For NRL Hunter matches you need a rear bag you can carry through the whole course, because the rules require hunters to carry all equipment. The 2026 rules do not mention rear bags, and a bag attached directly to the stock may count toward rifle weight, so confirm your setup with your match director.
What is the NRL Hunter match format?
As summarized from the NRL Hunter rules page (nrlhunter.org/rules), read 4 November 2026: a match has at least 12 stages and at least 40 hunters, over at least two days. Every stage is blind. No distances or target locations are given, and the hunter finds, ranges and engages targets on the clock.
The time limit is 4 minutes for an individual and 6 for a team, per stage. A first-round hit scores 2 points, a second-round hit scores 1, and a stage maxes out at 8. Most targets are 200 to 700 yards, up to 1000 yards at some events. Rules change, so check the current page.
What does carrying everything mean for a rear bag?
Hunters must carry all equipment through the whole course. Under section 3.F.10 of the 2026 NRL Hunter Rules and Regulations, hunters start with all gear stowed and the pack fully on. The rifle may be carried by hand or slung, with the bipod and tripod collapsed.
For a rear bag, that leaves two places: in the pack, or on the rifle. A bag in the pack has to be found and pulled during the clock. A bag on the rifle is already at the stock. The Pro 9" ties into the rear QD point or sling swivel and sits at the toe of the stock.
The rules do not mention rear bags. The NRL Hunter FAQ lists a shooting bag only as suggested gear. A bag carried on the sling is not addressed by the rules, so confirm with your match director before the match.
Does the bag count toward rifle weight?
Divisions are set by rifle weight: Open Light up to 12 lb, Open Heavy over 12 lb up to 16 lb, and Factory 13 lb or under. Section 4.C of the 2026 rules weighs the rifle with all dedicated support equipment attached: the barrel, muzzle device, trigger, action, stock or chassis, scope, and bipod if used. Hard-mounted rangefinders, data cards and timers count. Section 4.C says: "Slings are no longer included in the rifle weight." Tripods, ammunition and detachable magazines are not counted.
Slings do not count, and a bag carried on the sling is not addressed by the rules. A bag attached directly to the stock may count as mounted equipment: the NRL Hunter FAQ says weight includes everything mounted to the rifle except the magazine and ammunition. Confirm with your match director. The Pro 9" is 9.5 oz. Sling Steady does not claim that NRL Hunter endorses or allows it.
How do positions work?
The hunter picks a position within the shooting area, using terrain or equipment. A new position must be at least an arm's distance from the last. A rear bag is one piece of equipment that can sit under the stock in any position.
What do the lighter bags weigh?
As listed on 4 November 2026: Short Action Precision's Lightweight Bag is under 5 oz, not including the swivel, at $44.99. MDT's Traveler is 8 oz with Spex Lite fill at $69.99. LS Wild's 2.5 Ultralight Rear Bag is about 2.5 oz in 500D Cordura at $65.00. All three cost less, and weigh less with the Traveler on Spex Lite. Short Action Precision and MDT do not say whether their weights are filled or empty.
The Precision Rifle Blog survey of the top 200 PRS shooters (11 October 2024) found 77% use a Game Changer and 23% a WieBad Fortune Cookie, with sand the most common fill at 67%. That is PRS, a different sport from NRL Hunter.
How would you set up the Pro 9" for a match?
The Pro 9" is a rear shooting rest bag that sits under the stock, and it rides on your sling or attaches directly. Choose a color, set the fill with the ports, and attach the bag at the rear point. Use the All-Stock Adapter ($35.95) if the stock has none. Practice getting into position with it before match day. The Pro 9" costs $89.99, has a three-layer build and is made in the USA. Sling Steady is a veteran-run company.
In our testing, shots landed 28% closer to the bullseye with Sling Steady under the stock, and muzzle rise was about 75% lower. It also helps manage recoil.
For match season: the Pro 9"
Related reading: Building a stable prone position with a rear bag · Rear bag for barricade shooting · What to look for in a lightweight rifle rear bag
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