boomer68
Handloader
- Oct 23, 2006
- 900
- 119
Just curious what folks are using at the range when shooting from bench. I have a Caldwell Stinger and was thinking of moving to bags.
Load development
- Thread starter boomer68
- Start date
Wolfshead
Handloader
- Feb 5, 2022
- 341
- 905
This is what I use.
Caldwell not sure the name just their shooting bags.
I’ve had them for years, and they work well for me.
The only problem I’ve had with them is one winter I had them in my garage and some mice eat a hole in the bottom corner of the large front bag.
Had to sew it shut as you can see in the both pictures.
Caldwell not sure the name just their shooting bags.
I’ve had them for years, and they work well for me.
The only problem I’ve had with them is one winter I had them in my garage and some mice eat a hole in the bottom corner of the large front bag.
Had to sew it shut as you can see in the both pictures.
- Nov 4, 2004
- 27,160
- 13,695
I use the Bullsbag X7 System
JD338
Bulls Bag X7 System
I called Bulls Bag Friday but they were closed, didn't leave a message. Saturday early afternoon I recieved a call from Marshall Hill, the President of Bulls Bag asking if there was something I needed or if he could answer any questions. I thought, WOW, here is a man that cares about the...
forum.nosler.com
JD338
highoctane
Handloader
- Apr 20, 2018
- 253
- 552
I use the Protektor #13A rabbit ear rear bag with hard bottom and the Protektor #7A standard front bag.
xphunter
Handloader
- Sep 15, 2005
- 1,731
- 3,605
Here is what I use the majority of the time...
I can shoot very tight groups with various bi-pods and various rear bags from the bench.
Here is what I use for comp load development.
I can shoot very tight groups with various bi-pods and various rear bags from the bench.
Here is what I use for comp load development.
GregoryB.
Handloader
- Feb 5, 2022
- 250
- 569
Backcast88
Beginner
- Sep 15, 2012
- 94
- 250
I used a Caldwell Rock front rest. I bought it from BPS years ago for like $50-60. I recently ripped the front bag so I replaced it with a Protektor #1small front bag. Its much better then what came on the Caldwell.
For the rear, I use a MDT Grand Old Canister bag. I have the large, and heavy house fill.
For the rear, I use a MDT Grand Old Canister bag. I have the large, and heavy house fill.
RL338
Handloader
- Mar 23, 2017
- 4,637
- 8,102
Caldwell Rock front rests and Protektor front and rear bags.
Blkram
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2013
- 3,475
- 4,419
I have been using a Browning Bull Bag for the front for about 30 years now. (Haven't seen these anywhere for many years.) Wish I had bought two!
I also have a Caldwell Tackdriver one as back up for others (Susan, Lauryn, etc.) to use when we go to the range, but it isn't quite as nice, as the Browning has leather in the V.
I do find that having something under the front bag to lift it is necessary with some rifles, at some ranges. My local range usually had some 2' x 12' boards for this. I have yet to come up with the best solution yet...but saw something online the other day that has given me an idea that I need to look into further. I'll let you know after I have experimented with it...
I have experimented with various metal target type front rests, that either friends have, or demo'd them from the LGS's I worked at, but so far have found the bull bag to work best for me.
Plus, the bull bag goes with me on hunting trips and gets used where I am not hiking and do not have to lug the extra weight and bulk around. Plus, it comes in handy when we take breaks when travelling between areas and pull the rifles out for a little field target fun. Set the bag on a log, stump, or large rock and shoot at safe targets at unknown distances to test our ranging abilities and cold first shot shooting at unknown distances. Keeps skills sharp, plus is a lot of fun with your hunting partners (right DrMike)!
Although, I would like to try one of those new fancy ones like Ernie has under his rifle! Saw one online the other day for the first time...looks mighty fancy, and could be interesting to try with my 25 Creedmoor (barrel just arrived, and will be put on the donor rifle in June when I get back from Africa!), and the 7mm PRC (and others) for load development.
Would love to hear Ernie's review of it!
For rear bags, I have used various rabbit ear bags for years. I now have a nice set of leather ones, including the smaller flatter elbow ones like Ernie has, and use them that work best for the particular rifle (e.g., single shot or lever action vs bolt action). I also have some Caldwell ones for back up for others to use with that bull bag. I have also picked up a couple of Caldwell Tack Driver X bags (regular and mini) to pack in the truck for hunting too. Have played with them a little, but not much as yet. The mini can go into a daypack for use for either the front or rear as the circumstances may call for if shooting prone, or over a heavy branch (need to take out a little media for the latter to work best). I have seen some of the bags that competitive shooters are using from positional stands that may be a better option for this, but have not yet seen these on the shelves of LGSs.
I also have a Caldwell Tackdriver one as back up for others (Susan, Lauryn, etc.) to use when we go to the range, but it isn't quite as nice, as the Browning has leather in the V.
I do find that having something under the front bag to lift it is necessary with some rifles, at some ranges. My local range usually had some 2' x 12' boards for this. I have yet to come up with the best solution yet...but saw something online the other day that has given me an idea that I need to look into further. I'll let you know after I have experimented with it...
I have experimented with various metal target type front rests, that either friends have, or demo'd them from the LGS's I worked at, but so far have found the bull bag to work best for me.
Plus, the bull bag goes with me on hunting trips and gets used where I am not hiking and do not have to lug the extra weight and bulk around. Plus, it comes in handy when we take breaks when travelling between areas and pull the rifles out for a little field target fun. Set the bag on a log, stump, or large rock and shoot at safe targets at unknown distances to test our ranging abilities and cold first shot shooting at unknown distances. Keeps skills sharp, plus is a lot of fun with your hunting partners (right DrMike)!
Although, I would like to try one of those new fancy ones like Ernie has under his rifle! Saw one online the other day for the first time...looks mighty fancy, and could be interesting to try with my 25 Creedmoor (barrel just arrived, and will be put on the donor rifle in June when I get back from Africa!), and the 7mm PRC (and others) for load development.
Would love to hear Ernie's review of it!
For rear bags, I have used various rabbit ear bags for years. I now have a nice set of leather ones, including the smaller flatter elbow ones like Ernie has, and use them that work best for the particular rifle (e.g., single shot or lever action vs bolt action). I also have some Caldwell ones for back up for others to use with that bull bag. I have also picked up a couple of Caldwell Tack Driver X bags (regular and mini) to pack in the truck for hunting too. Have played with them a little, but not much as yet. The mini can go into a daypack for use for either the front or rear as the circumstances may call for if shooting prone, or over a heavy branch (need to take out a little media for the latter to work best). I have seen some of the bags that competitive shooters are using from positional stands that may be a better option for this, but have not yet seen these on the shelves of LGSs.
Last edited:
RiverRider
Handloader
- Dec 9, 2008
- 1,491
- 182
I've had varied success using various bag and rest combinations, but noticed that horizontal dispersion was usually what ruined my group shooting and that was just not acceptable for load development. I found that I was often fighting the rear bag.
When I saw this thing I realized it would make that those particular struggles much easier to win. It wasn't exactly a budget accessory, either, but it helped me an awful lot. It has some idiosyncrasies to overcome, but once understood it allows greater concentration on the vitals of good shooting from the bench.
When I saw this thing I realized it would make that those particular struggles much easier to win. It wasn't exactly a budget accessory, either, but it helped me an awful lot. It has some idiosyncrasies to overcome, but once understood it allows greater concentration on the vitals of good shooting from the bench.
Blkram
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2013
- 3,475
- 4,419
Here's a link to an interesting article to review:
www.outdoorlife.com
The Best Shooting Rests of 2026
The best shooting rests are stable and lightweight. We evaluated a variety of rests to match your hunting style.
www.outdoorlife.com
Same for me and helps to make sure your crossbow is still on before season.
xphunter
Handloader
- Sep 15, 2005
- 1,731
- 3,605
A review by me would be self-serving and biased, simply because I am the US Dealer for SEB Rests.
My website: NEO-X, MINI-X, MINI, Trident, AR250, and the JOYPOD-X (It is a comp bi-pod).
Seb's The one who actually makes them website:
@TackDriver284, may be the most acquainted with our rests, as he has probably seen a number of them.
The majority of our customers are shooting some kind of competition, but we do have a number of folks who use it for their personal hunting and shooting.
Erik Cortina, uses our NEO-X for his F-Open matches.
If you are on social media and are looking at Team USA F-Open and F-TR, you will see that SEB has sponsored them.
I also carry the SEB rear bags you see.
Off one of my SEB Rests at 800 yards.
I don't remember ( I would need to look it up) if this was 15 or 20 shots.
RL338
Handloader
- Mar 23, 2017
- 4,637
- 8,102
I’ve switched one of front rest bags with one of those slick silvers , hadn’t gotten to try it yet.Precision rifles I do load development off of their bipods. All else I use a Bald Eagle rest, with Protektor bags.
TackDriver284
Handloader
- Feb 13, 2016
- 3,032
- 3,366
I bought one last year as a back up for my Caldwell when my old 25 plus year old front Protektor wears out from long time use.
Thanks for the NEO-X, haven't got to try it out yet. I'll snap a pic of it with my new 6 BRA when it comes out.A review by me would be self-serving and biased, simply because I am the US Dealer for SEB Rests.
My website: NEO-X, MINI-X, MINI, Trident, AR250, and the JOYPOD-X (It is a comp bi-pod).
Seb's The one who actually makes them website:
@TackDriver284, may be the most acquainted with our rests, as he has probably seen a number of them.
The majority of our customers are shooting some kind of competition, but we do have a number of folks who use it for their personal hunting and shooting.
Erik Cortina, uses our NEO-X for his F-Open matches.
If you are on social media and are looking at Team USA F-Open and F-TR, you will see that SEB has sponsored them.
I also carry the SEB rear bags you see.
Off one of my SEB Rests at 800 yards.
I don't remember ( I would need to look it up) if this was 15 or 20 shots.
xphunter
Handloader
- Sep 15, 2005
- 1,731
- 3,605
I am looking forward to you getting spoiled using a joystick rest.
When I started using one around 18 years ago, my first comment to someone or myself was, "It feels like I am cheating."
This is just statistics, but I think it was last year for F-Class Nationals and the South West Nationals (600 and 1000 yard matches, where you are shooting 20-shot strings, and the X-Ring is 1/2 MOA: 3" at 600 yards and 5" @ 1000 yards).
It was around 70-75 percent of all rests being used was a SEB rest. It may have been higher, but I need to find that data to be completely accurate.
A lot of the shooting world is not familiar with these joystick rests, which is okay.
You could ask @TackDriver284 how long he waited to get his NEO-X.
It was probably around 8-9 month wait.
Other than the AR250 (Air Rifle and 22lr) and the Trident (Center-Fire rifles up to around 16-17 pounds) are around a 2 month wait.
NEO-X, JOYPOD-X, MINI-X, and MINI are around a 6-9 month wait, once you get on the waiting list (I don't even take deposits), and a customer can even turn down the rest, once it arrives-no harm/no foul.
My goal here is not trying to sell anything-as I never have rests in stock.
Just letting you guys know about some really cool shooting rests and rear bags.
TackDriver284
Handloader
- Feb 13, 2016
- 3,032
- 3,366
I should see a difference moving from the Rock BR Caldwell to the NEO-X soon. Last month off the Caldwell I scored a 200-7X, 198-12X and a 199-15X @ 600 yards. 90% or more shooters used a joystick rest, which puts me in a disadvantage, because on every shot I had to reposition the rifle on that Caldwell / rear bag. I use the squeeze the ears on the rear bag to raise or lower the crosshairs to the target. On the joystick, the rear buttstock stays put while the shooters use the joystick to raise or lower, and very minimal straight front and back movement. It was a bit windy and mirage was bad that day. Overall I was happy to pull 2nd place. Top gun used a 7 SAUM / 180 Bergers vs my puny 6 BR with 105 VLD.
xphunter
Handloader
- Sep 15, 2005
- 1,731
- 3,605
6BR versus a 7mm SAUM/180 Hybrid's is not fair-You shot and read the wind excellent.
FWIW - I would never use a 6BR, 6 BRA or 6GT for 1000 yard F-Open, unless it is the only thing I have to shoot.
FWIW - I would never use a 6BR, 6 BRA or 6GT for 1000 yard F-Open, unless it is the only thing I have to shoot.
