Bench top size

[Trophy 2000]

Opinions needed. Building my own 50 yard range and I'm ready to design the bench top to be made of 4 inch thick cement . It will sit on 3 - 8 inch dia columns 30 inches above the concrete slab 4ft x 6 ft . I'm mainly going to shoot rimfire benchrest but may use it for pistol as well. My question is what is the optimum size top for right hand shooting to accommodate all rimfire shooting . Thank you for your consideration and all opinions will be respected and appreciated.

 

[BoydAllen]

Personally I do not believe that rimfire and centerfire have different bench size requirements. I like to have my non trigger arm fully supported on the wider front part of the bench. Many shooters like to put one leg behind the rear leg of the bench and the way that many benches are built this makes them have to move back on the bench. IMO the fronts of benches can be longer than many are and still have muzzles extend past their front edges. On the rear legs, I think that they should be farther forward than most are or farther back, so that they are out of the way. Personally I think that having more cantilever of the back of the bench and putting the rear leg so that it is centered on the center of the rear bag's ears is a good forward leg option. Looking at pictures of benches at different ranges I see many that are, to my eye, poorly designed, and a few that seem to be much better. Unfortunately not many are willing to build wood mockups with an eye toward optimizing a design before building a permanent version. Good luck with your project. I wish that I had a place to build a bench of my own.

 

[Trophy 2000]

I'm thinking 36 in wide front and 48 in length on a 4x6 slab but not sure of the dimensions on the back end of the top. With a 18 inch square removed from the back left side.

 

[BoydAllen]

Mock it up with some scrap 2x4s and a piece of particle board, for top shape and height. Make changes until you like it. You can probably rig something to set on an existing table or bench, just be sure to also include a back leg in the position that you will built it so that you can see if it will be in a good location for your legs.

 

[jpx2rk]

I built a portable shooting bench using 2'x4' pieces of 3/4" plywood from HD. I have not cut it down (shortened it) yet but have cut one angle for a right hand shooter. My ARA rig (front rest/rifle/rear bag) all fit just fine with room to spare on the front of the bench. I even set up a varmint rifle on it with just bags under the forearm, still plenty of room. Plenty of room for all the related match "stuff" and ammo, etc. as well as for a varmint expedition. LOL

 

[nmkid]

Quite a few years ago my brother and I built one using 4" pipe and using 3 layers of 3/4" plywood. We waterproofed the wood with several coats of Thompson's. Worked for years!