The importance of bench bags: Mark Camoccio guides you through using them
Shooters need to see exactly what their gun is doing if they’re to achieve supreme accuracy. Shooting from a stable platform is key, with bench bags often the answer, suggests Mark Camoccio
1. Choice
Choose from pre-filled or empty bags to get started
Bench bags are a fantastically simple solution, yet relatively inexpensive. It’s rare that something so cheap can have such a huge impact on our results so they come highly recommended. They can be supplied prefilled but are mainly empty. BSA and Caldwell are two popular brands.
2. Filling
If you went for the empty option, you’ll have to begin by filling them
Irrespective of brand an empty bench bag will have an entry point into which can be poured the medium. I fill mine with dried split peas or lentils, which are cheap and readily available in a supermarket. They’re ideal as they can’t easily leak out like sand yet will settle and shape to the touch.
3. Fine balance
Ensure you don’t over-fill your bench bags
It’s important not to overfill the bag. Put enough medium inside so that the full details of the exterior shape are filled but with some space inside. The filling can thus be moulded and allowed to settle where you want it.
4. Tweaking
It’ll be a case of trial and error to find the perfect position
Trial and error will dictate the perfect location under the rifle for each bag. For fine adjustment gently squeeze both the side of the bag and the rear bag and the image will fall; pinch the front bag and the reticle will rise.
his article originally appeared in the issue 96 of Airgun Shooter magazine. For more great content like this, subscribe today at our secure online store www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk
We all like to shoot with top shelf accuracy, but I will only rest the gun, while in my palm, with the hand resting on a bag and against my shoulder.
Resting it both front an back is a exercise in aiming. Resting with body parts included is more of a shooting game in that your heartbeat, muscle twitch and breathing are all in play. If you group under those conditions, you got it all going for you.