Proper Ride for Stock on Rear Bag?

G

greyghost02

Member
Where is the stock to ride on rear bag when shooting free recoil? Is it on the bag stitching or ears or combination of both? I am just a rookie for a couple of years now and would like to here from some of the more experienced shooters. My equipment is a stock Savage 12 F/TR with a Dr. Bag from Protektor 1/2" between ears filled with heavy sand. Thanks
 
Last edited:
there is no rule how it should be done, try different methods and see what works best for your rifle + bag combo.
 
I personally like the stock to ride on the ears of the bag. This is why I use a standard rabbit ear bag, on a skip Otto donut. Some of the best shooters use this same method, all I can say is it works for me. Some people have extra stitching put into the bag so that the bottom of the rifle rides on the top of the bag. Some people like rabbit ears, and some like bunny ears, and some even like the in-between ear height. What it all comes down to is personal preference.
 
:confused:The way the combination shoots now is, mostly on the ears and the butt end of stock is on the stitching. As the rifle recoils it slides down to completely on stitching. I was just wondering, if the bag is not fitting the stock correctly. Is the stitching to narrow or to wide. How does you guys stock ride in the bag? Maybe I need to change something?
 
As a test that the piece is riding the bag correctly, I look for a return to battery very close to the aim pint. Is this a valid test?
 
I think that the best test is how the rifle performs on the target. Some accomplished shooters prefer that their stock not touch the stitching between the ears, others want it to. I think that it depends on the individual stock and bag. If you are seeing unexplained shots. or your rifle tends to pop out of the ears when it is shot, perhaps something needs changing, but if it is predictable, and tracks pretty well perhaps not.

Another variable is how you shoot the rifle, the degree of hold. Do you pin it against the stop, or is it totally free. I think that shooting totally free is the most demanding as far as having the perfect bag setup, and often the answer is to try a variety of bags, and play with how they are filled. This can get expensive, and time consuming. I think that I read that one fellow went through a half a dozen rear bags before he found the one that worked perfectly for him.

Years ago, a fellow who is now in the record book, had a rear bag sale, at a match at Visalia. I believe that he had simply bought every bag, and variation that was available at the time, and tried them all. Although that is a method that I am not prepared to follow, I admire the thoroughness. Actually, he got most of his money back on the ones that he didn't keep, since they were as new when he sold them, and ready to go.
 
I do pin the stock and it tracks pretty well sort-of. Just trying for something better. I'm working on it. Need a front rest when I find the right one and price, but that's a different topic. Caldwell Rock needs to go. Thanks!
 
A few side note to what your may be seeing. On a rear bag I pack it tight, the bottom of the bag I fill so tight not another grain of sand could get in, the ears I pack to where they are firm, they will still deflect when you push them with your finger. The front bag I pack to where the ears stay filled, but I can easily massage the sand around. The Savage F TR rifle has a weird set up on the stock, and it is far too wide to use on a standard bag. Portektor has a custom bag designed for that rifle where the ears are mover further out. You could also sand down the back of the stock so that it is in the same dimensions as a standard stock. Last off, Savage placed an unnecessarily long barrel on them guns, and the result is the gun is extremely nose heavy, and want to come out of the rear bag. I have found the best way to shoot these type of rifles, is to pin them hard against the rest, and lay your left hand on top of the stock and place downward pressure, holding the gun into the bag.
 
greyghost02 said:
Where is the stock to ride on rear bag when shooting free recoil? Is it on the bag stitching or ears or combination of both?
Click to expand...

I've shot free recoil for years and have been successful with the butt riding on the stitching OR 1/8" off of it. There is no right or wrong method, both work. Just make sure the butt does not swivel laterally. One thousandth inch [.001"] movement at the rear of the rifle, is magnified on target. :)
 
greyghost02 said:
The way the combination shoots now is, mostly on the ears and the butt end of stock is on the stitching. As the rifle recoils it slides down to completely on stitching.
Click to expand...

If this is the case, do what a lot of us do. Before shooting, pound the butt of the stock down to the stitching to begin with, so there is no movement except straight back when the rifle is fired. OR, fill the rear bag ears so there is enough sand in them so the butt remains at the same level when the stock recoils.

The stitching between the ears is usually sewn so that it is 1/8" less wide than the width of the stock. For example, if the butt is 1/2" wide at the bottom, the stitching between the ears is 3/8" wide. The 1/8" is pretty standard, however, since these bags are sewn by humans you get some variation. The variation can be corrected, in most cases, by varying the amount of sand you place in the ears. If you can't solve the problem with sand, send the bag back.

I had a stitching problem with an Edgewood recently. Jackie Snyder took my requirements over the phone, and then sent me a new bag [in about a week, no charge], even before I could get the old one back to her. She wants her customers happy. Great Folks, Outstanding Customer Service! :)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
abintx said:
If this is the case, do what a lot of us do. Before shooting, pound the butt of the stock down to the stitching to begin with, so there is no movement except straight back when the rifle is fired. OR, fill the rear bag ears so there is enough sand in them so the butt remains at the same level when the stock recoils.

The stitching between the ears is usually sewn so that it is 1/8" less wide than the width of the stock. For example, if the butt is 1/2" wide at the bottom, the stitching between the ears is 3/8" wide. The 1/8" is pretty standard, however, since these bags are sewn by humans you get some variation. The variation can be corrected, in most cases, by varying the amount of sand you place in the ears. If you can't solve the problem with sand, send the bag back.

I had a stitching problem with an Edgewood recently. Jackie Snyder took my requirements over the phone, and then sent me a new bag [in about a week, no charge], even before I could get the old one back to her. She wants her customers happy. Great Folks, Outstanding Customer Service! :)
Click to expand...

That is Jack Snyder.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top