Where to get sand bags?

[gtodave]

I can find the "stop a river" type of sand bags a few places, but not the small kind for stabilizing your rifle. I have the Caldwell pre-formed ones, but I'm looking for plain old bags. I plan to hit the HoCo gun show this (next?) weekend to look around there, but do you guys have any sources?

 

[MacGuns]

Personally, I purchased pre-made ones. I have bags from Armageddon Gear, TAB, and Wiebad.

If you don't want to buy the premade ones, you can Google empty lead shot bags

You will find the following examples:
https://www.brownells.com/shooting-...rest-bags/canvas-shooting-bags-prod22434.aspx

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/Empty-Canvas-Duck-Cloth-Bag-10_pk/productinfo/SHOTBAG/

You can also take old socks or the legs from a pair of jeans to make your own. You can use duct tape if you can't sew.

 

[welder516]

I did acquire shot bags which are not that easy to get . I have seen other empty bags and they are rather expensive .

I had a friend from another gun forum sent me 3

 

[welder516]

Personally, I purchased pre-made ones. I have bags from Armageddon Gear, TAB, and Wiebad.

If you don't want to buy the premade ones, you can Google empty lead shot bags

You will find the following examples:
https://www.brownells.com/shooting-...rest-bags/canvas-shooting-bags-prod22434.aspx

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/Empty-Canvas-Duck-Cloth-Bag-10_pk/productinfo/SHOTBAG/

You can also take old socks or the legs from a pair of jeans to make your own. You can use duct tape if you can't sew.

That is a great idea about jean legs

 

[MacGuns]

That is a great idea about jean legs

That idea came from Ed Shell when I took his long range classes. Sometimes you can't buy a rear bag that fits exactly, so you can build your own.

 

[Todd S]

Are you guys using sand or some other media in the bags?

 

[gtodave]

That idea came from Ed Shell when I took his long range classes. Sometimes you can't buy a rear bag that fits exactly, so you can build your own.

Do you use lead shot instead of sand then? Seems like sand would leave dust all over the place through cloth.

 

[MacGuns]

Do you use lead shot instead of sand then? Seems like sand would leave dust all over the place through cloth.

I don't think sand would go through denim. However it if does, you can experiment with things like wheat, rice, or polly fill beads. I guess it depends on the use. For rear bags I like a little bit of squish factor so the stock can sink into the bag and be supported.

 

[welder516]

Do you use lead shot instead of sand then? Seems like sand would leave dust all over the place through cloth.

Sand for me

 

[adit]

I don't think sand would go through denim. However it if does, you can experiment with things like wheat, rice, or polly fill beads. I guess it depends on the use. For rear bags I like a little bit of squish factor so the stock can sink into the bag and be supported.

Or black beans / deer corn.

 

[namrelio]

Or black beans / deer corn.

Try a feed supply store like Southern States.

 

[jt2100r]

Put the sand(any filler)in a plastic bag first

 

[Pinecone]

For those using rice, wheat, corn, beans, etc. Don't get your bags wet.

I use sand or poly fill.

 

[scout6]

We used our army green socks filled with popcorn. Replaced the corn after field ops if needed due to moisture. Sand didn't give enough movement or required too much pressure to do small manipulations for the rear bag. The roundness of the popcorn made for easy pressure micro movements. Airsoft BB's would probably be a good thing these days in place of the popcorn. If we had that back in the day, would have been better for moist / wet environments.

 

[sgt23preston]

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_4_9/144-9336125-1575650?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=sand+bags+for+flood+control&sprefix=Sand+Bags%2Caps%2C154&crid=2GVIP7YP1V22A

 

[Doco Overboard]

Use feed bags and fill them with sand. I use soybeans in leather bags but don't get them wet. Feed bags doubled over and duct taped up work okay but can get messy if you carry them around.

 

[JohnnyE]

How about pea gravel as a filler?

 

[byf43]

Put the sand(any filler)in a plastic bag first

^^^^^This.

Back in the day, I used "Zip Lock" Freezer Bags, and partially filled them with dried (in the oven) play sand. Sand was cheap. $2.00 for a 50 lb bag.

Keyword...... DRIED. (Spread the sand out in a deep tray and dry it in the oven at 200° (stirring every once-in-a while).
Let the sand cool, then pour into the Zip Lock bag, and squeeze out all of the air.

Empty shot bags held the sand/zip lock bag, then the open end of the shot bag was sewn shut with #20 monofilament (Berkley Trilene).

These lasted several years, until I loaned mine to the son of a club member.
He decided that he needed 'em more than I did, and moved away, with the bags and two .50 cal. ammo cans I kept them stored in.

 

[adit]

Aquarium gravel may be an option as well.

 

[gtodave]

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_4_9/144-9336125-1575650?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=sand+bags+for+flood+control&sprefix=Sand+Bags%2Caps%2C154&crid=2GVIP7YP1V22A

Those are the giant river-stopper bags. I'm looking for the smaller type, as shown in the first couple replies. The big bags are easy to find.