If you have ever taken a shot while seated at a picnic table (don’t try to hide it, we’ve all done it at least once), then you know just how valuable a good shooting bench is. Not only do they provide a solid platform for sighting in a rifle, but they also make for more comfortable shooting sessions and can make all the difference on the hunt for certain species. Read on to learn more about what features to look for in the best shooting bench for you.
A good shooting bench will provide you with a stable, comfortable, and convenient shooting platform. All of those things are important when you are at the range or in the field. Sighting in a rifle from a high-quality shooting bench will help to ensure you get as much accuracy out of your rifle as possible.
If you do not have time for the details, here are our top picks for Shooting Bench :
- Caldwell Stable Table Lite Shooting Rest
- Caldwell Stable Table
- X-Stand Hunting Shooting Bench with Swivel Seat
- BOG ChairPod
- Kill Shot Throne 3-in-1 Shooting Rest
- VINGLI Portable Rifle Shooting Table Seat Set
- MTM PST-11 Predator Shooting Table
- Caldwell BR Pivot Ambidextrous Shooting Bench
- Muddy Swivel-Action Shooting Bench
- Kill Shot Portable Shooting Bench
Table of Contents
- How to Choose Shooting Benches?
- Best Shooting Benches on the Market Reviews
- 1 Caldwell Stable Table Lite Shooting Rest
- 2 Caldwell Stable Table
- 3 X-Stand Hunting Shooting Bench with Swivel Seat
- 4 BOG ChairPod
- 5 Kill Shot Throne 3-in-1 Shooting Rest
- 6 VINGLI Portable Rifle Shooting Table Seat Set
- 7 MTM PST-11 Predator Shooting Table
- 8 Caldwell BR Pivot Ambidextrous Shooting Bench
- 9 Muddy Swivel-Action Shooting Bench
- 10 Kill Shot Portable Shooting Bench
- Putting It All Together
How to Choose Shooting Benches?
There are a few key factors to consider when shopping for a shooting bench.
Comfort
The last thing you want to be at the shooting range is uncomfortable. Discomfort can quickly lead to making poor shots and rushing through your shooting or sighting in process. Younger shooters or those that don’t mind a hard seat won’t have to worry about this too much. However, if you prefer some extra padding, there are several shooting bench models that have it.
Stability
The only thing that an unstable shooting bench provides is frustration, aggravation, and inaccuracy. A wobbly leg or a shaky shooting platform is the last thing you need while sighting in your rifle or taking a long range shot at a prairie dog. Consider the type of area you will be using your shooting bench in and look for features that provide stability such as adjustable legs or a wide and sturdy base.
Portability
If you are going to be transporting your shooting bench from range to range or if there is a long hike between the parking area and your shooting area, then portability will be a key feature for you. Pay attention to the dimensions of the shooting benches you are interested in to make sure they will fit in your vehicle. Weight will also be a top consideration as you won’t want to be lugging a heavy shooting bench along with your rifle and other shooting gear.
Versatility
Having the ability to use a shooting bench for more than one purpose is never a bad thing. A shooting bench that is designed with multiple purposes in mind can be equally as useful both at the shooting range and in the field. Whether you are a prairie dog hunter or target deer from a ground blind, you will be able to find a shooting bench that fits all your needs. There are models that rotate 360 degrees and even some that can easily fit inside a standard ground blind.
Seat or No Seat?
Some shooting benches come equipped with their own seat and some don’t. There isn’t really a right or wrong choice amongst the two. It just comes down to your personal preference. Do you already have a favorite shooting seat? Then go with a shooting bench that doesn’t have one. Want to carry less gear to the range? Then a shooting bench with a built in seat is probably the right choice for you.
The best shooting bench is out there waiting for you. Now let’s take a look at the top ten options so you can decide which one is best for you and your specific needs.
Best Shooting Benches on the Market Reviews
1 Caldwell Stable Table Lite Shooting Rest
The Caldwell Stable Table Lite Shooting Rest features a straightforward and simple design.
It has a weatherproof table top that is equipped with a rail along the edges to prevent ammo, empty shells, and other gear from rolling off the edge. The seat sits 17 inches off the ground and can hold up to 250 pounds. The seat can also swivel around the rear table leg for adjustable comfort.
The Stable Table Lite can accommodate both left-handed and right-handed shooters. It weighs 30 pounds and folds flat for easy storage. The molded carry handles and push buttons for folding make this shooting bench easy to deploy, easy to store, and easy to carry. While it doesn’t have the bells and whistles of some other models, this portable shooting bench from Caldwell gets the job done just fine.
2 Caldwell Stable Table
If you need a more robust shooting bench than the Stable Table Lite, the Stable Table from Caldwell might be the best choice for you. This shooting bench is constructed from tubular steel, a welded and reinforced steel frame, and a weatherproof seat and table surface. The trio of legs each have a hole on the end which allow you to stake down the bench for increased stability.
The built-in seat can be height adjusted from 16 to 22 inches and has a weight limit of 275 pounds. The legs can each be adjusted for angle individually to provide a stable shooting platform on a variety of uneven terrain. You probably won’t want to lug this shooting bench long distances, but it is ideal for range use if you have a permanent or semi-permanent shooting location.
3 X-Stand Hunting Shooting Bench with Swivel Seat
Steel construction, a built-in rifle rest, and a fold flat design make the X-Stand Hunting Shooting Bench an ideal option for many. This portable shooting bench can support up to 300 lbs and the bench itself weighs 35 pounds.
The built-in rifle rest features an adjustment knob that allows for fine tuned precision to hold your rifle at the exact height you need. There is even a gear pouch mounted on the side of this ambidextrous shooting bench so your favorite rifle rounds are never far away.
4 BOG ChairPod
The ChairPod from BOG is a great shooting bench for those of you who want versatility. The design of this folding shooting bench makes it perfect for prairie dog hunters, ground blind hunters, and long range shooters alike. It has the appearance of a comfortable lawn chair on steroids. With full back support and a rock solid rifle or crossbow rest, the ChairPod will keep you comfortable for a long time.
This shooting bench weighs in at only 22 pounds, but it can support up to 300 pounds of weight. The folding design and built-in backpack style straps make this seat a breeze to carry into the field for a day of hunting. The ChairPod is highly adjustable and features full 360 degree rotation.
5 Kill Shot Throne 3-in-1 Shooting Rest
The Kill Shot Throne 3-in-1 Shooting Rest is the Rolls Royce of shooting benches. This best-rated option triples as a shooting bench, game cart, and hunting seat. The innovative design of this shooting bench allows it to be easily converted between the three styles without the need for any tools.
The Kill Shot Throne is equipped with a pair of 25” solid rubber wheels that allow it to be easily transported over even rough terrain. In game cart mode, the steel construction allows this shooting bench to carry up to 500 pounds of gear. With silent 360 degree rotation, a pair of included tie-down straps, and a built-in rubber padded shooting rest help make this shooting bench an excellent option for any shooter or hunter. For the money, this shooting bench can’t be beat.
6 VINGLI Portable Rifle Shooting Table Seat Set
The Portable Rifle Shooting Table from VINGLI is constructed from steel and can support up to 300 pounds of weight. The steel frame is powder coated which keeps this shooting bench protected from rusting and other damage when exposed to the elements. The entire bench folds flat and weighs 35 pounds which makes it easy to transport.
This folding shooting bench comes with a removable and adjustable rifle rest. The rest can be installed in four different mounting positions on the 24 inch by 24 inch table top and height adjusted from 7 inches to 9.5 inches. This allows the VINGLI portable rifle shooting table to accommodate both left-handed and right-handed shooters. The seat is 20 inches high and is covered in durable 600D polyester fabric.
7 MTM PST-11 Predator Shooting Table
If you already have a shooting seat you prefer to use and don’t need a shooting bench with one built-in, then the MTM PST-11 Predator Shooting Table might be perfect for you. This folding and portable shooting table is built from durable polymer material and features a wedge-shaped design for ambidextrous use. The Predator’s tabletop features three barrel grooves for a convenient place to lean your rifles.
This budget friendly shooting bench weighs only 15 pounds and measures only 4 inches high when completely collapsed. That makes it thin enough to store behind the seat in a pickup truck. The lightweight design makes this portable shooting bench easy to move to different areas. Simply unfold the metal legs when you get to your shooting location and the Predator Shooting table is ready to go.
8 Caldwell BR Pivot Ambidextrous Shooting Bench
If you have a more permanent location in mind for your shooting bench and portability isn’t a concern, the BR Pivot Ambidextrous Shooting Bench from Caldwell is a great option. Weighing in at 65 pounds, this shooting bench offers an extremely stable shooting platform. Each of the three legs can be adjusted to account for uneven ground and locked into the desired position.
The 45 inch by 26 inch pivoting tabletop is built from American hardwood and features a weatherproof coating. The thick, padded seat can be adjusted from 16 inches to 27 inches in height to offer comfort to shooters of all sizes. The Caldwell BR Pivot is one of the most stable shooting benches on the market today and would make a great addition to any private gun range.
9 Muddy Swivel-Action Shooting Bench
The Swivel-Action Shooting Bench from Muddy is a collapsible and portable shooting bench that offers 360 degrees of rotation. This makes it great for prairie dog hunting because it allows you to quickly adjust your shooting position to make accurate shots. The built-in and adjustable rifle rest adds another layer of functionality to this shooting bench.
This shooting bench utilizes steel construction that allows it to support up to 300 pounds. It folds flat for easy transport and storage and is equipped with a pair of storage pockets to hold shells, cartridges, and other gear.
10 Kill Shot Portable Shooting Bench
With square steel tube construction, the Kill Shot Portable Shooting Bench is both lightweight and durable. The table height can be adjusted to the comfort level of each individual shooter and the included adjustable rifle rest is a convenient way to sight in your rifle or make an accurate shot at long range.
This folding shooting bench from Kill Shot features two gear pockets that keep your essential gear within easy reach.
Putting It All Together
Any time you are sighting in your rifle or shooting at long ranges, a stable and secure shooting platform is absolutely vital. That is where a good shooting bench comes in. There are multitude of options for just about every situation. Think about the areas you will be shooting or hunting from and make sure that the bench you choose has features that make sense for that area. You want to make sure you get the best shooting bench for your own personal needs and requirements.