Best Shooting Bench | A Complete Guide

Hunting can take hours, especially when you’re waiting for your prey or chasing after it. The hours can also wear you down. So you might be tempted to rest for a bit while waiting. However, you can miss your kill opportunity the moment you put down your weapon — this is where a shooting bench comes in handy. It will also give you invaluable stability for your rifle. A shooting bench is also a great help during long practice sessions at the range. We are guiding you through the whys and hows of buying a shooting bench.

Why Would You Need a Dedicated Shooting Table?

In most shooting videos, you will see that the shooter is often standing. If you’ve ever spent time at a shooting range, you know that standing for hours can be exhausting. This is also true when you’re hunting game. A shooting bench helps in improving your accuracy while maintaining a comfortable shooting experience. Aside from providing comfort and stability, your bench can hold your shooting gear. Your ammunition, accessories, and equipment are more accessible when laid out on your bench.

With these in mind, it’s easier to see why one will need a shooting bench. Whether at the range or out hunting, a shooting bench will serve a valuable purpose for the avid gun user.

Types of Shooting Benches and Tables

Shooting benches come in many shapes and sizes. For easy categorizing, we can break them down into different types:

How To Choose the Best Shooting Bench?

Owning a shooting bench will serve you well and there are some advantages to having a shooting bench. Choosing your shooting bench should take a few factors into consideration:

Shooting Bench: Pros and Cons 

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Best Shooting Benches for 2021

We’ve reviewed the six best shooting benches.

Top Pick	Gymax Folding Shooting Bench	24 inches x 24 inches x 34.5 inches 35 pounds Compact & foldable Steady on flat surfaces, not for uneven terrain	$175 Shop NowClick to read my review
	Caldwell The Stable Table	23.4 inches x 34.5 inches x 7.1 inches 60 pounds 5-minute disassembly, can be broken down into seven parts Feet are adjustable for terrain leveling	$208 Shop NowClick to read my review
	X-Stand X-Ecutor Shooting Bench Black	33.5 inches x 21.75 inches x 4.25 inches 35 pounds Two fold-up pieces Legs are adjustable for uneven terrain	$129 Shop NowClick to read my review
	Muddy Swivel-Action Shooting Bench	31.75 inches x 29.25 inches x 4.75 inches 42 pounds Easy to assemble or break down No adjustment feature for uneven terrain	$210 Shop NowClick to read my review
	MTM HLST High-Low Shooting Table	18.11 inches x 11.42 inches x 40.55 inches 10.41 pounds Portable & easy to carry Works great on uneven terrain	$125 Shop NowClick to read my review
	Caldwell Lead Sled DFT2 Shooting Rest	30 inches x 12 inches x 16 inches 24 pounds Works on tables you might already have Good stability	$186 Shop NowClick to read my review

Gymax Folding Shooting Bench Seat With Adjustable Table

The Gymax Folding Shooting Bench is ideal for hunting, target practice, sighting, and dialing in scopes. Weighing at 35 pounds, it is quite lightweight for a shooting bench with seat. Its compact and foldable frame makes it easy to use, while its steel frame lends more durability. 

You can adjust its height from 7 inches to 9.5 inches, making this a convenient shooting bench. This shooting bench is ambidextrous and can be configured for both left and right shots. The bench and seat are well-padded and covered in polyester, offering comfort and keeping your firearm scratch-free. Since this shooting bench can be set up quickly, you can take it anywhere for shooting.

Caldwell The Stable Table

Caldwell is a trusted brand for shooting tables. Its Stable Table is one of the best shooting benches for rifle shooting with a simple yet integrated design. The weatherproof tabletop is molded plastic with a rigid metal frame underneath. The flexible seat is also molded plastic, weatherproof, and padded for comfort. You can adjust this seat from 16 inches to 22 inches in height.

The Stable Table has cleaning forks that you can insert into the carrying handles to secure your firearm. For the legs, you can improve their stability by inserting anchors or stakes. The feet are also adjustable for terrain leveling. 

The Stable Table might be heavy at 60 pounds, but its portability makes up for the weight. You can disassemble this shooting bench in 5 minutes thanks to quick-release pins. Afterward, you can break it down and carry it in seven separate parts.

Another plus is its ambidextrous design that allows for 360-degree movement. The Stable Table has fewer joints compared to other shooting tables, so you can set it up for various shooting types. One neat detail is the tabletop’s perimeter rail that keeps ammo from rolling off the top.

X-Stand X-Ecutor Shooting Bench Black

The X-Stand X-Ecutor Shooting Bench has many features that make it a good shooting table. It weighs 35 pounds, which is relatively lightweight for a shooting bench with a seat. It also has a weight rating of 300 pounds, making it an accommodating bench for heavier users.

This shooting bench is made of steel with a 360-degree swivel seat that’s padded for comfort. You can finely tune the bench and adjust elevation through micro-adjust turning knobs. The X-Ecutor shooting bench is also portable and easy to store. It splits into two pieces ― the folding legs and the top ― which you can fold up. For storage, this shooting bench also features handles for hanging.

The gun rest has a rubber-coated surface to protect it against slipping and skid marks. This also protects your firearms from scratches. As a plus, this shooting bench comes with two gear pouches that you can use for your ammo and accessories. This table works well in uneven terrain thanks to its adjustable legs.

Muddy Swivel-Action Shooting Bench

The Muddy Swivel-Action Shooting Bench is another ambidextrous shooting table. It is a little heavy at 42 pounds, but its weight rating of 300-pound is great for heavier shooters.

The padded seat and top both swivel at 360 degrees. They have a vinyl cover made from non-scratch coated rubber to protect your firearm. The adjustable gunrest is also rubber-coated for the same reason. There are armrests for both the left and right sides, extended for additional comfort.

The steel construction makes this shooting bench pretty durable. It can be assembled or broken down easily, with added two gear pockets for extra bench storage.

MTM HLST High-Low Shooting Table

The MTM HLST High-Low Shooting Table is the only table on our list without a seat. The aluminum tripod legs are adjustable in height from 18 inches to 55 inches. They can also be locked in place for added stability. Because of the features of the tripod legs, this shooting table works great on uneven terrain.

On top of the tripod legs is a heavy-duty plastic tabletop. The whole table just weighs 10.41 lbs, making it lightweight and portable. Left- and right-handed shooters benefit from this table’s ambidextrous design.

There aren’t plenty of extra features on this shooting table. If you just want a simple table that does its job well, the MTM HLST is a great option.

Caldwell Lead Sled DFT2 Shooting Rest

The Caldwell Lead Sled DFT2 Shooting Rest is unlike the others in our list. It’s not a full table, but its thousands of ratings earned it a spot on our guide. It weighs a solid 24 pounds, which is heavy for its size while still lightweight enough to carry around.

You can tweak several parts to this shooting rest. For one, you can adjust for windage. The front end can be adjusted up to 2.5 inches, with an oversized wheel on smooth ball bearings. The rear can be adjusted for elevation as well. The shooting rest has easy-to-use adjustment knobs. They let you adjust the rest without removing the gun. The dual-frame design has an 18 inches length adjustment. By sliding the front cradle back and forth, you can fit rifles and shotguns for virtually any size.

The dual-frame design, along with the rear cradle, helps in reducing recoil. You also get a baffled weight tray that can accommodate up to 100 pounds of lead shot. The front rest and rear cradle are made of nonmarring material, securing your gun without damaging it. The front rest and rear cradle are skeletonized for efficiency. The nonskid rubber feet of this shooting rest help keep it secure as you’re aiming.

Conclusion

Spending hours shooting can be exhausting. A shooting bench will help you during long periods waiting for your prey, or at the range trying to keep your rifle stable. It will greatly improve your firing experience. In this review, we recommend the Gymax Folding Bench. It is a good compromise between stability, portability, and price.

We’ve featured two items from Caldwell in this list. If you want to know more about them, you can check out our review on Caldwell Shooting Supplies. There are other options you can use for securing your rifle, such as a tripod or bipod.

If you have any questions, send us a message or get in the comment box below.

Hunting can take hours, especially when you’re waiting for your prey or chasing after it. The hours can also wear you down. So you might be tempted to rest for a bit while waiting. However, you can miss your kill opportunity the moment you put down your weapon — this is where a shooting bench comes in handy.

It will also give you invaluable stability for your rifle. A shooting bench is also a great help during long practice sessions at the range.

In this post, we’ll guide you through the whys and hows of buying a shooting bench. Now, let’s start.

The 7 Best Shooting Benches to Elevate Your Shooting

We’ve reviewed the six best shooting benches.

	Gymax Folding Shooting Bench Seat With Adjustable Table	24 x 24 x 34.5 inches 35 pounds Compact & foldable Steady on flat surfaces, not for uneven terrain	$130 Shop NowClick to read my review
Top Pick	Caldwell The Stable Table	23.4 x 34.5 x 7.1 inches 60 pounds 5-minute disassembly, can be broken down into seven parts Feet are adjustable for terrain leveling	$260 Shop NowClick to read my review
	X-Stand X-Ecutor Shooting Bench Black	33.5 x 21.75 x 4.25 inches 35 pounds Two fold-up pieces Legs are adjustable for uneven terrain	$129 Shop NowClick to read my review
	Muddy Swivel-Action Shooting Bench	31.75 x 29.25 x 4.75 inches 42 pounds Easy to assemble or break down No adjustment feature for uneven terrain	$210 Shop NowClick to read my review
	MTM HLST High-Low Shooting Table	18.11 x 11.42 x 40.55 inches 10.41 pounds Portable & easy to carry Works great on uneven terrain	$125 Shop NowClick to read my review
	Caldwell Lead Sled DFT2 Shooting Rest	30 x 12 x 16 inches 24 pounds Works on tables you might already have Good stability	$187 Shop NowClick to read my review
	MTM Case Gard Predator Shooting Table	35 x 28 x 30 inches 15 pounds Easy to set up and collapse Sturdy construction and stable to use	$89 Shop NowClick to read my review

Why Would You Need a Dedicated Shooting Table?

In most shooting videos, you will see that the shooter is often standing. If you’ve ever spent time at a shooting range, you know that standing for hours can be exhausting. This is also true when you’re hunting game. A shooting bench helps in improving your accuracy while maintaining a comfortable shooting experience.

Aside from providing comfort and stability, your bench can hold your shooting gear. Your ammunition, accessories, and equipment are more accessible on your bench.

With these in mind, it’s easier to see why one will need a shooting bench. Whether at the range or out hunting, a shooting bench will serve a valuable purpose for the avid gun user.

Types of Shooting Benches and Tables

Shooting benches come in many shapes and sizes. For easy categorizing, we can break them down into different types.

Do-It-Yourself Shooting Bench

This type of bench is usually made out of a few pieces of wood, some screws, and other hardware. It’s a great option if you have some basic carpentry skills and are willing to put in the time to build it. There are various plans available online for making your shooting bench. The upside is that you can make it exactly how you want it and customize it to your needs.

Portable Shooting Bench

If you want to take your shooting activities to the range or outdoors, then a portable shooting bench is what you need. These benches are lightweight and easy to set up and take down. They often come with adjustable legs allowing for improved stability on uneven ground.

Folding Shooting Table

This refers to benches that are easy to fold, transport, and store. Some can be disassembled and reassembled easily. They’re best suited for shooters who don’t have a lot of space to store their shooting gear.

Adjustable Shooting Benches

Some benches are height-adjustable. You can also adjust the table or armrest for more customization options. Adjustable shooting benches offer plenty of flexibility.

You can adjust the bench’s height, angle, and length to fit your needs. They’re great for shooters who want a versatile and comfortable shooting experience.

360-Degree Swivel

Some shooting benches offer 360-degree mobility for the table. This makes it easy to turn the bench around and shoot in different directions. It’s especially useful for shooters who need to make small adjustments while shooting.

A swivel feature is handy if you want to switch between left-handed and right-handed shooting styles. The chair might have the same flexibility if it comes with a chair.

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Buyer’s Guide to the Best Shooting Bench

If you’re a serious shooter, you know that having the right shooting bench is essential for accuracy and comfort. But if you don’t have any experience with different types of shooting benches, it can be hard to know which one is best for your needs.

Luckily, we put together this buyer’s guide so you can find the perfect shooting bench for your range setup.

Type

First, let’s start with the basics. Shooting benches come in various shapes and sizes, so you’ll need to consider what kind of shooting you plan on doing before making your choice. If you’re looking for something portable, plenty of lightweight models can be folded up easily when it’s time to move.

On the other hand, a shooting bench designed for long-range precision shooting should feature sturdy construction and adjustable components so you can customize it to fit your exact shooting requirements.

Portability

If you plan on taking your bench out to the range or away from home, you’ll need to make it easy to transport. You can look for shooting benches designed to be lightweight and portable, as well as benches with built-in carrying handles or bags for easy transport.

Comfort and Adjustability

No two shooters are exactly alike, so you’ll want a shooting bench that can be customized to fit your needs. Look for benches with adjustable legs, backrests, and slats that can be adjusted for height and angle.

If you plan on doing a lot of shooting in the same spot, consider investing in a model with an armrest to help reduce fatigue.

Material

When it comes to materials, most shooting benches are made from aluminum or steel frames with plastic or wood slats for comfort. You’ll want to ensure the materials used in your bench are durable enough to withstand the abuse of constant use, so opt for benches with heavy-duty construction.

Space

You’ll also need to consider the space you have available for your shooting bench. If you’re limited space, folding benches are a great option. They can be easily stored when not in use and set up quickly when it’s time to hit the range.

Other Features

Depending on your needs, there are a few other features to look out for in a shooting bench. If you’re looking for something that can handle all firearms, consider getting one with an anti-slip top or padded arms and backrests. And if you plan on doing the long-range shooting, it’s worth investing in a bench with a stable base and adjustable cheek rest.

Price

Finally, price is always something to consider when shopping for any equipment. While it’s true that you get what you pay for, it’s important to remember that shooting benches come in a wide range of prices. Don’t be afraid to shop around and compare features — you may be surprised at the quality you can find at an affordable price.

With these tips in mind, you should be well on finding the perfect shooting bench for your range setup. Remember, there is no perfect shooting bench for everyone — it all depends on your specific needs and preferences. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced shooter, the right bench can make all the difference in accuracy and comfort.

Shooting Bench Pros and Cons 

Gymax Folding Shooting Bench Seat With Adjustable Table

The Gymax Folding Shooting Bench is ideal for hunting, target practice, sighting, and dialing in scopes. Weighing at 35 pounds, it is quite lightweight for a shooting bench with seat. Its compact and foldable frame makes it easy to use, while its steel frame lends more durability. 

You can adjust its height from 7 inches to 9.5 inches, making this a convenient shooting bench. This shooting bench is ambidextrous and can be configured for both left and right shots. The bench and seat are well-padded and covered in polyester, offering comfort and keeping your firearm scratch-free. Since this shooting bench can be set up quickly, you can take it anywhere for shooting.

Caldwell The Stable Table

Caldwell is a trusted brand for shooting tables. Its Stable Table is one of the best shooting benches for rifle shooting with a simple yet integrated design. The weatherproof tabletop is molded plastic with a rigid metal frame underneath. The flexible seat is also molded plastic, weatherproof, and padded for comfort. You can adjust this seat from 16 inches to 22 inches in height.

The Stable Table has cleaning forks that you can insert into the carrying handles to secure your firearm. For the legs, you can improve their stability by inserting anchors or stakes. The feet are also adjustable for terrain leveling. 

The Stable Table might be heavy at 60 pounds, but its portability makes up for the weight. You can disassemble this shooting bench in 5 minutes thanks to quick-release pins. Afterward, you can break it down and carry it in seven separate parts.

Another plus is its ambidextrous design that allows for 360-degree movement. The Stable Table has fewer joints compared to other shooting tables, so you can set it up for various shooting types. One neat detail is the tabletop’s perimeter rail that keeps ammo from rolling off the top.

X-Stand X-Ecutor Shooting Bench Black

The X-Stand X-Ecutor Shooting Bench has many features that make it a good shooting table. It weighs 35 pounds, which is relatively lightweight for a shooting bench with a seat. It also has a weight rating of 300 pounds, making it an accommodating bench for heavier users.

This shooting bench is made of steel with a 360-degree swivel seat that’s padded for comfort. You can finely tune the bench and adjust elevation through micro-adjust turning knobs. The X-Ecutor shooting bench is also portable and easy to store. It splits into two pieces: the folding legs and the top, which you can fold up. For storage, this shooting bench also features handles for hanging.

The gun rest has a rubber-coated surface to protect it against slipping and skid marks. This also protects your firearms from scratches. As a plus, this shooting bench comes with two gear pouches that you can use for your ammo and accessories. This table works well in uneven terrain thanks to its adjustable legs.

Muddy Swivel-Action Shooting Bench

The Muddy Swivel-Action Shooting Bench is another ambidextrous shooting table. It is a little heavy at 42 pounds, but its weight rating of 300-pound is great for heavier shooters.

The padded seat and top both swivel at 360 degrees. They have a vinyl cover made from non-scratch coated rubber to protect your firearm. The adjustable gunrest is also rubber-coated for the same reason. There are armrests for both the left and right sides, extended for additional comfort.

The steel construction makes this shooting bench pretty durable. It can be assembled or broken down easily, with added two gear pockets for extra bench storage.

MTM HLST High-Low Shooting Table

The MTM HLST High-Low Shooting Table is the only table on our list without a seat. The aluminum tripod legs are adjustable in height from 18 inches to 55 inches. They can also be locked in place for added stability. Because of the features of the tripod legs, this shooting table works great on uneven terrain.

On top of the tripod legs is a heavy-duty plastic tabletop. The whole table just weighs 10.41 lbs, making it lightweight and portable. Left- and right-handed shooters benefit from this table’s ambidextrous design.

There aren’t plenty of extra features on this shooting table. If you just want a simple table that does its job well, the MTM HLST is a great option.

Caldwell Lead Sled DFT2 Shooting Rest

The Caldwell Lead Sled DFT2 Shooting Rest is unlike the others in our list. It’s not a full table, but its thousands of ratings earned it a spot on our guide. It weighs a solid 24 pounds, which is heavy for its size while still lightweight enough to carry around.

You can tweak several parts to this shooting rest. For one, you can adjust for windage. The front end can be adjusted up to 2.5 inches, with an oversized wheel on smooth ball bearings. The rear can be adjusted for elevation as well.

The shooting rest has easy-to-use adjustment knobs. They let you adjust the rest without removing the gun. The dual-frame design has an 18 inches length adjustment. By sliding the front cradle back and forth, you can fit rifles and shotguns for virtually any size.

The dual-frame design, along with the rear cradle, helps in reducing recoil. You also get a baffled weight tray that can accommodate up to 100 pounds of lead shot. The front rest and rear cradle are made of nonmarring material, securing your gun without damaging it. Also, the front rest and rear cradle are skeletonized for efficiency. The nonskid rubber feet of this shooting rest help keep it secure as you’re aiming.

MTM Case Gard Predator Shooting Table

The MTM Predator Shooting Table’s wedge-shaped surface makes it easy for shooters of either hand to find a natural position. The tabletop mimics the shape of a standard shooting bench rest, allowing shooters of any handedness to find a natural and relaxed stance.

After setting up your table, you may rest your rifle in one of three built-in barrel grooves. It’s lightweight, weighing less than 15 pounds, and easy to carry set up, and collapse.

The table’s compact folded size makes it easy to transport in a car or stow away in the back of a pickup. The MTM Predator Shooting Table may also be used as a bench for cleaning and maintaining firearms or as a table for using muzzle-loading weapons. For the mobile prairie dog hunter or back-forty shooter, it’s a perfect tool.

How to Shoot Your Best from a Bench Rest

Bench rest shooting can help you achieve better accuracy and tighter shooting groupings. You can make the most of your bench rest experience and shoot your best with a few tips and tricks.

1. Start by Setting Up Properly – Make sure your gun is firmly secured on the bench rest, with the buttstock in a comfortable position. If using sandbags or shooting bags, fill them up just enough to hold the gun steady and not tilt the barrel.
2. Use Proper Sight Picture – Make sure you aim at your target straight on, with a proper sight picture. This will help ensure that your shots land where you intend them to go.
3. Don’t Rush Your Shots – Take your time and ensure that each shot is deliberate and well-aimed. Rushing shots can lead to missed targets and poor accuracy.
4. Take Breaks – Extended shooting sessions can cause fatigue, which affects accuracy. Take regular breaks between shooting sessions to ensure that you are well-rested and can focus on your aim without tiring out.
5. Practice with Bullets of the Same Weight – Different bullets have different trajectories and can cause your shots to land in unexpected places. If you want consistent accuracy, use bullets of the same weight for each shooting session.
6. Stay Hydrated – Dehydration can cause fatigue and make it harder to concentrate on the task. Keep yourself well-hydrated with water or other non-caffeinated drinks.
7. Keep Records – Record your shooting sessions to track your progress and identify where you need to improve. This will help you hone your skills and ensure that each shot is as accurate as possible.

Conclusion

Spending hours shooting can be exhausting. A shooting bench will help you during long periods waiting for your prey, or at the range trying to keep your rifle stable. It will greatly improve your firing experience. In this review, we recommend the Gymax Folding Bench. It is a good compromise between stability, portability, and price.

We’ve featured two items from Caldwell in this list. If you want to know more about them, you can check out our review on Caldwell Shooting Supplies. There are other options you can use for securing your rifle, such as a tripod or bipod.

If you have any questions, send us a message or comment below.

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