• This Forum is for adults 18 years of age or over. By continuing to use this Forum you are confirming that you are 18 or older. No content shall be viewed by any person under 18 in California.

Shooting Benches,Portable) -- Your Opinions WANTED

Hi,
If you find one better than this one you have done well. This thing has everything and is rt or left hand shooter. 360 degrees ajustablle seat pins and wing nut set up in 2 min. More stable than you can imagine and is light enough for this 68 year old to carry. Complete kit $269 plus freight. This thing is ingenius. BJ Enterprises 385 Fenway Place, Bartlesville OK 918 333 5276
advertised in PS and Bob Jourdan is a PS contibutor and a shooter's straight shooter. His email is:rhjmlj@sbcglobal.net.
Dobber
 
dobber said:
Hi,
If you find one better than this one you have done well. This thing has everything and is rt or left hand shooter. 360 degrees ajustablle seat pins and wing nut set up in 2 min. More stable than you can imagine and is light enough for this 68 year old to carry. Complete kit $269 plus freight. This thing is ingenius. BJ Enterprises 385 Fenway Place, Bartlesville OK 918 333 5276
advertised in PS and Bob Jourdan is a PS contibutor and a shooter's straight shooter. His email is:rhjmlj@sbcglobal.net.
Dobber

Got a link or pictures to post?

I've developed various designs over many years and have another idea for one I may prototype for this forum thread.

One question I have is how can these pivoting center post designs with attached seat possibly be as stable as a 3 legged table design with unattached seat knowing that ANY movement (instability) in the table platform is magnified greatly at common shooting distances? After all, the standard for comparison is competition grade fixed cement benches and they don't use just a center post for support and the seat is separate.

I'd like to see a head to head test by actually measuring the deflection caused by subjecting each design to a lateral force against the top. Should make an interesting article. I will run such a test with the protype I should have ready shortly.
 
Still wondering:

One question I have is how can these pivoting center post designs with attached seat possibly be as stable as a 3 legged table design with unattached seat knowing that ANY movement (instability) in the table platform is magnified greatly at common shooting distances? After all, the standard for comparison is competition grade fixed cement benches and they don't use just a center post for support and the seat is separate.
 
sonofagun231, You're correct they aren't as stable as a bench which incorporates a seperate shooting stoll but if you've ever tried shooting a active dog town using a bench that does not allow you to freely pivot 360 degrees and then had the opportunity to use bench that pivots you'll quickly find out how much better the rotating benches actually work. That's why they're called portable shooting benches. They're not what I'd recommend that you use to evaluate your load development, or what you'd choose to produce your absolute best bragging five shot group with. We do manage to kill a respectable number of p-dogs out over 500yds year after year shooting off such benches. 99% of the time a p-dog shooter will have a much easier time and get in much more shooting when he doesn't have to be bothered reposition a shooting stoll on uneven terrain, been there, done that. Our dog shoots are usually four days of shooting and there's four of us, this requires something that light fast and porable, our outfitter has tried most everything out there. The BR Pivot / Big Shooter is probably the most stable bench out there but believe me you don't want to try and lug it around and lifting it in and out of a pick up four or five times a day on a four day shoot will wear you down. I'm partical to the Coyote Jake Shooting bench it comes with carry bags is somewhere in the 65lb range which is split up in two bags, it sets up very quickly. It's similar to the bench in the photos but with square tubing legs instead of pipe which eliminates the need for pinning the legs, believe me you want to keep it as simple and quick as possible. You'll end up killing more dogs and not your back.

Regards
RJ
 
What's the hits to misses ratio? Of course, with p.d.s attacking you from all sides, being able to repel them quickly has got to be important. Thanks for the info.
Gives me an idea for the bench design I'm working on - stable AND pivoting.

Another question: is 360 degree pivoting really needed (are you in the middle of the town?)? Would 90 degrees be sufficient for most towns/shooting setups?
 
if it sits on the ground you will have a truck and cleaning table and a few friends behind you. so..........take it from there. your logic is sound.
 
Thread is pretty old but I just came across it. I built this bench over a weekend with my dad. Adjustable seat, breaks into 5 pieces to load into the truck easily. Incorporated a spotting scope mount to the bench which works surprisingly well. Three leg design rocks a little once in awhile, may need to re-engineer to a four leg design.
WW
62760_1556590147653_1022193692_1604777_3293550_n.jpg

63323_1554673899748_1022193692_1599694_4605504_n.jpg
 
Here's mine ....home-made none-swivel, compact, solid, and attractive.
Used a store bought mitre saw stand...stripped off the top hardware and replaced with a 1" plywood top that was bolted down. Those steel folding legs are excellent.
I prefer a table with sloped outward pipe legs but not the type of legs that detach and roll around in the back of my truck. Overall....I love this table...
1ze9lx1.jpg
2zqzjma.jpg

23qzd6c.jpg
 
Wow, imagine my surprise when being new here, I logged onto this thread and saw MY OWN photo on the lead post by the Forum Boss. I didn't even know I was "here". ;D

Anyway, being a bit biased, I'll say that I've been using my two BR Pivot Lite benches now for 14 years, both benches are still going strong. When I sold my U.S. Patent and the manufacturing rights to Battenfield Technoligies/Caldwell for the BR Pivot, it was no longer available as a Lite, all-alloy version. It is still in production by Caldwell, but is mostly all-steel now.

A bit older than "me" in the lead photo, but still sending PD's, rock chucks and ground squirrels to the Big Alfalfa Patch in the Sky:

P4042595.jpg


Another good day while out after Skippy and his pals:

DSC_0003-5.jpg


Good to be here.....great site!
 
Zale said:
Here is one I built which works well. It is very stable and has adjustable legs so you can level it anywhere and also raise it high enough to shoot off of while standing.

GAPGun.jpg


TableLeg.jpg
Does any one know where these type of adjustable table legs can be purchased ?
 
Nice benches, but every bench I've used where the whole top swivels is just not stable enough. I've gone as far as using the front hub from a car with the disc brake attached and a hand lever to disengage the brake to rotate the top. Still way too wobbly to shoot long distances accuratly.

And a fixed top bench has real issues moving a heavy rifle on a proper front rest left to right.

I designed the "World's Best Portable Shooting Bench". You use your BR rest, front and rear..Or you can use a bipod, or the permanent front rest.....It can be designed for left hand or right hand or both....And you build it yourself.....Can't be beat.

P1060007-vi.jpg


P1060011-vi.jpg


P1060009-vi.jpg


Free Plans available here:

http://rvbprecision.com/shooting/a-varmint-bench-with-a-twist.html
 
My vote goes to the BR Pivot. I bought one from Rick in Oregon before he sold the rights to Caldwell... then I bought one from Caldwell. The original has more attention paid to fit and finish but I like the size of the synthetic top offered with the Caldwell. Portable, silky smooth pivoting, legs can level on almost any grade and tightening up all the locks makes for a rock solid shooting platform. The Cadillac of shooting benches!
 
Here's my portable bench. I can pivot it 180 degrees (with a 15 pound rifle on it) by simply turning it on its rear leg.
Birchbench2.jpg

Birchbench3.jpg
 
Some very nice custom benches.

I have 3 benches, portable one's I've bought, all three shake, I hate them.

I got the 3 leg Caldwell bench and it's about as steady as it gets. Easy to break down, with the carry bag, not as heavy to lug around.
I'm know it's much lighter than a do it yourself bench with wood.
I put a large piece of 1/16" rubber on the top, keeps everything from sliding. It's OK without, but you do get some movement on the bags with the plastic top.
Just a thin piece of plywood and a couple clamps would work also.

The main thing I was looking for was a steady bench, the Caldwell fits the bill.

If you don't like the idea of the seat attached to the bench, don't use it, swing it out of the way and use a chair or stool.
The bench also levels very easily. I'm darn happy with it, got it off Amazon.com. $170.00, free shipping.

So if you want decent price, easy set up, lighter weight to carry, take a hard look at the Caldwell.

My Best, John K
 
Interesting tables, but the problem with tables that do not rotate is that they are almost worthless for shooting in fields loaded with ground squirrels or prairie dogs that present a 360-degree field-of-fire that requires quick rotation of the table and seat combo for fairly close Whack-a-Mole type shots. Non-rotating tables will work for longer-range shots, but I don't see much use for them when shooting a field that presents shots at constantly varying wide angles, unless the shooter doesn't mind picking up the table, cartridges, rifle, seat, etc., and plunking them down again for that second shot. Rotating tables can also be used in the back of a pickup truck for 270 degrees worth of shots.

A table, such as one about 5' wide can be used with a bag, where the bag can be slid to the right or left, giving a chance at angling shots works well, but it is not portable. I have used this method with a small blanket under the bag (such as a Bull's Bag) that allows the bag to slide to the right or left, but again, this type of setup rules out good portability.

I now use a "walker" ---the type used by old people who have a hard time walking---that can be found in most thrift stores. It is very light and can be carried under one arm. The legs can be adjusted easily for height; a Protektor leather bag is placed on the top of the top front tube for support of the rifle, and I use a rotating tripod seat (also very light and portable). I bungee the seat to the walker, fold the walker and simply walk off the entire rig. The walker is so light that it can be easily be moved to the right or left, and the entire rig is cheap. I paid $5 for the walker at a local Salvation Army store and $14 for a rotating seat from Sportsman's Guide.

Also, I can shoot long-range because the rifle and shooter (me) are tripodded when the right rear leg of the walker is folded inward. This leaves the two front legs and left rear leg planted on the ground; hence, the tripod. If you take the letter "L" and turn it upside down, you will have an idea of what the tripod looks like from above. I recently put some wheels on the front two legs so that I can pull the walker behind me instead of carrying it. When not in use, the walker can be folded fairly flat for storage. I plan to try out the wheeled rig next month when I take the trip to ground squirrel country and will send in some pictures at that time.

This setup is great for .22 rimfire shooters, but will also work for centerfire rifles, provided that you don't have to drag along a lot of cleaning equipment, in which case, you have to consider something with a table to provide a platform to hold the rifle for cleaning.
 
I bench rest shoot, so the Caldwell works great, putting one of the movable pieces on it like the one a few posts back might work. Rcbs makes a 3 legged shooting rest that looks great for varmit hunting, looks very stable too, it's in the $350. range. Something I'd look t very hard if I were shootin dogs.

My Best, John
 
I've been looking at the ASR shooting rest by evotech but haven't been able to find any reviews - i'd love to see some input about it if someone would like to share!
 
Have read many of these, but found the quickest best simplest cheapest was to go and buy
a Mitre Saw Table... gives you four fold up leg's. Simply buy 4x4 3/4 plywood but to shape
and simply screw it onto the the top. Top can also be made removable with existing parts.
$ 99.00 plus $ 20.00 and a couple hours time with right tools.
I have found this very stable easy to move the just the right height.
And not the tough to carry a ways. Would supply pic, but put away for winter.
 

Upgrades & Donations

This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.


Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.

You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.


To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.

Forum statistics

Threads
165,441
Messages
2,195,855
Members
78,902
Latest member
Kapkadian
Back
Top