Indoor Airgun bench question

[Paul Bendix]

Need some advice before I run indoor matches. I have built an indoor bench table that fits between our 30 inch wide shooting positions. I used 4"X4" 3/16" steel legs with 2"X3" 1/8" steel bottom braces. 1 1/2" angle iron top braces that I screwed 2X8 wood table top. I have 4" solid casters on the front legs 1/8" off of the floor. To move them from storage you pick up the back leg and the casters hit the floor. One person can move them around. Total weight is 150 lbs.
I was impressed how stable it was. Looking through my 45 power rimfire you can touch the table lean on it and not change the point of aim. If you bang the table you can see movement. Will this setup be alright to run airgun matches? Plan B would be to fill the legs with cement for another 100 lbs or so. I didn't want to do that because we have two gun shows a year at the club and the tables would have to be moved ouside for that.
Give me your input before I spend more time and $$ to build 3 more tables. an empty station will be between the benches for stools and left hand shooters will use the last table. The table is 29" wide 40" long and 31 1/2" high.
Will attach a picture.
Paul

 

[Dan Hankins]

If you build it they will come

Nice work on the benches. Under the circumstances to which you are subject to I think it is a good solution.

Suggestions? I think the top 2"X6" boards should be turned 90 degrees so that the length of the boards faces the target. The reason is that moving a rear bag is likely to be smoother if you are following the length of the board.

You might want to consider a sacrificial bench top over the 2"x6" top base. Some guys may be using a one piece rest which weights, say 30 pounds, and has pointed feet that will leave a hole in the bench top. Even the two piece rests have pointed feet and will leave indentations in the wood on the top of the bench. So, if you get the bench rest wood 2"x6" top good and flat, and use a sacrificial piece of plywood or MDF after a beench becomes so rough that rest placement becomes a problem, you can simply unscrew the sacrificial top and replace it.

Great job. Good luck and have fun.

Respectfully
Dan Hankins

 

[Paul Bendix]

Dan
Thanks for the input. I have only shot at three ranges that had a wooden top. They had the 2X8 left to right. also at the 50/50 Nationals in New York their 40 benches had 2X stock but covered with a sheet of 3/4 plywood. I hope the benches get used so much that the tops need to be replaced each year. I did see a picture of a bench with the wood front to back. I will build the next one with the top front to back to see which way people like it. I can change the top so they will be the same for the first match in April.

Paul

 

[Dave Shattuck]

Paul,

I wouldn't worry too much about abusing those 2" x 8" wooden tops, or the need for adding an overlayment of plywood. At Pinnacle Mountain we may not draw the largest crowds, but as you know, all of our tops are made out of pressure treated 2" x 8"'s with the boards running like yours. Some of our benches, #1 thru 6 (the ones used the most), are entering into there 16th year of abuse, with the rest approaching their 13th, and none of them are showning any signs of needing a fix.

Plus, at the time I was building the second set of benches for Pinnacle I made up a bench using nothing but wood for my home practice range. That bench is not covered and is exposed to the elements from late-March/early-April through mid-December. After 12 seasons of this type of abuse it is now finally going to get a new set of metal legs as the bench has begun to rock a bit too much, but, other than for some slight splintering on the top, it has in no way begun to deteriorate. Now, you may think this bench has not seen very much use being just for practice. But, I have shot in excess of 2000 rounds per year from it for all of those 12 seasons. And after I pack up and go home, those little punch-holes left behind by my rests, plus all of that natural checking that occurs in wood, has gotten filled up with either rain, ice or snow, then has either been frozen solid by the wintery winds, or baked dry by the blisting heat of summer, but has withstood the test of time.

Your tops won't be exposed to the elements in any way other than for when they are dragged outside on the days of the gun shows, meaning that the tops will always be kept warm and dry. My guess would be that if left alone you won't have to do a thing to them in our lifetimes, or within the next 30 years, whichever is longer.

Just my opinion,

Dave

 

[Paul Bendix]

Dave,
Thanks for your input. I emailed Al and I think you might have him hooked!!!
Now just reel him in.

Paul

 

[Dave Shattuck]

Paul,

Correct me if I am wrong, but I told Al I didn't think you'd mind running a second relay down at your place so you and I could share our equipment with he and Penny, and he know's I've never minding doing such a thing up at Pinnacle.

I'm sure once he's had a chance to experience "the wonder of it all", he'll be more than willing to even go as far as putting his "Bad Attitude" up as collateral if that's what it takes. Heck, maybe he'll even consider selling off one of them fancy old blocks of wood of his. Watdaya think?

Dave

 

[Paul Bendix]

Dave S,

No problem running two relay and Al and Penny using my BB gun as he calls them.
Just got home from club meeting and got the O.K. to use the outdoor range for Airgun Benchrest matches.
April 20, 2008 Sun
May 18, 2008 Sun
June 15, 2008 Sun
Aug 17, 2008 Sun
Sept 21 2008 Sun

They will be shot after a three card I/R 50 50 Unliminted

12:00 start is my guess. I will send the paperwork in the A.M.

Paul

 

[Al Hadfield]

Paul,

I'm sure once he's had a chance to experience "the wonder of it all", he'll be more than willing to even go as far as putting his "Bad Attitude" up as collateral if that's what it takes. Heck, maybe he'll even consider selling off one of them fancy old blocks of wood of his. Watdaya think?

Dave

Boy-O-Boy you boys sure are putting on the pressure. Penny and I are looking forward to trying out these glorified "BB" guns. Just so folks know what Dave is referring to..."Bad Attitude" is the name of my boat and the "..old blocks of wood..." are old duck decoys, I collect them.

After seeing the possible accuracy that can be attained and seeing the pictures that were posted in Joe's post I am tempted. The big plus is the low cost of shooting once the gun is bought.

Al