Built a shooting bench

[check 6]

Very cool, wish I could weld, one craftsman skill I never learned. The range I use has solid concrete benches they just don’t fit so I like others are clamping a piece of 1/4.” Board to them contoured to provide an adequate bench rest platform

 

[gsganzer]

Now that's nice gsganzer! . . . :thumbsup: I'm a little different I like standing/knelling, the just in case stuff.

I use shooting sticks frequently. We were wanting a good shooting bench for teaching new shooters, working up loads, sighting rifles etc. I have to say, the ergonomic dimensions of this bench are about the best I've ever shot from and it's incredibly steady. You could add a gusset between the seat/top pillar if you wanted, but it doesn't seem needed.

For those wanting dimensions.

Ground to top height 37"
Ground to seat height 19" (I originally made it 17", but it was too short, hence the added 2" tube on the seat base), you can delete these if you make the seat sides 17"

Individual parts list:

Top:
(2) Purlin, 48" long
(2) Purlin, 36" Overall length w/45 degree end
(2) Purlin, 30" long
(1) Flat bar, 12" long (welds on underside to make weld pad for seat/top support)


Seat:
(2) Purlin, 17" long sides (45 degree mitered end)
(1) Purlin, 36" long (45 degree mitered end)
(1) Purlin, 15 7/8" Long (support between seat and top)

Front Legs:
(2) Square tube, 35" long
(1) Square tube, 36" long (weld the legs to the underside of the top first, then square legs and snug this across the back side of the two legs and weld to legs and purlin bottoms. This stiffens the legs up.)

Runners: (2" x 14 ga square tube)
(2) Square tube, 60" long (22.5 degree miter each end)
(4) Square tube, 6" long (22.5 degree miter each end)

Pull bars:
(2) square tube, 35" long

Misc:
flat bar for capping ends of purlin and square tube.

 

[buck12]

Very nice. Throw a Lead Sled on it and you will have a blast zeroing scopes, tinkering with loads, etc.

 

[Buppies]

Thanks for sharing dimensions

 

[gsganzer]

Very nice. Throw a Lead Sled on it and you will have a blast zeroing scopes, tinkering with loads, etc.

Screw a lead sled, it's a sure way to screw up a good scope. Be a man and put some shoulder behind it.

 

[4570Man]

How does a lead sled hurt a scope? I don’t do much rifle shooting but I’d think the rifle moving backwards rapidly into your shoulder would be harder on the scope than staying mostly stationary. Now I could understand breaking a stock but not a scope. And I know for a fact you can’t shoot as good when you’re getting the crap kicked out of you vs not.

 

[gsganzer]

How does a lead sled hurt a scope? I don’t do much rifle shooting but I’d think the rifle moving backwards rapidly into your shoulder would be harder on the scope than staying mostly stationary. Now I could understand breaking a stock but not a scope. And I know for a fact you can’t shoot as good when you’re getting the crap kicked out of you vs not.

I know what you're saying. But on the hunting forums, more folks complain of killing scopes using lead sleds than anything else and I have to trust that consensus, however I do not, nor ever felt the need to own one. I regularly shoot up to .375 H&H and haven't felt the need for anything other than a shoulder pad (in fact, a .300 WM punishes me more than a .375), I have a couple different .300 WM and it's surprising how much felt recoil is between them, probably due to stock angles more than rifle weight. I'm somewhat recoil tolerant, within reason.

I've also shot a friends .500 NE double, WOW! I won't shoot that from a bench, standing only! It's like when you're turkey hunting with 3.5's #4's and leaning against a tree when you shoot. Only 10X worse!
I need some give.

 

[buck12]

My buddy and I have used his lead sled for years and never seen a negative impact on a scope. The lead sled is simply a tool that minimizes human error.

 

[4570Man]

I’m guessing most of the lead sled damage comes from people using way too much weight on them or not keeping the butt tight to the sled and letting it slam. And I’ve done a little research on it and saw way more speculation on what they’ve heard about vs actual damage.

 

[JerryK]

FINALLY ... !!!! A Spring heated discussion on something besides what tractor tires are best or cab/open station.... I am impressed ....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!