Front support: sand bags vs. rifle rests

[Jayjay1]

Hello experts,
to sight in scopes or finding the best load for a rifle, I want to exclude other factors as much as possible.

There are no bipods on my hunting rilfes and I´m using sand bags at the rear.

What is the better option to get the most stable position at the front, a bigger sand bag or a rifle rest?

 

[Snuby642]

I bag front and back is a squeeze type.
Rock solid.

Work up a good practice load.
Use that load to learn how to run a bipod, it's a skill set.

I'm not particularly good at it.

I don't like rifle rests.

 

[Jayjay1]

Which front bag do you use?

I have bipods on my non-hunting rifles, but don´t use them when hunting.
So I need another propper front support for them.

 

[Snuby642]

Nothing fancy.
The foam block can raise a small bag, the neoprene pads for smaller adjustments.

These are pretty much cheap bags and I think my sons ran off with my homemade pants legs filled with actual sand.

You have to test and see how tight you want them filled to suit your preference. Despite being cheap and mismatched I can shoot to sub half moa from them with a couple of guns.

These are not any good for shooting off barricades etc. except the little leather one works in a blind well.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

I think it really depends on the rifle balance and you.

Personally I can shoot more stable off a bag than with a bipod and rear bag. I get less wobble but the gun needs to be balanced.

The stability of whatever platform you shoot off will determine if you can bag something or will need bipod/bag. A rock solid platform allows you to just use a bag.

But it's all personal preference and how you can get as stable as possible. Everyone is different.

 

[TonyAngel]

Hello experts,
to sight in scopes or finding the best load for a rifle, I want to exclude other factors as much as possible.

There are no bipods on my hunting rilfes and I´m using sand bags at the rear.

What is the better option to get the most stable position at the front, a bigger sand bag or a rifle rest?

It depends on what you're calling a front rest.

If you're using a rest intended for something like precision shooting, then I'd say that's the most stable. If you're talking about the type of rest that you'd buy at a sporting goods store, then you'd be better off with bags.

 

[max1840]

All I use for scope adjustments or load development is a front rest. Probably because that’s what i started with a long time ago.

 

[Ronws]

I think it is matter of personal preference and job description. Train how you will shoot. If it is hunting, then that. If target shooting, then that.

And yes, I have received a field promotion to Captain Obvious.
o7

 

[roostercogburn98]

Mostly bags with a few chances of bipods thrown in there. I usually shoot off the hood of my gator, so a bag fits better.

 

[Emerson0311]

It depends on what you're calling a front rest.

If you're using a rest intended for something like precision shooting, then I'd say that's the most stable. If you're talking about the type of rest that you'd buy at a sporting goods store, then you'd be better off with bags.

This. Proper BR front rests can cost several $K. Most non-BR shooters use a bipod and rear bag on the bench. Bipods also have several solidity levels, usually depending on price, but also on intended use. Common PRS bipods have a lot of slop in them compared to the capabilities of bench rifles.

 

[carbonbased]

I have a Bald Eagle entry-level front bench rest and a Protektor rear rabbit ear bag.

Never could get on with that combo. They sit forlornly in the corner.

I like a large, 14lbs x-shaped front rest and a rear squeeze bag from @Enough Said (Mark Taylor).

It’s about the size of the medium version here:

https://armageddongear.com/product/armageddon-gear-bench-rest-bag/

Armageddon picked up the design from the fellow (Dog Gone Good) after he retired. Mine is filled from the factory with plastic stuff. Doesn’t stay wet.

I use lightweight but firm-ish garden knee pad blocks to adjust the height at the range.

However, I have found I can shoot just as well with a bipod. It has taken quite some practice.

The vid that unlocked my bipod’s secrets:

 

[memilanuk]

This. Proper BR front rests can cost several $K. Most non-BR shooters use a bipod and rear bag on the bench. Bipods also have several solidity levels, usually depending on price, but also on intended use. Common PRS bipods have a lot of slop in them compared to the capabilities of bench rifles.

I do most of my early load work off a bipod, from the bench. Later stuff still from a bipod, but from the ground.

Ive had and used various front rests over the years, from an old orange Hoppes to a SEB Neo. The right front bag fit to your stock makes a huge difference. Then the rear bag size/shape matters as well .

If the fit is right, it makes shooting groups so much easier. If it's bad... you're far better off using bean bags or bipod.

 

[SRPowah]

For zeroing, I tend to use a bipod + rear bag because that is the vast majority of my shooting. Practice how you play.

It might not be as important for modern bolt guns, but you can find yourself chasing your tail on some platforms like ARs if you zero with a bag but then try and perform with a bipod loaded differently.

 

[Jayjay1]

Guys,
like I wrote in post #1, NO BIPODS on my hunting rifles.

I want just to eliminate everything else but the rilfe and the ammo, to test loads or zero scopes.

 

[Snuby642]

Heavy bags front and rear, no sled nada make sure nothing touches barrel.

 

[6.5SH]

Another vote for front bags with "hunting" rifles if not using a bipod. With a benchrest it then turns into bunch of extra money finding the right front bag shape or an adapter like the old Hart "accuracy asset" to make it sit flat.

If you need some finer front elevation adjustment Lyman does sell a front "bag jack" that is larger than the typical Amazon lab jack.
Wood or horse stall mat is the cheap/free coarse adjust method.

 

[carbonbased]

Guys,
like I wrote in post #1, NO BIPODS on my hunting rifles.

I want just to eliminate everything else but the rilfe and the ammo, to test loads or zero scopes.

I took your question as asking about testing your hand loads at the range. Are you wanting to test your ammo with a setup that you also bring hunting? (Doesn’t sound that way)

Or are you reluctant to attach a bipod to a hunting rifle for some other reason? That’s ok.

I think what some of us are getting at is when at the range, the differences on paper between using a bipod or a heavy sand bag can be zilch (regardless of the rifle type). You don’t hunt with a 14lbs (or prob even a 5lbs) sandbag either.

If you really want to limit outside input on the rifle, then go BR mechanical front rest and a rabbit/bunny ear bag and then learn BR technique of not touching the rifle too much.

 

[Mike_in_FL]

I used to just use a taller pile of sandbags, which were old birdshot bags, in the front and however many in the rear. I used to make as little as possible contact with the gun. Since you're almost free recoiling that gave it a better run at you so it kicked. That produced the steadiest I've ever used but I come pretty close with bipod and rear bag now.

 

[USMC 308]

Off of a bench, I prefer a rest. Bags settle...and keep settling. Always changing my rear bag height. I feel like bipods "hop" off the hard table. This is a Caldwell Rock BR with upgraded pads.

 

[Jayjay1]

Off of a bench, I prefer a rest. Bags settle...and keep settling. Always changing my rear bag height. I feel like bipods "hop" off the hard table. This is a Caldwell Rock BR with upgraded pads.

Good points, I tend to agree on both, thank you.

 

[carbonbased]

Off of a bench, I prefer a rest. Bags settle...and keep settling. Always changing my rear bag height. I feel like bipods "hop" off the hard table. This is a Caldwell Rock BR with upgraded pads.

One trick I’ve used with a bipod on the bench to counteract hop is to use a piece of carpet under it. (I know the OP doesn’t want a bipod)

I had forgotten to use the carpet in the pic I posted above.

 

[Jayjay1]

After all your feedback I´m thinking about an X-shaped sand bag or putting pica - rails underneath the front of the stocks.

I do have an Atlas - Bipod with qd-attachment for pica - rails.

 

[6.5SH]

After all your feedback I´m thinking about an X-shaped sand bag or putting pica - rails underneath the front of the stocks.

I do have an Atlas - Bipod with qd-attachment for pica - rails.

https://accu-shot.com/shop/accessories/picatinny-rails/bt81-lil-brandi/

You can then move it between rifles as needed.

 

[carbonbased]

https://accu-shot.com/shop/accessories/picatinny-rails/bt81-lil-brandi/

You can then move it between rifles as needed.

That lil Brandi is a lot better than the Caldwell I had been using for my wood stocked rifles w/sling studs.

@Jayjay1 you’re in Germany, right? If you use something like a lil Brandi sling stud to pic rail converter make sure it’ll work with your euro sling studs.

Of course if you screw the pic rail into the wood/fiberglass/carbon hunting stock, then ignore my advice. But I’d hate to mess up a nice hunting stock.

On the other hand, while I do have high-end bipods, I’ve started to have an appreciation for Harris, especially for sling stud guns. The stock Harris directly attaches to the sling stud (although not sure about euro studs).

Of course you can buy adapters that convert the Harris to natively attach to pic or Arca rails.

I think this community (me included) may have been a bit hasty and rash in dismissing Harris so fast.

For example, here’s the PRS What the Pros Use blog’s 2024 rundown of bipod use in that competition.

https://precisionrifleblog.com/2024/09/27/best-rifle-bipod-what-the-pros-use/

The ckye pod is sort of a specialist PRS thing, although I guess if one hunts sitting or kneeling it would have an application. In those hunting positions I’d probably use a tripod…but the triple pull ckye could be cool there.

At the range, I use a hand me down Harris for my wood stocked rifles that don’t have a pic adapter installed. It works fine.

Of note is most of the PRS guys use the Harris with rubber feet, and not the aftermarket spikes.

Jayjay1, the big reason I went from using an x-shaped sand bag to a bipod at the range is weight. I got tired of lugging that frickin’ 14lbs bag around, and have always been on a mission to make just one trip from car to range shed.

 

[carbonbased]

However, to get up to speed quickly, the x-sandbag is fastest. For myself, at least, there was some fairly considerable (and subtle) technique needed to use a bipod well. I was often quite frustrated.

What kept me going back to try the bipod agin and again was, you guessed it, weight and hassle. That big sandbag is a bear if you go to the range often (once a week or more).

I don’t go that often all year, but I have spurts of intense range use.

However, if you go to zero your guns once or thrice a year, the big bag is not a problem.

 

[Jayjay1]

https://accu-shot.com/shop/accessories/picatinny-rails/bt81-lil-brandi/

You can then move it between rifles as needed.

Well, I have installed qd cups on my hunting rifles, carrying them military style when stalking.

3HGR Driven | Gun rest and sling for demanding conditions | Treaper Oy

www.3hgr.fi

I´m right handed, so the cups are on the left side at the front of the stock, and on the right side of the butt stock.

x-bag or pica-rails on the butt stocks, must think a bit on that.