Measurement for shooting benches

[borderghost]

Just wondering if someone can tell me what size the bench should be for shooting off , is there a regulation size bench that is used , want to make a couple and want to try and make them the same as the ones used for NBRSA / IBS matches , length , width at front and rear would be great. or a web site to got to.
Thanks

 

[rayporter]

there is no standard. build your bench to suit you and when away from home have an adjustable stool to compensate for different benches. there are square ones and u shaped ones and T shaped ones.

just build it long enough to hold your rest and bags and wide enough to rest your arm on and wide enough to catch your empties. narrow benches are not fun.

 

[sdean]

Just wondering if someone can tell me what size the bench should be for shooting off , is there a regulation size bench that is used , want to make a couple and want to try and make them the same as the ones used for NBRSA / IBS matches , length , width at front and rear would be great. or a web site to got to.
Thanks

Use the search function. Should be a lot of good reading..

 

[Peterson1]

There does not appear to be any requirement on bench design for either group that I am a aware of.
They all are a variation of a "T" design top
Most are 32-36" Floor to top of bench
Concrete benches built on concrete slab are the best for preventing any bench movement but sometimes we have to compromise.

-Start with a 48"X48" piece of plywood
-From the front of bench (plywood) move back 24"
-Cut in 15" on each side
-Now cut from the back in 15" cutting up to meet your other cut at 90 degree angle

You now have a usable top to practice/experiment on how you want to proceed with your personal design
Put this on some saw horses and put your gun/rest/bags and stuff you want on your bench.
You will soon see bigger is better for personal benches but clubs want to get multiple benches in a defined space so sometimes they get narrow and close together.

The only rule you need to be aware of is " Gun Muzzle must extend past the front edge of the bench".

I have personally built 10 concrete benches for our club.
I assisted/advised on 10 additional benches for our club.
I have built 3 steel frame benches with bolted on plywood tops.
I have built 2 totally wood benches

Its what you want yourself
I assume these will be permanent benches.
I will be happy to advise further but don't ask me to help,
"Ben there done that"
CLP

 

[Walt Krafft]

In addition to a search here, an internet search will give you several designs to choose from with dimensions.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Dont fall for the U shaped bench trick. They suck so bad participation numbers start falling off

 

[chkunz]

First let me say that I am not a benchrest competitor so my openion may not be as significant as theirs. I do load development from the bench and have found that if I have both feet flat on the ground and my back somewhat straight things work better. This requires a somewhat tall bench and an adjustable stool that allows this position. I use a drum throne for a stool since it allows me to get the proper height for the position I am seeking.

 

[JMayo]

Most benches i shoot ibs & ubr on DO fall within a couple of inches. 2 full blocks and a 8" on that + glue/morter.

See if you can figure the height of these.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Most benches i shoot ibs & ubr on DO fall within a couple of inches. 2 full blocks and a 8" on that + glue/morter.

See if you can figure the height of these.

Too tall is what that is

 

[Tommie]

Too tall is what that is

Darn near shooting offhand

 

[BoydAllen]

I would not make a bench any shorter than 34" or any taller than 36" The trick is to have a stool that is adjustable. It is easier for a short person to use a bench that is tall (with a stool adjusted to the right height to make it comfortable, than it is for a tall man to sit at a bench that is too short, no matter how the stool is adjusted.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/concrete-shooting-bench-top.3989326/
Some good information Here.

 

[JMayo]

Too tall is what that is

That height is at Mid carolina, piedmont, sparta, ashe county. Boysl county ky, howard prince Louisiana x 2. I could go on and on. Typical height within an inch or two.
I like em Keeps that bow outta your back.
I think 32-34 "

my club has short benches. You either Scoot stool back and use your elbows or have a scoliosis hump.

 

[rayporter]

when a bench is too high i struggle to get up behind the rifle, i find it will increase the chance of bumping the bag or stock.

for this reason, i prefer a slightly shorter bench over a slightly higher one. comfort is important if you are sitting at the bench all day.

 

[Downeast]

Are you building them for you and some friends or for a club? My are the basic "T" design but they are double wide. Both right and left hand shooters have lots of room for ammo, chronos, notebooks, lunch, drinks, fans...

I did that so that they are useable for a variety of purposes besides straight up matches, such as load testing, etc. But they probably would not work at a regular club since they take up a lot of space and are mostly costly. Mine are constructed of 6 X 6 posts and 2 X 8's with plywood tops.

 

[BoydAllen]

when a bench is too high i struggle to get up behind the rifle, i find it will increase the chance of bumping the bag or stock.

for this reason, i prefer a slightly shorter bench over a slightly higher one. comfort is important if you are sitting at the bench all day.

Do you own an adjustable stool?

 

[rayporter]

i do!

don't get in the habit of leaning hard on the bench. just because it is concrete dont mean it cant move!