A Handi Shooting Bench

[Dinny]

Some have asked about my shooting bench. Lon371 made it for me a few years back and although I have abused it, it's holding-up well enough and has provided countless opportunities for accurate testing of Handi rifles and my handloads.

I believe that some of the big-box hardware stores offer folding table hardware kits that could be used just for building this bench. I applied several layers of spar varnish to the wood for added durability. The handle slot on the side makes it real easy to carry. I just have to remember to bring the leg everytime. Easier said than done.


Thanks, Dinny

[quickdtoo]

Those rear leg brackets were sold at one time on ebay, I have a set of three on one of my benches, the other I used the Aero Aces plan which uses wood wedges to achieve the angle for floor flange mounting.

Tim

http://www.aeroaces.com/bench1.htm

[gcrank1]

Dinny, get yourself a pair of those snap-brackets at the building center or HW store to clip a broom or whatever into. Mount 'em underneath to clip that leg into.

[quickdtoo]

I put a door pull on the bottom of mine for a carry handle, zip tie the legs to the pull so they're all together, since mine have three legs I use a screw type automotive hose clamp to bind them all tightly together. 

Tim

Door Pull

[Dinny]

Dinny, get yourself a pair of those snap-brackets at the building center or HW store to clip a broom or whatever into. Mount 'em underneath to clip that leg into.

I've been meaning to do that now for just over a year. At least I've a got a good excuse for not being here to do it.

Thanks, Dinny

[petemi]

Dinny, I've got one almost identical to yours right down to the hand hole.  It was made by San Angelo.  I checked their website and no longer find it.  They must have discontinued it.  I was hoping to get another for Patty.  The only major difference is that the rear leg telescopes, slides into another short tube and locks in place with a thumb screw.  When carrying, the legs are held in place by velcro straps which work well.  I bought it on line a few years ago, and can't remember where I found it.  If I recall, it was about 69 or 89 bucks.  The one they offer now is four legged and has an attached seat that doesn't look all that wonderful.

For the winter, it's taking up space in the game processing room in the barn.  I can drag it out and get some pics if anyone wants them.

Pete

[AtlLaw]

I built one like that years ago.  We keep it down at the farm now.  Only difference is that mine has the double folding legs front and rear.
 
It's rock steady and the wider rear legs don't get in the way like you'd think.  At least with a milk stool for a seat!   
 
I need to build another, left handed, one.     I think I'll try the three leg setup y'all have.   

[spruce]

Been thinking about putting together a portable, reasonably lightweight, bench for a while.  Both yours and Tim's designs gives me some ideas.
 
Looks like either design could be made in a "T" shape for an ambidextrous bench.  Would add some bulk, but would still easily fit in the back of my pickup.
 
Could even make it so the top can be flipped over to go from a right to left bench - maybe put the screw in brackets sandwiched between two layers of bench top, so there's nothing sticking up on either side.  Have to think about this some more!

[bikerbeans]

I cheat!  I joined a club with permanent shooting benches.    
 
 
BB

[petemi]

I cheat!  I joined a club with permanent shooting benches.      
BB

I did too Tom.  It's a county range.  But it's a drag loading up 5 guns, ammo, spotting scope etc. etc.  I have a permanent shooting bench a few paces off my back porch, but it's a few yards short of 300.  If I put the portable on the porch, I'm there.  Once in a while I take it elsewhere.  I shoot pigeons and starlings at a neighboring farm.  I take it and a pop-up blind and plink away.  Have you ever taken out a pigeon with a 405?

Pete

[quickdtoo]

I have access to a public range here in town too, but it's a PITA packing all my guns and gear down into and back out of the gravel pit it's in, it's much easier and not much more costly to drive 90 miles to our hunting area and setup the portable shooting tables and bang away all day long. The pit costs $17 per person, for two of us to split gas cost it comes out the same....and we don't have to deal with other shooters. 

Tim

[gcrank1]

Offhand thru bench, right out my back door 50yd. range
Walk 75ish yd. the neighbors field gets me about 140yd.
1/4mi. the other way to the other neighbor with a setup for 100, 150, and the drive to the end of the field gets a good 300yd.
15mi. north to my Dad's where I can get 450yd. and a hay wagon bench.
Got it made 

[Dinny]

"Offhand thru bench, right out my back door"

This will get me 25yrs to Life in my neighborhood.

Thanks, Dinny

[Sourdough]

The Bourough (County) runs a shooting range near Firbanks.  They have steel benches, but only 300 yards to shoot.

I have a commercially made bench that looks a lot like Dinny's, that is cut out on both sides, for right or left handed shooting.  The three legs make it more stable than Norman's four legged bench.  I take this three legged bench out to the Tanana River Bed where we can get ranges out to 1500 yards.  Actually it's almost unlimited, we just have to measure it off and find a suitable bank to shoot into.  We are on the boundry of an Army Impact area that is OFF LIMITS due to unexploded ordinance. This impact area goes for miles, so we don't have to worry about anyone being behind our targets.

[PHATINJUN]

I believe I got my leg hardware @ Harbor Freight also put their anti fatigue mat on top for comfort. Kurt

[nanuk-O-dah-Nort]

an excellent bench, I think I need one.

... I need to build another, left handed, one.     I think I'll try the three leg setup y'all have.   

+1  But that would actually be Right Handed, as you'd be on the Right Hand Side for shooting!

I cheat!  I joined a club with permanent shooting benches.    
 BB

Ours burned in a forest fire a few years ago....  not sure if it has been rebuilt.  I quit the club due to internal politics and bickering.

I have a 70yd range area that I'm going to develop.  it has a hill of about 80 ft to shoot into. Should work well.

for longer, I have an area of public forest where I can find a few hundred yards for a target.

I much prefer to shoot when on one else is around

[theratdog]

both benches are good ideas i need another one for my wife.

[Hunter6657]

For a cheap portable bench that's easy to pack, I use an ironing board. I can adjust the height up or down to accomodate the chair/stool/5 gallon bucket I'm using for a seat.
Maybe not as stable as the wide table but they come cheap as I found 3 of them left out for curbside trash pickup that worked just fine.

[KIMBER45]

I'm with Hunter.  An ironing board makes a cheap shooting bench. I've also been using one for years.

[petemi]

A buddy of mine uses an ironing board too and likes it.  I tried it and it wobbled too much.  I do enough of that alone without help,  It didn't have the proper shape to use range bags, lay out ammo, a brass box, scope or binoculars.  It's nice on the spur of the minute, but that's all.  I can drag out the portable as fast as I can an ironing board, and the three legs on the bench are a lot more stable and it gives me the room I need.

Pete.

[quickdtoo]

What Pete said, I have an old ironing board that I tried once, it doesn't work for beans, I want to test the rifle's accuracy, not mine trying to make it work, an unstable, wobbly rest won't do that, I'd rather use a stump, in fact I have, the longest shot I ever made on an animal was made over a big ol stump in a clear cut at well over 300yds!! 

Tim

[gcrank1]

Take your wife or girlfriend along, a picnic basket and blanket. Lay out the blanket at the firing line and have her lay there to use as (now, here is the origin of the  term) 'the bag'(mention this with caution).
I do suggest a quality set of shooting muffs for her  .
You might want to do the picnic first.......

[sluggo]

 I'd have to learn to shoot right handed off both those benchs..lol

[petemi]

I've gotta hide and cover my butt after this post, but my "Shooting Bag" outshoots me....every time.  I've got to watch it cause she's deadly with a knife and tomahawk too.

Pete

[quickdtoo]

I'd have to learn to shoot right handed off both those benchs..lol

Just flip the plywood over before ya bolt the leg brackets on! 

Tim

[quickdtoo]

I've gotta hide and cover my butt after this post, but my "Shooting Bag" outshoots me....every time.  I've got to watch it cause she's deadly with a knife and tomahawk too.

Pete

  Yer a gonner for sure now if Patty's looking....been nice knowin ya! 

Tim