Shooting bench dimensions

[jdsingleshot]

I have made a couple of shooting benches in my time, but both made me squirm around trying to avoid leaning into the shot. I also often scuffed my trigger arm elbow on the rough surface.

Can you folks give me some ideas on what to consider in designing a shooting bench? I'm not necessarily looking for numbers, just elements that make benchrest shooting less painful.

I avoid bench shooting my '06 as much as possible because I get so beat up by it.

Thanks

 

[Chuck R.]

Here's mine, which I find pretty comfortable. You can always modify the plans to increase/decrease the height:





https://www.msgo.com/threads/shooting-bench-plans.57411/

It would be pretty easy to adjust the seat height to allow for a more upright position, or adjust the rest height to accomplish the same. The only modifications I've made to it are:

1. Cut legs down to sit on concrete slab VS. buried, so I can move it for position shooting. Still very stable due to weight.
2. Use synthetic decking for top and seats.
3. Added an additional 10" to the top to have room for my LabRadar when using longer barreled rifles.

 

[jmorris]

The one I have that works with the largest group of people is a center notched bench with a seat that is adjustable up and down, as well as back and forth. Using T bolts making the seat and bench solid together but adjustable to get the shooter in the best position to absorb recoil.

I have had to re top it a few times over the years though. Last time I snapped a shot of it naked.



Next time, I’ll probably use the recycled plastic boards, if I am still around.

 

[FTG-05]

Two words: Concrete.

Mk I version concrete tabletop:






Mk II version; this one is mine at my 200 yard range.



This one was for my downhill neighbor. Myself and a couple of his friends set this up as a gag while he was on travel. That's his hew house in the background he was building at the time. The crooked concrete blocks should give it away to even the most obtuse that this was a temporary/humor install. He has since installed in a more permanent site.



Another Mk II, this time for my other downhill neighbor, a big time deer, elk and bear hunter. His range extends out to 500 yards.




In this pic, it's 500 yards to the far tree line in the center back of the pic. My property is up the hill to the left about a mile or so; the white squares start at 150 yards (IRC), the 100 yard target was down for bushhogging at the time. The rifle is a 45-70 converted to shoot black powder. I don't recall the name of the rifle or make.


In this pic, you can see the difference in level from the table top (level) vs. the ground/concrete base slope. This bench is set up under his house, which is on stilts; the base slope is to drain water towards the creek off to the left in this pic.



~450-460 lbs of stable shooting bench:



Overall dimensions are 45"x45"; available I-65 near the AL/TN border with 2 weeks notice, if interested.

 

[jdsingleshot]

Thanks guys. Gives me some good ideas. Maybe the best ones involve padding the buttstock! ;-)

 

[PWC]

The relationship between seat height and bench height is more important than bench shape.

I don't have the luxury of my own shooting range so I have to use what's at the public range. The seat / stool is too high which causes me to have to lean forward on the bench, putting the rifle butt more against my coller bone.

I turn the seat on it's side lowering my torso to where the rifle on the bench fits in my shoulder "pocket" and against meat, not bone. Then I can adjust my bean bag under the forestock for elevation.

Offhand is folded back inder the rifle holding the butt in the "V" of my thumb and first finger. Squeezing the "V" allows vertical fine tuning after finding and adjusting for my natural point of aim.

 

[RKRCPA]

The relationship between seat height and bench height is more important than bench shape.

In my mind, this is the key. We're all different shapes and sizes but if the seat puts me too high or low to the tabletop I can not get comfortable behind the gun. This is why many ranges in the past had long benched that ran lengthwise to the table. It allows the largest variety of people to find the "right" spot.

One club I belong to just installed new shooting benches with seats with a fixed position and a back. I can't move back to lower my angle and if I lean forward from where it seats me my support hand is beyond the front of the table. Very poor design in my opinion.