Why the cut out on the bench?

[Chiquita]

What is the purposes of the cut out on the shooting bench? When shooting prone the shooter is behind the rifle, when shooting on the bench why do shooters go on the side?

 

[Kracken McGraw]

To get to the rifle sitting up straight without humping over it.

 

[Big_Daddy]

I shoot from directly behind the bench.
More comfortable for me.

 

[Chiquita]

To get to the rifle sitting up straight without humping over it.

But this way you are somewhat parallel to the rifle and shoulder behind the rifle.
ETA, instead of directly behind the rifle.

 

[1shot]

I shoot from directly behind the bench.
More comfortable for me.

Same here. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[dantiff2]

I'd 100% rather be behind the gun at a table as opposed to being beside it like at a conventional shooting bench. Never understood why people sat off to the side. I get funny looks at my range for sitting behind the skinny center portion but it's 1000 times better and even gives more room for a big front rest and proper spacing to the rear bag on the longer guns.
Dan

 

[Shooter13]

If you are sitting in the "cut out" you are closer to the gun and I can control everything better.

 

[WayneShaw]

You can sit behind the bench, but the muzzle has to be over the front of the bench.

 

[SKWERLZ]

Because that’s how 99% of rifle shooter’s shoot.

 

[rjtfroggy]

I move everything to the left of center and then sit behind the gun. Not much room for rest and rear bag but it works for me.

 

[R.Morehouse]

https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video;_ylt=AwrFeAgTWlJkac4OpSRXNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNiZjEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZANBRFRFU1RTQ18xBHNlYwNzYw--?p=the+viper+shooting+benchrest+video+youtube&type=E211US1490G0&ei=UTF-8&fr=mcafee&turl=https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OVP.f-asJoeT_TkE5A9aqwN84AEsDh&pid=Api&w=296&h=156&c=7&p=0&rurl=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc3voCh1nOI&tit=1,000+yd.+benchrest+Williamsport+2011+The+Viper.wmv&pos=2&vid=e57d230109c8e1135bcdc43c6c54aac4&sigr=xJxn6noSeCzx&sigt=SKTs3mrd5ko.&sigi=d1KxybOssi8R

https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video;_ylt=AwrFeAgTWlJkac4OpSRXNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNiZjEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZANBRFRFU1RTQ18xBHNlYwNzYw--?p=the+viper+shooting+benchrest+video+youtube&type=E211US1490G0&ei=UTF-8&fr=mcafee&turl=https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OVP.f-asJoeT_TkE5A9aqwN84AEsDh&pid=Api&w=296&h=156&c=7&p=0&rurl=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc3voCh1nOI&tit=1,000+yd.+benchrest+Williamsport+2011+The+Viper.wmv&pos=2&vid=e57d230109c8e1135bcdc43c6c54aac4&sigr=xJxn6noSeCzx&sigt=SKTs3mrd5ko.&sigi=d1KxybOssi8R
2:04
youtube.com
1,000 yd. benchrest Williamsport 2011 The Viper.wmv
Aug 14, 2011
10.7K Views Sitting directly behind the gun shooting 1K has worked really well for some of the best over the years.....There are many ways to shoot small.........Notice, no Joy Stick

Regards
Rick

 

[dantiff2]

You can sit behind the bench, but the muzzle has to be over the front of the bench.

Nonsense. Most all my barrels (even muzzle brake guns) do not reach over the end of the bench.

 

[LHSmith]

In my 20 years of shooting SR Score BR here in the Northeast, I don't recall seeing anyone sitting behind the gun- they would stick out like a sore thumb and in many venues they would block the concrete slab pathway behind the benches- so it would be very noticeable. The rear leg of the shooting bench would prevent you from getting close enough, and muzzle would not be beyond the front of the benchtop which would violate IBS rules and is emphatically enforced- "The muzzle of every rifle when in firing position shall be in front of the front edge of the bench upon which it rests."-Sect IV Safety, Para. D Position of muzzle.
On the typical "T" bench it would concentrate most of your equipment in the slender rearward section, leaving virtually no room to collect fired rounds and make use of the ejector.
One of the local gun clubs had horseshoe benches which I consider the worst design of all.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Nonsense. Most all my barrels (even muzzle brake guns) do not reach over the end of the bench.

I’m sure what Wayne is referring to is NBRSA and IBS rules dictate that the barrel of the Rifle must extend forward of the Bench.

As for the worst Benches anywhere, New Braunfels. They are old horseshoe benches that are barely long enough to avoid having the rear bag hang over the back. Also, there is very little room on the side for ejected cases to fall, so the competitor has to get creative If he is shooting a right, eject rifle.

Here anre our benches at Tomball. I like these better than any. Accommodates both left and right hand shooters equally, and bag guns and rail guns.

 

[Chiquita]

In my 20 years of shooting SR Score BR here in the Northeast, I don't recall seeing anyone sitting behind the gun- they would stick out like a sore thumb and in many venues they would block the concrete slab pathway behind the benches- so it would be very noticeable. The rear leg of the shooting bench would prevent you from getting close enough, and muzzle would not be in front of the benchtop would would violate IBS rules.
On the typical "T" bench it would concentrate most of your equipment in the slender rearward section, leaving virtually no room to collect fired rounds and make use of the ejector.
One of the local gun clubs had horseshoe benches which I consider the worst design of all.

Why do you consider the "U" shape the worst design?

 

[Chiquita]

Because that’s how 99% of rifle shooter’s shoot.

But why, there has to be a reason.

 

[Bottom Fodder]

Behind the bench setter

 

[dantiff2]

I’m sure what Wayne is referring to is NBRSA and IBS rules dictate that the barrel of the Rifle must extend forward of the Bench.

Got it ; ) I've only ever competed in local events and was not aware of that.

 

[LHSmith]

Why do you consider the "U" shape the worst design?

Usually you have to crawl into it- the seat is fixed. They are too massive which would be problematic to make one out of concrete ( the best choice). Also being so wide they would make the typical firing line stretched out which is problematic for the RO/ referees (harder to communicate).

 

[Chiquita]

Usually you have to crawl into it- the seat is fixed. They are too massive which would be problematic to make one out of concrete ( the best choice). Also being so wide they would make the typical firing line stretched out which is problematic for the RO/ referees (harder to communicate).

I know exactly what you mean. We have those benches at the local range.
But if the bench was smaller, the "U" gap was smaller and there was a stool instead of a fixed bench, would you still prefer the other bench?