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Range Bag Essentials: Everything You Need For Range Day
Range Bag Essentials: Everything You Need For Range Day
by Scott Murdock ,

Range Bag Essentials: Everything You Need For Range Day


Want to have a safe, productive, and fun day at the range? You’re going to need the right gear.

There are a lot of gadgets and opinions out there, so it can be hard to figure out what you need, what can wait, and what you can skip altogether.

I’m here to help. After years of shooting in the military, as a civilian, and for work, these are the range bag essentials I never go shooting without.

Range Bag Essentials: The Quick List

How I Tested the Best Range Bag Essentials

As a professional gear tester, I have a steady stream of products arriving at my door. That gives me a chance to try all the latest gadgets and equipment, compare it against longstanding favorites, and see what’s worth keeping in my range bag.

I’ve personally tested everything you see here. Some items have been in my rage bag for years. Everything has seen hard, real-world use and proven that it’s worth buying. If I wouldn’t spend my own money on something, it doesn’t make the cut!

Meet the Experts

This article was written by Scott Murdock. Scott is a Marine Corps veteran who competed and qualified as a rifle and pistol expert while in service. The gear you see here is what he personally packs in his range bag, with input from his peers and coworkers. These picks are informed by years of shooting, gear testing, and learning from professional shooters.

Best Range Bag Essentials

1. Eberlestock Bang Bang - Best Range Bag

Pros

  • Excellent build quality
  • Customizable internal organization
  • Hard-shell base compartment for firearm storage

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Doesn’t fit large items (spotting scopes, tripods, etc.)

Specs

  • Volume: 2,063 ci / 34 L
  • Colors: Black, dry earth, gray, military green, Multicam
  • Weight: 4 lbs

We can’t talk about range bag essentials without picking a range bag first, and I’ve been enthusiastically recommending the Eberlestock Bang Bang for years.


Aside from being built like a tank, the Bang Bang’s standout feature is the polycarbonate base compartment. It’s sturdy and waterproof, so you can cut foam inserts and make a home for a few pistols and magazines. It also gives the bag structure. I’ve loaded mine down with all kinds of heavy ammunition and gear without it sagging and becoming unwieldy.

Up top, there’s a large main compartment with movable dividers, and additional storage on each side with organizational pockets for small items like pens, tools, and magazines.


This has been my go-to range bag for several years. It’s extremely well-built, and doesn’t show any signs of wear after everything I’ve put it through. The organization panels allow me to set it up for different tasks, and the padding protects sensitive optics and camera equipment. With a place for everything, I always have what I need and never leave anything behind.

Why wouldn’t you buy the Bang Bang? I can think of two reasons (aside from price). If you want to bring the bare minimum to the range – ears, eyes, a box or two of ammo, and a pistol – this is overkill. At the other end of the spectrum, if you want to pack a rifle and all your gear in one bag, you’ll need to size up. For the rest of us, the Bang Bang is just about perfect.

2. ShellShock EXO Pro Elite - Best Hearing Protection

Pros

  • Sophisticated, extremely responsive electronic hearing protection
  • Comfortable PureSeal gel cups
  • Simple, ergonomic power/volume dial

Cons

  • More expensive than ear plugs
  • Not bluetooth compatible

Specs

  • Hearing Protection: 23 NRR / 28 SNR
  • Reaction Time: 5 ms
  • Battery: 2 x AAA
  • Comes With: Hard case, auxiliary cable, carabiner, batteries, user manual

If you haven’t tried active hearing protection yet, it’s a game-changer. The ShellShock EXO Pro Elite earmuffs are the latest and greatest. You’ll have a hard time finding a better balance of performance and price.

They’re even more protective than the previous version, with independently certified safety ratings of 23 NRR and 28 SNR. Upgraded software provides better audio quality, automatic shutoff to save battery life, and a lightning-fast reaction time – gunshots get detected and clipped to a hearing-safe volume in just 5 milliseconds.

I’m all for these safety enhancements, but I also appreciate that the EXO Pro Elite are more comfortable thanks to thicker gel cups around the ears. If I’m comfortable, I’m able to train and stay focused longer.


The EXO Pro Elite earmuffs are priced competitively, but you have other options. The older EXO Pro costs $20 less. If you want bluetooth connectivity, the EXO Pro Bluetooth is available for a $26 bump in price.

3. ShellShock SunShift Photochromic - Best Eye Protection

Pros

  • Quickly adapt to ambient lighting conditions
  • Great field of view and situational awareness
  • Lightweight and comfortable

Cons

  • More expensive than generic hardware store glasses
  • Not mirrored

Specs

  • Ballistic Protection: ANSI Z87.1
  • UV Protection: 99.9% UVA/UVB
  • Coatings: Anti-scratch, anti-fog
  • Material: Polycarbonate (lens), TR90 (frame)

Now that you have hearing protection sorted, you’re going to need eye protection. Those two are mandatory at every firing line in the country. I rotate through shooting glasses depending on the day, but one option I keep coming back to is the ShellShock SunShift – specifically the photochromic variant.

Military Man with SunShift Photochromic and EXO Pro

These shooting glasses are independently tested and meet the current ANSI Z87.1 safety standard. The photochromic lens automatically adapts to ambient lighting conditions to give you just the right amount of tint; and it happens in seconds. It’s also coated to protect against scratches, smudges, and fog, so you always have a clear view.

I like these shooting glasses because they keep me safe and make life simple. I don’t have to pack separate eye pro for dark indoor ranges and bright outdoor ranges; these are always perfect. That leaves more room in my range bag for other essentials.

ShellShock SunShift Photochromic

If you want even more protection, check out the Z87+ ShellShock Cloak. The lenses aren’t photochromic, but they are polarized to knock down solar glare (and the ones with green mirrored lenses look fantastic).

4. Mountain Man Medical Yellowstone Trauma Kit - Best IFAK

Pros

  • Packed with trauma kit essentialsCompact and MOLLE compatible
  • Tourniquet, gloves, and shears included

Cons

  • Building your own IFAK is cheaper
  • I still recommend basic bandaids, burn cream, and pain medication

Specs

  • Contents: Tourniquet, chest seal, gauze, hemostatic gauze, compression bandage, elastic wrap, nitrile gloves, trauma shears, permanent marker
  • Colors: Black, red
  • Dimensions: 4.3” x 7.5” x 2.5”
  • Weight: 15 oz

I hope you never need a trauma kit at the range, but you need to have one. The Mountain Man Medical Yellowstone Trauma Kit comes with everything you need in a ready-to-go package.


This is a trauma kit, not a normal first aid kit, so the contents are tailored to wound care. They include regular and hemostatic gauze, bandages, chest seals, and your choice of three types of tourniquet. Everyone has their own preference, so I like that Mountain Man Medical gives you that option. They also throw in shears for removing clothing, and a permanent marker for recording the time you applied the tourniquet on the patient.

This IFAK has everything you need in a good trauma kit, and it’s small enough to mount on the outside of your range bag where anyone can see and easily access it.


If you’re on a tight budget, it’s possible to build your own IFAK. That requires a little bit of know-how, so I recommend modeling yours after a commercial IFAK like this one or consulting with someone who’s medically trained.

5. PMC Bronze - Best Training Ammo

Pros

  • Available in most common cartridges
  • Relatively affordable
  • Accurate and reliable

Cons

  • There are more budget-friendly options
  • Not available for .22 LR

Specs

  • Bullet Construction: FMJ, JHP
  • Case Material: Brass

You can’t hit the range without ammunition! This is a whole separate conversation, but one type of ammo I use often is PMC Bronze.


I’ve done extensive ammo testing, including comparisons based on chronograph data, accuracy figures, and terminal performance in ballistic gel. PMC Bronze is a nice middle-ground option that’s not too cheap but not too expensive. It’s accurate, reliable, and cleaner-burning than a lot of budget ammo.

PMC serves a wide range of cartridges with the Bronze line. That includes staples like 9mm, .45 ACP, 5.56 NATO, and 7.62x39. Finding what you need in stock is generally easy with this brand. The main drawback is there’s no .22 LR.


PMC offers jacketed hollow point (JHP) ammunition in the Bronze line, but I haven’t tested it. Until I do, I recommend training with PMC Bronze full metal jacket (FMJ) ammo and loading defensive ammo like Federal HST or Speer Gold Dot for self defense.

6. Acostop USPSA Targets - Best Targets

Pros

  • Provides realistic training
  • Easy to repair and resume with pasters
  • More stable than paper targets

Cons

  • More expensive than paper targets
  • Not ideal for sighting in a new optic

Specs

  • Style: Silhouette
  • Colors: Brown/white (reversible)
  • Material: Cardboard
  • Dimensions: 18” x 30”
  • Count: 20, 30, 50

If you’re like me, you’ll end up with a bunch of different kinds of targets for different training purposes. Unless I’m zeroing a new optic or shooting steel, I generally use these Acostop USPSA targets.


This style of target is common in competitive shooting, and it’s great for practical purposes in general. The standard silhouette shape is divided into A, B, C, and D scoring zones by perforated lines. They’re brown on one side and white on the other.

These are great for drills that develop both accuracy and speed. They’re also more rigid than paper, so they last longer. I carry color-matching pasters to cover my shots and reuse targets several times – it’s a great way to keep training costs down.


The one thing I don’t use these for is zeroing an optic. For that, I like to have grid lines that help me make fast, accurate turret adjustments. These targets from Champion are a great alternative.

7. Leatherman Surge - Best Multitool

Pros

  • Extremely robust
  • Wide assortment of tools
  • Large enough to provide lots of leverage

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Somewhat heavy

Specs

  • Number of Tools: 21
  • Material: Stainless steel
  • Colors: Black, stainless steel
  • Dimensions: 4.5” x 1.7” x 0.8”
  • Weight: 13 oz

There are certain specialty tools you might want in your range bag – torx bits, hex wrenches, and the like – but a good multitool can solve a lot of your problems. For more than a decade, I’ve carried the same Leatherman Surge I used in Afghanistan.


This powerhouse of a multitool features 21 tools. That includes pliers, drivers, blades, a saw, and lots more. Heavy-duty construction and stainless steel make it almost indestructible. Take your pick of finish: matte black or bare stainless steel.

The Surge is a little big for pocket carry, but it’s certainly not too big to keep in your range bag. It’s handy for adjusting turrets, pulling staples, and repairing damaged gear.

If you can justify the price, it’ll probably be the last multitool you ever need.

8. Real Avid Master Cleaning Station - Best Cleaning Kit

Pros

  • Compact and portable
  • Supports most common cartridges
  • Available in multiple configurations

Cons

  • Cleaning solvent and lubricant not included
  • Patches run out quickly

Specs

  • Cleaning Rod: 3-piece brass rod, free-spinning T-handle
  • Brushes: .22, .243/6.5mm, .270.280/7mm, .30/7.62mm, .357/9mm, .45, 20ga, 12ga
  • Jags: .22, .243/6.5mm, .270/.280/7mm, .30/7.62mm, .357/9mm, .45
  • Mops: 20ga, 12ga
  • Specialty Tools: Brass brush, nylon brush, plastic picks

Cleaning your firearm is easier at home, but sometimes it’s nice to have a portable cleaning kit at the range. The Real Avid Master Cleaning Station is perfect for range days because it’s compact, includes an impressive amount of tools, and has its own roll-out cleaning surface.


The kit includes brass bore brushes and plastic jags for common rifle, pistol, and shotgun barrels. They, along with two sizes of slotted tips, thread onto a three-piece rod with a spinning T-handle to protect your muzzle and rifling. There are two all-purpose brushes and plastic picks for stubborn carbon buildup. Several sizes of patches are included, although you’ll need to replenish the supply often.

It’s a surprisingly comprehensive gun cleaning kit, and the fact that it’s so compact makes it great for range days. The roll-out mat is really nice because it keeps grime and gun oil off your countertop at home.


I really like this cleaning kit, but there are a few things you’ll need to buy separately.

The patches that come with it will run out quickly, so stock up on extras. Get some microfiber cloths and q-tips while you’re at it. This kit doesn’t include cleaning solvent or lubricant, either. I recommend grabbing these essentials from Hoppe’s and adding them to your range bag.

How to Pick the Best Range Bag Essentials

What you see here are the basic building blocks of a great range bag. There are times when you might need specialized equipment, though, so let’s dig into that a little more.

Supporting Your Style of Shooting

Depending on what type of shooting you enjoy, you might need to focus on certain items more than others.


If you’re training with a home defense or CCW pistol, you might want a stack of cardboard targets and a roll of pasters to patch them up after each drill. I recommend a shot timer, holster, and gun belt, too.

Interested in long range precision shooting? Better pack a spotting scope, rangefinder, wind meter, chronograph, and notetaking gear. This style of shooting is all about collecting data and observing patterns.

Hunters preparing for opening day might not need all that stuff. You should practice shooting off a backpack, tripod, or shooting sticks if that’s what you plan on using in the field, though.

Shooting With Friends

Whenever I shoot with other people, I like to pack a few extra items for them. Having a spare set of ear plugs and shooting glasses can save someone from getting left out, and they don’t cost a lot of money.

More people means more potential for injury, so I tend to beef up my first aid capability when I shoot with a group. Instead of an individual trauma kit or IFAK, I bump up to a more complete first aid kit. I also make sure everyone knows where it is, who to call in case of an emergency, and what they should say.

Range Bag Odds & Ends

In addition to everything else, I keep an assortment of extra gear on hand to keep everything running smoothly. Nobody likes to cut a range day short because of a malfunction or dead battery.


Here are some ideas:

  • Batteries for everything you use: optics, rangefinders, a power bank for your cell phone – you name it.
  • Lens cloth
  • Staples
  • Hex keys and torx bits as necessary
  • A list of drills and instructions so I’m not reliant on cell service or wifi
  • Sunscreen and bug spray

Final Thoughts

Everyone has their own preferences, but these range bag essentials will set you up for success.

As you gain experience and explore different types of shooting, you’ll pick up more specialized equipment and figure out what works best for you.


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