I'm looking for a set of plans on how to build an adjustable height, standing shooting bench for double rifles. I saw some printed in a magazine article, I think by Craig Boddington, many years ago but never since. My rangemaster says he'll build it if I can supply the plans.

I'd greatly appreciate any help.

Do a search (click on "find") on "standing benches" and you will get some posts to review.

Take care,

John

I did but found nothing but a few other inquiries without results. I know there are plans out there and would have thought sure someone here would have them. No?

If you do a search for standing bench plans under my screen name, you will find two or three entries with a complete description. Last time I posted a complete description was +/- six months ago. If your search still turns up nothing, let me know and I'll either find my old posts or describe again.

JPK

Here is my earlier post:

"OK, here goes:

The top is three layers of ~5/8" hardwood laminated together, probably glued and screwed. The top is a tear drop shape with the point (well rounded) toward the rear and the bottom belly toward the front and flattened. Dimensions are roughly 24" wide at the front tapering to about 4" and 30" long at the center.

The edge of the top is 1/2 rounded, like a top and then bottom 1/4 round with a router, and sanded. The sealant used seems to be a clear epoxy, like West Systems, or similar.

There are three legs and the legs are two part, with a ~2" upper portion and a ~1 1/2" lower portion that fits within the upper portion for adjustment. The ones on the bench I use seem to be painted black steel pipe. I think I would use galvinized steel pipe and paint it. The top of the upper legs are threaded and attach to the top by screwing into female flanges sercured to the top by hefty wood screws. The flanges may be bolted to the bottom two layers of wood and counter sunk, with the top later added subsequently.

The flanges are about 3 or 4" inside of each "corner" of the top. The flanges have a bevel so that the legs angle outward and the leg ends with the rest adjusted to standing height would be about 8" or so outside of the edge of the top, less obviously with the bench adjusted for sitting height. I don't know if the bevel is built in or schimmed in under the flange.

For the flanges, something like bolt down stair railing flanges would work with some schimming for the angle. Alternatively, a weld flange and a pipe coupling welded together would work and the bevel could be built in.

Lenth of the upper portion of the legs is about 30". About 8" above the bottom a 1/4" threaded fitting is welded into the leg so that a 1/4"x ~2" allen bolt or regular or T bolt can be screwed into the leg. I would use stainless bolts.

The lower legs are roughly 30" long and fit within the upper legs. A series of holes are drilled in line along the length of one side of each lower leg, maybe on 4 or 6" centers, so that the 1/4" bolt from the upper leg fitting can fit through the holes for adjustment. The lower legs on this bench do not have any shoe or end. I would thread them for a cap to keep dirt and crud out and to prevent too much sinking. If your ground is soft or moist, maybe a flange welded or screwed on would be better.

BTW, I think that the fellow who made the one I use would make them and sell them, if anyone were interested. Edit: I called and asked how much a new adjustable sitting through standing rest would be. Answer was sold out for the moment, until the fellow gets around to making a few more, then they will sell for
+/- $350. They are heavy so shipping would be an expense to consider.

I can lean into this rest for support and it doesn't wobble or move. It isn't sunk into the ground and the gunsmith who owns it moves it a bit for mowing grass and for rotation what part of his grass is getting wear and tear from use of the rest.

If you need more details or if any of my description is unclear and needs help, let me know and I'll try to clear it up.

JPK"

JPK

Thanks JPK.

However, what I need are construction drawings, prints or plans to show someone with manual skills but limited comprehension how to build one of these. The County range will use inmate labor in the jail wood shop to build these, so you will understand the problem. Pictures work, words don't. Unfortunately, I have zero skill myself at preparing construction drawings.

I know of no plans or drawings that exist. I owe my gunsmith a visit, I'll try to remember to take some photos. Maybe this will help?

JPK

here's what *I* am going to try.. yeah, you can do it ALOT more sophisticated ...

5 gallon bucket
... full of sand
3/8" nap roller sleeve
paint roller brush
adjustable roller handle..

assemble roller, stab handle into sand, adjust height (in my case, for left hand) and use as a rest to test..

aint tried it yet, but that's just because I haven't gotten around tuit yet

Hum - guys see the "DJM's" gadget - not selfsupporting but might do the trick?

http://forums.accuratereloadin.../5421043/m/620104129

To make a standing bench rest work well, in the same league as a standard sitting bench rest, you need to be able to lean your weight into it for stability.

With the right standing bench rest, you will shoot any rifle nearly as well as you can shoot the same rifle off of a sitting bench rest.

JPK

JPK,
i TOTALLY disagree. you should NOT put your weight on a standing rest, as that means you will overly bind the action, in an "unusual" direction...

but, I have built 2 and working on the third, doubles off a shotgun action, and gon through regulation.

a standing rest should be nothing but a means to CONSISTANTLY hold well and fire.

If you are going to lean on it, use a bench

You are talking about a standing rest, I'm talking about a Brit style standing bench rest.

You lean into the bench, not the rifle. Your lower chest makes contact with the standing bench, your arms are free to move. You shoot no differently off a standing bench than a regular sitting bench as far as your arms or hands are concerned.

In the case of a double rifle, you support the front hand on bags while holding the barrels, and the rear elbow rests on the standing bench, or if you need more height, on a bag sitting on the standing bench. The rifle and you are free to move in recoil.

I do this as well with a large bore bolt rifle, except that I'll use a bag under the butt for elevation control.

In the case of a lighter bolt rifle, you support the forend on bags and the butt as well, just like on a sitting bench.

There is no torque or pressure at all on the rifle.

Some time ago, there was a post showing photos of a Brit gunmaker regulating a double rifle at a standing bench. You ought to look up that post and follow his technique, it is the same as mine and the bench he was using functionally the same as the one I use, described above.

JPK

JPK,
I'll keep my own on this, thanks...
MY idea of standing rest doesn't include a leaning post... it is merely a place to hold my left hand steady while I shoot...

How you choose to do it, is well, your choice..

Hey, try reading the friggin' title of the thread before giving me a bunch of crap regarding what makes a STANDING BENCH and how to shoot off of a STANDING BENCH!

JPK

quote:

Originally posted by JPK:
Hey, try reading the friggin' title of the thread before giving me a bunch of crap regarding what makes a STANDING BENCH and how to shoot off of a STANDING BENCH!

JPK

Interesting.. I didn't realize that diagreeing with you, rather politely, was "giving you a bunch of crap" ..

Respect is a two way street, and I believe reasonable people can disgree, and still treat each other with respect, and act like adults.


You want to lean against a bench? GREAT -- do that.

It's not what I plan to do, nor would I suggest it.

I didn't INTEND to give you "a bunch of crap" though it is entirely possible that you want have taken it that way. I merely have demonstrated that I disagree with you.

Naw, in your three most recent posts here you aren't politely disagreeing, you are pronouncing, or at least trying to, that you are right and I am wrong. Reread your first of the three posts:

"JPK,
i TOTALLY disagree. you should NOT put your weight on a standing rest, as that means you will overly bind the action, in an "unusual" direction...

but, I have built 2 and working on the third, doubles off a shotgun action, and gon through regulation.

a standing rest should be nothing but a means to CONSISTANTLY hold well and fire.

If you are going to lean on it, use a bench"

Both rude and ridiculous. "...overly bind the action...," oh, please. And again, read the title of the thread, its about standing benches.

I'll refer you again to the english standing bench, used to regulate double rifles and to file in the sights of big bore bolts. Go find that thread I referred to and learn something.

JPK

quote:

Originally posted by JPK:
....recent posts here you aren't politely disagreeing, you are pronouncing, or at least trying to, that you are right and I am wrong. ... Go find that thread I referred to and learn something.

I reckon if the shoe fits... Perhaps we have the same sized foot?

Charles,

Not the photo I'm thinking about. As you can see in that photo, the rifle is in recoiling device. Note the two legs front and rear set up to pivot at the bottom. You can see the top of the two pivoting front legs support the rest the rifle is on.

The photo that I was referring to shows a bench with what I recall as carpetting on top, with a U shaped notch cut out in the center to accomodate the shooter and a fellow leaning into the bench within the U shaped cut out.

Might possibly have been in the H&H video.

JPK

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:

quote:

Originally posted by JPK:
....recent posts here you aren't politely disagreeing, you are pronouncing, or at least trying to, that you are right and I am wrong. ... Go find that thread I referred to and learn something.

I reckon if the shoe fits... Perhaps we have the same sized foot?

That may well be the case. But I was responding to the topic of the thread. You were not.

quote:

Originally posted by JPK:
Charles,

Not the photo I'm thinking about. As you can see in that photo, the rifle is in recoiling device. Note the two legs front and rear set up to pivot at the bottom. You can see the top of the two pivoting front legs support the rest the rifle is on.

The photo that I was referring to shows a bench with what I recall as carpetting on top, with a U shaped notch cut out in the center to accomodate the shooter and a fellow leaning into the bench within the U shaped cut out.

Might possibly have been in the H&H video.

JPK

I thought it looked different than I expected. Have not looked at the video yet.