By: Dave House and assisted by Marc Sheehan
Cole Tac Waxed Flat Bag with Backbone Frame
Everyone is always looking for the next best thing…shooting rests are no different!
Everyone strives to get the sturdiest rest possible!
With the growing popularity of Tripods in the field for hunting there’s companies out there trying to make things better! Gone are the days of a thick wool sock filled with sand to carry in the field.
A couple weeks back I purchased a Waxed Flat bag & BackBone Frame from Cole Tac.
The Waxed Flat Bag attaches to the BackBone Frame via velcro straps.
The BackBone frame comes with a bottom attachment that’s either Picatinny, Arca or Arca Square…we’re working with the Arca Square for my purpose.
The Arca Square attachment fits neatly into the Arca top on your preferred Tripod, most Tripods these days have Arca…but always check.
I should mention I’m not discussing Tripod choices….everyone has their favorite.
I loaded up my gear and headed to Nebraska to do some shooting with Marc Sheehan and get his opinion also.
We setup our gear and got started.
We both shot Revolvers and Single Shots off the rest.
We both shot from Field Positions….Standing, Kneeling, Sitting.
We both shot the bag in the North/South and East/West orientation.
Accurate hits were made on steel with all firearms out to 180yds…limit of the range used.
I feel I prefer the North/South orientation better for Revolver, I think it gives my hands/wrist a more comfortable place to sit.
Revolvers used were 357s, Single Shots used were 6BR, 7-08 and 308…bag held steady with all.
Shooting from the Standing position is always the hardest and this bag makes that easier.
Kneeling and Sitting are better also but I figure that’s a given.
We both liked the setup and will use it this year.
Antelope and Prairie Deer Season will be opening soon and this setup will be in use. It will help getting over the tall grass where Prone Shooting isn’t an option.
Weight is always a factor when hunting…this Bag & Frame sit on my scale at 15oz…added to my not so fancy tripod comes in at 3.6lbs.
Obviously a lighter tripod would help but 3.6lbs is very manageable for me.
This setup also makes a very handy rest for Binos for extended glassing from a position…no need for another tripod/spotting scope combo.
The bag is very steady and initially seems plenty durable, more Field use will determine this.
I wanted to do this after hunting season and field use..but some folks may find this helpful before season.
Good Luck and Be Safe
Dave & Marc
