Shooting Bench

[WineMan]

I have an opportunity to set up a ~100 yard range on some open land on our ranch (over an old dirt airstrip). Any suggestions as to bench and seating arrangements? I have not searched the forum yet.

Thanks in advance for the help

Dave

[danski26]

Make it very uncomfortable so you're inclined to get off the bench and practice in positions. ;-)

[22cf45]

A heavy wood bench will work for most, however, if you want to shoot the best possible, a concrete bench with a moveable bench is hard to beat. Now, with that said, if you accidently bang your stock against the concrete bench, the results won't be pretty.

I haven't looked, but I'll bet NRA has drawings available.
Phil

[JeffinNZ]

Get one likes Dan's. Best I've seen yet. :drinks::-D

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=21452

[joatmon]

Is that the one with the built in barrel vise?

[schutzen]

I have one with concrete top and I really like the stability the weight provides. I cured the abrasiveness of the concrete by having the top covered with Rhino Liner. I took the entire bench in to the shop and they charged $50 to coat it with basic black Rhino Liner. For a smoother, more uniform surface, I would suggest you use spackling compound to fill all the small holes in the concrete.

The biggest problem I have is too many friends and relatives want to sight in on my range. And that's not all that bad; I do get to try every new gun in the neighborhood.

[redneckdan]

Is that the one with the built in barrel vise?

that would be the one...[smilie=1:

[JeffinNZ]

that would be the one...[smilie=1:

STILL the classiest bit of gunsmithing I have ever seen.:-D

[22cf45]

Schutzen
The Rhino Liner is a great idea I hadn't considered. At our local Rifle and Pistol club we are currently replacing all our old wooden benches with concrete top benchs. We've all been worried about banging our stocks accidently but hadn't thought of your solution.
Thanks
Phil

[AZ Pete]

You can cover a concrete bench with indoor/outdoor carpet too.

[MtGun44]

Our range has cast concrete tops attached to 8" or so cast concrete
legs (in a sonatube). VERY rigid and stable. I carry a piece of carpet
sized to cover the top, as not only is the concrete very hard on a gun
finish, but it will scrape the hide off your shooting arm's elbow in one
or two shots. OW! :-?

If I ever get my own range, I'll probably do something a lot like it.
Kinda spoils you, and it'll last for ever.

Bill

[WineMan]

Great stuff!

I may need to keep it wood as we sometimes need to move equipment through the area. If I can move some dirt I may be able to put in something more solid.

Thanks!!!


Dave

[94Doug]

Think I may still have a DIY plan out of an old Magazine with wood top, and removable PVC pipe legs if anyone is interested in a copy.

Doug

[mbk]

Here is the one I made. It is relatively light but surprisingly solid. It folds flat for storage out of the weather and was cheap and easy to make. 3/4" plywood top, set of legs from an old folding table, some scrap 2-bys, and a few screws. I just use a folding chair to set on. You do need to install one set of legs up on a 2-by so it will fold flat over the other set. If I were to do it again I would put the set of legs installed on the 2-by at the rear so the table is lower at the front. wrecked/abused folding tables are generally not to hard to find. It is the holiday season, If you were to accidently drop table the inlaws after the big meal . . . . . [smilie=1:

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/S_bench_3.jpg
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/S_bench_1.jpg
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/S_bench_2.jpg
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/S_bench_4.jpg

Mike