Shooting Bench Question

18 September 2003, 11:17

DMCI*

quote:
Originally Posted By BuLLet:
DMCI, that's a pretty neat looking shooting table, can you tell me a little more about it? Where I can get one and what it costs, thanks.

My friend Rick Vecqueray at Varmint Masters, LLC makes those things, and while they are not inexpensive, they are the best shooting bench on the planet. I have used the thing for about 3 years now. Even lost some parts off it at one point and they were replaced instantly at no charge to me.

This thing once leveled up, is like a gun turret. Instant 360 degree rotation on any ground. (I carry a small carpenters level to set the thing up.)

They now have a light weight version:

Here is the Website for all your questions:

http://www.varmintmasters.net/index.html

18 September 2003, 13:06

sakofan

Super nice, DMCI...You have more stuff!!

All good stuff too..sakofan..

Is the light weight version as stable as yours??

18 September 2003, 19:40

DMCI*

quote:
Originally posted by sakofan:
Is the light weight version as stable as yours??

Haven't actually sat on one, though I did see one.

Have to assume that it is from appearances. Components are all the same size, only made from different materials.

D. [Smile]

[ 09-18-2003, 12:19: Message edited by: DMCI* ]

19 September 2003, 18:02

The Birth Controller

That is one heckuva good looking unit!

TBC

22 September 2003, 10:53

sonofagun

How can this be a desirable set-up? With the seat being attached to the center support post with a short lever arm and the top only supported by the center post, obviously any shifting of the user's weight will cause a change in the level of the top. I would think the seat should be unattached to the bench itself or at least have its own support leg directly underneath for stability.

I'd go with a solidly built 3 or 4 legged bench with a separate, unattached seat for the shooter. This is the design several versions of which I've built. Well designed range benches are constructed using this design principle.

23 September 2003, 00:15

DMCI*

quote:
Originally posted by sonofagun:
How can this be a desirable set-up?

I've used this system for a number of years in the field and can assure you that with a net weight of 70 or so pounds, the thing doesn't shift.

Key feature is that once the thing is leveled, you can rotate the clamped seat and table about the lower pivot point so that rapid shooting in any direction is possible.

I've shot with people that have disconnected benches and they just can't respond with the speed of this thing when the angles change. (In fact the guides we shoot with have a habit of finding targets at 90 or 180 degrees to our current shooting direction.

This thing is built heavy enough that your concerns are just not a problem [Smile]

[ 09-22-2003, 15:16: Message edited by: DMCI* ]

23 September 2003, 02:25

sonofagun

quote:
Originally posted by DMCI*:

"Key feature is that once the thing is leveled, you can rotate the clamped seat and table about the lower pivot point so that rapid shooting in any direction is possible."

Stops those killer varmints [Mad]

sneaking up on you [Eek!]

from behind, huh. [Wink]

[ 09-22-2003, 17:26: Message edited by: sonofagun ]

23 September 2003, 02:53

<Armed in Utah>

Looks like a nice set up. I build tables informally, using 2 pcs of 3/4" plywood glued/screwed together, 24" W x 38" L. Nice rounded corners, stained, R or L or both shooter cutouts. Leg used are 1 1/4" threaded steel pipe (3), table top is 33" high. Pipe brackets are welded to 1/4" plate, then bolted to table. Still very portable and solid. Legs can be removed for transport if needed. Folding chair used for seat. Also as an option, I can add an umbrella bracket, for those hot summer days. A patio umbrella used for needed shade. contact ....tikkanut@yahoo.com UPS shippable..

24 September 2003, 11:24

sonofagun

quote:
Originally posted by DMCI*:

quote:
I've used this system for a number of years in the field and can assure you that with a net weight of 70 or so pounds, the thing doesn't shift.

Really? Then how do you move it? [Confused]

Let's be real - everything shifts if enough force is applied. You can't tell me that a person sitting on the seat (who will weigh a LOT more than 70 lbs) will not move the top when he/she shifts his/her weight. Requires user to hold entire body still when aiming AND maintain this through firing process.

How come benches used at benchrest matches DO NOT have attached seats?

In the lower photo, its apparent the top has a curvature to it (caused by heating/expansion due to sunlight on top surface). Also looks like rest is hanging off top (too small). Seems rather disappointing after someone has paid over $500 for "the best (?) shooting bench on the planet"!

Maybe you are satisfied with this unit, but I'd use something different.

26 September 2003, 20:33

DMCI*

quote:
Originally posted by sonofagun:

Maybe you are satisfied with this unit, but I'd use something different.

Well, like they say, that's what makes horse races.

If you would like more information as to the suitability of the device for a particular purpose, here is their website:

Varmintmasters LLC

Having been to quite a number of organized shoots, you can't believe how many ideas for this you will see, ranging from special trailers set up for the use of 10 or so shooters to those with built in towers, down to welded aluminum combinations barely able to handle their own weight.

[ 09-26-2003, 11:42: Message edited by: DMCI* ]

27 September 2003, 09:32

12FLVSS

I bought one of these at DMCIs recommendation, and I can attest to it's stability. Every one of my friends that has shot from it has wanted one. I have shot 1/4" groups from this rest, no problem at all. The top has plenty of room for a reasonable rest (the one in the photo looks to be a huge one piece job), your rifle, binocs and lots of ammo. It's not a workshop table after all, it's a portable shooting bench.

Good luck,
Ian

27 September 2003, 00:23

Arock

Are these a proximate cause of Plumber's Butt?

28 September 2003, 06:50

Groove Bullets

About 5 years ago I purchased a portable bench for shooting woodchucks and deer. The company is in Oklahoma that made my bench. It looks very similar in nature to what DMCI has. The seat is attached to the center post. When you sit on it and turn (swivel) you are always "with" your rifle. The clearance between the top 1/2 and the bottom 1/2 of the unit is only .003" total. When sitting on the seat your weight forces the movement in one direction and it doesn't wobble. When I purchased the bench originally it came with a 3/4" thick plywood top. After the first summer I removed the top (held on with 3 carraige bolts and butterfly nuts on the underside) and took it to a local kitchen cabinet maker. I had a laminated, 3" thick, maple top made for it. The 3/4" thick plywood was to "spongy" for me. It is now solid. I have used it for 5 deer seasons and 5 woodchuck seasons. One of these days I will take a picture and show it for all to see.

I like the leg adjustments on DMCI's better then the one I have. On uneven ground his is easier to adjust then mine. His seat looks closer to the ground then the one I have and I wouldn't care for that but looking at the "screw" adjustments on the legs I imagine the legs could be made to raise the entire top "up" for us long leg types.

Last summer I killed a woodchuck at 675 yards using the bench. It can't move to much to do that.

Don

28 September 2003, 08:21

DMCI*

Don:

The seat has a clamp that moves it up and down the center column, so you can move it anywhere on the column. If you look at the above picture, you can see the black T-handle at the center of the collar. There is also a keyway for it, so that the table and the seat move together when you rotate the table top.

You can build your own, but $500 isn't much if you value your time.

Mine is showing some wear, but not bad. I was supposed to finish the top, but I didn't and it warped a little, but didn't affect the usability of the unit.

Try it you'll like it and Rick is a heck of a good guy.

[ 09-28-2003, 11:48: Message edited by: DMCI* ]

29 September 2003, 19:02

Customstox

I have seen one of the benches that DCMI is taking aobut and have sat on one at Whittington Center in NM that is very similar and it is rock steady. It is without a doubt the best field varmint bench I have ever seen. One is in my future whether I build it myself or buy one.