Portable shooting bench- who makes this one?

[Dusty Stevens]

Well knock me over with a feather! lol

This is why i want the one i posted

 

[Sieg]

I do like those

I've shot a lot of sage rats off those benches over the years. Friend has 4 of them, even though they are mostly aluminum they are not lightweight, main tube pivot uses a graphite sleeve, the leg system allows good stability and adjustability, and the table is a nice laminated piece.

For making head shots on squirrels at 100-200 they are very stable, for shooting .1xx-.2xx groups fixed legs and a separate stool would provide an advantage.... IMO.

 

[Tommie]

I've shot a lot of sage rats off those benches over the years. Friend has 4 of them, even though they are mostly aluminum they are not lightweight, main tube pivot uses a graphite sleeve, the leg system allows good stability and adjustability, and the table is a nice laminated piece.

For making head shots on squirrels at 100-200 they are very stable, for shooting .1xx-.2xx groups fixed legs and a separate stool would provide an advantage.... IMO.

That sounds about right. I just can’t picture using a pivot style table/bench at longer ranges with 40 MPH wind gusts.

 

[Sieg]

That sounds about right. I just can’t picture using a pivot style table/bench at longer ranges with 40 MPH wind gusts.

I've shot off of those in 20-30 mph winds and they are about as good as you could get. Scanning and shooting off fixed benches/tables is similar to 8 hours of yoga. If you have a compromised back not having a pivoting table/seat can get very uncomfortable.

This is my current set up:

Altitude, 360* pivot, and wind indication..... just add squirrels, an accurate rifle, and ammo.

 

[bobinpa]

For me a rotating bench is the only way to go. I have a couple that were custom made by a man that no longer makes them. They are very similar to the BR pivot and very stable. Waaaaay easier than moving a solid table around and I'm not that cheap that I would choose the solid table just to save a few bucks. With that being said, my rifle builder uses an original BR Pivot and his suggestion is to put a shooting stick under the table top once your set up. If you have a lot of action in one position and you don't have to move, you can make the table even more stable by wedging a shooting stick under one side. Just my .02

 

[Dusty Stevens]

For me a rotating bench is the only way to go. I have a couple that were custom made by a man that no longer makes them. They are very similar to the BR pivot and very stable. Waaaaay easier than moving a solid table around and I'm not that cheap that I would choose the solid table just to save a few bucks. With that being said, my rifle builder uses an original BR Pivot and his suggestion is to put a shooting stick under the table top once your set up. If you have a lot of action in one position and you don't have to move, you can make the table even more stable by wedging a shooting stick under one side. Just my .02

I can get a caldwell br pivot cheaper than the bench i first posted

 

[Ccrider]

Thanks. It looks interesting. Please report back if you have the opportunity. The benches at my home range aren't very good, so I'm interested in a stable portable for use with my BR guns.

I was going to post the same thing Jimmy. When either you or Dusty get one, write up a good review for us.

 

[SEM]

I need to stop reading all this stuff, I wont be able to afford to go use all the goodies I have to have

 

[Bill K]

I have a couple of the solid types as shown in thread. But I also have a 360 degree pivot one, like the Caldwell/Muddy one's that are made like Rick in Oregon sold his rights too. It is used much more when in the fields, due to being able to swing all around to shoot little critters, rather than being limited in movement with the solid bench type. I use them mostly when I am shooting paper/targets and don't need to swivel. Both have their place and you should have at least one of each.

As for comment on wind. Wind does not effect me anymore on the pivot than it does or would on the solid type.

 

[Sieg]

I can get a caldwell br pivot cheaper than the bench i first posted

The Caldwell's aren't perfect, but for the price it's hard to argue just for the gauge of material used.

The pivot stem and collar tolerances are overly generous. I shimmed the top and base with thin kitchen cutting sheet material for added stability.

The top is somewhat small, but after two seasons of use it's functional. I've thought about making an aluminum frame to support a custom shaped top made from commercial cutting board material or 1-1/8" plywood decking cut to shape with tight radius edges/corners then smooth with bondo, rough sand and have it sprayed with truck bed liner material.

EDIT: Referring to the Stable Table model.

 

[rayporter]

4 legs are a lot more stable -get adjustable legs and settle them down in the dirt

we built these- i like carpet on the top so i don't burn my arm.
for compact carry i unscrew the frame from the wood top and then attach it with an electric driver when we get to the field.

 

[farmerjohn]

I really like mine, light and portable...

 

[powderbrake]

Nice work. I like my seat seperate can you take the seat off and have room for a stool beside it?

Yes you can take the seat off.
The seat is on a set of 1 1/2 square tubes that are adjustable both horizontally and vertically with quick detach pins. It also detaches from the center post, leaving a 6" long square tube attached to the center post.

Seating is different, as you sit "in" it, rather than "along side" of it. You body and seat are very close to the center of rotation. Note how your body can lean into the table at the round cutout, with lots of room for your arms on either side of the gun.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Well knock me over with a feather! lol

Yep, me too, as the absolute best groups I've ever shot with my rat rifles have all been fired from my BR Pivot Lite, as it's the only solid bench I've have access to in the 22 years I've been shooting from it. I seriously doubt I could shoot a group in the .1's any better from a concrete bench (Cooper 20VT).

In actual use, when the seat/stool is attached to the vertical post of the bench, the shooter's own weight preloads the assembly, thereby making it as stable and solid as possible. As we all sit still during target acquisition anyway, there's just no movement, period. The most movement detected in the scope sight picture is usually the shooter's own heartbeat. Same as from a concrete bench.

Those that have never used any of these rotating benches complain about a theoretical fault that just does not exist in actual use......at least for load workup and rat shooting. The BR Pivot and its clones were never designed for actual BR competition, but sources (a well known competitor) told me some years ago that it has/was used in that regard with good success.

The BRP was designed for rat shooting, and rat shooting alone. But along the way during it's production here in OR, it was also used with what could be termed "patriotic success" in both Iraq and Kuwait by our military there. That fact just makes me smile when I'm sitting on mine behind my rifle in a rat-infested alfalfa field.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Yep, me too, as the absolute best groups I've ever shot with my rat rifles have all been fired from my BR Pivot Lite, as it's the only solid bench I've have access to in the 22 years I've been shooting from it. I seriously doubt I could shoot a group in the .1's any better from a concrete bench (Cooper 20VT).

In actual use, when the seat/stool is attached to the vertical post of the bench, the shooter's own weight preloads the assembly, thereby making it as stable and solid as possible. As we all sit still during target acquisition anyway, there's just no movement, period. The most movement detected in the scope sight picture is usually the shooter's own heartbeat. Same as from a concrete bench.

Those that have never used any of these rotating benches complain about a theoretical fault that just does not exist in actual use......at least for load workup and rat shooting. The BR Pivot and its clones were never designed for actual BR competition, but sources (a well known competitor) told me some years ago that it has/was used in that regard with good success.

The BRP was designed for rat shooting, and rat shooting alone. But along the way during it's production here in OR, it was also used with what could be termed "patriotic success" in both Iraq and Kuwait by our military there. That fact just makes me smile when I'm sitting on mine behind my rifle in a rat-infested alfalfa field.

Rick have you checked out the caldwell version and how does it stack up to your design? I always wanted one of yours but never got the chance. All i see is people having to shim up the caldwell stuff

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Rick have you checked out the caldwell version and how does it stack up to your design? I always wanted one of yours but never got the chance. All i see is people having to shim up the caldwell stuff

Dusty - The Caldwell BRP differs from my old 'STD' bench, in that it does not employ a cast aluminum 'hub' assembly at the base, instead being all cast steel, thereby making it heavier than the originals. The original Lite version uses 100% T6 alloy throughout the assembly, thereby saving 20lbs of weight. I was told that the ChiComs were unable to duplicate the precision alloy castings of the original, always obtaining unwanted porosity in their castings. We used a Boeing Aircraft alloy casting supplier, hence the superlative quality we were able to obtain, along with much tighter machining tolerances.

Keep in mind that Caldwell offers their version of the BRP, plus a cheapened up version without any desirable features that is marketed under the name "Stable Table". Not even close to their BRP rendition. If a Caldwell BRP is being considered, be sure to specify the hardwood top. The plastic version is, well......

Soon after selling the mfg rights to them, they sent their offshore produced version to me for evaluation. It was the hardwood top model, and other than the difference of materials, the overall impression was favorable, but being biased as would be assumed, it was hard to accept the difference in workmanship in the imported version when compared to our originals.

Functionally in the field, the Caldwell version works just fine. HTH

 

[Bill K]

I am going to let Rick answer that question.. He has the straight scoop on it.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Dusty - The Caldwell BRP differs from my old 'STD' bench, in that it does not employ a cast aluminum 'hub' assembly at the base, instead being all cast steel, thereby making it heavier than the originals. The original Lite version uses 100% T6 alloy throughout the assembly, thereby saving 20lbs of weight. I was told that the ChiComs were unable to duplicate the precision alloy castings of the original, always obtaining unwanted porosity in their castings. We used a Boeing Aircraft alloy casting supplier, hence the superlative quality we were able to obtain, along with much tighter machining tolerances.

Keep in mind that Caldwell offers their version of the BRP, plus a cheapened up version without any desirable features that is marketed under the name "Stable Table". Not even close to their BRP rendition. If a Caldwell BRP is being considered, be sure to specify the hardwood top. The plastic version is, well......

Soon after selling the mfg rights to them, they sent their offshore produced version to me for evaluation. It was the hardwood top model, and other than the difference of materials, the overall impression was favorable, but being biased as would be assumed, it was hard to accept the difference in workmanship in the imported version when compared to our originals.

Functionally in the field, the Caldwell version works just fine. HTH

this is the only one i would consider that they make- your old design. I had just heard it wasnt as good and kinda sloppy. Tried to get one of yours on more than one occasion but no luck.

 

[Sieg]

I do like those

Dusty if you can find an original BR Pivot Light they are exceptional. My only concern buying used would be sourcing new graphite 'bushings' for the center post, as those can be damaged from neglect or lack of maintenance in my experience. Maybe Rick can advise?

This was my first experience with the BRPL's back in 2008.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Looks like a lot of cold fun!!^^