How to Build a Shooting Bench

A shooting bench provides hunters with a place to test their gun's operation, practice marksmanship and sight in a scope. A good shooting bench should be solid and stable and able to hold up to the elements. Here's a design for a simple shooting bench that will get the job done. Use pressure-treated lumber when building your bench -- it'll stand up better to outside conditions.

Things You'll Need

• Pressure-treated lumber Measuring tape or yardstick Pencil Saw Shovel

Instructions

1. 

   Cut two pieces of pressure-treated 2-x-4 lumber, 54 inches long. Cut four pieces of pressure-treated 6-x-6 lumber, each 38 inches long, and two more pieces of 6-x-6 that are 24 inches long. Nail the 2-x-4 pieces to the 6-x-6 pieces so you end up with two pieces as shown in the diagram. Construct the two assemblies so when placed parallel to each other, the 2-x-4 boards face each other on the inside.

2. 

   Now cut two pieces of pressure-treated 1-x-4 lumber, each piece 30-inches long. Nail these to the outside edges of the assemblies you've just constructed. These boards will be on the outside of the assemblies, as opposed to the 2-x-4 boards on the inside.

3. Cut two pieces of pressure-treated 1-x-4 lumber, each piece 36 inches long. Nail these to the top edges of the assemblies you've just built so they are parallel to each other when the boards are nailed in.

4. Cut a piece of pressure-treated 1-x-10 lumber that is 36 inches long. Nail this to the exposed top ends of the two 2-x-4 boards.

5. 

   Cut a piece of 3/4-inch marine plywood that measures 32-x-38 inches. Nail this to the top of the assembly to form the top of the bench.

6. Dig holes, 6 inches deep, to place the bench's legs in. Place the bench in the holes, check to make sure it is level, and backfill around the legs with dirt. This will keep the bench stable.

Tips & Warnings

• For better weather resistance, paint or stain your bench when it's completed.