For long shots on elk and mule deer, carry a rear support light enough that you keep it with you and low enough to use from whatever position the ground gives you. On broken ground the front of the rifle goes on a bipod, a pack or a rock, and the rear support goes under the toe of the stock.
How much weight should the rear support add?
Every ounce is carried for miles in elk and mule deer country, so weight is a fair first question. The Pro 9" is 9.5 oz, shipped filled. Other bags are lighter, and the figures below are as listed on 4 November 2026.
LS Wild lists its Pack Pillow at about 3.7 oz ($75.00) and its Mini Ultralight Rear Bag at about 1.4 oz ($39.99). Short Action Precision lists its Lightweight Bag at under 5 oz, not including the swivel ($44.99). MDT lists the Traveler at 8 oz with Spex Lite fill ($69.99). WieBad lists a Buckle Rear Bag at 0.95 lb ($39.00) that buckles to a pack.
All cost less; all but the WieBad are lighter. At the other end, one retailer lists the Game Changer at 7 lb with standard beads and 1.5 lb with SpexLite. Short Action Precision, MDT, WieBad and the retailer do not say whether their weights are filled or empty, so treat the comparison as approximate.
What does the rear support have to do on broken ground?
Broken ground does not give you a bench. You get a slope, a rock, a log, a ledge or a patch of dirt. The front of the rifle goes on a bipod, a pack or a rock. The rear of the rifle, under the toe of the stock, still needs something, and a bag is one answer.
A bag at the toe of the stock changes height when you squeeze it, which is useful when the ground is not level. Our post on building a stable prone position covers the basic set-up.
Which positions work on broken ground?
Three positions, described as technique.
Prone on a slope. The bag sits under the toe of the stock, on the ground, with the front on a bipod or pack.
Seated. The bag rests on a knee or thigh under the stock, with the front on a pack or sticks.
Kneeling. A right-handed shooter puts the right knee up and the bag rests on it under the stock. Our post on field positions covers more.
In each, the bag is the support under the stock and your pack, bipod or rock does the front.
What does your pack do well?
A pack is already on your back and it needs no extra gear. It is a good front support. Under the stock it is bulky, and its height changes with what is inside. A bag is smaller and adjustable at the stock, but it is one more item to bring, which is why it matters that it stays on the rifle.
How does the bag get up the hill?
On the rifle. The Sling Steady Pro 9" is a rear shooting rest bag that sits under the stock, and it rides on your sling or attaches directly. It weighs 9.5 oz and ties into the rear QD point or sling swivel at the toe of the stock. Without a rear point, the All-Stock Adapter ($35.95) gives it one. The Pro 9" ships filled with SteadyFill, with ports to add or remove fill, and costs $89.99. It has a three-layer build with an abrasion-resistant grip fabric on the contact face. It is made in the USA, and 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.
Take it up the hill: the Pro 9"
Related reading: The backcountry rifle support bag · Field positions for hunters: where the rear bag fits · What to look for in a lightweight rifle rear bag
Sling Steady is Ready When You Are.