Snipers Choice shooting bench?

[John Forrest]

I see a little bit on here about the various light, portable shooting benches.

While researching bench ideas for a DIY build I ran across the Snipers Choice. While I could do without the name, the design looks like it solves some of the wobble issues I worry about from other popular designs. I like the triangles incorporated into the legs and the table tilt mechanism. Considering everything is a trade off, it looks like a pretty good design.

Just wondering what some of the more experienced shooters, especially Prairie Doggers, think of this idea?

I think I will want a little better stand alone seat for myself but I like the idea of the seat being separate from the bench. Something solid enough to help getting up after a long time sitting. Maybe a bit taller than a bucket.

Besides the wobble aspect, one of my concerns is my decline in mobility and increased risk of tripping. The idea of a seat that swings around the center pole looks to me like trap in disguise.

 

[jelenko]

To me the bench looks solid. But the leg position of fellow looks awkward.
Awkward = instability = larger groups.

 

[Hal]

High end.

 

[RegionRat]

Besides the wobble aspect, one of my concerns is my decline in mobility and increased risk of tripping. The idea of a seat that swings around the center pole looks to me like trap in disguise.

I think you should go give the swivel-with-the-table seat a try. For most inexperienced and/or mobility impaired shooters, I find it is the opposite.

I take old-timers and rookies out with me on trips, and they all do better with the seat that goes with the table much better than trying to maneuver a separate seat.

I agree with you that they are all a trade-off. No swivel table that is light enough for a single man to pull out of the truck and set up quickly, is going to be perfect.

When the wind is blowing, only a very solid bench is stable, but those don't swing around easily and are very heavy to pull out and set up very often.

Some of the times, one could argue that in an infested field the shooter doesn't swing around too much, but the last decade those times are few and far in between for me. As often as not, agility with the tables is required, as well as agility in moving the whole operation several times a day.

So, for my take, the seat that is attached to the table runs better in places where the shooter must swing left and right very wide. YMMV

ETA: I looked at the website and FB page. Looks a little stagnate. Has anybody touched base with this shop lately? Looks quiet since 2020?

ETA2: He replied to my question from his FB page. So, he is still selling the bench and it is $2295 with right hand and left hand available.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Just because something new comes down the pike, doesn't mean it's better.

Going on 29 years of constant use in the rat patch and load development, still going strong. No bucket required either. Basic simple design, all 6061 T6 alloy, roomy bench top of white oak, comfy seat, often imitated.



Small groups shot off the BRP? No problem.



Mine will be used for another upcoming trip to the outback very soon. PD's and sage rats fear this bench.

 

[ND shooter]

Just because something new comes down the pike, doesn't mean it's better.

Going on 29 years of constant use in the rat patch and load development, still going strong. No bucket required either. Basic simple design, all 6061 T6 alloy, roomy bench top of white oak, comfy seat, often imitated.



Small groups shot off the BRP? No problem.



Mine will be used for another upcoming trip to the outback very soon. PD's and sage rats fear this bench.

Sure wish you still made them. I wish I could get one! IMO nothing compares.

 

[muleystalker]

Just because something new comes down the pike, doesn't mean it's better.

Going on 29 years of constant use in the rat patch and load development, still going strong. No bucket required either. Basic simple design, all 6061 T6 alloy, roomy bench top of white oak, comfy seat, often imitated.



Small groups shot off the BRP? No problem.



Mine will be used for another upcoming trip to the outback very soon. PD's and sage rats fear this bench.

To bad they aren't still made, they are a great bench, wish I could find one.

 

[muleystalker]

I didn't see a way to adjust the height of the bench, I may have missed that. I like it but I wish he made the bench top bigger. more room for ammo box, bino's and such, as is it sucks for a person that uses a RBLPLE action. Plus if you decided you wanted to use a rest instead of the rest he incudes the bigger top would make it possible. I wonder what the price is....

 

[C.E.Smith043]

I'm out based solely on the Name

 

[RCE1]

If you're not scanning for targets, the fixed seat is ok. I prefer the seat like BR Pivot, but I'm scanning for ground squirrels back and forth when using a rest like that.

 

[Oso]

I came across this.

 

[Rick300]

I came across this.

I have one and it's very stable - and heavy

 

[Oso]

I have one and it's very stable - and heavy

It looks like a pretty robust top. Is it painted 3/4” plywood or something else?

 

[Rick300]

This is from their website: Tabletops are made out of a 14 Ply Maple or Birch, were designed to weigh about the same, and vary from 32-38 pounds depending on the wood density.

Rifle Shooting Benches & Tables | DOA Shooting Bench

Shop durable rifle shooting tables and benches designed for stability, comfort, & precision. Proudly made in the USA. Order yours today! 435-218-7766

www.doashootingbench.com

It's very sturdy and stable. I had a Caldwell and sold it after trying a buddies DOA. I did some simple modifications to make it "better", at least in my mind. I added roller bearings to where the seat rotates and also put in a plastic sleeve between the post and seat bracket (a Downey softener bottle is perfect material). I like the bench to rotate very freely so I spray silicone on the rotating points before use. Most people probably don't want or need to do all that but I like to see if I can mess up a good thing.

 

[jackbrownii]

How hard is it to level if you’re on a slope? I do understand that difficulty goes up as the slope gets steeper.

 

[Hal]

Just because something new comes down the pike, doesn't mean it's better.

Going on 29 years of constant use in the rat patch and load development, still going strong. No bucket required either. Basic simple design, all 6061 T6 alloy, roomy bench top of white oak, comfy seat, often imitated.



Small groups shot off the BRP? No problem.



Mine will be used for another upcoming trip to the outback very soon. PD's and sage rats fear this bench.

I didn't see a way to adjust the height of the bench, I may have missed that. I like it but I wish he made the bench top bigger. more room for ammo box, bino's and such, as is it sucks for a person that uses a RBLPLE action. Plus if you decided you wanted to use a rest instead of the rest he incudes the bigger top would make it possible. I wonder what the price is....

A few years ago they were $2000.00 .

 

[Tommie]

A few years ago they were $2000.00 .

No thanks!

 

[ELR LVR]

No thanks!

yeah me too,
I'm fine prone
being a fabricator I could make one similar but
I am not loading that thing up every time I go shoot
Maybe only in a prairie dog field, thats the only use I see this being realistic
or if a guy cant go prone any more due to back issues
---
maybe this season I'll work on a model and see what I come up with
I like a few of the ideas, pivoting table and seat along with it being priority
I like the ones guys who includes a front rest and decent bunny ear bag

 

[Rick300]

How hard is it to level if you’re on a slope? I do understand that difficulty goes up as the slope gets steeper.

If you are talking about the DOA, there isn't much adjustment, I just try and find the best spot that I can. I normally shoot off of a Dog-Gone-Good bag so being perfectly level isn't a big concern. This year I'm going to try my new Trident rest so I guess I will wait and see how that works. I'm not going to wait long though as I leave in 2 days for the first trip of the year. YAY!

 

[John Forrest]

Thanks for your reply Region Rat. What brand do you have?