: Front Bags
Super cheap auto sells buckets of sand blasting grit. That’s what’s in mine
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- The Raven
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Re: Front Bags
Is using some of these coarse compounds a really wise move? I would hate to think what would happy if a little blasting grit (or other suggestions) leaked out and got into the chamber of a rifle.
As I don't do comps, I figured rice would do in mine. At least if I end up starving during a zombie apocalypse I know where I can get a meal or two from.
As I don't do comps, I figured rice would do in mine. At least if I end up starving during a zombie apocalypse I know where I can get a meal or two from.
- DSD
- .270 Winchester
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Re: Front Bags
You can also transport weevils across state linesThe Raven wrote:Is using some of these coarse compounds a really wise move? I would hate to think what would happy if a little blasting grit (or other suggestions) leaked out and got into the chamber of a rifle.
As I don't do comps, I figured rice would do in mine. At least if I end up starving during a zombie apocalypse I know where I can get a meal or two from.
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- trevort
- Spud Gun
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Re: Front Bags
You might have to demonstrate how to get sand out of a bag under your Doreen’s for not your chamber. Sounds like a neat trickThe Raven wrote:Is using some of these coarse compounds a really wise move? I would hate to think what would happy if a little blasting grit (or other suggestions) leaked out and got into the chamber of a rifle.
As I don't do comps, I figured rice would do in mine. At least if I end up starving during a zombie apocalypse I know where I can get a meal or two from.
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- Camel
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Re: Front Bags
spell check you retard.trevort wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 6:40 amYou might have to demonstrate how to get sand out of a bag under your Doreen’s for not your chamber. Sounds like a neat trickThe Raven wrote:Is using some of these coarse compounds a really wise move? I would hate to think what would happy if a little blasting grit (or other suggestions) leaked out and got into the chamber of a rifle.
As I don't do comps, I figured rice would do in mine. At least if I end up starving during a zombie apocalypse I know where I can get a meal or two from.
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- Seddo
- .338 Lapua Magnum
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Re: Front Bags
I grabbed some grit out of my sand blaster to fill mine. it gave me an excuse to buy some more too!
- Camel
- Ultimate AusVarminter
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Re: Front Bags
Rob Dashooter has some pretty impressive "front bags" in his avatar.
- The Raven
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Re: Front Bags
I can’t make out Trev’s reply other than the implication that getting sand etc out of the bag and into the rifle is fairly slim.
Noting most bags are pretty well sealed these days I could see a small possibility/eventuality of some grit (Whatever) leaking. If you use a range bag etc then some could be transferred closer to the action than I’d like.
Perhaps me being somewhat risk averse thinking the idea of using an abrasive near machined parts...
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Noting most bags are pretty well sealed these days I could see a small possibility/eventuality of some grit (Whatever) leaking. If you use a range bag etc then some could be transferred closer to the action than I’d like.
Perhaps me being somewhat risk averse thinking the idea of using an abrasive near machined parts...
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