What Size & Shape for Bench Tops?

[Terry]

Considering building a new mold our current bench tops are 39" by 39"
Shaped like "Home Plate".

Your thoughts?

 

[Rtheurer]

Check these benches out. Pretty standard for the most part except they have heavy duty Casters on the front just an inch above the level Concrete. The HD trailer jack in the back allowes it to be jacked up until the front Casters touch and the Legs are off the ground so you can move it around if and when ever you want. While its down there is much weight there that it DOES NOT move like a wood structure. I feel they are as solid feeling as the ones cemented into the ground. I wish more clubs did this that dont have alot of room between benches to move around or do other shooting events. Versatility is nice for everyone. The bench tops are set with 1" heavy duty bolts in the bottom side so you can level out the tops if so needed.
The seat swivels all around or both sides and up and down via a Pin through the rear leg.

Pretty dern neat I say.

RT

 

[Terry]

Our goal is to allow someone to set right, left, or behind the gun. They should be wide enough at the rear to allow the brass to stay on top.
Some traditional T benches are too long to set behind and keep the mussel if front of the bench. (our rule) I have seen some use clamps with towels to retain the brass.

I like the pictures, they help!

 

[Terry]

Check these benches out. Pretty standard for the most part except they have heavy duty Casters on the front just an inch above the level Concrete. The HD trailer jack in the back allowes it to be jacked up until the front Casters touch and the Legs are off the ground so you can move it around if and when ever you want. While its down there is much weight there that it DOES NOT move like a wood structure. I feel they are as solid feeling as the ones cemented into the ground. I wish more clubs did this that dont have alot of room between benches to move around or do other shooting events. Versatility is nice for everyone. The bench tops are set with 1" heavy duty bolts in the bottom side so you can level out the tops if so needed.
The seat swivels all around or both sides and up and down via a Pin through the rear leg.

Pretty dern neat I say.



RT

Very Nice! How long?

 

[Terry]

Terry - The benches at CRC in Beyers, CO are my favorite.

T shaped benches are the most popular, but strongly feel the only reason why is "monkey see, monkey do".
U shaped benches offer more usable bench to the shooter.
Cement block legs are a more limiting for leg room, and leg positions then cemented pipe (or columns).
To me the most user/shooter friendly and modern in technology are U shaped bench tops with steel piped legs.

Here are pictures from CRC in Byers, CO (1000yd line) that have U shaped tops with steel piped legs:

Donovan

Wow! Great job.

Can the brass stay on top?

 

[Jason Boersma]

I really like the home plate style the best then the T-shaped benches, I belong to a club here that has U-shaped benches but they are not wide enough and my rest is almost hanging off the right side of the bench to get lined up with my target.

 

[dkhunt14]

You have to watch how long they are from front to back. With a heavy gun and a mechanical rear rest some designs don't work. You have to set the gun in too far and then you can't reach it. I have to be behind. Then there is the rule in IBS where the muzzle has to be over the front edge. I have seen benches at 50 plus inches long. Then if you have a dual port you also need room to set shells. Matt

 

[Rtheurer]

Very Nice! How long?
[/quote]

No sure actually. Sorry.

 

[Immike]

Terry, the St.Louis benches are 36" W X 46" Long and tapered on both sides in the back half to 14"W. This gives the shooter room on both sides of the rifle and the muzzle hangs off the bench. They have a mold and sell the tops to other clubs. Call Scott at the office for prices.

 

[LRPV]

Terry, the St.Louis benches are 36" W X 46" Long and tapered on both sides in the back half to 14"W. This gives the shooter room on both sides of the rifle and the muzzle hangs off the bench. They have a mold and sell the tops to other clubs. Call Scott at the office for prices.

I like the St. Louis tops personally but my experience is pretty limited.

 

[timeout]

I really like the home plate style the best then the T-shaped benches, I belong to a club here that has U-shaped benches but they are not wide enough and my rest is almost hanging off the right side of the bench to get lined up with my target.

My first choice would be T shaped. The U shaped appear to be the best of both worlds, but Jason brings up a good point regarding width. I think U shaped with consideration for ample width would be great. I believe we need a road trip to CO. Terry. It needs to coincide with a hunt though!

 

[artbosco]

Considering building a new mold our current bench tops are 39" by 39" Shaped like "Home Plate". Your thoughts?

Take a look at these first: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=7&ved=0CD0QFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbenchrest.com%2Farticles%2Fbenches.pdf&ei=7bIuVMwSyarIBPGMgZgO&usg=AFQjCNFycC3muI8fBZFb82rNXmcPmrZfwQ&bvm=bv.76802529,d.aWw

I prefer the "T" shaped bench. The Horseshoe shape has you positioned in the middle which I don't like because there is less space on the far side of my rifle.