What Are the Best Shooting Bags?
After giving it a lot of thought, we decided that the top shooting bags are made by Lyman (Match Shooting Bag and Bag Jack Combo Kit) because they’re stable, durable, and adjustable. Abrasion-resistant, they’re virtually indestructible. You can compress them to a really small size, making them the most portable bags we could find.
When choosing the right shooting bags, your best bet is usually to go with a reputable brand and, of course, read customer reviews. That’s what we did.
Additionally, we considered the best features of each bag, and what customers liked and didn’t like. We took into account how durable and practical the bags were to use.
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Top 6 Best Shooting Bags: Our Picks & Recommendations
- Best Overall: Lyman Match Shooting Jack Combo
- Best Budget: Caldwell DeadShot Shooting Bag Combo
- Best Rear Shooting Bag: Caldwell Universal Rear Shooting Bag
- Best Bench Rest Shooting Bag: Champion Bench Shooting Large Filled
- Best Leather Shooting Bag: Protektor Model Standard Front Bag
- Best Stable Shooting Bag: Caldwell Tack Driver Shooting Rest
- Best Tactical Shooting Bag: Orca Tactical Shooting Handgun Carrier
How to Find the Right Shooting Bags
When looking for the right shooting bags, keep the following in mind:
Functionality
If you have a multifunctional bag, you can adjust it for different shooting positions. You can also get a front bag, rear bag, or combo.
Filling
Whether they’re filled with sand or a lighter-weight material, the top shooting bags have a stable base, maintain their shape, are water-resistant, and securely hold your gun in place.
Some bags have no filling, and others allow you to adjust the filling level so the bag has enough “give” to support your rifle.
Abrasion-Resistant
Shooting bags can become ripped or otherwise damaged by sharp edges on the ground, such as rocks, or by the rifle itself. Some of the best shooting range bags we found are made of abrasion-resistant materials for maximum longevity.
Capability
Shooting bags should be able to position your weapon securely, with a surface that provides adequate traction.
Long Range
The top shooting bags allow you to position your firearm accurately for long-range shooting.
Materials
Natural materials give you the most comfort when handling the bag. Water-resistance is important too. Whatever material you go with, make sure it provides plenty of protection for your rifle.
Micro-Suede Padding
Some of the top shooting bags come with micro-suede padding to prevent damage at rifle points of contact.
Steadiness
A bag with a solid base and effective shape should secure your gun well enough to keep it steady, improving the likelihood of a good shot.
6 Best Shooting Bags Reviews
Here’s a list of the best shooting bags we found:
Best overall
1. Lyman Match Shooting Bag and Bag Jack Combo Kit
What You Will Love:
- 2-in-1 bag and jack
- Made of tough nylon and aluminum with a rubber base
- Easily adjust elevation
- Large size, yet compact for storage
In our quest for the top shooting bags, we came up with the Lyman Match Shooting Bag and Bag Jack Combo Kit as our top pick.
One thing we especially like is how heavy-duty it is, as it’s made of abrasion-resistant 600D nylon. Micro-suede padding provides extra cushion at the rifle’s points of contact.
With a rubberized base, it has plenty of traction so it doesn’t slip and slide when you’re using it. Filled with ground plastic, the bag keeps its shape well; plus it’s light enough to easily carry. You can adjust the filling to give the bag the volume you want.
As one of the best rifle shooting bags, the Lyman Bag and Jack Combo allows you to adjust the bag’s elevation to line it up with your target, while at the same time maintaining a comfortable shooting position.
Setting the desired height requires only a quick adjustment of the elevation knob. Measuring 10″ by 10″, it fits even large gun rests, and it collapses to a much smaller size, so transporting it is ultra-convenient.
Pros:
- Durable
- 2-in-1 bag and jack
- You can adjust filling volume
- Fits large gun rests
Cons:
- A couple of complaints that the jack wasn’t sturdy enough to support the bag at its highest elevations.
Best budget
2. Caldwell DeadShot Boxed Combo Front and Rear Bag
What You Will Love:
- Can set up in seconds
- Filling holds the bag’s shape well
- Easily adjust position to shoot from any angle
When you’re looking for the best Caldwell shooting bags, consider the Caldwel DeadShot Box Combo Front and Rear Bag because it’s the best one to get when you’re on a budget.
This all-purpose bag is great for hunting and shooting in all kinds of environments. This bag maintains its shape via a corn cob media filling, so it’s lighter than it would be if it were filled with sand, as some bags are.
It works on nearly every surface, and you can adjust its position to shoot from nearly any angle. Made of 600D polyester, it’s water-resistant, so you can take it out even in inclement weather without the risk of ruining your rifle.
And if you’re not sure whether a front bag or a rear bag is right for you, this one gives you the best of both worlds. Transporting the bag is a snap with its Quick Connect feature.
What we found especially helpful about this bag is that you can set it up really quickly, so even if you have only seconds to take your next shot, it’s doable. You don’t often find that level of quality with a budget bag.
Pros:
- Shoot easily from all angles
- Quick to set up
- Includes front and rear bags
- Versatile
Cons:
- A few complaints about the bag being heavy and only single-stitched
Best Rear Shooting Bag
3. Caldwell Universal Rear Shooting Bag
What You Will Love:
- Already filled with sand upon arrival
- 3 different sizes for added convenience
- Comes with easy-to-use hook and loop tabs to secure the rifle
Like other bags we looked at, the Caldwell Rear Universal Shooting Bag with Hook and Loop Straps is filled with corn cob media, so it’s not too heavy.
Because it’s made of leather and polyester, it’s remarkably sturdy and isn’t likely to stretch or sag, even after you’ve been using it for a while. The leather provides a secure rest, while the polyester prevents the bag from stretching or sagging.
To best meet your needs, you can choose from 3 different bag sizes: standard, medium-high, and medium extended. Another thing we especially like about this bag is that you can use it with most front shooting rests.
(The front rests have hook and loop tabs so you don’t have to do any time-consuming lacing). For additional versatility, you can turn the bag on end to fit different rifles.
Pros:
- Comes in 3 different sizes
- Works with most front shooting rests
- Customers also recommended this as one of the best bench rest shooting bags.
Cons:
- Bag may not be tall enough for certain shooting heights.
- The thin stitching may be prone to ripping, especially at the rifle points-of-contact. This can cause sand to leak.
Best Bench Rest Shooting Bag
4. Champion Bench Shooting Bags (Large Filled)
What You Will Love:
- Front and rear bags help you level your firearm.
- You can clip the bags together.
- Bags are made of durable nylon, so they’re water-resistant.
As one of the best bench rest shooting bags, Shooter’s Ridge Champion Bench Shooting Bags are made of suede to provide plenty of traction for your firearm.
Matched front and rear bags help you level your gun. For added convenience, you can clip the bags together. With 2 different-sized bags, there is more potential for you to adjust them for different heights and angles.
Yet they are lightweight enough that carrying them isn’t a huge hassle. Customers report that it’s easy to secure their rifles onto the bags, and the soft material won’t scratch the rifle.
The bags come already filled with a lightweight material, so you don’t have to do that yourself. Most customers were especially satisfied because they found that the bags work as advertised, and are high-quality and inexpensive.
These bags are recommended for the casual shooter who likes to spend time at the range, and some people use them for the occasional hunt.
Pros:
- Lightweight and easy to transport
- Front and rear bags provide extra support for steadying your rifle
- You can clip the bags together
- Suede material provides a “grippy” surface for your firearm.
Cons:
- May not provide enough elevation for AR rifles
- The clip used to attach the bags is a bit stiff.
Best Leather Shooting Bag
5. Protektor Model Standard Front Bag
What You Will Love:
- Durable leather lasts for years.
- Provides a sturdy base for your gun
- Comes prefilled so you can start using it immediately
Every shooter needs a durable, reliable bag, and the Protektor Model Standard Front Bag is an essential addition to your stock of shooting gear. Made of top-grain leather, it comes already filled with sand.
That means you can start using it right away. What brought this bag to our attention are the stellar reviews it received from so many customers. In fact, they often mentioned the Protektor even when reviewing other shooting bags.
They recommended this top rifle shooting bag seemingly countless times, so we had to check it out for ourselves. For a complete set of bags, you can add to this the Rabbit or Bunny Ear Rear Bag.
For extra height and stability, you can place a block (measuring 6″ wide x 6″ long x 2 to 2-1/4″ high) under the bag. To give you an idea of what size rifle you can fit in the bag, we’ll provide the dimensions.
In the middle where the rifle rests, the bag is 4″ high. The “ears” reach 5″ from base to top. The base measures around 5-1/2″ square. The bag’s soft leather helps to stabilize your gun and won’t scratch it.
For a creative twist, some people also reported using the bag as a guitar holder, so if you’re a hunter and a musician, it can serve two purposes.
Pros:
- Well-designed and sturdy
- Lasts a long time
Cons:
The leather requires some maintenance to make sure it doesn’t dry out or become damp and moldy (if you live in a humid climate).
Best Stable Shooting Bag
6. Caldwell TackDriver Bag with Durable One Piece Construction
What You Will Love:
- Versatile, because it fits most firearms
- Self-tightening grip solidly holds your gun while shooting
- Filling pour spout is secured inside the bag to prevent leaks.
Caldwell shooting bags are some of the most top-rated ones we could find, and the TackDriver Bag with durable one-piece construction is no exception.
Weighing in at just 11 ounces, this bag measures 12″L x 7″H x 1″W, large enough to accommodate most rifles and shotguns. With its non-marring surface, the bag won’t damage your firearm.
It holds your gun securely while reducing felt recoil. One feature we especially like about the Caldwell is its self-tightening grip, which keeps a solid hold on your firearm.
Another feature we like is that the bag comes with the pour spout stored inside, and it’s secured by a hook and loop closure to ensure the bag won’t leak a trail of filling.
Plus, you don’t have to worry about getting any of the substance on your firearm and having to clean it. What customers noted as especially helpful about this shooting is that it minimizes the number of “extras” you need.
It’s common to use a front and rear bag together, but this bag makes that unnecessary, so essentially you’re getting too bags for the price of one. And with a shoulder strap and carry handle, it’s convenient to transport anywhere you want to take it.
Pros:
- Versatile: you can use it as a front and rear bag and it accommodates most firearms.
Cons:
- If you get the bag wet, the filling will swell, retain water, and render the bag unusable unless you can get the filling out and replace it with something water-resistant. There were some complaints about the bag being prone to ripping and the stuffing leaking out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why are shooting bags used?
Shooting bags, also called shooting range bags or shooting sandbags, not only provide a place to store your firearms and other gear, they also help you position your rifle for more accurate firing.
What is the benefit of a shooting bag?
Shooting bags help to steady the firearm when you’re shooting. They also allow you to conveniently carry your firearms and ammo.
How much does it cost to buy a shooting bag?
How much you spend on a shooting bag depends on the materials it’s constructed from. Leather, for instance, will cost more than nylon. Some bags come as a set (front and rear), so you may pay more for two bags than one. Extra features will likely carry a higher price tag, too.
What is the bench shooting bag?
You can use bench shooting bags at the shooting range. They’re designed to be especially easy to adjust to line up with the target for accurate shooting.
Conclusion
With so many shooting bags out there, it can be difficult to know which to choose. The best shooting bags are versatile, durable, and come with plenty of room for your firearms and accessories. Look for one that’s designed for the type of shooting you want to do, and has a price tag that fits your budget.
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