The best bags at Cabela’s

A shooting bag isn’t exactly the coolest category of shooting equipment. For many shooters, a “range bag” is the backpack that is convenient and can handle the weight they put in it, especially if they are just starting out. But at some point in life, every shooter comes to the point where he appreciates a bag with a good scope.

You begin to admire a purpose-built backpack with strong stitching, straps, handles and reinforcements in all the right places to handle a constant barrage of heavy ammo boxes, tools, staple guns, magazines and parts.

A setup with just the right number of pockets for what you need, in a bag that fits everything and keeps it from breaking in transit, brings a kind of peace to the soul. And of course, as you get into more types of shooting, you just need more range bags.

Let’s take a look at a few options for excellent range bags, from giant gear carriers for big range days to smaller options ideal for a quick trip to the indoor pistol range.

Large range of bags

GPS G Outdoor Rolling Range Bag

See it

This is a beast that can carry everything, with oversized wheels and a luggage-style telescoping pull handle that lets you pack it to maximum capacity, weight be damned. It handles rough terrain and remote areas with ease, and has plenty of room for everything you need for the longest recording sessions. It contains a number of accessory pockets, including slots for 10 pistol magazines, as well as three internal zippered pockets that can vertically store a medium frame pistol and two small frame pistols. The wide opening main compartment is secured with lockable, heavy-duty zippers. The bag is made of thick canvas wrapped around a sturdy internal frame. The six-rivet construction and padded bottom and sides ensure your weapons and gear are protected on the way in and out.

5.11 Tactical range trainer bag

See it

This 50 liter bag is simple, but large and segmented just enough that you can pack a ton in it while keeping your gear extremely well organised. Made from 600 denier polyester, this 5.11 denier bag is fully padded and has a polyethylene bottom, all to keep gear safe from anything that can be thrown at it. All YKK zippers are lockable and the bag can be transported with a top handle and a removable shoulder strap. A movable divider in the large main compartment allows adjustments on the go. Inside there is an elastic magazine holder with quick access, an accessory panel and elastic loops under the lid. On the outside, it has three side pockets, two zippered back pockets, and MOLLE webbing so you can attach additional pockets or make it low drag.

Pistol reach pockets

Elite Survival Systems Range Bag with 4 Pistols

See it

On the outside, this four-gun shooting bag is super simple and discreet. Inside are a host of well-thought-out pistol-oriented dividers that carry everything you need for a solid pistol session. Two identical compartments on either side can each hold two full-size pistols. The accessory compartments are separated by dividers and elastic loops and Velcro pockets to safely store spare magazines, ammunition and other accessories.

There’s also a mesh pouch that’s perfect for a gun cleaning kit, and the whole thing is made of 1000 denier nylon with heavy-duty zippers, heavy-duty hardware, a rubber handle, and a removable shoulder strap. It can’t carry everything for an outdoor trip, but its rectangular shape and smoothness mean it can easily fit into a larger backpack.

Blackhawk Sportster Deluxe Range Bag

See it

It’s not super fancy, but it’s built to do what it does and it’s built well. This simple bag from Blackhawk is made from 600 denier polyester with a PVC laminate for stability and dual-density foam padding. It features a removable pistol blanket with soft inner fabric to further protect pistols. The main compartment has a wide opening with a double zipper. The exterior features three large double-zip compartments with a slip pocket, plus several interior pockets for organizing pistol magazines and accessories. And thanks to the rows of MOLLE-compatible straps on the outside, attaching more pouches is a breeze. It comes with a removable shoulder strap and wraparound handles.

Magpul DAKA double pistol case

See it

This modestly slim case from Magpul is ideal for protecting two pistols extremely well if you want to store them in a larger bag. It holds a surprising amount of equipment and can absolutely be used on its own to provide enough space for a solid session. The two internal panels are lined with EVA foam for protection and two large pistol sleeves on one panel each have a stretchy retention strap and fit subcompact, compact and full size pistols. On the other panel there are eight elastic pistol magazine slots with a large protective panel that keeps your guns and magazines from touching each other when everything is zipped up. There’s also a zippered pocket for small tools or documents, and because it’s from the company’s DAKA line, it’s made from the same rugged DAKA material.

Range Bags containing Rilfes

Cabela’s MSR Gun Case combo

See it

This is a big UN. It is a rifle case, pistol case and shooting bag in one. The interior is divided into two halves, each of which can safely house two AR-style rifles held in place by adjustable safety straps. The exterior of the quilted bag, which is made from 600 denier polyester, features a generous amount of MOLLE webbing for attaching any desired arrangement of small pouches. Here you will also find the removable double pistol case, which has three accessory pockets on the front that can store many tools, accessories and ammunition.

The bag has simple, sturdy nylon web handles, plus highly adjustable, removable, padded backpack straps, complete with a sternum strap. Carry it as a bag, a backpack, as a simple gun case, in the full configuration, or just detach it and use the gun case on its own – that’s versatility.

Cabela’s double gun case

See it

This new beast of a gun case/assortment bag from Cabela’s is packed with features and no fewer than five carrying options. Made of 600 denier polyester, it can accommodate two rifles up to 39 inches long side by side, with optics attached, and protects them with a padded muzzle and stock sleeves. Also on the inside are two padded pistol pockets, two interior mesh pockets and twelve Velcro straps. There is also a removable shooting mat that doubles as a brass catcher with a bag on the end. When carried as a bag, the case folds in half where the gun compartments are separated.

On the outside, there is one large, flat pocket on one side with a built-in cleaning mat and mesh pockets on the inside, suitable for AR magazines. On the other side you’ll find a medium sized pocket flanked by two small pockets with gussets and internal mesh pockets, all zippered. There are two outer Velcro straps for large accessories like shooting sticks and tripods, and the exterior is covered with laser-cut MOLLE-compatible PALS straps for attaching more bags and gear. The perimeter has six closure straps and the bag features handles, a removable shoulder strap and backpack straps. What else do you want or have?

Special use

G Outdoors 1411SC Sporty Clays Range Bag

See it

When you shoot clays, it can be quite tedious to come up with storage solutions for everything you need to carry without having to spring for high-end specialist equipment. You’re in the right place with this sporty range bag designed by Clays. It has a solid amount of internal space with a front pocket that comes with seven clear plastic tubes that fit just right for choke tubes. The four side pockets are perfect for tools, cleaning supplies and a cutting tool. The bag also features GPS’s Visual ID Storage System, so you can quickly identify where your shooting glasses, earbuds and other essentials are stored; everything has its own place. The main compartment holds eight to ten boxes of shells, and the bag has lift ports on both sides so you can easily transport that ammunition. It also features lockable zippers and a waterproof, extendable rain cover.

Cabela’s long-range rifle case

See it

Sometimes you just don’t feel like lugging a bag around And a gun case when you enter the deep lanes. This huge long-range bag is a tremendous value and serves as both a gun case and a range bag as above, but the compartments are specifically laid out for long-range shooters. The 600 denier polyester bag has a dense foam padding and a reinforced back. It features a padded rifle compartment large enough to accommodate weapons with large scopes and bipods installed. Velcro straps hold the rifle in place, while a dedicated interior pocket houses a full-length cleaning rod.

The front of the bag has three large, padded zipped pockets, all with striking orange lining and mesh pockets, so you can really see what you’re looking for. The two smaller pockets can easily fit multiple boxes of ammo, magazines, earmuffs and tools, while the center pocket can hold a spotting scope, rangefinder, Kestrel and more. Three flat zippered pockets on the back are perfect for storing the detachable shoulder strap, gloves, documents and other flat items.