Permanent Shooting Bench Suggestions

[tred1956]

OK fellows, I need opinions. I have a new rest ordered and plan on shooting Contender Pistols off of it. I am going to construct a permanent bench for said rest. What height, width, material would you suggest. I have access to 6x6 post. May even use concrete blocks. Pour a concrete slab? Any and all ideas welcome. I want it to be solid as a ROCK. PICTURES would be GREAT.
Thanks in advance for any and all ideas,
Doug

 

[RCC1]

I have used this design for years. Has served me well.

I even used an expanded version of it for a mobile shooting bench I built.

 

[spaniel]

I like the stability of concrete tops I have shot from, if you can swing that. Otherwise, I doubled up on 5/8" treated plywood. Unlike the design above I made mine right handed only, which I regret, now that 10 years later I have a lefty daughter who is starting to shoot well.

 

[RCC1]

I like the stability of concrete tops I have shot from, if you can swing that. Otherwise, I doubled up on 5/8" treated plywood. Unlike the design above I made mine right handed only, which I regret, now that 10 years later I have a lefty daughter who is starting to shoot well.

Lol, mine are ambidextrous for my left handed wife. Daughter is a righty like me.

 

[nmkid]

There you go! You could use RCCI's plans along with your 6x6 legs. If you follow his plans and don't make a mistake looks like you could use a full sheet of plywood and double up on the top.

 

[RCC1]

There you go! You could use RCCI's plans along with your 6x6 legs. If you follow his plans and don't make a mistake looks like you could use a full sheet of plywood and double up on the top.

Without a doubt you can. Honestly I used screws to assembly it and there is bracing under the table top. It's rock solid with just one layer of 5/8" plywood.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Want rock solid. Build it outa concrete.. The local range has concrete benches and they are solid..

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I have used this design for years. Has served me well.

I even used an expanded version of it for a mobile shooting bench I built.

Innovative brass catcher ya got there[/QUOTE]

 

[Toolbreaker]

I like the looks of this, but I haven't built one yet.

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2017/03/build-your-own-concrete-shooting-bench/

 

[RCC1]

Innovative brass catcher ya got there

I own a few different ones. I set out last year to build the lightest AR10 I could. Getting the gas system right was pretty tough.

 

[Sniper338]

Cinder block and concrete top all plastered togeher on a concrete slab. Last forever too

 

[Rich S]

If you don't ever plan to move it I'd go with concrete. Rock solid, fairly cheap to build and very little maintenance. We built 2 benches for ~$200. Attached are a few pics of the one we made a few years back. We poured the top and legs as one pour. Just used some scrap lumber and sona tubes to form it up. The second picture looks wet because I just sprayed sealer on it after stripping the forms. The last picture is after 5 years of use. The benches are right or left handed and we added a bench connecting them for gear or shooting pistols. We made the back part of the benches match the range we go to and added the front extension. The only thing I'd do different is order a truck of concrete instead of mixing by hand. It was a last minute thing and we formed and poured it on a Sunday so we just got a trailer of rock, sand and some cement. We were sore for a few days. Another bench we built we bought a used concrete top from the range when they changed them out. Its on wooden 6x6s.

 

[rayporter]

if you go with the wood and 6x6 posts set them in dry sackrete. they will harden with the first rain and be solid.

 

[JRS]

For permanent, use concrete.

 

[RCC1]

I would like to build a concrete bench but I have move to different location on my property depending on the time of year and how far I want to shoot.

The shooting spot I use the most is set up for 600 yards but I have to move the bench a few times a year so we can cut and bale hay.

Then the spot I have that reaches out past 1200 yards can get very wet in the winter time.

 

[284winner]

Concrete. Build 3 pillars out of 8x16 block, four blocks tall( two front one rear). Form a top of your desired shape and size and pour it. Once cured, remove the form and flip it in top of the pillars. Simple, inexpensive and for life. Can also be moved if desired.

 

[tred1956]

Thanks fellows mind is spinning round & round SOOOOO many choices. Just what I needed
Safe shooting
Doug

 

[Ray B]

An orchardist friend of mine built a shooting bench a few years back. It is constructed of concrete, blocks, steel roof, plywood cabinets and the bench is covered with aluminum sheeting. He would have preferred stainless steel but it was considerably more $$.

 

[Tommie]

What myself and some buddies built at a friend's property:

Started with a custom cut top make of 3/4" thick pure epoxy. Attached 2.5" diameter steel pipe legs. Planted it in a 5'x6' concrete slab. It was incredibly stable.

Then he gets divorced and loses the property.

 

[Shynloco]

For permanent, use concrete.

Over the years, I've built both wooden, as well as half concrete (legs) and half wood (top) shooting tables. The reality is that anytime you use wood, there is EVENTUAL degradation of the wood because of extreme cold and heat, as well as "weathering" which only concrete can escape. The one thing I will say is pay attention to "height" which I try and gauge to either a specific person or a range of shooters. That decision is yours but makes a difference for setting up that new rest especially when you are the primary shooter to use the shooting table.

Alex