Building a shooting bench

[Dragonwing]

Has anyone ever built their own shooting bench and is it built for both rifle and pistol. I've seen commercial benches but can't justify the cost when I know I could build one for both, for alot less money. Just looking for tips, designs and what worked for you and what you would change it you would build another one.

 

[chief38]

We have two shooting benches that we built at our Club. One is for Right Handed Shooters and the other is for Left Handed Shooters. The problem is that if one is occupied and the person isn't what the opened one is designated for - they can't really shoot in the proper position.

My suggestion is to built one in a "T" shape so it can be used by Righties or Lefties since I'm sure you will encounter both while shooting with friends. Next time we build new ones, that will be my suggestion to them as well.

 

[ko41]

I built one of the 3 legged ambidextrous benches, it works well in all types of weather.

 

[Exmilcop]

My buddy, who's left handed, carved out a range on his property. I built a shooting bench so we could have a stable platform to sight in for hunting season. I guessed at the seat height and made it too low as you'll note in the pics. I've since built in a seat riser to make it more comfortable. I also put in an adjustable rifle rest lined with hard neoprene to keep stock scuffs to a minimum. Though not shown, I attached foot pads to the legs so they wouldn't settle or dig into the soil.

 

[tops]

The best way would be a concrete slab, concrete blocks or metal pipe for legs and a concrete top. I used metal for legs and 32 yrs. later it's still solid as the day it was built.
If building out of wood I would put the legs in the ground with concrete around them so it would be more stable. Larry

 

[moosedog]

I've got two of them. One is a homemade one which works great but is heavy and cumbersome to transport. I bought a premium folding one from Cabelas three years ago and it is much more practical, yet very sturdy.

 

[Old_Cop]

I built two from a plan on the net. Cut the treated wood and assemble on site. it cost about $100 as I recall. The deer have rounded off the edges a bit with their nibbling but it's now ten years and counting.

 

[AZ Buckshot Bill]

Something to keep in mind-if you're building a portable bench is, a 4 legged bench will PROBABLY rock [be harder to set securely] where a 3 legged tripod type USUALLY won't/ is a lot easier to set up solidly.

Buckshot Bill

 

[Dragonwing]

Thanks everyone. I will be building a permanent one on my property. I've got a good 100yd range, shooting across a flat level pasture (no livestock anymore). Backstop is a steep, timbered hillside that's about 200ft higher than the pasture. I like the pipe legs idea and will make it right hand, left hand compatably. With pipe legs, I will slide in an inner pipe, drill holes and install pins so it will be adjustable for any size shooter. I've salvaged lots of material over the years so cost will be minimal. Thanks for all the great tips as they included some things I hadn't thought of.

 

[m75rlg]

The best way would be a concrete slab, concrete blocks or metal pipe for legs and a concrete top. I used metal for legs and 32 yrs. later it's still solid as the day it was built.
Larry

Poured a 4'x5' slab, laid concrete block for a 3 sided frame with mounting bolts mortered in, and topped with a 4'x4' treated 3/4" plywood doubled to 1.5". Cut out in a "U" shape so that can be used left or right, or directly in front of you for a handgun. Been out in the weather since 1993, and other than stains on the plywood is as good as new.

 

[Srruger762]

Yes
Pic attached
Thinking of building an other one just like it this spring

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

From my experience a concrete top on a block wall foundation it the most stable! The top and supporting walls , both in a "U" shape work great year round ( small portable heater inside with your legs keeps you toasty on cold windy or rainy days).

On benches where your muzzel does not extend past the front edge, You can get "Reflected Concussion". The solution is a pad or carpet that deadens the vibrations. (This never seemed to be a problem with 22's or small center fire cartridges but by 222/223 it can be a real issue.

Ivan

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

This has been mine for lotsa years. Improvements have been made since pics.

 

[H Richard]

There are two kinds of shooting bench's, the fixed which all are describing above, and a portable that you can take with you. I built a portable quite a few years ago for Prairie Dog shooting. It needed to be easily set up and moved. Cut out the desired shape from 5/8" or thicker plywood, and cut 6" length of 2x4 on the diagonal to create a wedge shape, make 3 of them. Glue and screw them on the bottom of the bench top, narrow end outward, in a triangular location as far apart as allowed. (You want a 3 legged table). Screw a pipe flange to the wedge and add legs 30" galvanized pipe with a cap on one end. The legs screw into the flanges and spread out in an even triangle and it is stable on uneven ground. Do not screw the legs in hard, keep them so they are easily removable for transport. Paint as needed, I put a green/tan mottled finish to replicate the prairie we were hunting on. Good luck

 

[Dragonwing]

From my experience a concrete top on a block wall foundation it the most stable! The top and supporting walls , both in a "U" shape work great year round ( small portable heater inside with your legs keeps you toasty on cold windy or rainy days).

On benches where your muzzel does not extend past the front edge, You can get "Reflected Concussion". The solution is a pad or carpet that deadens the vibrations. (This never seemed to be a problem with 22's or small center fire cartridges but by 222/223 it can be a real issue.

Ivan

Ivan, I hadn't thought about muzzle blast, if the barrel doesn't extend beyond the front of the bench. I will make sure when I build my bench it will be short enough so that I don't have that problem. Just one more thing I hadn't thought of.

 

[forindooruseonly]

I have a concrete pad and an awning at my land. Here is a pic of the bench I made when we were fabricating it...



Finished the welding, painted the table, then poured concrete in. Weighs 400 to 500 pounds, had to move it out of the shop to my range with hayspikes on a flatbad.

What you can't see are the wheels I welded to the front of the forward legs and the jack system on the rear. When the jack is up, the table sits as it is. When I jack the rear wheel down, it levers the table up in back and lifts the front onto the front wheels, allowing me to move it by rolling around. When not jacked, the table is solid as a rock.

ETA: Also, before welding the top on, we had poured concrete into the legs to prevent any ringing from the tubing.

I wouldn't change much with mine, it is rifle only pretty much. I have just a basic wood 6 foot by 2 foot bench about 30 yards from the berm I use for pistol, but it is nothing special. I was wanting a table for load testing and precision stuff, and the table we built works great for that. If I had it to do over, I would make it bigger.

 

[Dragonwing]

Now that's a solid bench!

 

[oddshooter]

I shoot in the backcountry for a week or so at a time and have to carry my bench.

About 10 years ago I built mine out of 5 pieces of 5/8" plywood.
There are no nails or screws; it assembles by inserting tabs into slots.
I coated with Thompson Water Seal and it still looks great.

It's east to transport as the plywood pieces are flat. Very stable, light, and looks pretty slick.

I may have a photo and my plans around here somewhere if anyone is interested.

Prescut

 

[oink]

I'd be interested oddshooter. I need a design that's portable and can be stored indoors compactly.

 

[BigBoy99]

Scope Mount for Shooting Bench

Kinda off topic but here are pictures of my "Universally Adjustable Scope Mount" I made. Would work great on any shooting bench. You don't have to bother with any clamps and has instant alignment adjustment. The ball was free because it was cracked and local bowling alley was throwing it out. The mounting stud was epoxied into the thumb hole. Short section of 4" or 6" PVC pipe will work for the base.