Plans for Bench Rest

[Indy]

Anyone know where I can get plans to construct a sturdy wooden bench rest out of 4x4s, 2x6s, or whatever?

[Bill Gunn]

http://www.horstguns.com/ShootingBench.htm

[Phil T]

Many years ago, Rick Jamison published a design that involved a half sheet of 3/4" plywood and three legs made of 1 1/4" pipe. I built one, and it's sturdy.
The plywood is cut into two 4'X4' pieces. They are then cut into identical "dogleg" (wide at the rifle rest end, narrow where you're going to sit) pieces and glued together. That's a 1 1/2" thick top.
At each corner, add a 3"X3" metal plate that has had a 1 1/4" pipe coupling that was cut at a 20 degree angle welded to the metal plate. Angled end takes the weld. Thread three lengths (length depends on the height of your chair) of 1 1/4" pipe to screw into the angled pipe couplings. The point is to have the pipe legs angle out from under the table.
It's not lightweight, but it is portable. Just remember a pair of pump pliers (Channelloks) or a small pipe wrench. The threads tend to stick, even if hand tightened. Three legs allow it to be stable on uneven ground.

[Bill Gunn]

I use one like his for Praire Dog shooting...

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2250/777751/13525437/360498056.jpg

Here's the measurements of mine...

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2250/777751/13525437/360504815.jpg

[LE]

I made one like Phil T. mentioned. I didn't care for the pipe legs. Got some folding banquet table legs at the lumber mart & put them on. It folds up quick into one nice package. You can also use one of the folded legs as a carry handle. No more loose pipe to cary around.

[Hi Ball]

I have one that is permanent, made of treated lumber and heavy as a small car I swear. You don't have to worry about high wind pushing it over, unless it's a Twister heaven forbid. It has 4 x 4 legs and top is 3.70 inches thick, made like a butcher block with a piece of glued solarium on top. The reinforcing of legs is with treated 2 x 6's.

I do not shoot in the backyard as much as I used to because of the young GSP birddog pups.....don't want to make them gunshy. So it is off to the gun club every time we wish to shoot. It takes 40 minutes to get there and 40 back, It's a real PITA, as I could be done shooting in that amount of time and no loading up the truck or Jeep. Not to mention the frigging gas it takes for a round trip.:rolleyes::eek:

[Greybeard]

This design showed up 10 to 15 years ago made up of several pieces of 3/4" plywood cut out of one 4x8' sheet.. Top is similar to shown above. But then there is a H-shaped front that fits into 2 cutouts on front of top. 2 similar side pieces. Rear piece. And a seat piece. All the pieces interlock. I made mine and still have it. It could be a bit more firm but is pretty good. Worst part is finding a flat piece of dirt or gravel to set it on. (No concrete or asphalt out in the woods.) Will look to see if I can find the cutout plans. Greybeard/

[Fuzzball3]

My shooting bench is about 150 yards from where I'm sitting right now. The back stop is only another 100 yards from that, a short range but it's convienent!

My bench top is a 3" slab of steel reinforced Lowe's cheapest "SacCrete" type concrete, 4' wide by 5' long with a 22" semicircle cut in the middle of the back side. That "U" cutout allows for a max size bench that's equally useable for both lefties and rightes. The top sits on four sections of 10" diameter salvaged creosoted powerline poles stuck 3' into the ground and about that much above ground. Not too expensive to build, not really difficult - if you have enough help to lift the top after it hardens! Solid as a rock, heart beat does NOT transmit to the bench.

My shooting stool is a clean 5 gal paint bucket with a padded top. It's also used to store/transport my rest, bags, stapler, muffs, targets, pasters, etc.

Then I added a treated 2"x6" lumber work table for a gun cleaning station and temp storage. It's also about 4'x5', with a full length shelf under it. Plus I made a treated lumber 15 slot gun stand and a short "park bench" for those waiting a turn to shoot, all placed under a large shade tree. It works good, quite a few guys use it. Wish I had more time to use it myself!

[Fuzzball3]

My shooting bench is about 150 yards from where I'm sitting right now. The back stop is only another 100 yards from that, a short range but it's convienent!

My bench top is a 3" slab of steel reinforced Lowe's cheapest "SacCrete" type concrete, 4' wide by 5' long with a 22" semicircle cut in the middle of the back side. That "U" cutout allows for a max size bench that's equally useable for both lefties and rightes. The top sits on four sections of 10" diameter salvaged creosoted powerline poles stuck 3' into the ground and about that much above ground. Not too expensive to build, not really difficult - if you have enough help to lift the top after it hardens! Solid as a rock, heart beat does NOT transmit to the bench.

My shooting stool is a clean 5 gal paint bucket with a padded top. It's also used to store/transport my rest, bags, stapler, muffs, targets, pasters, etc.

Then I added a treated 2"x6" lumber work table for a gun cleaning station and temp storage. It's also about 4'x5', with a full length shelf under it. Plus I made a treated lumber 15 slot gun stand and a short "park bench" for those waiting a turn to shoot, all placed under a large shade tree. It works good, quite a few guys use it. Wish I had more time to use it myself!

As a technical note, a "bench rest" is that gizziy that sits on the shooting bench and supports the rifle. :D