Shooting table builds ?

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I've been thinking about building a shooting table that is portable. Preferably made out of aluminum which will fold up easily so I can put it in the back of my vehicle. Anyone have any pictures of such a build? They don't have shooting benches at the local gravel pit.Miller Bobcat 250Syncrowave  200Millermatic 252Spoolmatic 30ASpectrum 625 X-TremeMaxstar 150SVictor O/A torchesDewalt angle grindersWelded on/off for over 40 years.
Reply:A concept, http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/...hooting-bench/Recommend steel members with a wood top.  In addition, add vertical supports underneath the shooter seats for increaed stability.  You want an ultra-stable and rigid table.  Many items to be altered with design to engance its' performance.  Would not recommend shooting from your bed, unless prone, and then you don't need anything special.  An elevated position for the short-range game is no joy.  All about subtended angles.What distances, platforms, and shooter positions is your design inteneded to accomodate?"Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Reply:Thanks for posting that link. That's  a great idea to start from. I just want a simple sitting position for zeroing at short ranges like 60 to 150 yards.Miller Bobcat 250Syncrowave  200Millermatic 252Spoolmatic 30ASpectrum 625 X-TremeMaxstar 150SVictor O/A torchesDewalt angle grindersWelded on/off for over 40 years.
Reply:here is one that is simple http://www.google.com/imgres?safe=of...art=39&ndsp=48
Reply:I built a steel legged table similar to the one that zaphod07 posted. Then cross braced the legs because it always jiggled. A Shooting Bench needs to be solid! You get the rifle sand bagged, squeezed and packed solid. The slightest movement from the table and you are starting over! Best one I ever shot from, was probably the one I would have liked to have a sketch or photo of as it was 3" pipe set in concrete construction! Nothing moved! I've seen photo's of some that have collapsible like an Ironing Board that Prairie Dog shooters use. I figure if they use them, then they must be good!
Reply:Here's one slumpbuster worked on, looks like a good sturdy design.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...ecent-Projects
Reply:Originally Posted by drujinin... A Shooting Bench needs to be solid! You get the rifle sand bagged, squeezed and packed solid. The slightest movement from the table and you are starting over! Best one I ever shot from, was probably the one I would have liked to have a sketch or photo of as it was 3" pipe set in concrete construction! Nothing moved! I've seen photo's of some that have collapsible like an Ironing Board that Prairie Dog shooters use. I figure if they use them, then they must be good!
Reply:I have one like zaphod07 has and it works well. Another option that might be a little simpler to build is the "booger bench". Just google it and several options will pop up. I have built several of these and they are good to go. They are a little harder to get stable since they have 4 legs vs the 3 legs on zaphod07's link.
Reply:Originally Posted by FORTEALLOYTradeoffs to everything. Striking a balance between weight, portability, and completely rock solid. If you are simply sighting-in, one of the collapsing types are fine. They are fairly solid, and easy to transport. On the far opposite end are people like myself who enjoy prairie dog shooting at 400 yards. Solid benches, heavy guns, and sandbags or shooting rests. The bench needs to be absolutely, positively rock solid. Also has to collapse to fit into a Subaru for transport. My solution is built from drill pipe with a wooden top. 2-3/8 drill pipe legs nested inside 2-7/8 pipe welded to the actual frame. Lock bolts keep it tight. Takes a couple of minutes to assemble, but then I'm usually in one spot for a couple of hours. If you want lightweight and portable, several good links here already. If anyone is interested in HEAVY DUTY and portable, I could post pics of my beast.
Reply:Over the years I have built four different portable benches. First was a big heavy thing with three pipe legs that screwed into sockets on the table and detachable spreaders for the legs. It was a lot of work to set up by myself but it was rock solid. Next was one that was much easier to handle and was basically like the one zaphod provided the link for. Easy to set up but shaky even with suspending a five gallon bucket of dirt for weight off the bottom. Next was a little heavier wooden top with 2"X4" wooden legs hinged to fold out at an angle. With the bucket of dirt and a little leg kicking to settle everything in it's very stable. Then I bought a jeep and the table is a little large for it. Last design is a piece of plywood with a 1x2 strip down the center so I can clamp it in a Black & Decker Work Mate which will barely fit in the jeep. It's pretty stable . Not as good as the first table, much better than the second, and very close to the third one.PS: I don't haul the bucket of dirt back and forth but fill it at the caliche pit.
Reply:I never thought about recruiting my "Work-Mate" table?Thanks!
Reply:Just saw these on the web.  You could make something similar and maybe even more simplistic than these.  Just an idea. Attached ImagesLincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcJust saw these on the web.  You could make something similar and maybe even more simplistic than these.  Just an idea.
Reply:Originally Posted by BistineauCheck the link in post #2, ManoKai already presented that one.
Reply:Originally Posted by Scott0303I would like to see some pics.
Reply:couple moreHobbyist - At what point is a "hobby" out-of-control?
Reply:Originally Posted by FORTEALLOYMy shooting bench:  Not light, but its R-O-C-K solid, & fits the Subaru Outback. Built entirely from materials on hand, about 15 years ago.  Legs are 34" of 2-3/8 drill pipe Fit inside 7" stubs of 2-7/8 drill pipeDrill pipe frame, OD is 17" x 39-1/2"Wooden top is 19" x 42" Lug nut wrench from an old car tool kit Stool modified from a weight bench, salvaged from a dumpster.Lay it top down, drop in the legs & tighten bolts, then flip over.(Not shown in the pics, there are little pieces of rebar welded into ends of "stubs" so the legs dont go all the way thru and hit the wood.) If I were doing it again, I'd mount the left rear leg forward about a foot, maybe angled. Allow a more comfortable shooting position like the typical "school desk" shape shooting benches.
Reply:Not trying to hijack the tread, but has anyone built a rotating bench that can be mounted on a trailer? Thinking of building one for shooting prairie dogs. The one I have gets a little floppy at times.
Reply:Here's one I did a while back. I throw it in my pickup and haul it to my buddies range quite often. Fun build Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by steelemanHere's one I did a while back. I throw it in my pickup and haul it to my buddies range quite often. Fun build
Reply:Im a big guy and when shooting its all about comfort.  My table I used for prairie dog was a receiver hitch style It pivoted at the hitch so I could get the best line of site   It had 2 front legs mounted on a trailer jack so it was height adjustAble and also rock solid.  For a nice steady rest a scissor jack with a modified top will allow you to precisionly move your gun  and keep your body the same   I don't have pics right now cause its way buried in storage   The table was on a square tube so you could sit down on the seat that was mounted on tube that went into receiver.   I used a nice John Deere seat  and then had a z shaped piece you slid the table onto and then tightened a bolt to lock her in and solid as can be
Reply:Also had a clay pigeon thrower attachment