Cast Bullet Shooting Rest

[BrianB]

OK, this really has nothing to do with cast bullets, except I will be using them...
Does anyone know what Caldwell uses to fill their shooting rest bags? I'm looking at getting a Caldwell Tack Driver to seriously sight in my cast hunting loads and the unfilled bag is a good bit cheaper. Any ideas for filler?

[HammerMTB]

I have no idea what Caldwell puts in their bags.
I have put shot (long ago when shot and lead were easy to come by) sand, and there is some coated steel "shot" out there. I haven't used the steel pellets.
You could even put small pea gravel in them. Anything that will conform to the shape you want in the bag.
I've also made bags of old jeans. Just cut the legs to length, sew 'em shut real tight, and fill. I use an appropriate sized zip-lock bag liner, so they won't leak.

[Gohon]

I've also made bags of old jeans. Just cut the legs to length, sew 'em shut real tight, and fill

I've done that many times. Just get a couple pounds of cheap rice at Wally World. Works great but don't get it wet unless it is sealed inside a zip lock bag.

[stubert]

What caliber are you talking about? What load?

[dale2242]

I had the bag on my Caldwell Rock front rest tear open and the filler looks like ground walnut shells to me. For my back rest , I had the local upholstery shop sew up a couple of leather bags for me. Took my sand and had them leave a hole to fill then had them finish it up.....dale

[BrianB]

What caliber are you talking about? What load?

.360 DW's and milder 45-70.

Anyone used cat litter? Seems like it would have plenty of weight and conform as well. Though I wonder how long it would last.

[jcwit]

I used rice years and years ago, have had no problem, but don't get them wet.

[Doc Highwall]

Some people I know have used uncooked peas or rice but like others have said don't let it get wet or it will look like a Chia Pet. I have used shredded rubber and now I use poly beads with a cordura bag and don't care if it gets wet. My bench rest bag is filled with black sand.

[waksupi]

I use kitty litter in my bench bags. I imagine they are close to 20 years old, so it holds up well.

[A J]

Coarse ground corncob pet bedding is clean, cheap and works great.

[AZ-Stew]

Mine are filled with ground walnut shells. Make sure they're REALLY full, PACKED full, regardless of the filler type. Mushy bags don't contribute to accuracy.

Regards,

Stew

[RobS]

I can't help you either on what Caldwell uses but I fill mine with the cheapest aquarium rock I can find, the finer grain rock about the size of rice or a bit larger.

[qajaq59]

I had the wife saw up some bags for me and filled them with kitty litter. Works ok. Although I suspect lead shot or sand might be better. But it's too heavy for this old guy. LOL.

[BrianB]

Thanks everyone. I guess it'll be kitty litter since it the easiest option for me to obtain. But, it's good to know there are other good choices out there.

[crabo]

It seems like kitty litter beats down a little, and after a while you need to top it off again.

[Shuz]

I use kitty litter in my bench bags. I imagine they are close to 20 years old, so it holds up well.

Hey Ric...how long did it take before the smell was gone?

[KY_Camper]

[QUOTE=HammerMTB;956591]I've also made bags of old jeans. Just cut the legs to length, sew 'em shut real tight, and fill.QUOTE]

I've done this too. I Filled it with used tumbling media. It worked real good until a friend used it and had it too far forward. He put a nice hole it. It worked out for the best as he replaced it with a new Caldwell bag.

[waksupi]

Hey Ric...how long did it take before the smell was gone?

Still kinda nasty on a damp day!

[Cherokee]

I filled my bags with used brass cleaning corn cob media.