Portable Shooting Bench/Table

[buckeye68]

I modified this particular bench before they offered the additional support bracket. Now they offer it though as well as multiple leg holes which help on uneven ground. I did make the oak board for the top which allows me to put a slight load in my bipod. I "personally" prefer a accu-tac bipod over a front rest in prairie dog town. Many of the towns I shoot are more rolling type terrain and I am constantly needing to make vertical adjustments as I spin around from dog to dog. I also keep two heights of rear bags which I can quickly change in and out as well.

Thank you for the update. My DOA bench is 10 years old and I added support legs to mine but the support brackets you made and what they currently offering is way better than what my setup is. I’ll be placing an order shortly.

 

[Fern]

I have one of the cheap Caldwell tables. Have a buddy with a commercial cnc machine that offered to make me a new top.
What material would you guys do? He suggested getting butcher block and he can plane it to thickness but feels really overkill and harvest lol

 

[Bill Norris]

I have one of the cheap Caldwell tables. Have a buddy with a commercial cnc machine that offered to make me a new top.
What material would you guys do? He suggested getting butcher block and he can plane it to thickness but feels really overkill and harvest lol

The butcher block may appear to be over-kill but when bearing weight on unsupported 3/4" plywood doubled top one can see flex while looking in the scope.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

We used 1" edge-glued white oak for our benches and mine is still going strong since 1997. Care must be used to not expose it to the weather or it'll warp, but most guys take good care of their shooting gear so not usually an issue. A spray coating of clear matte Verathane makes it good to go if it rains in the field and can be easily wiped off with a towel.



As Bill noted above, the butcher block oak is not overkill at all, as I've never noticed any deflection of the bench top in any regard over the years.

 

[dusterdave173]

So like many here I ordered a set of the bench leg brackets from Lonnie
Excellent product Fast ship All Great
So I call local cabinet shop to get a piece of plywood--I go over to get it and he takes a look at Lonnies drawing design for the bench top and says I will cut that out if you want me to--Really??? I was headed home to attack it with a skill saw--he laid it out on a CAD screen and in less than two minutes had it done! So...maybe call your local guy before you buy Skill saw blades

The 3 leg works fine for me--rear leg is plenty out of the way--in the field and dirt it plants well and is steady as can be--These are a little heavy with double 3/4 in--I have one with a single layer and it seems to work just fine once planted --and it Way easier to toss around

I use scrap pipe--the stores will cut and thread free when you buy but a 10- ft piece was over $50 yesterday at Lowes--no way I will pay that but if you have too you still wind up with a great bench for reasonable loot pays to add a handle on it --they are a PIA without one

 

[varget204]

I have a Legacy a Good Stable portable bench,a little costly @5-550 but Worth it,only thing I could find better was Approx $$1100 or more

 

[BuffaloBill]

I made a portable bench many years ago, gluing 1/4” birch plywood on top & bottom of 2” rigid foam. Used basswood around the perimeter. It’s quite stiff and light weight.

 

[Steve Donlon]

I have a variance from NRA to shoot Fclass from a bench I built on a mitre saw stand. Works good for me.

I did the same thing with a DEWALT mitre stand. Has the brackets on top to attach some 3/4" plywood. Very stable on uneven ground with four legs. Just dig a little pocket for each leg to sit level and keep solid.

 

[CoyoteJakes.com]

CoyoteJakes.com

 

[SteveOak]

I bought a Legacy. I can level it pretty good and it set up solid.

The legs stow in the top. Cutout handle for carrying.

Not cheap but I had no means to make one myself.

 

[K9TXS]

CoyoteJakes.com

Link does not work

 

[Jonnyofalltrades]

I bought a Legacy. I can level it pretty good and it set up solid.

The legs stow in the top. Cutout handle for carrying.

Not cheap but I had no means to make one myself.

Just checked those out.

Wow! Very nice.

 

[Steve Donlon]

This is my light weight shooting bench. I tried the 3 legged ones but the seat was not adjustable for height and was to heavy to move around where I shoot. The stool has round pads on the legs for soft soil. And the miter saw stand has a carry handle. Very simple and sturdy when the legs are pressed into the ground I have a CTK monopod with the elevation wheel on the bottom of the pod. I grab the pod with my fist and jam it into my shoulder so the bottom of the pod and my fist sit on the table With the wheel on the bottom of the pod, I can use my little finger to rotate it up and down very easily. With this chassis stock, it works better than most of you might think. Especially if you are shooting down or above the horizon.

 

[ricco1949]

 

[varget204]

Looking at many pivot benches that have been modified by removing the stool seat and adding a 'boat seat' with a back, I'd like to make others aware of a caveat by doing so.

By adding a seat with a back, it promotes leaning back. This can produce a very nasty situation if the shooter is leaning back while the seat is positioned between two bench legs and tips himself, his rifle, all his gear and the bench itself onto the ground. We saw this happen at a Portland gunshow, also in the field when we saw a guy shooting in the rat patch a few years ago with a modified seat on his bench.

As usual, the laws of physics are strictly enforced. So if anyone is considering adding a boat seat to any swivel/pivot bench, be aware of this potential hazard. Once you see the results, it paints a strong picture in your memory. Personally, I do not lean back when shooting, and see no need for doing so.

This is just a PSA for those considering making their shooting bench into a lounge chair. We're all free to do as we please with our own equipment, just be aware of this potential hazard. JMO JME

nailed crashing & burning sux lol

 

[Jr solocam]

I thought my idea was good....unfortunately my finished product wasn't good at all. I might try it again with what I have learned.

 

[Bill Score]

If you have some scrap 2x4s and plywood, I’ve throw 2 or 3 of these together. The 2x4s are all cut to 40 inches. Build a box, screw on the legs, piece together a top for it and bury it in the dirt. Takes about 15 minutes to build and are dirt cheap. Super stable to shoot off of.

 

[digger11]

DOA works great for me. I’m no little lead slinger,need a real table that is made to last.
Highly reccomend