I use a set of heavy 4x4 140" antlers... cut off the brow tines, sanded down the burs, drilled holes in the bases to run a rope through so they are attatched. I also cut off about 1/2" off each tine and rounded them off so they don't cut me up when I accidently catch my hands with them. Also drilled 1/8" holes into the tips of these tines (seems to give a better sound and amplifies the sound). Then, I tie a loop in the rope, not in the middle, but closer to one side than the other, that way when I hang them from a hook in my tree the antlers are offset and they don't bang together when the wind picks up.
I used rattling bag for about 3-4 years with little success, then went back to the real deal and they have had a part in harvesting a buck every year since.