How to Build a Rifle Shooting Bench
If you've ever used a public shooting range, you probably came back with one memory--uncomfortable and poorly built shooting benches. The tables seemed to be the rejects from the worst furniture store in history. They didn't give enough space for you to rest your elbows; there was no room for a spotter, and the bench was so low that your knees couldn't straighten out for days. Many marksmen have taken to building their own shooting benches that they can take to the range or set up in their own backyards.
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Things You'll Need
- Plywood
- Power saw
- (4) 3-foot-long threaded iron pipes
- 4 small wooden blocks
- Drill
- Nails
- Screws
- Screwdriver set
Instructions
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1
Cut some plywood into a "T" shape with the top about 3-by-1 feet and the bottom leg about 2-by-3 feet. This will be the area where you'll shoot from and rest your equipment. It's cut wide in case you have a spotter sitting next to you.
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2
Nail or screw the four wooden blocks (no more than 3 inches across and 3 inches wide) on the underside of the "T" shape. Put three across the top of the "T" and one at the bottom.
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3
Screw the iron legs into the wood blocks using the threads at the top of poles. You can predrill holes in the wood blocks to make the process easier.
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4
Screw, nail or glue on some wood on the "T" shape, such as a piece of oak or maple, to add some stability to the shooting area. Don't use anything too heavy. This keeps the plywood from rotting too quickly.
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5
Paint and stain the wood in your desired colors and design. Use something durable because the shooting bench will be outdoors.
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Tips & Warnings
The "T" shape is used to accommodate left- and right-handed shooters. Sit in a chair when shooting. Don't mount the vises and sandbags used to hold a rifle in place directly to the bench. The equipment can get weather damage that way. You can use a hinge system to attach the legs if you want to transport the shooting bench. You can find the iron poles in most hardware stores
