Prairie Dog Shooting Benches

[markT]

Lots of posts and talk of folks rifles, scopes, caliber etc.
What are you guys using to hunt (shoot) prairie dogs?
I built my own bench after reading and doing a lot of research and shooting experience.
I found an old folding table and harvested the legs. I widened the legs and added ~3" in height.
The top is two 1/4 plywood (underlayment type) and I glued a piece of "blue" 3/4" polystyrene insulation between the two pieces.. Gorilla Glue...Very strong and light weight.
Likes: light weight and sets up in seconds. 4 legs are perfect for stability. Large surface area allows to swing shooting rest
Dislike: only issue is fastening the legs to the two sandwiched 1/4 plywood. I should have cut out the foam and added wood blocking for extra support. It works with drywall screws but at times I do have to tighten the screws as they work loose after multiple sets ups each day while "doggin."

I bought a folding chair form Costco and extended the legs ~2.5". Works great, it's ridged and provides nice back support while looking for targets..

 

[pertnear]

Sounds very interesting! Post a picture if you can.

 

[powderbrake]

I use this bench. (full disclosure) I designed it after shooting pd's for 20+ years. I get nothing if you buy one, my son sold this company to the present owners. It is the 3rd or so variation which I have used every year on my pd hunts. It incorporates what I believe are the most important things in a bench. Smooth rotation, with no stick-slip or chatter, so you can make windage adjustments an be on target, (It has a bronze rotation bearing) and a rigid table (13 or 14 layer CNC cut Baltic Birch Plywood). Having the leg length, seat height and forward & back location adjustable, and plenty of room to rest your elbows while glassing for dogs. The seating position is very close to the center of rotation, so you don't have to worry about leaning back, and the table falling over. It sets up quickly, and is a stable rigid shooting platform.

https://custommetalprod.com/precision-varmint-shooting-bench-b77

Here is a pic of the bench on the prairie last year.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

For me and my 50+ years of rat shooting, the choice was simple.....design, fabricate, patent, and market/sell your own version of "Bench Nirvana". (BR Pivot Lite)



Sorry, just couldn't resist!

 

[BenPerfected]

Great bench for PG hunting on the back of your PU or on the ground. Bring a cooler.....

 

[markT]

For me and my 50+ years of rat shooting, the choice was simple.....design, fabricate, patent, and market/sell your own version of "Bench Nirvana". (BR Pivot Lite)



Sorry, just couldn't resist!

Once again, proven just who you are... might want to up your meds.

 

[markT]

Sounds very interesting! Post a picture if you can.

Here’s what I built.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Hood of my truck works most of the time. But I just acquired an ancient Do-All portable bench that I am packing around.

 

[powderbrake]

Here’s what I built.

Looks like you have a good solution for a lightweight top.

I tried a honeycomb made from 1/4 tempered masonite, it was superbly rigid, but was not as light as I wanted. I used it a couple years then moved on. If I did it again I would use thinner material, and reduce the cross section of the oak frame. It was an interesting winter project.

 

[markT]

Powdebrake: beautiful woodwork and job!! Well done sir!!
Years ago a guy gave me some plastic honeycomb material and I glued up with two 1/4” plywood underpayment. It’s very stong and light weight. The material if I recall correctly was developed for aircraft industry. Made in Germany I believe. Here’s a piece that I never finished putting legs onto.

 

[DogBuster]

Mine are simple......non pivot

1 1/2" top.....2 pcs 3/4" plywood glued/screwed together

24" wide x 36-38" long (get two tops from a one pc of plywood)

R or L shooter cutouts...1.25" threaded pipe sleeve brackets welded to 1/4" plate

Cut pipe sleeves at 15* angle...legs 30-31" long from 1.25" pipe..thread both ends

Have prob kilt a million dogs across the top of this 25 YO table...

 

[xring]

Yuuup ! I too have a DogBuster Table from many years ago . I could dance on his Table ..... it is RUGGED . Maybe , not quite a Million Shots over my Table , but mines prettier ....I used Galvanized Pipe & Caps . Three Legs work on any Terrain . Thanks DogBuster .

 

[DogBuster]

Yuuup ! I too have a DogBuster Table from many years ago . I could dance on his Table ..... it is RUGGED . Maybe , not quite a Million Shots over my Table , but mines prettier ....I used Galvanized Pipe & Caps . Three Legs work on any Terrain . Thanks DogBuster .

I always carry a long handled shovel...simply dig a hole under the leg(s) that is high to level table


And no......I do not bury the dead dogs.....

these guys clean 'em up

 

[xring]

I have seen Cannibal Pdogs , Ranch Dogs , Badgers , Birds of Prey , and even big Snakes doing Clean-up Duty while I was Shooting .

 

[pertnear]

I'd love to shoot some PD but there are none in Texas near where I live. I see a guy at the local gun show every October that makes an annual pilgrimage to Colorado in the Spring just to spend a week shooting PD's. When I asked him for details, he says that he takes an old ironing board for a table & carries his shooting bags in a 5 gal bucket. The bucket does double-duty as his stool. I don't know him real well, but he seems to be a pretty good story teller. But he does seems to really know his guns!

 

[DogBuster]

I have seen Cannibal Pdogs , Ranch Dogs , Badgers , Birds of Prey , and even big Snakes doing Clean-up Duty while I was Shooting .

this exactly....Magpies are my favorite target........

I hate them nest robbin' SOB's.......

They'll peck the eyes outta a new born calf......

someone said there're protected in Utah....haha............

there're all feathers......but you know when you make a direct hit with a 20 cal @ 3700

 

[xring]

I'd love to shoot some PD but there are none in Texas near where I live. I see a guy at the local gun show every October that makes an annual pilgrimage to Colorado in the Spring just to spend a week shooting PD's. When I asked him for details, he says that he takes an old ironing board for a table & carries his shooting bags in a 5 gal bucket. The bucket does double-duty as his stool. I don't know him real well, but he seems to be a pretty good story teller. But he does seems to really know his guns!

Sorry if this is too O.T. but Pertnear reminded me that one year I took my old HO Camaro out onto those Pdog Fields . No roads : sometimes just Tire Paths , sometimes .... nothing . Every Rancher I talked to had Bugeyes when they saw what I was driving and told me that I was crazy , but that they could pull me out with a Tractor if I got stuck . Used plain Sand Bags and an old Truckers blanket .... shooting off the Hood or Roof in those days . Never got stuck . Just straddled the Path Ruts and kept a sharp eye out for Beer bottles ( blew out one Tire as the bottle was in deep grass ) . Also watched for Barbed Wire laying on the ground ....... and went real slow . Also got out real fast if it looked like Rain . Fun days !

 

[jepp2]

What are you guys using to hunt (shoot) prairie dogs?

Here is what I use. Rock solid and talk about mobile - I can break down in less than 2 minutes to move, about the same to set up.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Here is my thread from some time ago. I'm going to find a vendor to make the brackets and sell them on my new e commerce site

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/new-shooting-bench.3942062/

 

[1raggedhole]

I use the big game/muddy swivel bench. Perfect and good value. Only issue is black top in the sun.