Prairie Dog Shooting Benches

[B23]

I have a DOA shooting bench and it's a pretty good piece. They aren't cheap and they certainly aren't light, but it's solidly built and works well.
https://www.doashootingbench.com/

 

[5spd]

Ive made 4 of these years ago, 360° swivel top and seat. Comfortable, cost was maybe $80 in metal if that, 2 pcs 1/2 inch plywood for a 1inch thick top at 40 inches long by 32 inches wide, U cut in middle, right or left hand shooting and room on top for binocs, ammo, note pad, etc. Made an umbrella holder for a golfers shade as well.

 

[ShaneG.]

Here is one I made a few years ago. I really only used it once and that was this past May. It's heavy for sure but we had plenty of wind and it was plenty stable. The seat is different that one just used for testing. The top is 1.5" thick. It will get put on a diet if I just don't build a complete lighter unit for being more mobile. If you don't need to move it much it isn't bad.

 

[KY_Windage]

I use the big game/muddy swivel bench. Perfect and good value. Only issue is black top in the sun.
View attachment 1186143

With their cam-lock knee-brace these are the ideal compromise between stability and portability. Sometime I have to pack mine and my rifle a few hundred yards. 360-degree swivel is great, too.

 

[Hal]

For me and my 50+ years of rat shooting, the choice was simple.....design, fabricate, patent, and market/sell your own version of "Bench Nirvana". (BR Pivot Lite)



Sorry, just couldn't resist!

I wish they were still made. A rotating bench works so much better in a prairie dog town.

Hal

 

[Ironworker]

I use this bench. (full disclosure) I designed it after shooting pd's for 20+ years. I get nothing if you buy one, my son sold this company to the present owners. It is the 3rd or so variation which I have used every year on my pd hunts. It incorporates what I believe are the most important things in a bench. Smooth rotation, with no stick-slip or chatter, so you can make windage adjustments an be on target, (It has a bronze rotation bearing) and a rigid table (13 or 14 layer CNC cut Baltic Birch Plywood). Having the leg length, seat height and forward & back location adjustable, and plenty of room to rest your elbows while glassing for dogs. The seating position is very close to the center of rotation, so you don't have to worry about leaning back, and the table falling over. It sets up quickly, and is a stable rigid shooting platform.

https://custommetalprod.com/precision-varmint-shooting-bench-b77

Here is a pic of the bench on the prairie last year.
View attachment 1185691

I have that same exact bench. Its very nice.

 

[sw282]

Got a Caldwell Stable Table for 'Fathers Day' from the youngen. Arrived the day AFTER l got home from TX pd chuut.

The thing is stable, but SUPER HEAVY Now if l could just find some square TITANIUM

tubing laying around maybe l could LIGHTEN this thing up a bit

 

[markT]

We normally make about 4 to 6 stands per day.. Setting up a bench, especially a heavy bench, is a consideration for sure.. I suppose some places one can set up and shoot all day.. Never been that fortunate.

 

[PRR1957]

Here is what I use. Rock solid and talk about mobile - I can break down in less than 2 minutes to move, about the same to set up.
View attachment 1185993

Did you design and build that bench and stool ? If so, I would like to buy plans for it if you have them.

 

[jepp2]

Did you design and build that bench and stool ?

I'm not that creative. I first encountered the bench while using an outfitter for a PD hunt in SD. I inquired about them, and a small town guy made them. I was so impressed that I wound up buying mine and having it shipped. The next year on my hunt, I made it a priority to stop by and talk with him for an hour or so. Has passed away since then, but they provide the plans for free as a tribute to him. Here is the link for his website: http://www.towerstool.com/

I pull a pin on the bench and it folds up. The pin is captive so you can't lose it. Same for the seat. They offer 3 heights, one for a wheel chair. Just as solid as a rock and light to move (until you add two bags filled with heavy sand and an AR 15 with a 3.25 pound lead weight in the A2 buttstock cavity. But it doesn't move at all when I eliminate an entire family of pasture poodles.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Ive made 4 of these years ago, 360° swivel top and seat. Comfortable, cost was maybe $80 in metal if that, 2 pcs 1/2 inch plywood for a 1inch thick top at 40 inches long by 32 inches wide, U cut in middle, right or left hand shooting and room on top for binocs, ammo, note pad, etc. Made an umbrella holder for a golfers shade as well.View attachment 1186159

I like this one. Also before I ever seen the photo I described to my shooting buddy that this would be the cut out for my tabletop.

 

[B23]

Got a Caldwell Stable Table for 'Fathers Day' from the youngen. Arrived the day AFTER l got home from TX pd chuut.

The thing is stable, but SUPER HEAVY

I've used one of these and actually thought they were kinda light-ish. If you think those are "SUPER HEAVY" you'd think the shooting benches that are built much stouter and with solid tops, like the one from DOA, is super duper heavy.

 

[mikegaiz]

 

[JSH]

I have been fortunate to be able to try some various benches and chairs in the field. I bought one a couple of years ago that the top and seat pivot. It would be good for some one about 5’ tall. Just to low to the ground. And, to top that off it had a black vinyl top on it. Tore that crap off and but indoor outdoor carpet, light gray.
Still left me unsatisfied.

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/00008hlst/high-low-shooting-table-dark-earth

Looked at these and more to my liking. I can stand and shoot, very solid. And it will pivot 360 if you want. Sets up well on eneven ground. Had a little round top flat folding stool to sit on if I want.
If I use tripod, I can get all of it and rifle packed out away from the truck in one trip. It works ok but not great from a chair.

Cactus and knee high grass, standing gets you over the top of it.
I am working on getting a usable platform on top of a 6’ step ladder. Step on the bottom step, rifle on top. Stand and lean into it. May have it modified by next spring.

 

[bowfisher]

BR Pivot, got it on Craigslist from a guy that was giving up shooting. You don't want to carry it very far, but it's stable as a concrete bench,

I also have a couple benches from Reed at Tower Stool. They are remarkably light and rigid. I prefer to shoot out of the back of the truck, with the BR Pivot for visibility and versatility, but when you have to pack in, the Tower Stool benches are great.

 

[bowfisher]

Found some new ground in WY this year, had an absolute ball.Nothing like going to work off the platform of the BR Pivot! One of the reasons I run Ram Boxes on the truck, I can set my rifle and ammo in, binos etc, from the bed, jump down , relocate 400yds down the town and be up and shooting again before most guys can get all the crap back in the truck.

 

[sw282]

Found some new ground in WY this year, had an absolute ball.Nothing like going to work off the platform of the BR Pivot! One of the reasons I run Ram Boxes on the truck, I can set my rifle and ammo in, binos etc, from the bed, jump down , relocate 400yds down the town and be up and shooting again before most guys can get all the crap back in the truck.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1015041838

BR pivots are still available... Midway has them. Price seems about same as original. $10 shipping

 

[markT]

View attachment 1188201 View attachment 1188202

Looks like you got it figured out. Well done!!

 

[DogBuster]

any table is better than laying on the ground

 

[DogBuster]

mine are simple/solid & functionable