New SEB Smallbore Rest

[Grey Kiwi]

Well, this little jewel is as or more precise and accurate as its larger brothers, at half the weight and half the price, shooting rimfire. It is wonderful not to carry a 15 pounds rest when you are in your 82nd year.

Yes, so true.
At 77 and with a damaged neck, and worn out lower back I struggled with my Farley.
I now only shoot .22 rimfire and am moving on to PCP air rifle (proper target grade Anschutz), so the AR250 is just perfect for me with it's size and weight...but I will do something about that handle.

 

[ChrisLionel]

Thanks Chris.
Will the revised joystick be available to buy separately, as I will be wanting one?
I had already started planning on getting some alloy tubing to make a new joystick with thumbscrews for attachment. But if you will be revising the design then I will wait to buy one.
Something like this to attach it firmly (my Farley had 2 of these on the attachment point).
View attachment 1536699

Yes, you could buy it if you want. I will be making extra stock of the joystick for spares as well should anyone need them.

 

[Grey Kiwi]

Yes, you could buy it if you want. I will be making extra stock of the joystick for spares as well should anyone need them.

Thank you Chris...I've sent you a PM.
I will be taking the new rest to my club shoot this afternoon. It will be it's first 'official' outing, and none of the other members have seen it yet.
I'm hoping that it might inspire a few more members to get one as most are retired folks and some are struggling with their Farleys.
So far we have a SEB NEO, SEB Mini-X, and now the AR250 in use, so we are gradually getting the SEB gear in to the ranks.

 

[longbow]

Took my new Seb Neo Rest to the 2014 Air Rifle Nationals in Phoenix,it had come in the week before...It was the talk of the Weekend. The old guy from Montana with a front rest that cost more than my car! I did win 1st in Springer Class with A 40 year old FWB 300S...alot of 300s's were sure selling after that. stayed in the top ten with my FWB P 70's for heavy and open. sure a fun time,like to make another,just to far........Thankyou Seb,the rest is still going strong! Pete

 

[wildcat3d]

This is what I use, I can fit my rear bag inside also(Lenzi)Seb rear bag is kinda hard to find, I just cut a little wood shelf for it to sit on above the rear of my AR250. Works perfect.

Milwaukee Packout Compact Tool Box, 16.3in.L x 9.8in.W x 12.87in.H, Model# 48-22-8422​

 

[Frankr]

Well in my defense of my poor shooting. I only got to practice with the AR250 twice and I used two different rear bags, like 120 rounds each. Can’t waste match ammo.
The Rifle is new and I have only shot two matches with it now. 5th and now 8th out of 9 shooters. I shot a IR 50/50 UL match with the AR250 rest. The Rest and the Rifle performed great. I missed or really I didn’t miss a slight flag change, seen them and shot anyway.
247 16X. 247 14X. 249 17X. 743 47X
We had great conditions. Really good conditions and there was no reason not to shoot a 250. Only myself and one other didn’t.
My inexperience with the Rifle and the Rest and not being secure with what I have. The rest worked great. I was impressed and it really made my shooting easy. I feel there is an advantage to being able to get to any sighter and back to a bull and get two or three shots off before the flags change. I am happy with it and will be using it my next match and the more I use it the better I think I will be with it.
Now you could argue that everyone on a one piece rest beat you. This is true. To me it’s just a different style of shooting and feels more free in the ability to move anywhere and shoot.
Completely happy with the Rest.

A few guys got to look it over and handle the Rest and they may have been a little skeptical of the light weight. Shooting it I’m sure would change their minds.

 

[Frankr]

There has also been some skepticism about the sandbag and those that would like a different top for it. I’m using the bag it came with. A Randy Owens Rotex low pro stock and it rides just fine in that bag and actually returns to battery, the stop while I’m chambering a round closing the bolt. I like it and see no reason for anything else. Not saying that there isn’t something better. Just it works fine for me and is a non issue.

 

[Grey Kiwi]

There has also been some skepticism about the sandbag and those that would like a different top for it. I’m using the bag it came with. A Randy Owens Rotex low pro stock and it rides just fine in that bag and actually returns to battery, the stop while I’m chambering a round closing the bolt. I like it and see no reason for anything else. Not saying that there isn’t something better. Just it works fine for me and is a non issue.

Yep, same here. That front bag works fine for me too (CZ457 in an Oryx chassis).
I do prefer a 'softer' filling instead of sand, so I'm using crushed walnut shell (case tumbling media).

 

[gkgeiger]

I had a hard time getting enough sand in the bottom so that the plug was making the center higher. My stock was rocking side to side. I’m thinking of not using the plug, but putting a piece of tape over the fill hole.

 

[Frankr]

I filled mine with heavy sand full but not packed. Like I could not get anymore sand in and the plug in without forcing and packing. I thought I’d try that. It works, rides nice and stable, tracks and I can fire completely free recoil and shooting great doing it. Been easy mid .100’s - .200 and I am gaining confidence in it.
@gkgeiger sounds like you over filled it slightly. Just leave enough for the plug. Once in the rest I just used a large Allen wrench and started in the center and kind of used it to iron the bag flat and even.

 

[Frankr]

So I used an Allen wrench and both hands to kind of rake the sand even and flat.

 

[Grey Kiwi]

I too had trouble with the plug. It did make a hard 'lump' in the middle of the bag.
Quick solution was to cut the lower half off the plug, then pushed a wad of foam rubber up into the remaining piece of the plug. I cut the foam with a wad punch slightly larger than the diameter of the plug.
Shoved the foam wad in and it sat level with the bottom of my new short plug.
The plug still 'pops' in and holds well.
Did I need the foam? No, probably not.
I just thought it might help do 'something'. Maybe force the remaining piece of the locking lugs out a bit more?
So anyway...you can cut a plug down in size and it will still lock in.
This will give you a tad more room above the plug for your filling, and no more hard lump.
Very quick to do. I held the plug in my fingers and used a fine tooth hacksaw blade to cut through the plastic plug. Maybe a 1 minute job. You should have 3 spare plugs provided in the kit of spare parts so it's not going to be a worry if you cock it up!
Edit: When filling that bottom section it helps if you squeeze (pinch?) the front and rear seams together (when the bung is out and facing upwards ready for filling). It makes the filling hole bulge outwards so it's easier to get your filling material in and pack it in with a small rod, etc.
I use a teaspoon to dribble the amount of filling and the spoon handle to 'smoosh' the filling deeper into the bag and more evenly across the width.

 

[Frankr]

I bought a bag filling funnel around 30 years ago. I have 4 rear bags and 6 front bags. I’m working on getting a new Seb rear bag. So a filing funnel was a must have. So yea I used my funnel. I mean a lot of different Rifles and trying things out over the years. I can’t wait for this new Seb rear bag to come in.

FORSTER KWIK-FILL SANDBAG FILLER FUNNEL | Brownells

Check out the FORSTER available Online at Brownells Today and many more Shooting Rests products are available in our Gear Department.

www.brownells.com

 

[Rick H.]

I have never been one to favor or even like two-piece rests. When they are set-up correctly they work nice, but setting them up is a pain. With a one piece you never have to worry about alignment of the front and rear. Much easier and less time consuming. I have a Randolph and PQP and they both work great. The only problem with them is weight. They are heavy and they are getting heavier as I get older. When I first saw the new SEB AR-250 I thought it looked like a nice rest, but it was a two-piece and not my cup of tea. In a moment of weakness I decided to buy one and try it. I was quite surprised with the AR-250 when it arrived. It was shipped quickly and showed up at the house in a well protected wood box. After taking it out of the box and putting it together I was very pleased with its build quality. This is not a rest to be over looked or poo-pooed because it is small and lightweight.

I have installed heavy sand in the bag(s) and added PMA levelling legs with attached Stabil-feet to the rest. I have only been able to shoot off it twice so far and it has worked quite well both times. I even shot off it using a .223 and it handled that without a problem. On my own with the AR-250 I have shot almost as well with it as either of my one-piece rests only using it twice so far. The best part of all is that it doesn't wear me out carrying it around. The AR-250 holds nicely on target if adjusted properly and one doesn't need to hold the joystick to maintain target hold. For now I am quite pleased with my purchase of the AR-250 and it should do well in my future and in the marketplace. I have already purchased an adapter for it so I can try an Arnold top on it in the future.

Rick H.

 

[Rick H.]

For full disclosure I should add that when I was contemplating the purchase of the AR-250 I was concerned about how much weight it could handle. I had crossed this bridge once before with a European made rest of somewhat odd design that I purchased. I discovered using the European made rest that it didn't work very well with a 14 pound .22 cal rifle. So I was obviously somewhat hesitant in buying the SEB AR-250 even though my rifles were under the weight limit. One of my rifles weighs 14.0 pounds and the other is 12.5 pounds. In reality using both rifles I am not even close to overloading the AR-250. I have close to 1.5" of adjustability on the counterweight left and the joystick moves extremely smooth, so all is good. SEB claims the AR-250 will handle up to a 15.0 pound rifle and I believe it and I think it would handle more based on my results. Unfortunately, I don't have any heavier rifles in the stable.

Rick H.

 

[Grey Kiwi]

@Rick H I'm still loving my AR250 too.
I do have my own 'ideas' of the best way to run it though. But we all do that don't we?
In standard form it shot well...absolutely no problems.
But I didn't like the thought of the 2 extending columns being set too high when adjusting for height.
So I prefer to set the columns low and set the three adjustable screw legs higher when setting the initial height. However I only shoot at a set 25 yard range so this presents no problem doing it 'my way'.
Then I had another think about it, and figured maybe a tad more weight might help now the whole rest sits higher it won't hurt to add some weight down lower.
So I had a local laser cutting guy make me a 1/4" thick steel plate to add the weight. It adds ~3lb extra and sits under the base.
I've shot the rest both with and without the weight. With the weight it just 'feels' more solid and 'planted' to me. There is the added bonus (maybe) that the flat washers and M12 nuts that hold the plate on are also firming up the extended screw legs (just my theory).
I now run the smaller (inner) height column fully down, and the larger outer mariner wheel column is only about 1/4 way extended.
Too early to say if the weight helps or hinders. The rifle sits well still, the rest doesn't move once set, when I do my bit 'right' the scores are still good. I just feel more comfortable with the added weight on the rest...although it does sort of look like its on stilts.
Chris (SEB) advises that he will be making a weight plate at a later date to keep other people like me happy.

 

[boltman13]

Now that I have some experience using my AR250, both in SB F-Class and RF BR I have found I shoot better scores in both with the single base screw closest to the target and the two screws closer to me. Why? I haven't a clue.

 

[1b1k]

Now that I have some experience using my AR250, both in SB F-Class and RF BR I have found I shoot better scores in both with the single base screw closest to the target and the two screws closer to me. Why? I haven't a clue.

Perhaps there are some clues. Post pics of the typical groups, two screws to the front and one screw to the front. Could be interesting.

 

[Rick H.]

Now that I have some experience using my AR250, both in SB F-Class and RF BR I have found I shoot better scores in both with the single base screw closest to the target and the two screws closer to me. Why? I haven't a clue.

boltman 13: That's the way I have been using my AR-250 also. I haven't experienced any "lift" of the back legs when sliding the rifle forward and backward doing it this way, nor on recoil. It looks a little odd to some people with the single screw forward, but it works for me and I haven't added any weight to the rest yet. If SEB comes out with a plate for the bottom of this rest I may buy it just to see if it changes anything, but at this point I am quite pleased with this rest and like it a lot. Of course adding more weight to the rest negates the primary reason I had for buying it in the first place....less weight=easier to transport. The only issue I have with the AR-250 is with the tension screws for the top bag. I add very little tension to these screws when shooting as the SEB supplied bag is pretty grippy with my rifles. If I am not careful about checking these screws they loosen up quite a bit, or it could be the bag(s) conforming to the rifle as I shoot.

I have already caught myself trying to figure out how to convert this SEB rest to a one piece rest similar to my Randolph setup with the rear adapter plate, but that's another project for another time. For now I am content with this SEB rest just as it is, even if I am using it backwards for most. I don't normally recommend people buy something I have purchased or used for fear of repercussions, but the AR-250 is the exception to that rule. It is a great little rest that seems to work well and is super easy to transport and this is coming from a confirmed one-piece rest user. Adding the PMA attached Stabilfoot leveling screws made it really convenient. Dare I say it is even fun to use? I love this rest and would not hesitate to buy another one if I had to.

Rick H.

 

[gkgeiger]

I personally bought this rest because of its lightweight. I shoot from it as it was designed. If I really push the rifle to the stop with force, I can get the back to jump up. So I don’t do that.