Custom Shooting Platform

[RAG]

Here's a pictures of my custom shooting platform. Really, I was just eager to post my first picture, and this was my first shooting picture I came across. Nevertheless, where I shoot squirrels (undisclosed location), shooting from an elevated position is key...plus it allows for quick moves in location. Literally it takes less than a minute to stabilize...4 light weight stabilizing poles (seen sticking out of the pickup bed) wedged at 45 degree angles locks it up rock solid (once we get up top, the extra weight actually helps...where you can hold on a dime at 300 yards even while other shooter are moving around). It can also be detached using the 4 trailer-style jacks attached in the photo (not steady until the extra 4 stabilizing poles are placed at 45 angles)...this process takes 3 or 4 minutes.

The tables were custom designed so the legs would always be at a hard point (cross beam). Handles mounted on the bottom allow them to be strapped down so you can move locations without having to move or take anything. Of course, nice cushy drummer's stools are a must for long days of shooting.

Too much fun.

 

[RAG]

Having issues to file size, so I cropped the image to remain under the file size limit. Anyways, you can see there is plenty of room for 4 tables, refreshment coolers, and gun cases atop the rig. On top of the tables, some use shooting bags, but most of us prefer the more stable benchrest pedestal and rear bag on top of a custom cut "sliding board" that would keep the rear bag and front rest in unison while rotating from target to target. The BR pivot-type tables work well too (but only when there are two shooters...giving each shooter about 250 degrees of movement).

P.S., you should see it when we all have patio umbrellas up...it really looks like a parade then

 

[Phil]

We have a VERY similar platform that we use,but ONLY on private property.....It`s illegal here on public land to be attached to a vehicle...

 

[Geronimo Jim]

WOW........impressive set up. You must have a lot of friends.

 

[RAG]

Not as many (shooting friends) as I once did. They are all at that age of getting married and having kids (myself included) which makes very difficult to plant he big trips any more...but just a few more year and my kids will be going with me!

 

[nra-for-life]

I would only encourage that you make sure that it is legal to shoot rested from a vehicle in your area (if you haven't already) I know in my area it is not legal . no need to get in trouble just trying to have fun when your hunting. Nice rig!!

 

[RAG]

Thank you. And Agreed. Can leave attached when allowed, and detach when not.

 

[mikegaiz]

So there is no movement with wind, recoil, and walking around? Wow. The hight must give good viability also.

 

[ChrisNZ]

Yeh, I too was wondering about the wind. Without some stabilisers, it'd have to be shaking about in the winds I've seen in the OK Panhandle

Chris-NZ

 

[RAG]

I've been in heavy winds without issue...I could hold in a dime at 300 yards in 30+ MPH winds (hitting the target is another matter). The key is the4 stabilizing poles out at 45 degree angels!

 

[ChrisNZ]

Obviously good engineering

 

[RAG]

It has 4 jacks that go straight down, which is how I detach it from the vehicle. But it quickly because apparently that these still allowed the platform to shift back and forth (but obviously no up an down movement), so then I tried adding 4 additional poles at added angles which completely shored it up...when attached, these 4 poles are all that's needed and the could be set up in half a minute. It really works like a dream, but I think I'm lamenting here...because I haven't got to use in a long time (moved to SoCal and have young kids now)