shooting bench designs

[reloader7mm]

I have seen alot of good reloading benches, but now I would like to see some shooting benches. I need to build one for outdoor use and i need to be able to move it since it is next to grain bins which we need to get to several times a year. So I am looking for some good ideas on where to start.
Right now we use old cable spools but they don't weather well and start to wobble.

 

[ridgewalker]

I have a Caldwell portable bench which works good for carrying to p-dog sights or off to the woods to practice. I have also used a little folding work bench that the top clamps down on a formica top I had laying around.

Those are about as portable as I know of for reasonable prices (Caldwell $169 from Natchez Shooters Supply and folding work table at $20 and top free).

 

[Oldtrader3]

My rest is a Caldwell Rock as well but I would not leave it outside, I keep it in the back of my 4WD with the owl ear sand bags.

 

[onesonek]

Here's my various portable's,,,

 

[DrMike]

Those are just way too nice, Dave. Sharp looking set ups.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Being naturally old and lazy, I like the one on the trailer, Dave!

 

[reloader7mm]

The place we shot years ago had a picnic table that I thought worked pretty well. The seat is the hardest part since the youngest is 6 and the oldest is over 40 we have to have different seats for everyone to use.

 

[onesonek]

Thanks Mike. The trail bench is my favorite too Charlie.

The place we shot years ago had a picnic table that I thought worked pretty well. The seat is the hardest part since the youngest is 6 and the oldest is over 40 we have to have different seats for everyone to use.

I hear ya there on the seat issue's,,,is also why the seat on the trail bench, is set up to be adjustable fro height and depth.
I also have stake pockets on it so it can be set up for a poratable ground blind with netting or other camo material.

 

[SJB358]

Nice looking set ups Dave.

 

[dlove]

a 2x12 on a pair of folding saw horses works pretty darn good for portable on the cheap.

 

[onesonek]

Thanks Scotty,,,they all work very well and are quite stable. However the weight of the trailbench, once up on the jacks, is the most soild.

 

[JD338]

Dave,

Those are pretty slick!

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

My favorite shooting bench here in the Cascades. This one has accounted for a couple of mulies. Problem is, it's starting to rot away doggone it...

This one is a little tall, had to stand up to use it, but it worked for a 400 yard Wyoming mulie:

I think my bipod needed snowshoes...

Lots of potential with this one. Really solid, but lacking in quality targets downrange:

This is the one I use in competition. It's a lot like the one I use in the field:

One of my best field rests ever - pack over a boulder. Works great! The pack is easy to carry, the boulder was just convenient. Don't think I'd want to carry it...

I'm not much of one for benchrests... What can I say?

 

[OldMan]

When building a bench for testing the absolute accuracy of a rifle you must have a very stable platform that does not move! You need a portable bench with three legs so it can easily fit the environment, not all ground is level! The top needs to be sturdy, mine uses 2 layers of 3/4 inch plywood laminated together, legs need to be well braced so as not to allow any movement, and the third leg that is nearest the shooter needs to be adjustable. I tried all kinds of makeshift and flimsy benches when I worked up my 22-250 and could only get bughole groups when things were stable!
I use my bench only when working up loads or testing a rifle for accuracy to make sure I remove as many variables as possible. Nothing beats practice in the field once you know your equipment is good and this is best done with your shooting sticks or whatever you use hunting. Pictures later!

 

[onesonek]

Dave,

Those are pretty slick!

JD338

When we make that PD trip we talked about Jim,,,, they will with.

 

[onesonek]

A few more pics and another idea,,,,,,

the trailbench in WY.
Unfortunately, the two standing "good ol boys" are no longer with us,,,, so I post this pic as a tribute to their memories!

In this particular pic, we had all just met up at the ranch we were staying. We pushed the bench just a couple yards off the driveway of the bunkhouse we were graciously offed to stay in. And there happen to be a smaller 100+ acre dogtown about 600 yds to the SW of our position. However the Rancher had several other towns that cover acerages pushing 1000-1200 yds, that we shot on.


Then one of the guys had one of Black and Decker's Work Mate for a Bench, which seems to work ok. And they are relatively inexpensive.
Quick search I found this, but might be had for less elswhere,,,
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... ci_gpa=pla