Is there a "regulation" or "traditional" height for benchrest tops? If so what would it be and if not what heights do you all prefer? my personal bench at home is 33inches to the top and i have a 17 inch seat height which together seems to work decently well for me. the reason i ask this on here is thinking bout building a few benches at the local gun club and was wondering what height to make them. thanks for any input!!!!
SHOOTING BENCHES????
- Thread starter fastnflat1
- Start date
Do a search for detailed info. I made benches for two different clubs using 32" from slab to top of bench. This works if the range layout in relatively flat. No matter how user-friendly you make them, there will always be some who will scoff at your design. I based mine on what is used at clubs that hold registered BR shoots....who can argue a bench design that was used to set national records?
BoydAllen
Gold $$ Contributor
Having devoted a considerable amount of time to the building of benches, it is my considered opinion that many benches that have seen a lot of very distinguished use, are in one way or another deficient in their designs. To determine this, I have queried many shooters, who are amply qualified by their records. There are benches on otherwise wonderful ranges, where national level competitions are held, that move when leaned on. One of the most important matches is held on a range where the shape and orientation of the benches has required some to drill one leg of their rest for another leveling point. I could go on. In any case, my purpose is not to slander fine old ranges but to point out that in many cases excellent shooting has been done in spite of the benches, not because of them.
Getting back to the question, I believe that 32" is too short. The reason for this is that it is easier for a short shooter to adjust a stool up for a taller bench than it is for a tall shooter to sit, on a stool of any height, at a bench that is too short for him. The benches at Visalia, that were designed by the late Lee Six, and largely poured by him and the current NBRSA president, Dennis Thornbury are 34" tall. I would go no shorter. Several world records have been shot from them. As you can tell, good benches are a passion of mine. It is my hope that someday a bench can be designed that is deemed to be excellent by all that use it, and that specific instructions as to how to build them be made available to anyone who wants them. If anyone is interested in such a project, I would be willing to work on it with you.
Getting back to the question, I believe that 32" is too short. The reason for this is that it is easier for a short shooter to adjust a stool up for a taller bench than it is for a tall shooter to sit, on a stool of any height, at a bench that is too short for him. The benches at Visalia, that were designed by the late Lee Six, and largely poured by him and the current NBRSA president, Dennis Thornbury are 34" tall. I would go no shorter. Several world records have been shot from them. As you can tell, good benches are a passion of mine. It is my hope that someday a bench can be designed that is deemed to be excellent by all that use it, and that specific instructions as to how to build them be made available to anyone who wants them. If anyone is interested in such a project, I would be willing to work on it with you.
Boyd- good points.I should have been more specific, but a search on previous posts should note that I used 4" concrete tops over poured-in-place 8" dia. concrete piers. I took notes of various benches I have used in competition, and tweaked them to what I thought was the perfect bench. I used sonotubes for piers to get the most leg room, and also minimize damage by vandalism ( idiots shooting into conc. block). I poured my own concrete tops, because I believe it is superior to wood and made them large enough to accomodate both RH and LH shooters (not too narrow like Kelblys).
As to height, I will measure and confirm.
One mistake I did make was to paint the tops at one of the clubs, for us accuracy nuts it causes the rear bag to slide while at the other club, shooters complain the bare concrete is hard on their elbows and scratches their gun when they lay them on the top......you can please some of the people some of the time, but.....etc.
As to height, I will measure and confirm.
One mistake I did make was to paint the tops at one of the clubs, for us accuracy nuts it causes the rear bag to slide while at the other club, shooters complain the bare concrete is hard on their elbows and scratches their gun when they lay them on the top......you can please some of the people some of the time, but.....etc.
Don't make them all the same height. Men, women and children come in different sizes and shooting benches should also...
Fred Bohl
Gold $$ Contributor
A gentile reminder - if you are building benches that are at a range open to the public - per the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act - your are required to provide access for the handicapped including wheelchair accessible benches.
Pertinent to the original height question - required is 30 inch minimum clearance under the bench top and a top surface height not to exceed 34 inches - there are many other dimensional requirements and requirements for the percentage of such benches (1 minimum at each distance and an additional 1 in 20 for over 20 benches).
Pertinent to the original height question - required is 30 inch minimum clearance under the bench top and a top surface height not to exceed 34 inches - there are many other dimensional requirements and requirements for the percentage of such benches (1 minimum at each distance and an additional 1 in 20 for over 20 benches).
I shoot at matches at Rockongham Gun Club in NC. Their benches are 3- 8" blocks with a 4" cap block on top. The tops are 3 1/2" thick. Tops are 36" wide at the front. Coming straight back 16" and then tapering to the back that is 16" wide. Front to back measures 45". These benches accomadate use of stools or the plastic and metal type "school" chairs. This is a very comfortable bench to shoot on. As for the elbow rash, I use computer mouse pads to protect my elbows.
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Boyd ....Apparently one our "Ultimate Shooting Bench" design parameters must be to incorporate a means to adjust bench height. ;D
I am with Ray on this one....One of the local clubs recently made new benches that are 34" height....no matter what type stool I use, I cannot comfortably get "on top of" my gun at this range.I am also a bit shorter than Mr. Porter. The bench -top shape (insufficient cut-out) may be also be a contributing factor.
While varying height benches may work for clubs that only offer informal shooting, it would not be a good idea where competitive events may be held.
FWIW, I checked my clubs bench heights, they run from 32" to 32-1/2 "
I am with Ray on this one....One of the local clubs recently made new benches that are 34" height....no matter what type stool I use, I cannot comfortably get "on top of" my gun at this range.I am also a bit shorter than Mr. Porter. The bench -top shape (insufficient cut-out) may be also be a contributing factor.
While varying height benches may work for clubs that only offer informal shooting, it would not be a good idea where competitive events may be held.
FWIW, I checked my clubs bench heights, they run from 32" to 32-1/2 "
BoydAllen
Gold $$ Contributor
What is the shape of the bench tops? I have shot off of benches that were taller than 34" and with an appropriate height stool was fine. (I am a long waisted 6' -1".) One way to tell if it it is the top shape is to block up under your feet. That is a way to have an "adjustable top height" (assuming an adjustable stool) without making the bench less sturdy. (Instead of lowering the bench, raise what your butt and feet are resting on.) I have never seen, or heard of any problems for shorter shooters at the Visalia range. Perhaps someone else who shoots there could post on this.
???
boyd
i typed up a reply and lost it to outer space.
yes i do have an adjustable stool and it is maxed out.
a stool is the most under rated tool you carry. if you are not comfortable you will rush shots. over the course of a weekend ,including friday practice, comfort gets important.
boyd
i typed up a reply and lost it to outer space.
yes i do have an adjustable stool and it is maxed out.
a stool is the most under rated tool you carry. if you are not comfortable you will rush shots. over the course of a weekend ,including friday practice, comfort gets important.
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