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May 12th, 2012
Danny Biggs is one of the nation’s most successful F-Class shooters. A two-time (back to back) National Champion in F-TR Class, Danny also finished third in Open Class at the 2010 National Championships. Notably, Danny’s X-count of 67Xs, the highest of all competitors, was 10 Xs higher than 2010 F-Open winner Derek Rogers.
 Mat with ‘Donut-Hole’ Cut-Out for Rear Bag
Danny is a very savvy competitor, to say the least, and he brought some innovative gear with him to the Nationals. Along with his height-adjustable Sinclair wide-base bipod, Danny used a cleverly modified shooting pad and Edgewood rear sandbag. Danny’s “donut-hole” mat featured a cut-out in the middle, allowing him to place his rear sandbag directly on the ground. This helps stabilize the bag no matter what the ground surface or slope. With the bag sitting directly on the ground, it’s less likely to slide or rotate.
In addition, Danny’s rear bag is raised up via a thick rubber base or “foot”. The fat base, which appeared to be hard rubber, is secured via metal tabs that clamp on to the hard leather bottom of Danny’s Edgewood rear bag. The Edgewood bag has a lip around the bottom that provides a natural attachment point for the metal tabs.
Inexpensive MidwayUSA Shooting Mat
Danny uses an affordable shooting mat — the basic 67″ L x 26.75″ W MidwayUSA shooting pad that retails for $49.99. FYI, MidwayUSA’s larger Pro Series Competition Shooting Mat is on sale right now for the same $49.99 (sale price through May 31, 2012). Sized 73.5″ long x 35.5″ wide, this deluxe, khaki-colored mat rolls up into an 8.5″ Diameter “sausage” for transport or storage. The mat has rubberized elbow and knee pads; the mat is about .535″ thick at the knee and elbow pads. By comparison, the standard MidwayUSA Shooting Mat is only 0.335″ thick on the pads. Both standard and Pro Series mats have corner grommets allowing the mat to be staked down in high winds. These mats both have a carry handle and a shoulder strap.
January 31st, 2010
The IBS recently announced that it would allow AR-platform rifles to compete in local IBS benchrest matches in their own class. If you plan to campaign your AR in this new class, you should definitely add a 3″-wide front sled and some kind of rear bag-rider to your gun. Without a flat fore-arm “sled” and rear bag-rider, ARs tend to be very wobbly, and the standard rear stock (with sling loop in place) is terrible in a rear sandbag.
 
Robert Whitley’s AR-X Enterprises has just what you need to improve your AR’s bench behavior. AR-X sells precisely-fitted Delrin bag-riders, crafted expressly for ARs by Evolution Gun Works (EGW). The 3″-wide front bag rider (aka “sled”) features a “twin rail” design and attaches to a tubular fore-arm via a swivel stud. The rear bag-rider mates to the bottom of a standard AR stock and attaches via the rear sling swivel anchor. This provides a smooth, straight surface to ride the bags.
These Delrin EGW bag-rider units were originally designed and prototyped for AccurateShooter.com’s 20 Practical AR project rifle. We tried many different designs, and the final production versions really work — as you can see in the video above. The AR bag-riders cost $40 front and $40 rear, or $75.00 for the set of two. To order, visit 6mmAR.com, or email Robert Whitley: rcw3 [at] erols.com .
January 20th, 2010
Streamlined DBM Mag Release from American Precision Arms
Jered Joplin of American Precision Arms (formerly Patriot Arms) showed us a smart new product that should speed up mag changes for tactical bolt-gun competitors. The new APA detachable box magazine (DBM) bottom metal has two, spring-loaded tabs, one on either side of the tigger guard. Just push down on the tab on either side and the magazine drops out quickly and easily. You don’t have to fumble around with hard-to-operate latches anymore.
American Precision Arms’ DBM system uses the well-proven AICS magazine, as several others do, but APA’s version has the most streamlined and user-friendly mag release mechanism. Releasing the magazine with the trigger finger is very intuitive. The release levers are machined to fit flush with the trigger guard edges, so there is virtually no change of a snag or unintentional release. For more information, call Jered Joplin at (706) 534-1577.
New Protektor Model Deluxe Rear Bags
We stopped by the Protektor Model booth and were pleased to find some new deluxe rear bags on display. The DR bag, a large square rear bag, is one of Jason’s favorites. He suggested to Protektor that it combine this flat top design with the larger Loaf design, shown at right in the picture below. The loaf provides extra stabiity and it can serve as a hand/arm rest as well.
One new Protektor product that caught our attention was a thick-botomed bag with a carry handle. The thick bottom is crafted from hard, thick leather with an extra layer of suede on the bottom for enhanced grip. Though designed for bench use, I dubbed this model the “F-Class Bag” because the extra height would be very helpful when shooting from the ground, and the built-in handle would be ideal for carrying the bag out to the shooting positions. This new F-Class Bag is not on Protektor’s website yet, but it is a production model that should retail for roughly $70.00 unfilled and about $80.00 filled with sand. (Protektor conveniently offers both filled and un-filled versions of most of its sandbags.)
July 10th, 2009
Here’s a new product that may prove useful for tactical shooters and walk-around varminters. The new Monkey Bag™ (MSRP: $29.95) from Shooters Ridge®, is a versatile three-part, poly-filled bag rest that can adapt to a variety of placements. You can stack all three “rolls” to create an elevated front rest. Use one or two rolls in the rear to support your buttstock in prone position. Available summer 2009, the Monkey Bag features a soft suede pad to protect a firearm’s finish and provide a gripping surface. NOTE: As the Monkey Bag hasn’t hit the shelves yet, we haven’t tested it. But it looks promising for shooters who want something more versatile than a “sausage roll” sand-sock, but lighter and more compact than an Uncle Bud’s Bulls Bag.
Filled with polymer stuffing rather than sand, the Monkey Bag is lighter and easier to carry than conventional sandbags. Shooters Ridge claims the Monkey Bag is “ideal for fence posts, box blinds, [and] shooting benches.” This versatile bag joins Shooters Ridge’s existing line of modular bag rests such as the Gorilla Bag and Mini-Gorilla Bag (photo below). For more information, visit ShootersRidge.com.
May 2nd, 2009
There are some great deals among the May Specials at Midsouth Shooters Supply.
Browning 15″ Bull’s Bag — This bag, an “X”-type front sandbag similar to the popular Uncle Bud’s bag, is on close-out for just $24.99 (sand not included). Choose from Black/Yellow (item 237-16022), or Black/Mossy Oak Camo (237-16024). This is a great deal. An Uncle Bud’s Bull’s Bag normally runs about $49.00.
Caldwell “Rock” Competition Model Front Rest — Midsouth has the “RocK” Comp Model on sale for $149.99. While many “Rock” owners end up replacing the front bag, this unit is a surprisingly good front rest for the money. With a 15.5-lb cast-iron “slingshot” base similar to the Bald Eagle design, the Caldwell Rock is very stable. The captain’s wheel works fine for elevation adjustments. Windage adjustment is less than ideal, as a threaded shaft rotates the whole head to adjust windage, rather than sliding the head back and forth in a straight line. Yes, at the extremes of adjustment, that can cause some binding, but most of the time it works just fine.
Smart Reloader Kinetic (Impact) Bullet Puller — Midsouth has its “house-brand” hammer-style bullet puller on sale for just $11.13. This unit is virtually identical to “name-brand” bullet pullers sold for up to $20.00. The unit comes complete with three, o-ring-secured collets (small, med, large) that will work with just about any cartridge… from 22 Hornet to 45/70.
February 21st, 2009
 Sinclair Int’l has released its latest catalog of products for precision shooters. As always, the Sinclair Catalog is packed with interesting gear, and this 2009-A catalog has a bunch of new products. Most notably, the catalog features a wide selection of Nightforce scopes, including the Benchrest models. Sinclair Int’l is now a stocking Nightforce dealer. The 12-42×56 BR model is Sinclair Product 72-1045, priced at $1359.00.
Among the many new items in Sinclair’s catalog are two new products from Edgewood, makers of sandbags and high-quality leather shooting products. The first Edgewood addition will make old-fashioned bag-squeezers rejoice. Edgewood’s new “Softy” is an extra-soft squeezable rear bag is made of heavy Elk Hide. The Softy’s base is extra thick, but still soft (not a hard donut like Edgewood’s otherbags). This bag is approximately 3-1/2” tall with medium height ears and a 3/16” ear spread. Sinclair comments: “If you prefer to squeeze the rear bag for minor sight adjustments instead of turning knobs on your front rest, this is the perfect rear bag for the job. The Softy’s taller, soft ears will accommodate just about any stock style.” The Softy, Item 04-7575, retails for $135.50.
The second Edgewood item we noticed was the new leather Stock Protector, item 04-7580. Yes, we know, a cheap, old towel can do the same job, but the $32.95 Edgewood product will stay in place better than a towel and it provides a better barrier against solvents that might harm your stock’s finish. This is a beautifully-made item, a shooting accessory for the “man who has everything”. Two 1/4” steel rods are sewn into the side edges of the stock protector to keep it in place on the stock. Made of a single piece of quality leather, the Edgewood Stock Protector is 9-1/2” wide and 12” long.
Sinclair Int’l Catalog Requests
Sinclair’s 2009-A catalog is free for the asking. CLICK HERE for a catalog request form. Fill it out and Sinclair will mail its latest catalog to you.
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