What's a good filler for rest bags?

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What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by Snip3o » 20 May 2019, 9:59 am

Just bought one unfilled set off Ebay to sight in the scope on my new .22. My first thought was to fill it with rice but i'm going to be storing it in my shed and that could attract rodents and moisture quite easily, my 2nd thought was sand but that would probably leak out of the stitches. What have you guys used and what are your experiences?

Thanks.
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by eddahenry » 20 May 2019, 10:41 am

Sand blasting media if you want heavy ,, or Kitty litter for light (but keep it out of moisture )
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by Col » 20 May 2019, 12:00 pm

Rice
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by bladeracer » 20 May 2019, 12:32 pm

Snip3o wrote:Just bought one unfilled set off Ebay to sight in the scope on my new .22. My first thought was to fill it with rice but i'm going to be storing it in my shed and that could attract rodents and moisture quite easily, my 2nd thought was sand but that would probably leak out of the stitches. What have you guys used and what are your experiences?

Thanks.


I used dirt but out in the weather it went rock hard over time and got to be a nuisance having to soften it every time I wanted to use them. I also filled them with empty .22LR brass, which was better, but holds water.

I bought a 3kg bag of plastic pellets that was suggested on here. I like it, but the 3kg bag is not big enough to fill a Caldwell front and rear bag so I ordered another 5kg bag. 5kg would fill a set of bags.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/5-x-Kilo-Plastic-Poly-Pellets-For-Weighted-Blankets-Quilts-and-Toys-/264075768947

I also bought one set of Caldwell bags already filled, they use walnut shells.
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by bladeracer » 20 May 2019, 12:33 pm

eddahenry wrote:Sand blasting media if you want heavy ,, or Kitty litter for light (but keep it out of moisture )


That's a good point. I bought a 10kg bucket of media for this reason, but completely forgot to try it, and now I can't even recall where I left it - might have to have a dig around in the sheds I think :-)
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by bigfellascott » 20 May 2019, 2:14 pm

I just use sand out of the sandpit from across the road - I like my sandbags heavy so I can leave them on the bonnet of the car whilst out spotlighting and driving around looking for ferals.

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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by on_one_wheel » 20 May 2019, 3:58 pm

I used rice as well.
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by CrackThump » 20 May 2019, 6:46 pm

Has anyone made their own rest bags.?

what material did you use for the outer.??
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by bigfellascott » 20 May 2019, 7:01 pm

CrackThump wrote:Has anyone made their own rest bags.?

what material did you use for the outer.??


Those ones in my post are all home made, Jean legs make good shooting bags as does calico and any material really, it doesn't have to be special, just need to be able to hold media of some sort and be durable. :thumbsup:
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by Snip3o » 20 May 2019, 8:33 pm

Hey everyone thanks for the replies, looks like i'll have to buy some blasting media then, thanks for the suggestion!
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by Hunter257 » 20 May 2019, 10:59 pm

I bought ebay bags too and used sand
makes them bloody heavy but nice to shoot off
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by Oldbloke » 21 May 2019, 5:47 pm

bigfellascott wrote:
Those ones in my post are all home made, Jean legs make good shooting bags as does calico and any material really, it doesn't have to be special, just need to be able to hold media of some sort and be durable. :thumbsup:


Same here. Trouser legs filled with rice or wheat.
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by bladeracer » 22 May 2019, 1:29 pm

Oldbloke wrote:Same here. Trouser legs filled with rice or wheat.


I hate when that happens :-)
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by TassieTiger » 22 May 2019, 6:11 pm

bladeracer wrote:
Oldbloke wrote:Same here. Trouser legs filled with rice or wheat.


I hate when that happens :-)


Ain’t it weird how 1 grain of rice in your shoe can ruin your day?
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by Bill » 22 May 2019, 8:06 pm

Unpolishes short grain rice.
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by bladeracer » 22 May 2019, 8:29 pm

Bill wrote:Unpolishes short grain rice.


Doesn't it congeal when it gets wet?
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by snag » 07 Mar 2020, 7:59 pm

Personally, I use macadamia nuts ('cos I live on an old macadamia farm). Blokes I know use pine bark. Either way, light and not affected by moisture.
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by scruffa » 24 Jun 2020, 3:02 pm

I also heard that the bb's used for the airsoft guns work well. Weather doesn't impact and light weight.
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by bladeracer » 24 Jun 2020, 3:10 pm

scruffa wrote:I also heard that the bb's used for the airsoft guns work well. Weather doesn't impact and light weight.


Illegal import.
I ordered some for powdercoating bullets, got stopped by Border Force as "ammunition".

I use these.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/10-X-Kilo-Plastic-Poly-Pellets-For-Weighted-Blankets-Quilts-and-Toys/263943925330

I really should try them for powdercoating as well.
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by Jarhead » 24 Jun 2020, 4:01 pm

SNip3o,

I used plastic bead filler, and will recommend this for a rear squeezy bag. Will last forever and not attract rodents or absorb water. Also it has a great control feel when doing the elevation squeeze...…. I have used sand before and will not go back as this plastic fill is so much better.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Shooting-Gu ... SwohVc1M8C


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I made my last rear bag for a US Marine Corp reunion. We went to the NRA facility in Whittington New Mexico and had some >1000meter challenges setup for old times sake. I found some of my old pre Desert Storm Jungle camoflage uniforms and made a rear bag out of that. I got quite a few smiles on the range when I pulled it out.

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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by Stix » 24 Jun 2020, 4:13 pm

Gees thats expensive...!!

I should go buy another bag of the stuff i used & sell it off in lots like that...thats between 600% to 1000% profit, based on the incredibly high price i paid for a 20kg bag, less the cost of the zip lock bag id have to buy for individual portions...WOW...!!

Does anyone know how hard it is to set up as an ebay seller...?
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by bladeracer » 24 Jun 2020, 4:36 pm

Stix wrote:Gees thats expensive...!!

I should go buy another bag of the stuff i used & sell it off in lots like that...thats between 600% to 1000% profit, based on the incredibly high price i paid for a 20kg bag, less the cost of the zip lock bag id have to buy for individual portions...WOW...!!

Does anyone know how hard it is to set up as an ebay seller...?


It's not cheap, but it does work well, and it's not consumable.
$12 for 500gm bags is very steep.
I've bought 3kg, 5kg and a 10kg bag so far, the bigger bags work out cheaper per kg. I have one shooting rest that takes 7.5kg of the stuff.

Anybody with an Ebay account can sell or buy.
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by Jarhead » 24 Jun 2020, 4:40 pm

Hey Stix,

You are not wrong!

I didn't notice the price before posting that link and I didn't buy from them...….I bought from the below linked seller at 1/2 the price for the same stuff.....same as Bladeracer posted……. though it was only $6 for 500gms last year when I purchased......

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/500gram-Aus ... 3965116205
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by Stix » 24 Jun 2020, 6:00 pm

Jarhead wrote:Hey Stix,

You are not wrong!

I didn't notice the price before posting that link and I didn't buy from them...….I bought from the below linked seller at 1/2 the price for the same stuff.....same as Bladeracer posted……. though it was only $6 for 500gms last year when I purchased......

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/500gram-Aus ... 3965116205


Yea mate but even thats expensive...

I could still sell the stuff i payed an exorbitant price for & still make 600%--thats six times what i payed for it...less the cost of the zip lock bag...
So if i halved that price you paid id still make a killing...& i could get it a lot cheaper...

I thought about selling it years ago long before i even suggested it on here but figured no one would buy it...stoopid me...!!!
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by grumpy308 » 24 Jun 2020, 6:04 pm

Garnet used for sandblasting works the best in sandbags. Haven't bought any for a while but used to get it from auto pro in 25kg bags, not sure if they still do it. Check out any metalworking place that does sandblasting and I'm sure they would help you out with enough to fill a sandbag for not too much coin. Regards Malcolm.
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by bladeracer » 24 Jun 2020, 6:07 pm

Stix wrote:Yea mate but even thats expensive...

I could still sell the stuff i payed an exorbitant price for & still make 600%--thats six times what i payed for it...less the cost of the zip lock bag...
So if i halved that price you paid id still make a killing...& i could get it a lot cheaper...

I thought about selling it years ago long before i even suggested it on here but figured no one would buy it...stoopid me...!!!


I think I paid $90 for the 10kg bag, delivered, so $6/kg at PoS, but $9/kg if you have to ship.

I don't imagine there's a huge market for it though, especially if you target shooters only. You could probably buy 200kg for a buck or two per kg, but then you have to store it for a few years, dishing out 500gm bags as required. Personally, I'd find that to be a pain in the butt :-)

I've tried a few different fillings and always had problems, primarily due to weather, the plastic pellets are immune to everything. The only concern is a split bag dumping a pile of plastic in the paddock.
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by bladeracer » 24 Jun 2020, 6:12 pm

grumpy308 wrote:Garnet used for sandblasting works the best in sandbags. Haven't bought any for a while but used to get it from auto pro in 25kg bags, not sure if they still do it. Check out any metalworking place that does sandblasting and I'm sure they would help you out with enough to fill a sandbag for not too much coin. Regards Malcolm.


The problem I had with that was the weight, makes the bag too heavy for lugging around. If you're leaving it in the paddock though it's not bad.
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by Harrynsw » 24 Jun 2020, 6:14 pm

Glad this thread came up, was just asking myself the same question.
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by ash_hendo » 24 Jun 2020, 6:46 pm

Snip3o wrote:Just bought one unfilled set off Ebay to sight in the scope on my new .22. My first thought was to fill it with rice but i'm going to be storing it in my shed and that could attract rodents and moisture quite easily, my 2nd thought was sand but that would probably leak out of the stitches. What have you guys used and what are your experiences?

Thanks.


I used sand, but was not happy as bits leaks out and I don't want gritty stuff on my bench.I'd like to use 6mm plastic BB's but they're illegal now I believe. maybe I'll go to a sewing shop and by a bag of small beads......


I'd stay away from foodstuff as Rats will definitely chew it in a shed.

The cleaning medium suggestion sounds interesting, never thought of that, I have some of that laying around so might try,
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Re: What's a good filler for rest bags?

Post by marksman » 24 Jun 2020, 6:47 pm

thats what l use now, Stix put me onto them plastic poly beads, lighter than rice and the mice in the shed dont eat it
good stuff :thumbsup:
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