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Sand - what type for filling rest bags
Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 10:13 am
by DW58
I've just bought myself a pair of front and rear rifle rest bags. What type of sand is best for filling these, and where can I easily obtain it?
I've seen suggestions of some type of heavy sand mentioned but can't remember what/where.
Re: Sand - what type for filling rest bags
Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 10:20 am
by The Gun Pimp
If it's a proper flat-bottomed benchrest back-bag - we normally use Zircon or the cheaper (and almost as heavy) Chromite. Both available from John Winter foundry in Halifax. The small bags fitted to front rests will not benefit from heavy sand.
If it's just one of the shooting bags from Jack Pike etc, any old sand will do - from B&Q etc. No point in it being too heavy.
Re: Sand - what type for filling rest bags
Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 10:47 am
by DW58
Flat-bottomed fitted Caldwell bags - Not sure if this qualifies as "just a shooting bag" or something slightly more serious.
Being rather a long way from Halifax, I as hoping to get something a bit closer to home.
Re: Sand - what type for filling rest bags
Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 10:49 am
by Triffid
I use empty .22RF cases in my Caldwell bags. The weight is fine and it doesn't matter if they get wet.
Triffid
Re: Sand - what type for filling rest bags
Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 10:56 am
by ovenpaa
For normal shooting bags I use the sand designed to fill the gaps in block paving, my local DiY store sells 25Kg for well under a fiver and it is nice and fine.
Re: Sand - what type for filling rest bags
Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 11:10 am
by DW58
Fantastic - I guess a trip to Homebase is in order tomorrow.
Many thanks.
Re: Sand - what type for filling rest bags
Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 11:20 am
by 20series
I managed to blag some sand from my local petrol station when the attendant was filling the sand buckets :shakeshout: :shakeshout: :shakeshout:
nice and fine and dry
Alan
Re: Sand - what type for filling rest bags
Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 11:57 am
by Racalman
I filled my Caldwell bags with used tumbling medium. It works perfectly.
Re: Sand - what type for filling rest bags
Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 12:27 pm
by ovenpaa
20series wrote:I managed to blag some sand from my local petrol station when the attendant was filling the sand buckets :shakeshout: :shakeshout: :shakeshout:
nice and fine and dry
I stopped at a service station on the A1 many years ago and was impressed to see fag ends in the sand buckets. I guess it was better than dropping them on the floor...
Re: Sand - what type for filling rest bags
Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 12:45 pm
by DW58
Racalman wrote:I filled my Caldwell bags with used tumbling medium. It works perfectly.
Now there's an idea - my tumbler is full of dirty media and I've got a new pot of the stuff to replace it.