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Post by rlp10ml on Jul 5, 2008 10:29:30 GMT -5
I hope this is not off topic,if it is please move it.
Can you guys give me some ideas on building a shooting bench?I have been shooting off of an old picnic table for the last few years and it is about shot.I was never really comfortable shooting off the picnic table,I believe it was too low.What is everyone using for a bench? It is probably way too much to ask,but if anyone can show some pics or give some dimensions it would be much appreciated.THANKS to All ------------ Rich
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Post by DW on Jul 5, 2008 10:45:07 GMT -5
Portable or permanent? Covered or unprotected from the elements?
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Post by rlp10ml on Jul 5, 2008 10:56:02 GMT -5
I would say a Solid Portable,Unprotected is fine.I can move it around if need be.I can store it away in a barn that is on the property to keep it from the elements.
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Post by DW on Jul 5, 2008 11:18:26 GMT -5
Google -shooting bench designs. There are quite a few plans available.
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Post by mshm99 on Jul 5, 2008 11:24:08 GMT -5
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Post by CraigF on Jul 5, 2008 11:53:46 GMT -5
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Post by edge on Jul 5, 2008 12:31:07 GMT -5
Let's hear your thoughts on what makes a good bench, and any ideas.
I'll put this in the Tips Section.
edge.
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Post by rossman40 on Jul 5, 2008 13:22:11 GMT -5
The main thing is a stable and level platform. With a heavy recoiler having a good stable platform is even more important. Table top size depends on how much stuff you want on the bench, to small and you can not have a spoting scope, a chrono remote or some of the larger rest.
The best bench I have shot off of has been concrete but those are not very portable (I have some photos somewhere). I made some plans up for a local club that are simular to the Horst bench but portable. These are not the lightest benches but had to be strong as the guy that mowed the range had a lazy habit of moving them with a front loader bucket on the tractor. I might have a copy left if I can find it.
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Post by CraigF on Jul 5, 2008 15:09:15 GMT -5
IMO concrete is the most solid. However I preffer pressure treated wood sunk in concrete. My favorite table at my range has 6x6 (or mabye 8x8, I can't remmeber) uprights and a nice curved cutouts on both sides for right and lefthand shooting. When my wife and I go, one of us shoots and the other is in the left handed spot spotting. I like the curved cutouts over an angled top like our concrete ones have. As for movable rests, that depends on much weight you can move. If you have a truck and a couple of guys I would make it out of as much pressure treated wood as you can move. If you have to move it by yourself, I would make it from a doubled up plywood and use 2"-3" pipe for the 3 legs. Put the female threaded recievers at a 15 degree angles for stability. I would weld a chain link to the bottom of each leg about 12" up from the bottom and weld a link to reach reciever. Make 6 wire cables with hooks at each end and put a turnbuckel in the middle. Hook 2 cables to each link on the legs and hook the other end on the recievers. The turnbuckel will add ridgity with the tension it creates. Lastly, if I didn't have to carry all the parts far, I would set up everything and put the ends of each leg in a bucket, then fill it with concrete! That should make a steady table.  |
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Post by jims on Jul 5, 2008 17:17:27 GMT -5
Sportmen's Guide had a good, heavy portable from Hy-Score as I recall. I got one and put a handle and a set of wheels so it was easier to move.
For my farm I have a permanent bench. Telephone posts buried about 3 feet in the ground, cross braced and 2x6's, treated for a top. Right and left hand seating. Obviously very stable.
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Post by edge on Jul 5, 2008 17:42:19 GMT -5
jims, we have cable and it is a bit more wobbly ;D
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Post by thelefthand on Jul 5, 2008 18:16:34 GMT -5
As far as portables go, I have no preference as they all seem to be wobbly. If I had a barn to store it in, and had room to take my 4 wheeler with me, then I'd build it like a permanent bench, and just add a pair of wheels and a trailer tongue to go on my 2" ball. The heavier the better. Otherwise, I would rather shoot prone.
I like concrete for permenant benches. Treated 4X6 or bigger for legs, sunk below the frost line. Treated 2x for framing in the rest of it. If you were at the shoot last April, then you've seen the benches that we built. I like them, but I do prefer a curved cut out.
Mark
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Post by richard on Jul 5, 2008 19:17:20 GMT -5
rpl10ml: Being a benchrest shooter and varmint hunter, I have some experience and opinions on various benches. Of the ones listed so far, #'s one and five on mshm99's post would be my choice. #2 on Craigs post is a good one. In any event, go with a three legged bench unless you plan to build it permenantly in concrete. Four leg benches are a pain to get level and stable on any surface. If you want to see the benches I built for my club, go to: www.cvwc.org , click on Rifle range and then on "new benches" I welded these benches together from square tubular steel. They weight 80 lbs. and are rock solid. Richard |
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Post by rlp10ml on Jul 5, 2008 19:29:58 GMT -5
Thanks Guys,
These are all very good ideas.I just have to decide which will be best for me.Concrete will be out of the question,so it will probably be made from pressure treated wood.I like to do things "right" the first time,that is why I asked for the ideas.Now I need to decide! ------------ Rich
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Post by Harley on Jul 5, 2008 20:17:28 GMT -5
If you build your table as a permanent placement, and IF you have the freedom to do so, pay attention to the angle of the sun on your bench; you don't want the sun crossing in front of you if you can avoid it.
Harley
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Post by DW on Jul 5, 2008 20:34:39 GMT -5
The benches at our range are similar to what Richard made for his except they are anchored to the concrete, this makes for a very solid set-up with minimal maintenance.
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Post by bowbender6 on Jul 5, 2008 20:44:24 GMT -5
He is what I did but it is permanent. After talking with Clint on for 4 hours on our ride to the Indiana shoot he said Craig Boddington shots the high power guns standing up for help with the recoil. I have to have mine high because of the contour of the lawn, but it helps with the recoil. It is nice to walk out the basement and shoot. Now I have to convince my wife the sabots in the lawn are decorative.  |
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Post by CraigF on Jul 5, 2008 21:19:17 GMT -5
Of coarse they are decrorative, thats why they make red ones to shoot out every now and then. ;D By the way, that spotting scope looks familiar, I think I saw it in Indiana. |
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Post by chuck41 on Jul 5, 2008 21:59:21 GMT -5
You've had a bunch of very good suggestions. If I were doing it, I would make a three legged table with a separate stool or folding chair. Shape would be like first reference under mshm99s post above. Use pressure treated lumber with a top from waferboard, or treated plywood. The legs would be 4x4s with good 2x4 bracing both where attached to the top and near the bottom of the legs. The legs and braces would be bolted together with the top screwed on to the 2x4 braces. I would likely put one 2x4 diagonal brace between the front two legs and between the front and rear leg. The front two legs could have wheels attached to them so to move the table so you could just tip it up on end and roll it away, but it would sit flat on the 4x4 bases when tilted down for use. I would use the 4x4s for legs because they give you a better footprint than 2x4, or 2x6s since you don't have the luxury of sinking them in cement.
The whole thing should be of heavy construction to reduce the wobble or shaking to it. For a shooting bench I don't think you can overdo it. But, then that's just me.
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