The range is where you learn your rifle and your position. A rear bag makes that practice more consistent, on the bench and on the ground.
Follow your range's rules and the range officer at all times. Keep the action open and the rifle unloaded when you are not on the firing line.
On the bench
- Set the front of the rifle on a front rest or bipod, square to the target.
- Put the rear bag under the toe of the stock. Sit square behind the rifle, with your shoulder in line with the stock.
- Use your support hand on the bag to make small elevation changes, rather than lifting or pushing on the rifle.
- Keep your setup the same from shot to shot: same bag position, same grip, same cheek weld.
Prone at the range
If your range allows it, shoot some strings from prone too. The bench is great for checking zero. Prone is closer to how many hunters and practical shooters actually shoot. Build the position as in our prone guide: in line behind the rifle, front supported, natural point of aim, bag under the toe.
A simple practice routine
- Confirm zero from the bench, with the bag set firm.
- Move to prone and shoot a group with the same setup.
- Practice getting into position: start standing, drop into prone, get the bag under the stock and fire one aimed shot. Repeat.
- Write down what felt different between the bench and prone.
Why carry the bag on the sling at the range?
Because you practice the way you will shoot in the field. With Sling Steady on your sling, the bag goes everywhere the rifle goes, light (under 10 oz) and with nothing extra in the range bag. Shop Sling Steady.
Related reading: Building a stable prone position · Setting bag firmness with SteadyFill · How to install Sling Steady
Sling Steady is Ready When You Are.