I'm in the throes of starting to give a shit about a pack for matches. I've shot matches since 2007 and after a 6 year break where I lived in Europe I resumed shooting in 2015. I typically shoot two matches a month; NRL22, PRS, and renegade field matches. I've been using the same RRS TVC33, Terrapin & T X, bag, and gear for the last 4 years. Pretty much settled on a loadout. I've been using an Eberlestock Little Brother for these last 4 years and just suffered with it. It's pretty much a large formless sack and everything gets tossed inside. Sometimes I have to put a puff pillow I know I won't use to in the bottom just to absorb the space. In the late winter/ spring, I'll start off wearing a jacket and by the third stage it will have to go in the bottom of the bag so I need that space then. I've tried organizing everything but by the end of the day it's just a large dump pouch that goes on your back. I like that it pancakes open but the front/ shoulder strap side absorbs cactus and burs.
I bought a used pack on the PX that I thought might work just to try some shit out. Used it Saturday and it sucked. Too big, no organization, won't stand up on it's own.
I took a look at a buddy's Eberlestock UpRanger and I really like the fact that it pancakes from the front opposed to the back and I love the removable camera dividers. Finally organization. The side pocket/ wings are obnoxious and the molle strips underneath them are sewn 90* the wrong way imo. The belt is also obnoxiously large. I could see using a belt if you're hanging a comp rifle off OBI sockets, but that's a BFB. I also wonder if they should've made the plastic back panel somewhat flattish to have a work surface instead of heavily textured like it is. One thing I noticed about my buddies loadout in his UpRanger is that once he filled all the dividers up with gadgets and shooting gear there was no space for water, lunch, extra layers, etc. No side pockets for water bottles. It also doesn't make sense to hang that type of pack from a tripod for an improvised work surface while spotting and adding weight to the tripod to prevent tipping in the wind.
I found this camera oriented pack and ordered it last night. It's fills the same organization niche and pancake style as the Eberlestock but it's got some additional key features.
It has a collapsible roll-top that is waterproof and functions as a wet compartment.
It has a top storage area above the removable camera case divider insert that could be used for layers, lunch, and whatnot. It could also be opened while hanging under a tripod for PS tablets, timers, and a match booklet to be temporarily dumped while spotting but quickly at hand when glancing down. That upper storage area has a removable liner that separates the removable insert area in the bottom.
They offer three different sized removable inserts and the inserts have zippered covers so your entire shooting hardware/ equipment loadout can be removed from the pack and taken inside your loading room for instance. You could in theory swap out to the smaller hardware insert when hunting, which would open up more upper storage.
The pack has a tough, waterproof back that can be hosed off, and a long, flat zippered pouch on the back that can be expanded about 3" outwards for additional storage. The pack is 44L when compressed and the back expansion plus roll top opens it to 60L. Two side pouch's for water bottles or tripod feet.
So, in my eyes this was the UpRanger with the benefit of additional storage for non-shooting hardware, tripod workspace capable, and not made in China but marketed as an American company.
I looked at the Tallahassee(I know , I'm teasing) from Fehu a sec but didn't like the zippered pouch approach to hard object against Xero/ Binos storage compatibility.
I've got a buddy who started a military backpack company a couple of years ago and he does not make a civilian shooting oriented pack. I'm going to hit him up and socialize the idea of a civilian, precision rifle, match oriented pack.
What features do you like in a shooting pack?
Pancake opening? Front vs back?
Tripod stowage?
External brass bag?
Tripod workspace?
Hardware organization or you just need space and use your own organic bino cases, Amazon hardcase for the Xero type method for hardware co-habitation?
Expansion for 1 day flat range matches vs NRL Hunter flexability?
Belt vs no belt? OBI hangers vs slings vs man handle to the next stage 20 yards away?
Here's my current loadout for pic inspiration. The SIGs are a borrow from a buddy since I sold my Terr X to buy the new Vectronix binos. Of note, I use 100rd ammo boxes vs bullet binders and a brass bag. I find loading rounds up in a binder tedious and when you dump brass in a bag you don't get to count your empties to make sure you're not missing any. I know that's totally preference.
I bought a used pack on the PX that I thought might work just to try some shit out. Used it Saturday and it sucked. Too big, no organization, won't stand up on it's own.
I took a look at a buddy's Eberlestock UpRanger and I really like the fact that it pancakes from the front opposed to the back and I love the removable camera dividers. Finally organization. The side pocket/ wings are obnoxious and the molle strips underneath them are sewn 90* the wrong way imo. The belt is also obnoxiously large. I could see using a belt if you're hanging a comp rifle off OBI sockets, but that's a BFB. I also wonder if they should've made the plastic back panel somewhat flattish to have a work surface instead of heavily textured like it is. One thing I noticed about my buddies loadout in his UpRanger is that once he filled all the dividers up with gadgets and shooting gear there was no space for water, lunch, extra layers, etc. No side pockets for water bottles. It also doesn't make sense to hang that type of pack from a tripod for an improvised work surface while spotting and adding weight to the tripod to prevent tipping in the wind.
I found this camera oriented pack and ordered it last night. It's fills the same organization niche and pancake style as the Eberlestock but it's got some additional key features.
FJORD 60-C Adventure Camera Backpack (OLD GENERATION)
The FJORD 60-C: The C is for Carry-on (Old generation) We are offering the Fjord 60-C for a discounted price until supplies last. This is the previous generation Fjord 60-C with the biggest differences being that it does not have a removable waist belt and the fabric is not made with ECONLY...
www.nya-evo.com
It has a collapsible roll-top that is waterproof and functions as a wet compartment.
I looked at the Tallahassee(I know , I'm teasing) from Fehu a sec but didn't like the zippered pouch approach to hard object against Xero/ Binos storage compatibility.
I've got a buddy who started a military backpack company a couple of years ago and he does not make a civilian shooting oriented pack. I'm going to hit him up and socialize the idea of a civilian, precision rifle, match oriented pack.
What features do you like in a shooting pack?
Pancake opening? Front vs back?
Tripod stowage?
External brass bag?
Tripod workspace?
Hardware organization or you just need space and use your own organic bino cases, Amazon hardcase for the Xero type method for hardware co-habitation?
Expansion for 1 day flat range matches vs NRL Hunter flexability?
Belt vs no belt? OBI hangers vs slings vs man handle to the next stage 20 yards away?
Here's my current loadout for pic inspiration. The SIGs are a borrow from a buddy since I sold my Terr X to buy the new Vectronix binos. Of note, I use 100rd ammo boxes vs bullet binders and a brass bag. I find loading rounds up in a binder tedious and when you dump brass in a bag you don't get to count your empties to make sure you're not missing any. I know that's totally preference.
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