Looking for range bench construction plans or ideas...

[PRTrooper]

I am planning on constructing a wooden bench for range use. My bench will likely be made from 2X4's and heavy plywood, glued & screwed. In my head I envision something like one-half of a picnic table, about four feet wide, three feet deep, with an attached bench (probably a 2X8 or 2X10). Not intended to be mobile, but could be moved if necessary. If anyone has ideas, advice or links to designs (including pics of existing benches) please feel free to check in here. Thanks in advance! :D

[Artos]

try doing a search on benchrest.com

I know I have seen plans posted up there in the past.

[mkemmerl]

A little Google-fu should get you several ideas. As Artos mentioned, Benchrest.com is a great resource.

In general, I would not use plywood if your bench will be left outdoors. My experience is that even "exterior grade" plywood will eventually warp from rain and crack/splinter from the sun. Depending on what you are doing with it, you might also find that 2x4 and plywood is not sufficiently stable.

If you are near the coast or can find someone to order it, marine-grade plywood would be best.

I have been liking the bench on the cover of the 2009 or 2010 Midway USA catalog. It looks to be made of pressure treated 2x6 or 2x8 laid on their edge and 6x6 PT legs.

[PRTrooper]

Thanks to those that replied, I knew I would find some ideas here...

Went to benchrest.com, didn't find anything that seemed what I was looking for (but thanks for the lead, great site!)

Did some [I]google-fu[I] and saw a lot of info; made me think that what I really want is something that I can throw in the back of my pickup and transport to multiple shooting sites. I have decided to construct a rather smallish, portable bench with folding legs; I will still use a heavy-duty (e.g., marine-grade plywood) table with some steel folding legs. Should be all I need for sighting in some rifles, and bringing to some backwoods shoots for friends to sight in their projects. Thanks to those that replied! :thank_you2:

[Thomas M-4]

Accurate Shooter has some. http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2011/01/build-your-own-reloading-bench-with-free-plans/

[kartoffel]

If you're going to leave it outside, use exterior grade lumber. 2x4's won't cut it unless they're pressure treated or that Yella Wood stuff.

Better yet, use railroad ties or landscape timbers and tie it all together with carriage bolts. Yeah, railroad ties. It'll be rock solid and rot-free for many years.