Essential Gear for your Range Bag
Each class description on our website has a general list of recommended equipment you should bring with you when attending a course with Crosswind Precision. Having received some good questions about gear from students over the years, I thought I’d address this topic further with a more detailed list and recommendations specific to your range bag or “go-bag.”
The hardest part of providing a single, comprehensive list of recommended gear is that every shooter has different personal preferences. What I have in my go-bag may not be what you want in yours. So, I thought I would just list the items that I find useful and let each of you determine what you might want to bring along. I’ll reference some brands I use, but this too is personal preference, not a professional endorsement.
If you’re looking for information on specific equipment, check-out our other articles on precision rifles, optics, bi-pods, and match-grade ammo.
- A quality bag.
Maybe it’s a ranger pack, sling bag, or just a small backpack. I prefer the Eberlestock X3 LoDrag. This rugged bag is great for carrying all your gear, plus your weapon in a backpack-configured bag. - A data book.
There are many different data books out there. I like the Sniper Data Book by U.S Tactical Supply. - A shooting mat.
I have the Voodoo Tactical mat and it has proven to be tough and rolls up fairly compact. - Knee and elbow pads.
I always recommend these as they are inexpensive. Some people need them, some don’t. - Shooting bags.
I always have some bags in my vehicle for range shooting if needed, but I always have a rear support sock in my bag. It’s simply an athletic sock with rice and beans in it, then tied off, that is used for rear support. For me, this is a must have item for prone shooting. - Personal items.
Sun screen, lip balm, bug spray, or any other personal items you may need. - Food and water.
This is a must have! Everyone is different when it comes to calorie intake. Some with a high metabolism may need to bring a lot more food than us older guys. I always recommend bringing snacks that can be consumed quickly and pack the energy you need personally. I like to bring lots of Cliff bars, Kind bars, fruit and a couple sandwiches. These items with water, Gatorade, or something else to keep me hydrated will keep me going all day! - Clothing extras.
I like a large brimmed hat like a boonie for those sunny days, and gloves for those colder days. I also recommend that everyone bring a shemagh. This is an absolutely critical item to have in the Middle East and it certainly has a spot here on the range. This rag is good for covering your scope during down-time to keep the sun off it and the dust out of things. And when it gets cold its good around the neck. If the sun is baking you, pour a little water on it, place it under your hat, and let it hang down your back. It’s very cooling and keeps the sun off your neck. I could go on about this item and its uses, but I’ll stop here. Make sure you got one in your bag! - A ballistic computer.
This may be anything from Strelok Pro on your cell phone to a Trimble Nomad hand held. These are good devices that will save money by saving your ammo. These are great for estimating windage and elevation adjustments while gathering DOPE, and I have seen second shot hits at great distances using the Nomad. Keep in mind that these devices require time and training to be utilized properly. - A spotting scope or good binoculars.
I have the Bushnell Fusion 1 Mile range finding binos at 12X50. I also have a Leupold Mark 4 12-40X60 Tactical Spotting Scope.
Those are some of the things I keep in my go-bag. What equipment do you find essential for your bag?
