So just how important is the bench? I have noticed a lot of cement benches, do they need to be that sturdy? What would the difference in group size be between a wood, portable, or cement bench. If a guy can shoot say 1 inch at 100 on a portable bench, how much better can he expect to shoot from a cement bench with a XYZ rest. How would you compare a lead sled shot from a wooden picnic table. Now same conditions same rifle from a cement bench quality rest and bags.
Shooting bench???
- Thread starter bdotson
- Start date
TheOtherZilla
Pull my finger
We have cement benches here.. I shot off of various wood benches for years. I love the concrete bench.. That's where I do my load testing and sighting in. Otherwise in the field I shoot off the hood of my truck, off my home made stix or on the ground in the prone position..
Lapua40X
California Hunter Education Instructor
It's not what the bench is made of as much as it is about how sturdy the bench is. If it's strong, stable (doesn't shake when you push on the side of it) and doesn't shake while you're trying to hold your sights on target it's probably fine. Solid bench = better potention for solid hits on target. Shakey bench = whatever you get when the sights cross the bulls eye and you squeeze it off.
BoydAllen
Gold $$ Contributor
You can shoot from darn near anything, but why would you want to unless that was all you could afford? Concrete benches are the best. Anyone that owns a truly accurate rifle with a high magnification scope and light trigger can tell you that they are worth the effort. On the other hand for sighting in for deer season , you can shoot off of the tailgate of a pickup. It all depends on what you are trying to do.
Our local range here has been in the process of renovating and re excavating for the last couple of years. The old benches they had were not stable at all so I got ahold of some cement blocks, stacked them up on each side and used double thick 3/4 plywood for a top. It turned out pretty solid and was able to put together some nice groups. The whole thing can be easily taken down if needed also and not much invested. Just a thought.
BoydAllen said:
That's some great info there Boyd!
Lapua40X said:Geno C said:
This one works for me. Roll it up in my utility trailer and I can take it from the home range to the farm for longer shots.
Looks like it might be powered by a water wheel. ;D
Just kidding Geno. Just kidding ............
The big wheels make it easier to move it across the rough ground and snow. It's on my 50-120yrd home range.
$100 if you can tell me what they're off of
rail road luggage cart?
jonbearman
I live in new york state,how unfortunate !
Those wheels look like early farmall tractor tie's.
Many years back I bought an ARMOR METAL bench from Lee Andrews in Helena, MT. It worked very well both on my concrete pad at home, as well as use as a portable bench for shooting gophers. Four heavy round legs that screw into heavy, metal flanges/brackets.
No longer made. In my opinion, one of the better, AFFODABLE benches EVER built.
No longer made. In my opinion, one of the better, AFFODABLE benches EVER built.
living where there were no ranges nearby and needing to load develop and also pd shoot I built my son and I benches like in the picture,
1" plywood, with two 3/4x1in ribs glued and screwed underneath at angles from the rear towards the front (stops flex) then I took 4x4 and cut 3 squares at a 7 degree angle to use as mounts for the legs, they are glued and screwed to the bottom of the plywood, they are mounted to cause the legs to angle outwards as you see in the picture
I then mounted galvanized pipe flanges (to screw in the pipe legs) - took 1 1/4 inch galvanized pipe threaded to screw into the flanges, and also threaded the bottom to screw on flange feet for the front two legs
for the rear single leg the flange angles to the rear and pipe has a "t" fitting on the bottom, with 8" pipes going to the right and left then a 90 degree to a 3" pipe and foot on the bottom of these.
this gives 4 foot support with 3 legs, very steady for sitting on the dirt.
I then sanded, sealed and poly coated the bench so it is not moisture sensitive,
the ply top is cut 4 ft long front to rear and 24 inches right to left with the shooting side(we are right hand) having a cut starting 18 inches back that curves in 6 inch radius then straight to the back leaving 18" width for the rear bag etc.
They have works well for us. forgot to mention, screw the legs off and lay flat in truck or suburban floor, screw them in and shoot.
Bob
1" plywood, with two 3/4x1in ribs glued and screwed underneath at angles from the rear towards the front (stops flex) then I took 4x4 and cut 3 squares at a 7 degree angle to use as mounts for the legs, they are glued and screwed to the bottom of the plywood, they are mounted to cause the legs to angle outwards as you see in the picture
I then mounted galvanized pipe flanges (to screw in the pipe legs) - took 1 1/4 inch galvanized pipe threaded to screw into the flanges, and also threaded the bottom to screw on flange feet for the front two legs
for the rear single leg the flange angles to the rear and pipe has a "t" fitting on the bottom, with 8" pipes going to the right and left then a 90 degree to a 3" pipe and foot on the bottom of these.
this gives 4 foot support with 3 legs, very steady for sitting on the dirt.
I then sanded, sealed and poly coated the bench so it is not moisture sensitive,
the ply top is cut 4 ft long front to rear and 24 inches right to left with the shooting side(we are right hand) having a cut starting 18 inches back that curves in 6 inch radius then straight to the back leaving 18" width for the rear bag etc.
They have works well for us. forgot to mention, screw the legs off and lay flat in truck or suburban floor, screw them in and shoot.
Bob
Attachments
I made mine out of 3 layers of 3/4 plywood, 6 inch steel plates bolted to the bottom with 11/4 steel legs with pipe caps on bottom, it is heavy and doesnt move.
jpretle said:
My top was shot from 30 yrs outside. So I planed the old top, added a new piece of plywood, painted it 3 or 4 coats of exterior SW paint, then glued on some outdoor carpeting. Looks even better now and feels even better on the elbows. As well as stuff doesn't blow off as easily. And the cat's like to sit on it during the winter.
Truly GREAT benches. Wish they still made them.
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