Building a shooting bench

rhope

I am going to build a shooting bench and am looking for some advice and suggestions. I have searched these forums and found some information but nothing that seemed to be exactly what I was looking for.

I have room for a 50 yard range extending from my garage door. The bench will be used standing on the concrete floor of the garage. It does not need to be portable or foldable. I want it large enough to be useful and heavy enough to be stable but I am already a little tight on garage space and I will have to move it aside when not in use so I don't want to make it bigger or heavier than necessary. I will use a chair so it does not need a seat.

I can get some 2x6 at a good price so am considering building the whole bench from them but I am also thinking that it would simplify the construction to use a one piece top made from heavy plywood.

I also have some large cedar pickets that I could use to make the legs. Is this a good idea or should I just go with 4x4 (or maybe 6x6) ? And am I better to go with 3 legs or 4 ?

Any comments, suggestions or pictures would be most appreciated.

bentley47

I'd recommend 3 legs - no wobble.
Whatever you use for legs, you need a way to take any movement out of the connection joint - that might be hard to do with wood. Mine was designed and built by a benchrest shooter - portable, with 1" square tubing legs that splay outwards from the center. Very solid.
If your limit is 50 yards, you would probably be okay with 2x2 legs, drilled and bolted to a 2x4 frame, with a 3/4" plywood top. 2 legs in front, one in back, top cutout for left/right hand shooters.

nononsense

rhope,

Here's a whole raft of them:

http://stoppingpower.info/shooting-benches/

http://www.shootingbenches.com/specifications.htm

http://www.wholesalehunter.net/outdoor_sports/Speer/Speer-2283-Bullets.html

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/5204063/Knockdown-Shooting-Bench-Construction-Plans-A-portable-knockdown-shooting

This one has a link at the bottom of the description page:

http://www.shootingsoftware.com/bigprojects.htm

Here's one with a video:

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2010/07/build-your-own-portable-shooting-bench-step-by-step-video/

Best.

sandwarrior

Alright nononsense,

You've gone and posted what appears to be a series of Argentine Mausers in your signature.

It is our sworn duty now, to ask you about these ({1891 Eng car. and 1909 rifle} and of course the customs).[:D]

Edit:

To the OP, 4 legs with adjustable bottoms.

buffalobo

Stay away from cedar for structural purposes, too soft.

Whatever you use for legs, make them adjustable at the ground, can get leg levellers in hardware dept of big box stores. Like your kitchen appliances or some high end furniture.

If you plan to build it from wood, consider using joint connectors or joinery other than buttjoints. Overtime benches and tables screwed or nailed together using butt joints without adhesive will wobble.

buffalobo

quote:Originally posted by nononsense
rhope,

Here's a whole raft of them:

http://stoppingpower.info/shooting-benches/

http://www.shootingbenches.com/specifications.htm

http://www.wholesalehunter.net/outdoor_sports/Speer/Speer-2283-Bullets.html

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/5204063/Knockdown-Shooting-Bench-Construction-Plans-A-portable-knockdown-shooting

This one has a link at the bottom of the description page:

http://www.shootingsoftware.com/bigprojects.htm

Here's one with a video:

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2010/07/build-your-own-portable-shooting-bench-step-by-step-video/

Best.




Good sources, Stukey's bench is pretty cool.

billingham420

I got a quarter-sheet of 3/4" plywood from HD ($5?) and a set of two folding, collapsible "church table" table legs ($10?)from Rockler Woodworking. Works fine... light, strong, easy to make, portable, cheap!!

rhope

Much thanks to everyone for all the info.

I spent a good deal of time going through all of it and finally decided to go with a plywood top and 3 4x4 legs.

Then I talked to a friend who had built his own bench. He said it worked well but he found it a little bit low and he was planning to build something a little higher which he thought would be more comfortable.

He offered to give me his bench on an indefinite loan (and to deliver it to me next Tuesday). This seemed to me to be a pretty good deal since I could get to the shooting part more quickly and it would give me a chance to see what I liked or didn't like about this particular design. Then if I do eventually build one myself I will have a better idea of what features to include or exclude.

I have to clear a little brush to open up a shooting lane. Hope to do this before Tuesday and be ready to shoot when the bench arrives.

Thanks again.

Robert

fire for effect

What I would do if i were you was to simply cut out your shooting bench top out of 3/4" plywood, attach a 2x4 to the bottom, then clamp it in a Black & Decker workmate work bench. when you are done, take the bench top off, and fold up the Workmate and hang it on the wall.