Range Benches and Shooting Rests- whatcha got?

[PatMarlin]

I seriously need to come up with a better shooting bench.

I've been using the same weak- rickety folding table, that I cut out in about 5 minutes to take out in the field one day.

Think I would have taken a day since then and made a decent bench? Nooooo. I tell myself, aside from the laziness of not doing it, it actually helps my shooting skills cause if you can shoot a group off of my rocking bench, you can shoot a group off of anything.

Well in a way I guess that's true, but I would like to get the full potential out of my rifles.

Then I bought the cheap red plastic rest for the portability, and it works- doesn't make any difference from a rickety rocking bench anyway. I need to step into the light and repent!

Can I get a witness? .....



Excluding the 358 Winchester- because you can shoot tight groups standing on one leg from a rickety bench, in the rain, while watching The History Channel with that cartridge...




It don't matter...




Standing offhand even...

[Hickory]

You can build something like this.
$2.00 per block and quickcrete,
less then $100.00. will last for years.

[BruceB]

My wife and daughter gave me a "Big Game Swivel-Action Shooting Bench" from Cabela's.

It costs $149, weighs 29 pounds, and is VERY solid and comfortable. It will work equally-well on the range or for field shooting (where its tripod legs are stable even on rough ground).

I like mine a great deal, and there's NO way I could ever build anything to equal it for several times the price. Go to www.cabelas.com and search for "shooting bench".....it should come right up. There are several other benches there, but mine is the one described above.

[winelover]

The rest I practice with is the same one I hunt with. A camera tripod with an "owl eared" bag, adapted to fit, and a fold up round stool. As long as I do my part, I can get 100 yd. MOA groups. I have shot decent groups out to 300yds with this set up. My main concern is how my load works under field conditions rather than ideal controled conditions. YMMV.

Winelover

[PatMarlin]

Cool looking bench Bruce. I'll have to check one out next time I'm in Reno.

You got a pic of your tripod WL? I bought one of those steady stix bipods along time ago but never used it much. Here in the woods, you always have a rock or a tree.

I thought about doing concrete blocks like that for my range in the national forest, but then I figured if I do that everyone will want to come and shoot there. Start calling it their own place like I do. The nerve of some peoples....

[RP]

At one time I seen some plans for a table made out of plywood that comes apart to make hauling it easier. It looked like it may do a fine job but I cant say for sure. I was thinking of getting some folding legs off a table and putting me one together just have to do it. Which the younger I get the more I need something to help me hold still.

[phaessler]

I found these plans about 5 years ago, have built quite a few of them, sold a few, and had a few "borrowed" from where I had a private range set-up.

http://www.horstguns.com/ShootingBench.htm

Pete

[winelover]

You got a pic of your tripod WL? I bought one of those steady stix bipods along time ago but never used it much. Here in the woods, you always have a rock or a tree. :

Pat:

Best picture I can find without taking a new one.

[Von Gruff]

If you want a portable shooting bench, this is a set of plans I used for mine. I did modify the width and only made mine right handed though.





For varminting on reasonable terrain I have a more portable shooting trolly.







Where the terrain is rougher I just use the Stoney Point bipod from sitting.

Von Gruff.

[PatMarlin]

Great ideas.

What is that rifle and what's on the end of the barrel Von?

Like that range bench too phaessler.

[Von Gruff]

Great ideas.

What is that rifle and what's on the end of the barrel Von?

Like that range bench too phaessler.

Rifle is an XR100 that was in 204. I shortened the chamber by 16.35mm and re-chambered to 20 VarTarg and restocked it from a straight grained quarter sawn blank for a lighter carrying rifle. Have a 35gn Berger at 3735fps over H4198 and a 34gn Nosler at 2750fps with Blue Dot. Supressor on the barrel is great especially when I go after rabbits that offer ranges of from under your feet out to about 200+ yds which suits the 34gn Nosler at 2750 down to the ground. Keeps the rabbits from spooking as there are litterly hundreds of them and a quick kneel with the Stoney point bipod is all a shooter has time for. Have less long range opportunities for the 35gn Berger but have hits out to 350yds so far.
Sound supressors are encouraged and are about US$300 with no restrictions on thier use.

Von Gruff.

[phaessler]

Thanks Pat, while not my own design, it sure is steady, as well as quick and dirty.
Like I mentioned a few have disappeared to those who think they need them more than I. Funny when you see one in someones field, and you ask about it, then flip it over to see you name routered into the bottom. Yup, happened once already.
Am using a set-up now much similar to Hickory's....
Hows it go, "Solid as a rock "

Pete

[brad925]

Off the bench i built an adjustable rest from a small car scissor jack. Made a base that is adjustable for leveling and use a rear bag. Works great.

[PatMarlin]

Dang why didn't I think of that!

A friend of mine just offered me one of those little scissor jacks and I turned it down ...

[PatMarlin]

Dang why didn't I think of that!

A friend of mine just offered me one of those little screw jacks and I turned it down ...

[jixxerbill]

pat if u dont mind could u build me one of those weak- rickety folding table's of yours ???? if u shoot them good groups with it then it should help me lol

[onesonek]

Heres my simple folder made from legs bought off the net somewhere, and likewise with solid cutting baord type plastic top


And then heres my trailbench



And my chair

[Blake Stephenson]

Pat,

I have a set of pipe flange leg couplers made up I wold trade you for something you make of eqial value. Bought some flux a while back and sure like it. They are the same as Von Gruff shows in his post. Let me know if you are interested and I'll get them sent off.

Blake

[PatMarlin]

pat if u dont mind could u build me one of those weak- rickety folding table's of yours ???? if u shoot them good groups with it then it should help me lol

Plans are simple Bill. You can build your own, as I can't possibly part with mine. Like a fine shooting rifle.

Go to a second hand store. Buy one of the 6' folders with a wood top. Make sure it's good and worn out, and sagging at least 10%.

Take it home and cut out a recess in the center, so you can set into it. Securely set the legs, then have a few kids- 2 boys and a girl, or about near weight and have them jump up and down on the center of the table. About 20 minutes should do.

Now the bench is ready for shooting. SHould have about a 25-30% sag and rock back and forth 3-4". If not repeat above.

[Doc Highwall]

This is my rest and rear bag set up.