Portable shooting bench

Equipment and accessories for shooting. Safes, firearm storage, bipods, carry cases, slings etc.

Portable shooting bench

Post by FNQ » 21 Jun 2019, 11:13 am

Anyone own or used a Caldwell Stable Table Lite Shooting Bench? See link

Otherwise what are people using? Commercial vs homebuild.

I’ve seen saw horse conversions & Bailey platforms.

https://www.nioa.com.au/products/view/CALD-STL
Gamo CF.177, Savage A.22ss, JW15A, Savage 42 .22/.410, Stirlng .22MAG, Howa .223 stainless, Remington 770 .308, Savage AXIS .30-06, #4 MK1 .303, #4 MK2 .303,#5 .303, Akkar Churchill O/U 12ga, Chippa lever 12ga.

GSM 1911 .22, Glock 17A 9mm, Glock 34 9mm
FNQ
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 105
Queensland

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by Oldbloke » 21 Jun 2019, 3:58 pm

The greatest invention in the history of man is beer.
https://youtu.be/2v3QrUvYj-Y
Member. SFFP, Shooters Union.
SSAA, the powerful gun lobby. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Hunt safe.
User avatar
Oldbloke
Field Marshal
Field Marshal
 
Posts: 11192
Victoria

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by Blr243 » 21 Jun 2019, 5:00 pm

If those fold up legs with the springs were available at Bunnings a home built one wood b easy
Blr243
Brigadier
Brigadier
 
Posts: 4479
Queensland

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by Member-Deleted » 21 Jun 2019, 5:18 pm

Yep I built one like that OB probably the best thing I've made as far as shooting goes
Member-Deleted
 

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by Oldbloke » 21 Jun 2019, 6:24 pm

Yep I built one like that OB probably the best thing I've made as far as shooting goes



Yep, I have since put a larger piece of ply on top. Cheap and cheerful.
The greatest invention in the history of man is beer.
https://youtu.be/2v3QrUvYj-Y
Member. SFFP, Shooters Union.
SSAA, the powerful gun lobby. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Hunt safe.
User avatar
Oldbloke
Field Marshal
Field Marshal
 
Posts: 11192
Victoria

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by Member-Deleted » 21 Jun 2019, 8:38 pm

And how did that go OB ? mine is a little wider than the one in the pic but I was worried if it was too wide and I didn't balance the weight out properly it would tip arse over head on slightly unlevel ground because I take mine bush for sit and wait hunting on a bait for dogs
Member-Deleted
 

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by Oldbloke » 22 Jun 2019, 8:41 am

It great.
Amazed you use it to ambush. I only take shooting sticks. Lol

You shot any lately?
The greatest invention in the history of man is beer.
https://youtu.be/2v3QrUvYj-Y
Member. SFFP, Shooters Union.
SSAA, the powerful gun lobby. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Hunt safe.
User avatar
Oldbloke
Field Marshal
Field Marshal
 
Posts: 11192
Victoria

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by Member-Deleted » 22 Jun 2019, 9:16 am

Only a couple OB been running back and forth to doctors of late Yes at times I bait and sit way back in the scrub and wait I throw a green tarp over the car used to do it quiet often even when my legs were good get the flask and bickies out and just wait
Member-Deleted
 

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by Oldbloke » 22 Jun 2019, 10:33 am

Only a couple OB been running back and forth to doctors of late Yes at times I bait and sit way back in the scrub and wait I throw a green tarp over the car used to do it quiet often even when my legs were good get the flask and bickies out and just wait



Deck chair to i bet?
The greatest invention in the history of man is beer.
https://youtu.be/2v3QrUvYj-Y
Member. SFFP, Shooters Union.
SSAA, the powerful gun lobby. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Hunt safe.
User avatar
Oldbloke
Field Marshal
Field Marshal
 
Posts: 11192
Victoria

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by GQshayne » 22 Jun 2019, 4:45 pm

Oldbloke wrote:Have a look here.

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=8826&start=18


Ah, yes. That looks the goods to me. Price has gone up a bit, but still good value. Might have to get one I reckon. :drinks:
GQshayne
Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
 
Posts: 839
Queensland

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by Member-Deleted » 22 Jun 2019, 5:43 pm

Nah OB just a plastic chair don't want to carry too much gear :thumbsup: :)
Member-Deleted
 

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by marksman » 22 Jun 2019, 7:27 pm

yea I copied Oldblokes idea and design, it is cheap and solid
the craftright folding workbenches are still for sale at bunnings for around $20-$25
I just wish I had made the table top a little longer than 1m
I have been thinking of doing mine in camo like Stix did and using it on farms down the otways for longer distance deer shots
they are perfect height with a drum stool :thumbsup:
:drinks:
“If you do not read the newspapers you are uninformed. If you do read the newspapers you are misinformed”. Mark Twain
User avatar
marksman
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3660
Victoria

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by Die Judicii » 22 Jun 2019, 9:14 pm

As the saying goes,,,,,,,,,,,,, You blokes ain't seen nuthin yet.

I am about half way through putting one together for myself that should knock yer socks off.

Trouble is I've got so many other things on the go at the moment,, and I can't possibly say it'll be finished in the next few days.
Will post pics of it when I do.
I do not fear death itself... Only its inopportune timing!
I've come to realize that,,,,, the two most loving, loyal, and trustworthy females in my entire life were both canines.
User avatar
Die Judicii
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3706
Queensland

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by FNQ » 23 Jun 2019, 5:09 pm

Home build it is then!

Think I will create something along the lines of OBS with FNQ flare.
Gamo CF.177, Savage A.22ss, JW15A, Savage 42 .22/.410, Stirlng .22MAG, Howa .223 stainless, Remington 770 .308, Savage AXIS .30-06, #4 MK1 .303, #4 MK2 .303,#5 .303, Akkar Churchill O/U 12ga, Chippa lever 12ga.

GSM 1911 .22, Glock 17A 9mm, Glock 34 9mm
FNQ
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 105
Queensland

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by GQshayne » 23 Jun 2019, 6:40 pm

You blokes that have used the folding work bench, how flat does it fold up when assembled?
GQshayne
Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
 
Posts: 839
Queensland

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by Stix » 23 Jun 2019, 8:36 pm

Not very compact if you're thinking of taking it away...
Ive built a couple & leave one on each farm i frequent the most...
Then just chuck it on the roof to drive into a paddock to shoot some targets.

I tie one on the roof & take it to less frequented farms if im away for a few days.
:drinks:
The man who knows everything, doesnt really know everything...he's just stopped learning...
Stix
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3675
South Australia

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by GQshayne » 23 Jun 2019, 8:56 pm

Stix wrote:Not very compact if you're thinking of taking it away...
Ive built a couple & leave one on each farm i frequent the most...
Then just chuck it on the roof to drive into a paddock to shoot some targets.

I tie one on the roof & take it to less frequented farms if im away for a few days.
:drinks:


Yeah, I thought mine may have been assembled incorrectly, as it does not fold flat. Only closes up about 80% I suppose.
GQshayne
Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
 
Posts: 839
Queensland

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by TassieTiger » 24 Jun 2019, 1:17 pm

Take the top off and mine assembles very flat. I put a 4x3 pine down the middle of my top, then clamp vice onto 4x3.
But to me - it’s very low as is...makes you hunch over and puts the butt on to the top of your shoulder which after a few shots hurts on recoiling firearms.
If your over 6 foot 2 - legs need to be extended...or top somehow lifted.
Tikka .260 (Z5 5x25/52)
Steyr Pro Varmint .223 - VX 3
CZ455 .22 & Norinco .22 (vtex 4-12, bush 3-9)
ATA 686 U/O 12g & Baikal S/S 12g.
Adler a110 reddot
Sauer 30-06 - VX 3
Howa 300 win mag. SHV 5-20/56
Marlin SBL 45/70
TassieTiger
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3704
Tasmania

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by Sergeant Hartman » 24 Jun 2019, 1:30 pm

I think it would be easier to cut your body..... actually how about sending me your guns... if you are over 6feet
Sergeant Hartman
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
 
Posts: 1722
Victoria

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by TassieTiger » 24 Jun 2019, 2:18 pm

I would, but I’m busy digging a hole to put my shooting chair in....
Tikka .260 (Z5 5x25/52)
Steyr Pro Varmint .223 - VX 3
CZ455 .22 & Norinco .22 (vtex 4-12, bush 3-9)
ATA 686 U/O 12g & Baikal S/S 12g.
Adler a110 reddot
Sauer 30-06 - VX 3
Howa 300 win mag. SHV 5-20/56
Marlin SBL 45/70
TassieTiger
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3704
Tasmania

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by mickb » 24 Jun 2019, 2:48 pm

Almost decided on an MTM predator table. http://www.osaaustralia.com.au/products ... ble-green/
Review here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXCOvx3YZrw

But price was about $180 shipped to me...

Ended up with BCF/outdoors brand fold in half poly table, 94x94, on special for about $60 :)
https://www.bcf.com.au/p/lifetime-squar ... =BCF023025
Thought it might be a bit rickety but it does okay. I don't fire any big kickers though. Folds flat, can be carried like a suitcase into position.
Last edited by mickb on 24 Jun 2019, 3:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
mickb
Warrant Officer C2
Warrant Officer C2
 
Posts: 1097
Other

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by mickb » 24 Jun 2019, 3:00 pm

TassieTiger wrote:I would, but I’m busy digging a hole to put my shooting chair in....


mate I hear you. 6'3" with a wingspan of 6'8", ancestors took a little longer to come down out of the trees I guess. I got to walk with my arms up like an orangutan to keep them out of the way. Well maybe not that bad. But on a serious note my suggestion to the OP is err on the generous side for table top size. I mucked about trying to get everything on smaller tables, got tired of knocking things onto the ground.
mickb
Warrant Officer C2
Warrant Officer C2
 
Posts: 1097
Other

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by TassieTiger » 24 Jun 2019, 4:16 pm

My effort...
Attachments
0F866C93-D987-42C7-81FF-B598C1363C15.jpeg
0F866C93-D987-42C7-81FF-B598C1363C15.jpeg (204.75 KiB) Viewed 5612 times
Tikka .260 (Z5 5x25/52)
Steyr Pro Varmint .223 - VX 3
CZ455 .22 & Norinco .22 (vtex 4-12, bush 3-9)
ATA 686 U/O 12g & Baikal S/S 12g.
Adler a110 reddot
Sauer 30-06 - VX 3
Howa 300 win mag. SHV 5-20/56
Marlin SBL 45/70
TassieTiger
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3704
Tasmania

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by Oldbloke » 24 Jun 2019, 5:52 pm

Looks great tassie
The greatest invention in the history of man is beer.
https://youtu.be/2v3QrUvYj-Y
Member. SFFP, Shooters Union.
SSAA, the powerful gun lobby. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Hunt safe.
User avatar
Oldbloke
Field Marshal
Field Marshal
 
Posts: 11192
Victoria

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by GQshayne » 24 Jun 2019, 7:30 pm

TassieTiger wrote:Take the top off and mine assembles very flat. I put a 4x3 pine down the middle of my top, then clamp vice onto 4x3.
But to me - it’s very low as is...makes you hunch over and puts the butt on to the top of your shoulder which after a few shots hurts on recoiling firearms.
If your over 6 foot 2 - legs need to be extended...or top somehow lifted.


Yep, that is what I figured. 4 bolts and it is easier to transport. No problem when it is only used occasionally.

What are you sitting on????? I am 5'10" or thereabouts, and I reckon a milk crate with a cushion etc on it is about spot-on. A bit of leeway there obviously. Not tall enough for a normal chair though.

Extra sand bag under the rifle would help too, depending on what you have.

EDIT: Just saw your photo. Normal chair will be hard to use, and my rifle is a bit higher on bags than yours too. I reckon a mechanics stool would be perfect. No back rest to get in the way, and adjust up and down as needed.
GQshayne
Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
 
Posts: 839
Queensland

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by marksman » 24 Jun 2019, 10:00 pm

nice table tassie :drinks:
a drum stool is perfect height for me but I'm only 5.8"
“If you do not read the newspapers you are uninformed. If you do read the newspapers you are misinformed”. Mark Twain
User avatar
marksman
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3660
Victoria

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by GQshayne » 25 Jun 2019, 7:28 pm

OK fellas, I have hit a snag. I wonder if any of you have found the same issue. I have a solid top with a "keel" screwed onto it to be clamped in the vice jaws, like Marksman has. I am not using the plastic blocks supplied. When working out my sizing and position of the top, I had sandbags and a rifle on it, and it was very stable before I put the keel on. Excellent.

Then when I tightened up the clamps the top steel mounts flexed, and the timber vice top is then not level. Then the shooting table top wobbles side to side, as the vice top is no longer flat. I have tweaked the bolts in the sliding assembly up a bit to minimise movement, but it is a cheap tool. It does this even with a small amount of pressure on the vice jaws, nowhere near tight.

Anybody else found this problem? Production will vary, so maybe newer units are slightly different in some way. I have a couple of ideas for a possible fix, but just wondered what others have had to do, if anything.
GQshayne
Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
 
Posts: 839
Queensland

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by Oldbloke » 25 Jun 2019, 7:35 pm

"Anybody else found this problem?
No. I used 2 bolts with large washers and wing nuts.
Down through the bench top, through the work bench. Clamp that on to the bolt. Then tighten up the wing nut underneath.

Edit; for me one of the benefits of using the bench is I get a new portable bench for doing a bit of work on. But as mentioned doesnt fold as flat as i would like.
Last edited by Oldbloke on 26 Jun 2019, 6:32 am, edited 1 time in total.
The greatest invention in the history of man is beer.
https://youtu.be/2v3QrUvYj-Y
Member. SFFP, Shooters Union.
SSAA, the powerful gun lobby. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Hunt safe.
User avatar
Oldbloke
Field Marshal
Field Marshal
 
Posts: 11192
Victoria

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by GQshayne » 25 Jun 2019, 9:13 pm

Oldbloke wrote:"Anybody else found this problem?
No. I used 2 bolts with large washers and wing nuts.
Down through the bench top, through the work bench. Clamp that on to the bolt. Then tighten up the wing nut underneath.


That was one of my possible fixes OB, and a good option I think. Given the flex in the assembly, I am not sure other mods would work, rather just move the flex to another point. I wonder have the others that used timber as a clamp had the same problem as me.

Cheers,
Shayne
GQshayne
Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
 
Posts: 839
Queensland

Re: Portable shooting bench

Post by TassieTiger » 25 Jun 2019, 9:43 pm

You must be doing it up pretty right to get the steel flexing?
Could you put some spikes on to the clamps as to allow more bite into your timber “keel” for less pressure?
Tikka .260 (Z5 5x25/52)
Steyr Pro Varmint .223 - VX 3
CZ455 .22 & Norinco .22 (vtex 4-12, bush 3-9)
ATA 686 U/O 12g & Baikal S/S 12g.
Adler a110 reddot
Sauer 30-06 - VX 3
Howa 300 win mag. SHV 5-20/56
Marlin SBL 45/70
TassieTiger
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3704
Tasmania

Next

Back to top
 
Return to Shooting accessories and equipment