Shooting Bench Ideas?

glockman55 · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 5:38 pm Post subject: Shooting Bench Ideas?

Does anyone have or know where I can get some plans to construct one? I have seen a few online that vary greatly...so any suggestions from anyone that has built one would help as well. Something simple but practical would be best. The one I use now is just not comfortable enough.

Thanks; Jerry

Morax · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 8:32 pm Post subject: Re: Shooting Bench Ideas?

well i would start with a old ironing board frame, for the portability aspect and then decide what kinda top i would want on it.. OR of course look in the want add of the local paper and pick up one of the cheapo weight lifting benches, and you can build the table top off of the upper arms of the bench almost kidney shaped either left or right bend in it so you can sit and have the table come slightly passed you i can supply pics if you are not understanding what i am trying to say...

hunterjoe21 · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 9:21 pm Post subject: Re: Shooting Bench Ideas?

Are you looking for something portable?

Or do you have a range @ home and are looking for a permanent bench?

I'm working on plans to convert an old public park picnic bench to a shooting bench, but it's gonna be fairly heavy, and difficult to move. (unless I can devise some sort of "kick-down" casters for it).

My brother-in-law wants to build it on a 1200 lb. trailer axle and tow it behind his truck. We'd need to register it with the state and buy license plates for it if we did that!

Vince · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 11:35 pm Post subject: Re: Shooting Bench Ideas?

Gidday Glockman55. I know I have something here amongst my old back issues of gun mags on this subject.

From memory, the basis of the shooting bench is a Black and Decker Workbench (or similar brand). Make a bench top of the appropriate size (approx 3' x 3' or thereabouts) out of 5 ply or similar, put a piece of 4" x 2", that is long enough to fit in the jaws of the workbench, on the underside using a bolt that can be loosened (allows you to swivel the bench top).

Cut out a section that will allow you to "sit in", put a quad edge around the top (to stop cases rolling off). Make any other fancy improvements you feel necessary. The Workbench remains unaltered so it can also be used for its intended purpose when needed.

This bench can be totally dismantled and the worch bench folded up so the lot fits in the trunk of your car.

Its a very simple "Plain Jane" design, but it works.

If I can find the magazine I will scan the article and email it to you.

Cheers, Vince

glockman55 · Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:18 am Post subject: Re: Shooting Bench Ideas?

Hunterjoe, I do have my own range, but I would like it portable so I can move to different yardages. The one I have is too short for me, it works but I am looking to upgrade. Permanent would be easier to make. My range is used for handgun training mostly, but I do have the yardage to get about 150 yds. for Rifle shooting. Thanks for the ideas, Keep em comming.

tracker · Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 9:01 am Post subject: Re: Shooting Bench Ideas?

I use exactly the same bench Vince pictured for working on my rifles and sighting them in. If they are true in the back yard at 10 or 20 yards with a laser, I've found that they're true out in the bush at 100 and better.

Deleted_User_2665 · Super Member Joined: May 06, 2006 Posts: 380

glockman55 wrote:

Hunterjoe, I do have my own range, but I would like it portable so I can move to different yardages. The one I have is too short for me, it works but I am looking to upgrade. Permanent would be easier to make. My range is used for handgun training mostly, but I do have the yardage to get about 150 yds. for Rifle shooting. Thanks for the ideas, Keep em comming.

Wouldn't a fixed bench @ the "0" yard line and a movable target frame make a lottamore sense?

Morax · Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:15 pm Post subject: Re: Shooting Bench Ideas?

wildswalker wrote:

glockman55 wrote:

Hunterjoe, I do have my own range, but I would like it portable so I can move to different yardages. The one I have is too short for me, it works but I am looking to upgrade. Permanent would be easier to make. My range is used for handgun training mostly, but I do have the yardage to get about 150 yds. for Rifle shooting. Thanks for the ideas, Keep em comming.

Wouldn't a fixed bench @ the "0" yard line and a movable target frame make a lottamore sense?

I thought the same thing before, until i shot off a portable, and it is nice to have the ability to move the thing around, and if it is small enough and or light enough you take it out of the back of the car set it up sit yer butt and pop ghogs and or call in the yotes for a lead pill feeding!!

hunterjoe21 · Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:07 pm Post subject: Re: Shooting Bench Ideas?

I have a commercially produced portable, and although it it's great to throw in the car, and it IS nice to set up and shoot groundhogs, it isn't the greatest in the world for sightin in rifles or checking handloads for accuracy.

I found mine locally before Cabelas starting carrying them, and didn't pay anything near what cabelas wants (it's the Buck Bench by Southwest Tactical).

I made a 3/4" plywood top that I clamp down over the factory one, and set the rifle rest on that. The problem I have experienced with all the portables I've used over the years is that if it's not on a concrete pad, you will experience some wobble. That's why we're building a heavy one from the picnic table.

I've even seen plans for one made from 8" steel pipe for legs, driven into the ground and filled with concrete, then a form built on top of them and a concrete top poured. Now that's a PERMANENT bench!

www.cabelas.com/cabela...20793&rid=

I guess it just depends what you're looking for.

Vince,

You gotta show me how to insert a pic in a post!

hunterjoe21 · Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:37 pm Post subject: Re: Shooting Bench Ideas?

hunterjoe21 wrote:

Vince,

You gotta show me how to insert a pic in a post!

Nevermind!!

I found it.

Deleted_User_2665 · Super Member Joined: May 06, 2006 Posts: 380

Morax wrote:

wildswalker wrote:

glockman55 wrote:

Hunterjoe, I do have my own range, but I would like it portable so I can move to different yardages. The one I have is too short for me, it works but I am looking to upgrade. Permanent would be easier to make. My range is used for handgun training mostly, but I do have the yardage to get about 150 yds. for Rifle shooting. Thanks for the ideas, Keep em comming.

Wouldn't a fixed bench @ the "0" yard line and a movable target frame make a lottamore sense?

I thought the same thing before, until i shot off a portable, and it is nice to have the ability to move the thing around, and if it is small enough and or light enough you take it out of the back of the car set it up sit yer butt and pop ghogs and or call in the yotes for a lead pill feeding!!

I must admit I have a fixed shooting bench overlooking a 200 yard range in the back yard complete with swinging steel and lightweight movable target frames as well as a permanent burm backstop...called a hill.

Coincidentally, the bench is attached to a 10X12 heated building, reloading bench, phone, electric, sat TV and internet. I can justify it as used nearly exclusively as a testing facility and is of little use for general riflework.

My sons and I tend to use MPAJ when doing riflework in the field and couln't think lugging a bench with us would do any bit of good. A log, a tree, a rock,do come in handy though....we tend to do hard core just for fun.

Me son demonstrating the proper use of MPAJ......

glockman55 · Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:46 pm Post subject: Re: Shooting Bench Ideas?

wildswalker wrote:

glockman55 wrote:

Hunterjoe, I do have my own range, but I would like it portable so I can move to different yardages. The one I have is too short for me, it works but I am looking to upgrade. Permanent would be easier to make. My range is used for handgun training mostly, but I do have the yardage to get about 150 yds. for Rifle shooting. Thanks for the ideas, Keep em comming.

Wouldn't a fixed bench @ the "0" yard line and a movable target frame make a lottamore sense?

Good idea, but my dirt pile back stop would be had to move...LOL

Deleted_User_2665 · Super Member Joined: May 06, 2006 Posts: 380

Must be a little back stop you got there....

We like to hunt on ours...................

glockman55 · Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:02 pm Post subject: Re: Shooting Bench Ideas?

wildswalker wrote:

Must be a little back stop you got there....

We like to hunt on ours...................

Does size really matter? Very Happy

Man made, I dug a pond for the dirt..Where I live is flat and populated..
We have a Gun Shop and teach CCW Classes.

hunterjoe21 · Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:29 pm Post subject: Re: Shooting Bench Ideas?

wildswalker wrote:

Morax wrote:

wildswalker wrote:

glockman55 wrote:

Hunterjoe, I do have my own range, but I would like it portable so I can move to different yardages. The one I have is too short for me, it works but I am looking to upgrade. Permanent would be easier to make. My range is used for handgun training mostly, but I do have the yardage to get about 150 yds. for Rifle shooting. Thanks for the ideas, Keep em comming.

Wouldn't a fixed bench @ the "0" yard line and a movable target frame make a lottamore sense?

I thought the same thing before, until i shot off a portable, and it is nice to have the ability to move the thing around, and if it is small enough and or light enough you take it out of the back of the car set it up sit yer butt and pop ghogs and or call in the yotes for a lead pill feeding!!

Coincidentally, the bench is attached to a 10X12 heated building, reloading bench, phone, electric, sat TV and internet. I can justify it as used nearly exclusively as a testing facility and is of little use for general riflework.

Ya got more stuff in your "testing facility" than I have in my house!!

I suppose you have little sliding windows to shoot through when it gets REALLY cold?