A little story about the Neo-X top and front bag;
I made the Neo-X top from one piece billet with the intention of making it more simpler, better, so can be used for stocks up to 6" wide, also without a protrusion/additional joint in the middle part of the top plate for the stopper lever (unlike on the previous standard Neo), the new side plates also has new detail so that no any tool is required to install the bag, only by sliding it.
This approach has its own weakness, the side plate cannot slide all the way or to past the middle of the top plate because it is blocked by the protrusion in the middle for the stopper lever.
I honestly did not pay attention to the one pc bag for BR when designing the new Neo-X top, I was only focused on the FClass at that time.
In reality I still have to make the one pc bag because a few users still needed it for BR.
I remember that I made experiments with the one pc bag 3", 4", 5", 6", also 2.25" wide, with side bag of +/- 40mm wide (which only "touching" to the side plate wall) and the 47 mm wide (which the side fits into the groove/slot on the slide plate).
I tried filling several bags with fine sand of varying densities, up to the hardest, using 3" and 2.25" wide wooden blocks replicating forearm profile, moving them back and forth, applying various side pressure from minimum to about maximum. (What I mean with "maximum" is you can move/lift the rest a little by lifting the wood block).
As far as I can remember I did not feel the 40mm wide side bags moving back and forth following the movement of the wooden blocks, even though the side pressure was maximum. The wood blocks were also not slick/slippery.
So I came to my own conclusion to make the side as wide as the cutout/opening on the side plate (40mm) only, so that all of the one pc bags, whatever the width is, can be easily installed on the new top. Not by making different width side bags.
With the new side plates, anything smaller than 4" bag won't fit.
My hope at that time, that the user could first set the side plate to be as tight as possible against the forearm (with the side tensioners off), then do the side tension with little adjustment only.
I have seen that other front bag that was only placed/put on the top "box", without being clamped whatsoever, and it seemed to be no problem.
But of course I could be wrong, my experiment was only based on a short time and only just a simulation/not in actual shooting condition. I haven't shot in Indonesia since around 2010 due to the limited availability of proper/suitable ammos.
According to my experiments, with the wood blocks on the bags, it is not possible for the side portion to come out of the cutout on the side plate. Just yesterday evening,being curious, I made the same experiment.
Anyway the wooden blocks that I used they are having a rectangular profile resembling the FClass stock profile, not "V" upside down, or with a little "flat" on the sides such as some stocks for BR.
So it could be or act differently.
Based on the input I received some time ago, I have also changed the profile of the forntbag to be thicker on the sides and flatter on the top. With plastic plugs for the sand fill holes, too.
The back side of the bag also made stiffer so that when pressure is applied by the end tip of the side tension, it can provide "more direct" and more even side pressure.
In the future (and if the one pc bag is still needed?), the 4" bag and up will be made 47mm wide just like on the bottom. It is not possible for the 3" or 2.25" bag.
I would not recommend using the (3") one pc bag on the Neo-X, but the 3 pc bag with a flat bottom, or the 2pc L shape bag.
I will replace the ones that are not satisfying you all here. Just let me know if you need replacement bags by PM.
----
Lastly I have a Q:
What is the current rule regarding front bag?
I know that NBRSA allows any front bag configurations and profiles. I do not know/following the others such as in the IBS and WBSF, etc?
Does the front bag for BR still has to be a one pc bag, with 100 % contact between the bottom of the forearm and the bag, with a maximum of 1/2" vertical contact on the sides?
And does the rifle still has to be easily lifted vertically from the top/bag, without lifting the front rest?
Your input will be very useful. Thank you!
I should/can have have a proper solution after this.
seb
