Shooting Benches,Portable) -- Your Opinions WANTED
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Here is mine, and I love it. The Caldwell BR Pivot. It weighs 80lbs. all together, and comes a part in 4 peices. I use it to shoot long range usually out to 1500yds. I bought this bench in 2010, and paid 420 dollars for it.
The only thing I don't like about it is the edge around the table top. I realize it serves a good purpose, like catching rolling ammo, but it can be hard on your elbow when shooting a high recoil rifle.
itchyTF
Gold $$ Contributor
If more than one person is shooting they can still utilize a significant amount of rotation without danger. Maybe 35 - 45 deg? Then everyone could spin 180 deg and shoot to the "rear" without another setup.
My version -
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3831115.msg36329187#msg36329187
My version -
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3831115.msg36329187#msg36329187
searcher
Gold $$ Contributor
The Caldwell rotating table fits the bill when rotation is desired when shooting ground squirrels, etc. Recently went on a five-day shoot and a buddy had the RCBS rig at 3 times the cost. Liked the caldwell better - even if the same price due to less bulk - more stabiity, has a top onto which I can place my bench rest, set my binoculars, ammo, wind meter, etc.
Mine is definitely not fancy but works great for me. I built the top out of two pieces of 3/" plywood I had laying around. I glued and bolted them together. I was planning on making legs for it and decided to go out and test it on some saw horses and it worked well I still use saw horses. I don't use these saw horese any longer but a set that is much more sturdy. I set the front one completely at the front and move the back one over towards the opposite side of the shooter. I have holes drilled through the table so I bolt it to the saw horses but usually by the time I get all my gear on the table it's not moving anywhere. I had everything laying around so it took me around 30 minutes to build and then an hour or so to paint a couple coats. I recommend it for anyone looking for a cheap and easy to build and transport bench!
Attachments
My shooting bench (by DOA) is approximately 50#s and is portable./ It has three legs, rotating adjustable seat, wood top available in two thicknesses and is right or left handed. It folds up to fit into about any vehicle. Eight years of use has produced only one criticism. I shoot at home and live in the upper Midwest. A synthetic or water proof top would be nice. This is produced by a Marine vet and that was one of my reasons for wanting to purchase this from him. He is B. Roberts located in St. George, Utah.
There are build plans for my favorite bench on http://www.larrywillis.com/ . Click on #33 under reloading and shooting tech tips. Works great
BoydAllen
Gold $$ Contributor
I have a home made portable bench that has a heavy wood top, which can be used with either one or two rear legs. There are three sockets in the back. The center one is used for three legged configuration. The legs are splayed and made of 1 1/2" schedule 40 pipe. The fourth leg is adjustable. I do not believe that any portable bench is as sturdy as a good fixed one, and for that reason, the best technique to use when shooting off of one is to perfect ones aim by squeezing the rear bag. I have shot good groups with a tuned PPC off of mine.
One thing that I learned form other's experiences is that if you can design the top of your portable bench so that your chest does not touch it while shooting the rifle, that your sight picture will be steadier. My bench has the arm rest offset from the rear bag so that I can avoid chest contact. I have never seen another bench that had that feature. It works very well, and is easy to do.
I suppose that I should mention that the sturdiness of my bench comes at the cost of weight. It weighs 107 lb. Most of the time I am able to save the time and trouble of assembling it by leaving it in the back of my PU upside down, under a shell, on a rubber mat that keeps it from sliding around, and drive to where I will unload it. I slide it out and flip it over onto its legs, reversing the process to load it.
One thing that I learned form other's experiences is that if you can design the top of your portable bench so that your chest does not touch it while shooting the rifle, that your sight picture will be steadier. My bench has the arm rest offset from the rear bag so that I can avoid chest contact. I have never seen another bench that had that feature. It works very well, and is easy to do.
I suppose that I should mention that the sturdiness of my bench comes at the cost of weight. It weighs 107 lb. Most of the time I am able to save the time and trouble of assembling it by leaving it in the back of my PU upside down, under a shell, on a rubber mat that keeps it from sliding around, and drive to where I will unload it. I slide it out and flip it over onto its legs, reversing the process to load it.
I use a Stukey bench and it is very stable and easy to set up. It is a bit heavy but heavy and stable is exactly what I want. They are a bit spendy but I think they are worth the money.
GSpringer
GSpringer
powderbrake
Gold $$ Contributor
I have been prairie dog shooting for 25 years, and have tried various benches. I developed a shape that works very well for me, and have incorporated into a design which my son's company ( Custom Metal Products) is now manufacturing and selling. The top design works for left or right handed shooters, (just by turning it over), and the bronze thrust bearing makes for very smooth rotation. It disassembles into a few pieces, so it can be handled by the weaker folks (at my age that includes me). The fits of the legs and seat brackets are very close , so there is little or no slop when assembled.
The top design gives plenty of room for the trigger arm elbow and rear bag, and it is made of Baltic Birch , which is stiffer than normal plywood. There is plenty of room for binoculars, rangefinders, wind meters and ammo. The design places the shooter close to the center of rotation, and places the front rest and rifle weight in the center front of the table. They are available online or by calling the plant.
Here is a link to the webpage and information, click on the pics for a larger view.
https://www.custommetalprod.com/shooting-targets/precision-varmint-shooting-bench
The top design gives plenty of room for the trigger arm elbow and rear bag, and it is made of Baltic Birch , which is stiffer than normal plywood. There is plenty of room for binoculars, rangefinders, wind meters and ammo. The design places the shooter close to the center of rotation, and places the front rest and rifle weight in the center front of the table. They are available online or by calling the plant.
Here is a link to the webpage and information, click on the pics for a larger view.
https://www.custommetalprod.com/shooting-targets/precision-varmint-shooting-bench
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snert
Silver $$ Contributor
I use a Hart built bench that is exactly like Zale's on the first page. 65 pounds. Solid when set up. However, it is portable only as much as you want to carry 65 pounds, plus range bag and 20 pound rifle! I use it for drive and park groundhog shooting. It does not rotate, so it would be not as good for PD's. I also have a MCFADDEN tripod, McFadden is in PA. I LOVE it. Wit the long legs I find it more stable and have chucks to 700+ with it. It can be shouldered on a sling and carried, especially with legs tied together with hook and loop. It rotates and pans, but you have to stand. The shorter legs are fine for shooting off a chair or stool. Nice product, well made.
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