DOA Shooting Bench
- Thread starter SmokinJoe
- Start date
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
Joe, with just a bit of experience with rotating shooting benches (
), I would opine that the DOA is most likely the best of the lot at this point in time. As was my outfit some years ago, DOA is also a veteran owned company (USMC).
And in the rat patch, ANY bench that rotates is better than one that doesn't. That would be the big pro, can't think of any con's.
), I would opine that the DOA is most likely the best of the lot at this point in time. As was my outfit some years ago, DOA is also a veteran owned company (USMC).And in the rat patch, ANY bench that rotates is better than one that doesn't. That would be the big pro, can't think of any con's.
Hi Joe,
You must be getting serious about prairie dogs. I have a DOA and a Caldwell BR Pivot (the new and not-so-improved kind). I like the height of the DOA and had the center post of the BR extended to match. The BR has a little more finesse regarding leveling but I find that I just kick some dirt or find a flat rock to level either bench. Swivel function on either is about the same. If shooting by myself, I take the DOA.
Del
You must be getting serious about prairie dogs. I have a DOA and a Caldwell BR Pivot (the new and not-so-improved kind). I like the height of the DOA and had the center post of the BR extended to match. The BR has a little more finesse regarding leveling but I find that I just kick some dirt or find a flat rock to level either bench. Swivel function on either is about the same. If shooting by myself, I take the DOA.
Del
Thanks for the replies. Been shooting from a guide supplied swivel bench, the $100 variety, and it really isn't all that bad, but I have found that the seating position bothers my neck more & more and the length of the top is too short. The short top is part of the comfort problem. Looking at the premium Caldwell, DOA, Morr and CMP. I think there is another one but can't remember the name right now. One or two have the seat swiveling independently of the top, which is something I have never experienced. I have to wonder how well that works. I mostly want my own bench so I can adjust it for me & equip it with a cushion that will lessen the fanny fatigue.
powderbrake
Gold $$ Contributor
For full disclosure, I designed the CMP bench, and my son's company manufactures it.
I have been shooting P dogs for over 30 years, and have used some unknown benches, both of the Caldwells, the Jordan and the CMP. Being an engineer, I felt I could design a bench that would address the issues which arose when I was shooting prairie dogs.
I was concerned with smoothness of rotation, stability, top shape and rigidity, seating position, and portability.
Smoothness:
When rotating to a target, the table should swing smoothly with no chatter. When making small angle adjustments there should be no overshoot, or stick-slip to contend with. This was addressed with a machined bronze bearing running against a machined steel collar on the main tube. The table will rotate, chatter free, with or without the shooter's weight in place, and small adjustments are easy.
Stability:
The upper and lower main tubes are a close fit with each other, and the square tubes of the legs and seat support are aligned and secured with hitch pins. The legs are adjustable in length for uneven ground, and I do what "dsandfort" does, use a rock or a short piece of 2x4 under a leg for steeper slopes.
Top:
The top is made from CNC routed 3/4 " thick 13 ply Baltic Birch plywood. This is much more rigid than normal plywood, and allows a lighter weight, very stiff tabletop. The shape is unique, as the two front corners and the offhand elbow corner are removed. This is to minimize the "sail effect" of the wind on the top, yet leaves plenty of room for the essentials.
The top is 42" long, and about 45-46" long along the gun axis, with plenty of room for a front rest and a rear bag of your choosing. There is room for your binoculars, wind meter, rangefinder, iPhone or tablet and your ammo. Also room to rest your elbows when using the binocs.
The metal support for the top which is welded to the main tube is 10"x12". The top is secured to this plate with 4 carriage bolts and wingnuts. This plate is sized and shaped to provide maximum support to the plywood, insuring a rigid top when you lean on it.
You can look at the top here, click on the pics for a larger view.
https://custommetalprod.com/shootin.../product/326-precision-varmint-shooting-bench
Note the seat is not padded, you can do that yourself. I used some vinyl and dense foam, and stapled it around the bottom of the seat.
Seating position:
The seat is adjustable 4 1/2" vertically, and 3" horizontally, and the seating position is close to the center of rotation. Your feet are on the legs or on the ground near the center of rotation. The top has a semicircle cutout which you can lean against when seated. This takes your weight, and allows you to concentrate on the sight picture and trigger pull. There is generous room for the right and left elbows, and the top can be flipped over for left handers.
Having a short seat support keeps you at the center of rotation for stability and tracking, and there is no danger when leaning backwards.
You can see the seating position in the pics from an earlier post of mine:
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/th...og-hunt-with-new-rifle-and-new-bench.3903853/
Portability:
The unit breaks down into the top, top maintube, lower main tube with leg sockets, 3 legs, the seat and seat support. All the parts are secured with hitch pins , except the top which used carriage bolts and locknuts. This allows you to put pieces where needed when packing your vehicle on a hunt.
At the shooting location, it sets up and tears down quickly. If you have a pickup truck, you can simply lift the top and upper main tube off the bottom assembly, and put the two pieces in the bed.
You wanted pros and cons, and I stuck to a description of the pros of the CMP bench. I do not believe (being related to the manufacturer), that it is appropriate for me to make any comparisons or negative comments related to the other benches.
I hope this helps with your decision, and I hope you really have a great hunt.
I have been shooting P dogs for over 30 years, and have used some unknown benches, both of the Caldwells, the Jordan and the CMP. Being an engineer, I felt I could design a bench that would address the issues which arose when I was shooting prairie dogs.
I was concerned with smoothness of rotation, stability, top shape and rigidity, seating position, and portability.
Smoothness:
When rotating to a target, the table should swing smoothly with no chatter. When making small angle adjustments there should be no overshoot, or stick-slip to contend with. This was addressed with a machined bronze bearing running against a machined steel collar on the main tube. The table will rotate, chatter free, with or without the shooter's weight in place, and small adjustments are easy.
Stability:
The upper and lower main tubes are a close fit with each other, and the square tubes of the legs and seat support are aligned and secured with hitch pins. The legs are adjustable in length for uneven ground, and I do what "dsandfort" does, use a rock or a short piece of 2x4 under a leg for steeper slopes.
Top:
The top is made from CNC routed 3/4 " thick 13 ply Baltic Birch plywood. This is much more rigid than normal plywood, and allows a lighter weight, very stiff tabletop. The shape is unique, as the two front corners and the offhand elbow corner are removed. This is to minimize the "sail effect" of the wind on the top, yet leaves plenty of room for the essentials.
The top is 42" long, and about 45-46" long along the gun axis, with plenty of room for a front rest and a rear bag of your choosing. There is room for your binoculars, wind meter, rangefinder, iPhone or tablet and your ammo. Also room to rest your elbows when using the binocs.
The metal support for the top which is welded to the main tube is 10"x12". The top is secured to this plate with 4 carriage bolts and wingnuts. This plate is sized and shaped to provide maximum support to the plywood, insuring a rigid top when you lean on it.
You can look at the top here, click on the pics for a larger view.
https://custommetalprod.com/shootin.../product/326-precision-varmint-shooting-bench
Note the seat is not padded, you can do that yourself. I used some vinyl and dense foam, and stapled it around the bottom of the seat.
Seating position:
The seat is adjustable 4 1/2" vertically, and 3" horizontally, and the seating position is close to the center of rotation. Your feet are on the legs or on the ground near the center of rotation. The top has a semicircle cutout which you can lean against when seated. This takes your weight, and allows you to concentrate on the sight picture and trigger pull. There is generous room for the right and left elbows, and the top can be flipped over for left handers.
Having a short seat support keeps you at the center of rotation for stability and tracking, and there is no danger when leaning backwards.
You can see the seating position in the pics from an earlier post of mine:
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/th...og-hunt-with-new-rifle-and-new-bench.3903853/
Portability:
The unit breaks down into the top, top maintube, lower main tube with leg sockets, 3 legs, the seat and seat support. All the parts are secured with hitch pins , except the top which used carriage bolts and locknuts. This allows you to put pieces where needed when packing your vehicle on a hunt.
At the shooting location, it sets up and tears down quickly. If you have a pickup truck, you can simply lift the top and upper main tube off the bottom assembly, and put the two pieces in the bed.
You wanted pros and cons, and I stuck to a description of the pros of the CMP bench. I do not believe (being related to the manufacturer), that it is appropriate for me to make any comparisons or negative comments related to the other benches.
I hope this helps with your decision, and I hope you really have a great hunt.
Being on a prairie for hours and hours on seat with no back rest.. no thanks.. elbows can only take so much..not sure why someone can't mount a swivel boat seat to one of the brands mentioned?? Plus with all the moving parts and pieces and being connected to the post is a recipe for instability.. just my $0.04.. (price adjusted for inflation). 
sorry to be
blunt.. good luck..
sorry to be blunt.. good luck..
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
Being on a prairie for hours and hours on seat with no back rest.. no thanks.. elbows can only take so much..not sure why someone can't mount a swivel boat seat to one of the brands mentioned?? Plus with all the moving parts and pieces and being connected to the post is a recipe for instability.. just my $0.04.. (price adjusted for inflation).
Well there, Mark......
1. Elbow pads are available for those who choose to use them. (I've never needed them.)
2. Mounting a seat with backrest invites tipping over backwards, but many install them anyway. (Never needed it, never wanted it.)
3. Once a shooter plops his weight down on these benches, the shooters own weight preloads the entire assembly, making them as stable as a fixed multi-leg bench. Really.
4. Before criticizing the design with no experience whatsoever, perhaps you may want to consider actually shooting from one of these units then list your gripes based on what you actually gain from the time spent on one.
As of this year, I've spent 21 years shooting from my personal bench of this design. That's hours and hours, days and days.....21 rat shooting seasons with no fatigue, no raw elbows, sore arse or any other malady, just memories of great shoots and good times with my friends.
Jus' sayin'......
Wasn't trying throw your company (or sons) or product under the bus..
Was just posting my opinion based on experience. A lot of experience..
I've never hunted "rats" only prairie dogs, but from videos I've seen, yes, "your" bench just may be perfect for "rat" patches.
Let's just leave it at that..
Was just posting my opinion based on experience. A lot of experience..
I've never hunted "rats" only prairie dogs, but from videos I've seen, yes, "your" bench just may be perfect for "rat" patches.
Let's just leave it at that..
Rick in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
Okay, we'll let it go, but just know that PD's or ground squirrel shooting is basically the same. What works for one works for the other. Been doing both now since 1968 if that matters. But I think you're confusing powderbrake and me; two different benches, two different companies. I call it the 'rat patch' weather I'm in WY or MT shooting prairie rats, or here at home shooting sage rats....it's all one big rat patch.
Prolly best to actually have experience with a product prior to bashing it though. Most would agree with that me thinks.
jkohler
Silver $$ Contributor
I've had a old coyote jakes steel bench that I made a different top for that been great. To bad there not made any longer. I also have a D.O.A bench to tell the truth I wasn't impressed at all with the swiveling seat set up or the swiveling base for the top. The top wouldn't tighten up and rocked terrible. The sloppy seat swivel was a joke in my opinion. And I did call and talk to the owner about it also. Now after I cut it apart and made a new seat swivel and a top base it's a dam fine bench.
I have an old coyote jakes also. well built design - built like a tank. I tossed the top (too small) & made my own 3/4" ply X 2 - 1.5" & 16" longer, weights over 100 lbs now though, I'd guess. Altho the weight makes it a VERY sturdy rest. Guess this post isn't too helpful to you as you are asking about DOA bench...
Last edited:
Thanks for all the replies. At this point I am inclined to get a BR Pivot & modify it a little, but have a new guy going PD shooting with me this year & he has access to a BRP which he is going to bring so I can try it . Will continue this later. Thanks again to all. Joe
No cup holder Bill?
LOL, Mr M. I never thought of that. Gr8 idear. I should have time to add one before g'hog season starts. Providing that ulnar nerve surgery in 2 days has no complications.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.