My range shelter has a deck now. Waiting on some labor to help me put the roof on it. In the meantime, I'm looking for ideas for building a bench out of 4x4s and 2x4s. Also have a couple of 2x6x12' left over. Any ideas for one? It'll be left on the deck - not sure if I want to permanently fasten it down or not. May end up needing the space to replicate the Army qualification positions. The deck is 16' wide and 10' deep.
Range shelter almost done - need bench ideas
- Thread starter Armymutt
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Hardtarget
Member
If you may want to reposition the bench (s) don't make them too long. Maybe 3 or 4 short instead of two long. I'm seeing pic-nic style or church bench if you're wanting a back on them. Sounds like a great shooting area! I hope we'll see photos when you get finished!
Mark
Mark
Archie
Member
We did this at our range (club).
Bench on the order of a bus stop. 4x4 uprights for bench seat and back, 2x4 lateral for seating and back rest. Then on back, a work bench even with top of back rest, perhaps shelves if desired, and 2x4 with 'notches' on ends and some form of butt rest and block for stacking rifles temporarily.
Works for us. Oh! Also we built a platform about 18 inches high, big enough for prone shooting. (Our metallic range is just a bit uneven to shoot from the ground and the weeds are what ate Cleveland. Not to mention the firing line has miserable drainage when it rains.) Not sure if you'll have space for a permanent mount.
Bench on the order of a bus stop. 4x4 uprights for bench seat and back, 2x4 lateral for seating and back rest. Then on back, a work bench even with top of back rest, perhaps shelves if desired, and 2x4 with 'notches' on ends and some form of butt rest and block for stacking rifles temporarily.
Works for us. Oh! Also we built a platform about 18 inches high, big enough for prone shooting. (Our metallic range is just a bit uneven to shoot from the ground and the weeds are what ate Cleveland. Not to mention the firing line has miserable drainage when it rains.) Not sure if you'll have space for a permanent mount.
Just make sure your benches are height correct! I belong to a great gun club but the benches there (made of concrete) are very low so you have to build up your shooting platform. I had to make a platform that can be adjusted up and down to put on these low benches. Must have been some damn small shooters at that club early on.
wally
Member
We just completed this at my friend's ranch where I usually shoot my rifles:
Its a "hillbilly" roof made from scraps of galvanized and aluminum panels. Hauling all the pieces took far longer than actually putting it up.
For a bench I'm using one of these portable benches that I just leave set up on the platform:
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/x-stand-x-ecutor-shooting-rest?a=1864855
Was something like $65. And I used it before we built the platform and shade.
It works well enough that I may just put a larger plywood top on it instead of building something else. I threw away the lame rest that came with it and use either some sand bags or a bipod. I also shoot prone off an inexpensive "Midway" mat on the platform when the weeds are low enough, not currently the case.
That old stainless steel table in the photo can be used as well, but it wobbles a bit, so I find it more useful to hold the gun cases and ammo.
The roof support is asymmetrical because there are 10 and 25 yard berms for pistols and .22lr rifles off to that side of the platform and a post at the end would be in the way
Its a "hillbilly" roof made from scraps of galvanized and aluminum panels. Hauling all the pieces took far longer than actually putting it up.
For a bench I'm using one of these portable benches that I just leave set up on the platform:
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/x-stand-x-ecutor-shooting-rest?a=1864855
Was something like $65. And I used it before we built the platform and shade.
It works well enough that I may just put a larger plywood top on it instead of building something else. I threw away the lame rest that came with it and use either some sand bags or a bipod. I also shoot prone off an inexpensive "Midway" mat on the platform when the weeds are low enough, not currently the case.
That old stainless steel table in the photo can be used as well, but it wobbles a bit, so I find it more useful to hold the gun cases and ammo.
The roof support is asymmetrical because there are 10 and 25 yard berms for pistols and .22lr rifles off to that side of the platform and a post at the end would be in the way
I'm not sure what concreting the area would do for me. How many friends would come to your range if they had to bring their own bench to shoot off of? I don't even know if my friends have portable benches.
Got the shelter finished today. Not too bad for being constructed by a veterinarian, a dentist, a retired Infantryman, and a bloodbank manager. It's solid enough that a 200+lb guy is able to stand on the cross pieces. I think I found a bench style that will work with the materials I have. I was concerned about noise reflection off the roof, but it's not really a problem for the weapons we tested (suppressed 9mm supers, suppressed 6.5x55 Swedish, AKM) Now I need to get the stumps cleared for the long range.
mountian girl
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- Jan 13, 2017
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- 42
cut some stumps n put up there,,that"ll find who tha good shooters are,,,hehehehe
mountian girl
Member
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2017
- Messages
- 42
wow,that shooter shed looks cool beans,,,looks very good,,thro down some pine straw & get at it,,see who gets tha most chikkers,,hahahahahaha[chiggers]
pert near
Member
Having shot from many benches, I can only tell you what I like & don't like.
I prefer a bench with a cut-out in the middle (upside down "U") where you sit. This is opposed to a bench cut out on each side ("Y" shape). I would not have an integral sitting bench but rather an adjustable stool or chair available. This makes it easier for us older guys to get in, out & around. An attached bench seat adds the shooter's body weight to the bench, but it also adds more human vibration to the whole set-up too.
BTW: a small sheltered area where you could set-up to reload would be the best of everything!
Congratulations on a very nice set-up. I can only dream of having a private shooting range!
I prefer a bench with a cut-out in the middle (upside down "U") where you sit. This is opposed to a bench cut out on each side ("Y" shape). I would not have an integral sitting bench but rather an adjustable stool or chair available. This makes it easier for us older guys to get in, out & around. An attached bench seat adds the shooter's body weight to the bench, but it also adds more human vibration to the whole set-up too.
BTW: a small sheltered area where you could set-up to reload would be the best of everything!
Congratulations on a very nice set-up. I can only dream of having a private shooting range!
Hardtarget
Member
I'm confused. Are we talking a bench for shooting or a bench to sit on? If for shooting...either as a "T" shape ( gives a left or right position )...or "U" shape...both work well. A stool for while you shoot...bring a chair for while you wait. Like that at our club.
Mark
Mark
TheSquire
Member
I'm very jealous!
The best bench I have found, considering portability, weight and steadiness...is unfortunately, no longer manufactured.
The Armor Metal shooting bench, produced 20 years back in Helena MT. IMHO was tough to beat.
60 pounds , four legs that screwed into steel plates. Easily transported, easily set up and it WORKED. The builder used a 1.5" laminated top. Then affixed four steel plates on each corner , with a threaded piece welded to each plate to accept the legs. 2" pipes screwed into the plate, with the legs at an angle OUT from the bench. THAT was the beauty of the design. Gave a relatively narrow bench, a much larger footprint.
Wish I had some hosted shots of my bench. It's a simple design. I'd suggest going to one of the bench rest/Accuracy sites and doing a search for bench plans.
The Armor Metal shooting bench, produced 20 years back in Helena MT. IMHO was tough to beat.
60 pounds , four legs that screwed into steel plates. Easily transported, easily set up and it WORKED. The builder used a 1.5" laminated top. Then affixed four steel plates on each corner , with a threaded piece welded to each plate to accept the legs. 2" pipes screwed into the plate, with the legs at an angle OUT from the bench. THAT was the beauty of the design. Gave a relatively narrow bench, a much larger footprint.
Wish I had some hosted shots of my bench. It's a simple design. I'd suggest going to one of the bench rest/Accuracy sites and doing a search for bench plans.
bannockburn
Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2007
- Messages
- 26,297
Armybrat
Nice solid looking shooting shelter! Well done!
Nice solid looking shooting shelter! Well done!
Need to sand the edges, but it's a sturdy and stable platform. I have the material to build a second, but I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it. I was planning on making the second opening a pistol firing point, with a counter for holding mags, ammo, etc. Maybe I can build something that folds down, but locks out of the way. I think I've figured out what I'm going to do to keep brass from being ejected into the woods. Found a 6'x50' privacy netting like they put on tennis courts.
everydefense
Member
Looks like a lil slice of heaven! 
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