SEB rear bag problem?

[Grey Kiwi]

A few months ago I bought a new SEB rear bag (a Tan and Black one).
Tried it a few times and didn't really like it, but couldn't quite figure why not.
Then I noticed that the bag 'wobbled' from side to side. It had quite a curved base, and even though I tried a couple of different fill materials, and 'tightness/looseness' of the fill the curve remained. I tried sticking a wee foam strip each side to take up the space, and that did help...but not really ideal.
So...sent some photos to the NZ dealer and he asked for the bag back, but also sent a new one to me (so the service was nice and quick).
The new SEB bag is Red and Black (older model/newer model?), but it has a worse curve to the base.
I'm fairly sure that stuffing fill material into that bag won't straighten the base, but I'm happy for you good folks to prove me wrong.
I have poly beads, aquarium 'gritty' sand (Black and heavy), and Garnet sand as fill materials.
What are your thoughts?
Send this bag back anyway, or try to fill it and hope that the base will flatten out.
I only shoot indoor benchrest, and the benches are all made with a flat concrete top. So a flat base to the rear bag is needed.
Once I place the rear bag I make sure to press it firmly down to make sure it goes flat...but this SEB doesn't go flat. The curve remains.
Thanks for any ideas.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

@seb

 

[Grey Kiwi]

Yes, already asked about the donut bag, but they don't have one.
Was thinking about making my own one.
Please be aware that I'm not knocking SEB, or the NZ agent.
Very happy with the service provided.
Just asking if the new bag also has a 'problem', and if there is a way to sort it out (apart from having to make/buy a donut bag).
Send this bag back and upgrade to a Bigfoot with donut bag?
But no Bigfoot in NZ and close to $NZ400 for one when available.
Send this one back too, and just buy a Protektor rear bag?

 

[LHSmith]

Don't know if this would help with that bag with a thick bottom, but I slam my bag hard to the bench to flatten it out. I have also used a thin rubber mesh (think tool box liner) to prevent slippage. I used 1/16" thick EPDM non skid matting from MSC -it comes in different durometer ratings.

 

[seb]

A few months ago I bought a new SEB rear bag (a Tan and Black one).
Tried it a few times and didn't really like it, but couldn't quite figure why not.
Then I noticed that the bag 'wobbled' from side to side. It had quite a curved base, and even though I tried a couple of different fill materials, and 'tightness/looseness' of the fill the curve remained. I tried sticking a wee foam strip each side to take up the space, and that did help...but not really ideal.
So...sent some photos to the NZ dealer and he asked for the bag back, but also sent a new one to me (so the service was nice and quick).
The new SEB bag is Red and Black (older model/newer model?), but it has a worse curve to the base.
I'm fairly sure that stuffing fill material into that bag won't straighten the base, but I'm happy for you good folks to prove me wrong.
I have poly beads, aquarium 'gritty' sand (Black and heavy), and Garnet sand as fill materials.
What are your thoughts?
Send this bag back anyway, or try to fill it and hope that the base will flatten out.
I only shoot indoor benchrest, and the benches are all made with a flat concrete top. So a flat base to the rear bag is needed.
Once I place the rear bag I make sure to press it firmly down to make sure it goes flat...but this SEB doesn't go flat. The curve remains.
Thanks for any ideas.

Grey Kiwi,
Thank you for yours!

Our rear bags use neophrene bottom that forms a doughnut (with a center cavity underneath) and deliberately formed slightly concave during assembly so that it can sit stably and not bulge on the bottom after being filled with sand. The hardness of the neophrene has also been adjusted in such a way and is flexible enough so that it can follow the surface underneath. Not everytime we shoot over a really flat surface such as on a wooden bench top, over shooting mat from mound to mound, etc.
The small "dots" on the bottom are also made so that they are more sticky on various surfaces.

Would you please try to press the rear bag down to make it more stable and settle before shooting?
Or put enough sand in the bag? Or by bending the bag before use to be flat / not concave?

If you still don't like the bag you can simply return it and I will pay the shipping cost back and forth.

Cheers,
seb

 

[Dave M.]

Grey Kiwi,
Thank you for yours!

Our rear bags use neophrene bottom that forms a doughnut (with a center cavity underneath) and deliberately formed slightly concave during assembly so that it can sit stably and not bulge on the bottom after being filled with sand. The hardness of the neophrene has also been adjusted in such a way and is flexible enough so that it can follow the surface underneath. Not everytime we shoot over a really flat surface such as on a wooden bench top, over shooting mat from mound to mound, etc.
The small "dots" on the bottom are also made so that they are more sticky on various surfaces.

Would you please try to press the rear bag down to make it more stable and settle before shooting?
Or put enough sand in the bag? Or by bending the bag before use to be flat / not concave?

If you still don't like the bag you can simply return it and I will pay the shipping cost back and forth.

Cheers,
seb

SEB, my Bigfoot bag does the same thing. I’ve only shot off it twice and both times shot worse than I have in the last 5 years at 600 yards (shot a 588 and 591, those are literally my two lowest scores in the last 5 years). My doesn’t seem to be as bad as the OPs but I can see light under the bag when set on a perfectly flat table. Would the Bigfoot donut help this condition? If so, how much are the donuts? I have tried three different fill levels and even with the current “max fill” it still exhibits the curve. Thanks SEB and keep doing what you do, your products are amazing and the quality is incredible. This is my first Bigfoot bag so perhaps the OP and I don’t know the “trick” to make the Bigfoot bag settle in and shoot. Thanks again for your help.

Dave

 

[seb]

SEB, my Bigfoot bag does the same thing. I’ve only shot off it twice and both times shot worse than I have in the last 5 years at 600 yards (shot a 588 and 591, those are literally my two lowest scores in the last 5 years). My doesn’t seem to be as bad as the OPs but I can see light under the bag when set on a perfectly flat table. Would the Bigfoot donut help this condition? If so, how much are the donuts? I have tried three different fill levels and even with the current “max fill” it still exhibits the curve. Thanks SEB and keep doing what you do, your products are amazing and the quality is incredible. This is my first Bigfoot bag so perhaps the OP and I don’t know the “trick” to make the Bigfoot bag settle in and shoot. Thanks again for your help.

Dave

Dave,
Thank you for yours!

Only same recommendation here; "Would you please try to press the rear bag down to make it more stable and settle before shooting? Or put enough sand in the bag? Or by bending the bag before use to be flat / not concave?"

The donut would (only) help to raise the bag by a bit and when needed (1) or help stability when we shoot on really un-flat surface(2) or when the bag has bulge on the bottom (3) Not for compensating the slight concave of the bottom bag.
Personally I bend or press my rear bag down before shooting and have never had problem with rear bag, but it's just me.

Cheers,
seb

 

[Grey Kiwi]

Thank you @seb
Yes I have tried giving the bag a good 'whumping' on to the bench, plus have tried with a very firm press down on the bag once it was settled on the bench. Have also tried a very hard fill (even used a piece of wooden dowel as a rammer to make sure the fill was really hard and tight), and a softer fill level.
The base just won't go flat/sit flat.
The bag is nicely made and of solid construction...absolutely no problems there.
It's a lovely bag...but doesn't do what I need it to do.
In the underneath photo of the old (Tan/Black) bag on the right hand side of the base you can see a small imprint of a 'lump' showing through. I think it's a knot or join for the rope handle. The tighter I pack the bag the more that lump protrudes which also helps make the bag wobble. So it's a balancing act of tight pack the fill but get a lump anyway. Tried smacking that lump but it would not go away/sink inwards.
I had the wild idea that maybe it was like a new pair of leather boots and making them fit nicely...by soaking in warm water and then put them on your feet and go walking until the boots go dry! Then they have molded themselves to your foot shape (yes, I did use to be in the NZ Regular Army!).
I thought I might have to soak the bag to get the leather wet, set it down on a flat concrete tile and let the bag dry out so that it dried in the flat shape I need.
No, I haven't tried that yet...but I'm getting desperate as we are currently shooting each week for our annual competition. I haven't shot for 2 weeks and will miss this week too.
A donut bag (dead bottom bag) would probably be OK, but nothing here in NZ to suit that SEB standard bag.
I will send the photo of the new bag back to the NZ agent and see what can be done. Sadly, I might have to return it to him.
Then...? I have no idea. Not much choice here in NZ. Can get a Caldwell, but no...I won't go there!

 

[Dave M.]

Dave,
Thank you for yours!

Only same recommendation here; "Would you please try to press the rear bag down to make it more stable and settle before shooting? Or put enough sand in the bag? Or by bending the bag before use to be flat / not concave?"

The donut would (only) help to raise the bag by a bit and when needed (1) or help stability when we shoot on really un-flat surface(2) or when the bag has bulge on the bottom (3) Not for compensating the slight concave of the bottom bag.
Personally I bend or press my rear bag down before shooting and have never had problem with rear bag, but it's just me.

Cheers,
seb

I’ve tried all of those things SEB. Hopefully it will settle in over time. I think it may help to weigh the bag down on the top and place the stock in the rest to get it to flatten out a bit more.
Thanks SEB.
Dave

 

[Shooter13]

I have 2 of the SEB bags and mine do not bow, both (one bigfoot offset ears and one medium) and both lie flat. After reading this I went to reloading/garage/golf club repair, golf cart, and zero turn mower and safe storage room to check!

 

[Dave M.]

I have 2 of the SEB bags and mine do not bow, both (one bigfoot offset ears and one medium) and both lie flat. After reading this I went to reloading/garage/golf club repair, golf cart, and zero turn mower and safe storage room to check!

According to SEB the bow is by design.

 

[Grey Kiwi]

According to SEB the bow is by design.

Yes, quite right...but I couldn't get mine to go flat.
Maybe some bags have 'tougher' leather that needs some massaging to allow it to 'give' a bit which would let the base to sit flat.
Mind you, I'm 75 and both hands are packing up with arthritis now...a younger/fitter person may have no problems with shaping their bag flat. Might be all the problem is...I've gone soft with old age!
Oh yes...thanks for your input @seb
It's great to hear from the man himself.

 

[Shooter13]

According to SEB the bow is by design.

Agree, he should certainly know! I "really" pack my base with heavy sand, bounce it a few times and put more in, I use the funnel with the blue cup and metal stem and it actually helps pack the sand, I just keep bobbing it up and down until it packs, not sure this will work for yours but worth a try!

 

[Dave M.]

Agree, he should certainly know! I "really" pack my base with heavy sand, bounce it a few times and put more in, I use the funnel with the blue cup and metal stem and it actually helps pack the sand, I just keep bobbing it up and down until it packs, not sure this will work for yours but worth a try!

I bang the Bigfoot bag on the front end to get the sand to pack harder and that seemed to help a bit. I just put an additional 14oz of heavy sand in the bag and it helped flatten it out after really giving it some heavy blows on both ends of the bag on the table.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

If the bottom has a bend you cant push flat how about hitting it with a deadblow hammer? If seb made it to be flat you should be able to hammer it back if its shifted. You may have too much sand in it if you cant get it to go concave

 

[Jefferson]

hope not out of line here

on some of my bags over the years in the winter or off-season
or if not shooting a match for a month or more

used to turn the bag upside down and build or place on a platform to have gravity help the flat or fat bag syndrome

also used to take and out the rear bag in a box in the trunk of a car or in the box of the pickup and go over some gravel roads to shake up the sand quicker when new

again hope this upside down method helps not hinders

jeffy

 

[ShtrRdy]

Try hitting the middle area of the bottom with a hammer to force it inward.

 

[Dave M.]

Try hitting the middle area of the bottom with a hammer to force it inward.

The curvature is in the opposite direction. Same with OP’s.

 

[ShtrRdy]

The curvature is in the opposite direction. Same with OP’s.

I thought the middle of the bottom was protruding. As in a convex direction. Are you saying the middle of the bottom is sunken in as in a concave direction?

 

[Dave M.]

I thought the middle of the bottom was protruding. As in a convex direction. Are you saying the middle of the bottom is sunken in as in a concave direction?

Correct, scroll up and see the OPs pictures. I didn’t post any of mine because it is nowhere near as bad as the OPs. On mine you can barely see a tad bit of light in the center when it’s on a flat table.
Dave