Shooting Tables/Platforms (Prairie Dog Hunts)?
Russell Taylor
Does anyone have any preferences for a particular shooting table or
platform for the purpose of shooting prairie dogs? I've seen all types
of tables (portable, not-so-portable, rotary "turret" types, and so
forth), but I'd like to hear from any of you that have used some of
them. Which one do you think is the best and why?
Better Shooting,
Russell E. Taylor
Jay King
> In message relating to: Shooting Tables/Platforms (Prairie Dog Hunts)?,
I tried a couple of tables, last year, trying to find something
that worked well. I found the tables with the star burst bases
(rotory types) weren't very stable with my weight (240+) on them.
Also, table size seemed to be a bit skimpy. I guess I should note
that most of my shooting at PD's is done in sandy soil. Maybe
the star burst base would work better in soil with more clay amd
rock.
I also tried a table made out of plywood (legs and everything - goes
together like a puzzle) and one made out of square steel stock
(the legs and frame). The steel frame had the same problem as the
star burst in that the legs tended to sink into the sand. I'm sure
this is due to my rotund presence on the integral seat. ;^} The
plywood (jig-saw puzzle) table was a pain to put together and wasn't
solid at all. Also, we tend to move a lot and it's easier to throw
the whole table in the back of the PU, rather than to try to disassemble
it each time. The plywood table wasn't up to such abuse.
What I ended up with was a table from Armour Metal Products (?). I
saw their ad in the "Varmint Hunters" magazine. I bought the whole table,
but they also sell leg sets and just the brackets, if you want to build
your own table. I bought the four leg version, but if I had it to do
over again, I'd go with the three leg model. You have to carry a chair
or stool, but it's easy to cut the legs to the right height. It is very
stable, takes the punishment of tossing in the PU and has a large table
area (if you build your own, you can make it as big as needed).
Gerald Michrina
A horse blanket on the ground with sand bags.
> Russell Taylor <snip...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in article
<4rsfmt$n...@dfw-ixnews5.ix.netcom.com>...
> Does anyone have any preferences for a particular shooting table or
> platform for the purpose of shooting prairie dogs? I've seen all types
> of tables (portable, not-so-portable, rotary "turret" types, and so
> forth), but I'd like to hear from any of you that have used some of
> them. Which one do you think is the best and why?
>
John L. Williams Jr.
> > Russell Taylor writes:
> >
> > Does anyone have any preferences for a particular shooting table or
> > platform for the purpose of shooting prairie dogs? I've seen all types
> > of tables (portable, not-so-portable, rotary "turret" types, and so
> > forth), but I'd like to hear from any of you that have used some of
> > them. Which one do you think is the best and why?
Another poster to this group, Mike Knifong, has a really great
bench rest and support setup. It is a 3 legged critter, so it
is easy to stabalize. It also has an optional gun holder,
which I found to be the beauty of the beast.
This bench can make anyone look like a really good shooter. It's
made by some guy in Idaho. Don't recall his name. Mike would know,
if anyone is interested.
Regards,
John Williams in OR
Douglas Juhola
Russell Taylor (snip...@ix.netcom.com) wrote:
: Does anyone have any preferences for a particular shooting table or
: platform for the purpose of shooting prairie dogs? I've seen all types
: of tables (portable, not-so-portable, rotary "turret" types, and so
: forth), but I'd like to hear from any of you that have used some of
: them. Which one do you think is the best and why?
I have both a "roto-bench" and a armour metal products table.
The Armour table is great for long shots (400+) but is
a bit clunky for shooting small towns where you have to toss
the thing in and out of a truck 6 - 8 times every day. Other
than being 60+ pounds, it is an excellent bench.
On the "turret" side of things, I have not used a mass produced
bench yet that i have really liked. Most designs suffer from
the 'portability' issue (mostly too small/too light)
I have already made arrangements with a welder to 'dink around'
with some ideas this winter, and hopefully i will have a new
bench ready by spring.
...dj
Dan Deckert
In article <4rsfmt$n...@dfw-ixnews5.ix.netcom.com>, snip...@ix.netcom.com
says...
>
>Does anyone have any preferences for a particular shooting table or
>platform for the purpose of shooting prairie dogs? I've seen all types
>of tables (portable, not-so-portable, rotary "turret" types, and so
>forth), but I'd like to hear from any of you that have used some of
>them. Which one do you think is the best and why?
>
>
>Russell E. Taylor
Take the pickup and shoot out the window or out of the bed. Why buy and
lug another piece of junk around. That's all I ever used for years and it
works gr8. You want to be MOBILE in a dog town. If yer gonna shoot off a
bench, go to the range!
Dan
Scott DeWerd
In following this post, I became intrigued at the idea of hunting prairie
dogs, do you have to buy a license? Is it available to out of state
hunters (I live in Wisconsin)? What is the legal caliber for hunting?
Can you hunt them with a .22? Please send me any info you might have,
this sounds like fun?
TIA,
Scott
Mike Knifong
Douglas Juhola wrote:
>
> Russell Taylor (snip...@ix.netcom.com) wrote:
> : Does anyone have any preferences for a particular shooting table or
> : platform for the purpose of shooting prairie dogs? I've seen all types
> : of tables (portable, not-so-portable, rotary "turret" types, and so
> : forth), but I'd like to hear from any of you that have used some of
> : them. Which one do you think is the best and why?
>
>
> The Armour table is great for long shots (400+) but is
> a bit clunky for shooting small towns where you have to toss
> the thing in and out of a truck 6 - 8 times every day. Other
> than being 60+ pounds, it is an excellent bench.
>
> On the "turret" side of things, I have not used a mass produced
> bench yet that i have really liked. Most designs suffer from
> the 'portability' issue (mostly too small/too light)
> I have already made arrangements with a welder to 'dink around'
> with some ideas this winter, and hopefully i will have a new
> bench ready by spring.
>
> ...dj
Russel & Doug,
I bought a portable/folding shooting bench 3-4 years ago from J&J Sales
that I think is one of the best designs I've seen yet. They also have
an optional rifle machine rest, w/ recoil strap, that attaches to the table.
In addition they have a spotting scope attachment which is also optional.
The table is three legged, totally collapsible and weighs about 35lbs.
The table costs $148.50, and the rest costs $98.50 according to
my paperwork. I just bought the rifle rest as an upgrade to my
table and couldn't be happier. We used it to shoot a 1.5" group
at 300yrds just the other weekend. I'm sure you would be just as
happy.
There's very little shooter error with this setup.
And with the rest attached, recoil is really reduced. The rifle
that shot the above mentioned 1.5" group was a Rem 700 BDL in
stainless synthetic, chambered for the .300 Weatherby, so I can
say the table will handle all the abuse you can give it!
Contact J&J Sales and Manufacturing for more info.
Main Office J&J Sales:
1501 21st Ave. S.
Great Falls, Mont.
59405
Phone: 406-453-7549
Sales Office, J&J Sales:
Box 815
Roy, Utah
84067
Phone: 801-394-8108
Jim & Jeff Fisher make and market it themselves.
I like the idea of supporting small bussinesses.
Hope this helps,
Mike in Oregon
Mike.W....@tek.com
CH Perdue
Hi All
I have used a Black and Decker shop bench or work bench they are small,
sturdy and cheep. Check it out, you may find it as usefull as I.
C.H.