the perfedt benchrest

[hedditch]

What would be the perfect dimensions for a benchrest? We are improving our range and want to replace current benches,
Dave

 

[jackieschmidt]

I have shot off of benches everywhere.

I believe you can’t beat a regular T Bench. They are friendly to both left and right hand shooters, ejector rifles, and comfort.

Here is what we have at Tomball. I could get you the exact dimensions.

 

[jghoghunter]

Heres our benches at MCSA and dimensions for the poured sona tube legged ones. The ones in the picture have cement blocks for legs. The tops are the same. Everyone seems to like them and they are extremely stable. You will need a skid steer or some young, dumb, and full of well you know to lift the tops by hand. They weigh around 400lbs.

 

[Dimner]

Heres our benches at MCSA and dimensions for the poured sona tube legged ones. The ones in the picture have cement blocks for legs. The tops are the same. Everyone seems to like them and they are extremely stable. You will need a skid steer or some young, dumb, and full of well you know to lift the tops by hand. They weigh around 400lbs.

I don't shoot competition bench rest. But I have always been disappointed with T shaped benches. My rear bag is always teetering off the bench on the left side (right hand shooter). When I get the rests parallel and the rear bag fully on the bench, I don't shoot as well because I'm leaning too my right too much to be comfortable and stable.

The post above is what I wish I could always shoot on. That tapered modification to the "T-bench" looks amazing. And it will be able accommodate any kind of right or left hand shooter. All they have to do is scoot fore and aft and the bench allows more or less 'table' to meet their needs.

 

[LHSmith]

Other than the "T" design, I can't get into a comfortable position without the top pushing into my ribs. In SR BR you must shoot the target with the same bench number. The most problems I have with running out of space is the ones that taper as they tend to pour them really small.

 

[jghoghunter]

The ones we have certainly are not small. If we have left and right hand shooters sitting on the same bench a lot of times they will leave their stuff set up there is that much room on these benches. Even if you set up directly behind the gun like I do there's more than enough room on the sides to leave most of the stuff on the bench for when the next shooter comes up. I do agree with you though most benches are too small. These are not.

 

[Rat Rifle]

I did one on My property similar to the one shown in post #3, and it suits Me just fine. And it is also similar to those I shoot on several ranges.

 

[Chuckhunter]

These are the benches at Williamsport, they are rock solid, have a lot of room on top and are very easy to get comfortable at. The tapered top allows for both right and left handed shooters with all port configurations. I have shot at a lot of different benches over the years in both short range and long range and they are the best I have ever used.

 

[jghoghunter]

These are the benches at Williamsport, they are rock solid, have a lot of room on top and are very easy to get comfortable at. The tapered top allows for both right and left handed shooters with all port configurations. I have shot at a lot of different benches over the years in both short range and long range and they are the best I have ever used.

These are the same as the benches we have.

 

[miles13]

Here's ours at MSSA, 3" thick concrete. I have shot off many others, but I like ours the best.

 

[Chuckhunter]

Here's ours at MSSA, 3" thick concrete. I have shot off many others, but I like ours the best.

Miles, I believe you, I and Johoghunter are agreeing, and I believe we are all shooting off of the same style and similar size benches. We cover our concrete tops with 3/4" plywood to keep the sharp steel points on the front rests from chipping or damaging the concrete. Great minds think alike.

 

[jghoghunter]

Miles, I believe you, I and Johoghunter are agreeing, and I believe we are all shooting off of the same style and similar size benches. We cover our concrete tops with 3/4" plywood to keep the sharp steel points on the front rests from chipping or damaging the concrete. Great minds think alike.

same here

 

[Kracken McGraw]

The ones we have certainly are not small. If we have left and right hand shooters sitting on the same bench a lot of times they will leave their stuff set up there is that much room on these benches. Even if you set up directly behind the gun like I do there's more than enough room on the sides to leave most of the stuff on the bench for when the next shooter comes up. I do agree with you though most benches are too small. These are not.

Thanks for taking time to post these plans!

 

[D Coots]

When I built my house 5 years ago, this was the first thing dropped on the property. A bench top from the St Louis range. $100 Dimensions attached. Rerods in concrete when floor was poured, and epoxy in bench top to rerods when laid. Sonotubes from floor to top encasing the rerods.

 

[dthomas]

When I built my house 5 years ago, this was the first thing dropped on the property. A bench top from the St Louis range. $100 Dimensions attached. Rerods in concrete when floor was poured, and epoxy in bench top to rerods when laid. Sonotubes from floor to top encasing the rerods.View attachment 1614662

If you shoot from that window you'll shoot a dumpster and your neighbors house.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

This is how I built mine and I have zero regrets. It's one of the best designs out there, IMHO. It can be configured to be somewhat mobile if needed but would be cheaper to build with concrete blocks, filled or not. just my 2 cents. Nothing suits everybody, unfortunately...But it's a good design.

I believe your thread on BRC.

https://benchrest.com/forum/attachments/wwcca-bench-2-jpg.28050/

 

[Larry Koch]

When I built my house 5 years ago, this was the first thing dropped on the property. A bench top from the St Louis range. $100 Dimensions attached. Rerods in concrete when floor was poured, and epoxy in bench top to rerods when laid. Sonotubes from floor to top encasing the rerods.View attachment 1614662

Some people add a pool or a hot tube.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

How hard is it to get one pointed at the right angle to the target if set permanently?
I guess some leeway on the target frames would help.

 

[hoz53]

When I built my house 5 years ago, this was the first thing dropped on the property. A bench top from the St Louis range. $100 Dimensions attached. Rerods in concrete when floor was poured, and epoxy in bench top to rerods when laid. Sonotubes from floor to top encasing the rerods.View attachment 1614662

33” floor to top of top? Looks like a very nice setup— it doesnt look like a clear shooting lane outside the window. I must be looking at it wrong?

 

[D Coots]

33 is correct. I believe that is the same as St Louis. I've got a concrete bunker with 1/2" angled plates in it on my target stand at 100 yards. It's left of the house...then there's the dumpster....yes, the pic is deceiving.