Portable Bench Rest - Any good for fun shooting?

Zen_Seeker

Zen_Seeker

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I've used small drafting stools and sturdy folding tables for years. The main reason is space and convenience to get it to the spot along with gear and people. Small SUV, storage space, weight, and cost also come into it.

We shoot for fun and attempt accuracy from 80m - 300m. Sighting in rifles as well, when needed.

Over the last 6 months or so I have been looking at different ideas and pre-built benches that might serve our needs. Some of the DIY looked okay, as did some larger options you can buy, but a few here had noted they liked the metal framed folding benches.

After looking at half a dozen or so, which all look to be about the same and come from the same place modified for other stores to sell, I kept coming back to one. Which was sold at a store I hate having to do business with and are known for selling crap as well as quality items for over inflated prices.

However I didn't realize that my wife had been looking over my shoulder on occasion and knew one of the units I wanted to test out and see if it met my needs. She was going to Barrie to visit relatives on the weekend and decided to make a stop at Cabela's, to check out the current shooting bench they sell. (Great Lady!)

It says it can be setup in 10 seconds, holds 360lbs, weighs 45lbs, adjustable seat and table top with a "shooting V", on sale for $150. What made it interesting to me was the rim it has going around the table top, so I can pre-load a bipod and keep things from falling off while shooting.

After checking out the demo in-store her and my nephew decided it was not bad for the price and if they could load it into his car then our SUV should be easy.

Worried that it might not be good enough, or not what I wanted, she brought it in and said to test it out. It's part of my Christmas gifts but I can use it now and test it out in case it fails or doesn't live up to expectations!

Setting it up was more like 5 minutes, the instructions are in a zippered pocket that we didn't see until AFTER it was standing. But after that it's been looking pretty good. Can accommodate smaller shooters as well as my size, 6' 6", with a bit of tweaking. The "rim" is a fabric covered foam that seems fine when I tested for pre-load of my bipod. Only issues would be rain/snow and cold that I've noticed so far.

I suspect the plastic feet might break in winter as well as the plastic lock for the "shooting V" under the table. (As I have used bipods or freehand all my life I don't need to use the "V" and can leave it off in winter.)

The issue of water is more of a concern as the fabric and table top might be a problem. It's 600-denier material but I think the table top might be MDF or some other cheap material. Rust isn't a big deal as I can wipe it down but if it rots out fast from the inside that would be a concern. So getting caught in the rain would suck. :)

Does anyone else have this newer version? I've seen the older models online in different places, all slightly different, ranging from $90 to $150 on average. This is only one that seems sturdier and has the raised rim. How does it stand up after a season or year of use going from the field to range to farm? Did any of the items I note break or fail? (I can always make my own replacement top or feet but if it won't last even a year...) I guess I can always spray water proofing on the top material just in case.

It will be used about once a month, ranging from .22lr to 30-06. Anywhere from 80m to 300m, with 80m to 100m being typical. Smallest persons being around 125lbs and largest about 300lbs. It would be on grass, fire roads, and light gravel.

Link to model bought: https://www.cabelas.ca/product/85728/herters-deluxe-shooting-bench

Pic:
117621-189815


What, if any, issues did you have?

TIA

Zen
 
My dad bought one a few years ago. I inherited it a while ago. It looks like the one you have shown there, but I have no idea if it’s an updated one or anything. It’s held up fairly well. He was a pretty big guy, and it held him up without any sort of failure or damage.
I haven’t had any issues with it, other than I forget to slide the seat all the way backwards (or is it forewards!?!) every time I’m trying to set it up! Operator error though. I don’t use it very often but for what it is and what it cost I think it’s pretty decent.
 
Another member of CGN sent me some photographs of a shooting bench he made from an older B&D Workmate.
It is simple and I keep it at my trailer in the summer.
I just throw the workmate and the plywood top and a chair in the trunk drive a couple of KMs to the local range and shoot.
If your interested send a PM and your email address
 
RifleDude said:
Or... you could get a decent shooting mat and shoot prone. Probably more stable than the collapsible bench you're showing.
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I used to use my mat(s) all the time, or a fence or tree to lean on if standing. Where I go locally is almost always wet and/or has small ponds all year.

Age, knees, and long grass got me into the portable setup. To be honest this model is surprisingly sturdy. I was expecting to have to take it back but it's pretty good when someone is sitting on it and seems okay when I use the bipod and preload it. I'm not attempting 500m+ shots or panning to hunt with it. :)

I won't know until I use it but wanted to know if any of the points I had concerns with had come up with some who already owns it.
 
rifleman762 said:
I've never had good luck with a folding bench of any kind. Prone or a concrete or timber bench works for me. Maybe look into the tripod shooting setups.
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I hope this one works at least as well as what I had already. It's taller which will help as my setup was to low for me prior. Bench at the range is wood but okay, but as it only has 100m I leave the club for restricted and take the NR to the woods, which is 90 minutes closer.

Looking at the tripods off/on as well. Not sure why they are in the $100 - $200 range for anything sturdy looking? Almost got the one that holds both ends of the rifle as that would help with sighting in and removing human error a bit but missed the sale. I do like the idea of being able to use it for fun, range and hunting but would need to test it out.

Most of the stuff like this has reviews all over the place so it's almost to the point you need to try it yourself regardless.
 
mr.fatstacks said:
My dad bought one a few years ago. I inherited it a while ago. It looks like the one you have shown there, but I have no idea if it’s an updated one or anything. It’s held up fairly well. He was a pretty big guy, and it held him up without any sort of failure or damage.
I haven’t had any issues with it, other than I forget to slide the seat all the way backwards (or is it forewards!?!) every time I’m trying to set it up! Operator error though. I don’t use it very often but for what it is and what it cost I think it’s pretty decent.
Click to expand...

Cool. I think this model came out in 2015/2016 but I'm not sure. The other models are flat on top so a bipod would still hop. It's been sitting in the den for 24 hours, haven't put it down yet. My seat doesn't change angle unless it's to put away, the table top does, but the seat top moves forward and back only. Came fully forward.

Are the black plastic feet on yours okay? They lift mine about 1" - 1.5" off the ground. Just wonder if they will break if used in the winter. I might just remove them and replace with something else.

Thanks for the feedback.
 
albayo said:
Another member of CGN sent me some photographs of a shooting bench he made from an older B&D Workmate.
It is simple and I keep it at my trailer in the summer.
I just throw the workmate and the plywood top and a chair in the trunk drive a couple of KMs to the local range and shoot.
If your interested send a PM and your email address
Click to expand...

I started with that sort of setup. Job Mate, wood, and stool. I'm 6' 6" and found it would kill my back after a few hours. Started looking for something a bit better. Hope this is it.

Thanks, I'll shoot you a PM if this doesn't work out.
 
6MT said:
I have the Herter's table you mentioned that you bought. (Mine was a gift from my kids.) I've tried it out and like it. Although most of my shooting is done prone, this bench is pretty darn good. The ultimate test I gave mine was to shoot my 32" barrelled, 49 pound .50BMG off of it. Clanging steel at a mile proves it can stand up to the weight and recoil of the big gun. It has survived rain. Those plastic feet are no issue. I believe mine is the later version because it has the raised lip.
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Excellent! More of a test than I can do. My wife just got it for me on the weekend. I get to "play" with it only because we want to see if it works okay before the return period is over.

Do you know if the table top is MDF, plastic, or something else? I'll pack up if it starts raining but as I don't have a truck I want to know if I need to hurry and do the shooting bench first or last so it doesn't soak the top.

This is the only one that has a raised lip that I've seen. Two other stores, as well as Cabela's, have similar models without a raised lip.

6MT said:
It took you 5 minutes to set yours up?! Wow. I had mine up in 30 seconds or so. It's very intuitive. And I don't think this thing will rust any time soon. Leave it out in the elements for a year or so and yes, you'll have rust. But the paint and finish on these is very good, IMHO. And it is very portable for what it is.

...and it has a cup holder!!:cheers:
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About 2 minutes to get it out of the box followed by my 18 year old son, 25 yo nephew, and wife all trying to set it up at the same time. I just waited until they all finish mucking around.

It did take a few tries to get the right amount of pull and lift coordinated though. I tend to bend or break things I just yank so try to go softly, at least at first. The one side pin was fine but pulling it up I found it was hung on something. One of the two pins the red wire is attached to is also a bit picky. Lube or break-in required.

And the cup holder was a good laugh. At first I was using cottage brain....why is a beer holder on a shooting bench....followed by "Oh ya, water bottles work too, duh."

Thanks for the feedback. I was expecting a somewhat disappointing review but it does seem pretty sturdy. If the feet can handle cold weather and the top is plastic rather than MDF I think it's not bad for the price. I'm looking forward to testing it out in the next two weeks.
 
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