My New Bench: Rock BR and Stable Table

[BobD]

Aside from the obvious reasons for purchasing a portable bench I have done so in part from physical restrictions. I most often shoot prone but with spine problems taking their toll I'm giving myself another option to switch back and forth opposed to limiting the frequency and length of my shooting.


i wanted to share my thoughts after purchasing and would like to hear others experiences who have the same or similar setup.


Have any of you made additions or modifications to the table or rest? Ie. changed the seat, reinforced the top, drilled or dremmeled an additional section, etc...
Have you found or brought gear that accompanies this type of shooting worth bringing or found useful keeping on your bench?



I would like to find additional mounting solution for on top of the table for times I will be limited by space or need to use the swivel to a greater degree. By doing so ill be able to keep extra eyes that move with my position. I've seen someone on here modify and cut a clamp to use the threads for a spotter/binos. I was thinking about getting one of the car mounts for a tablet that bolt to the floor, possibly bolting to the underside of the table or through one of the 6 threads that holds the steel plate.


This is my new bench set up. The Rock BR and Stable Table I acquired just the other day. The rifle is a CZ 455 Varmint, a new addition to my rimfire group. Its my first 17 hmr. I mounted a 8-32x56 SIII in CZ's steel Euro rings.




I have yet to get out with the table. My first impressions confirm that this was a worthwhile purchase. It's nothing fancy but I like the concept. The finish is a bit sloppy but I expected as much for under $200.




The size and weight for me is a good balance stability and portability. The addition of a shooters weight to the 60 lbs of the welded steel unit makes it feel quite sturdy. The tripod 'like' design distributes the weight with strong pressure points (that dig) giving it a fairly large footprint. There is an adjustment screw it the largest leg with five inches of travel to account for uneven terrain. Additionally, the attached padded stool is adjustable from 16"-22".




The top surface is 34"x23". Made from polymer, it is resistant to solvents and other cleaning solutions. It has two recesses for included forks that can mount your rifle sideways for maintenance/cleaning or to hang/prop other accessories. The recesses are also handle size for carrying the table and can be utilized to store a variety of things such as the one piece cleaning rod pictured below. It has a raised lip around the perimeter to prevent "ammo roll off" and the surface is textured. As you can see in the pictures below the top has more than adequate surface area for the full length of the rifle and enough room for not only ambidextrous versatility but for ammo, cleaning supplies, electronics or what have you. It also comes with three pads with recesses for front rests with metal feet.




For mobility, the seat and top can fluidly swivel 360° either synchronized or independent to one another. The swivel is claimed to remain parallel and level through the entire movement. I haven't checked its whole range with a level yet. They can both be locked tight at the base of the unit with a quick adjustment screw for no movement. For ease of transportation, the unit breaks down quickly (although bulky) through four QR steel pins into sections. No tools needed. There is a carry bag (sold separately) available to purchase. Honestly, I find it annoying that they don't include this bag. If it were to fold it wouldn't bother me but after disassembly you are left with bulky objects that are 'semi portable' (meaning it will likely take you more than one trip to carry everything without the bag). I'd still take it over the easy carry models in this price range so its not aggravating enough to discourage a purchase. However, it is awkward enough that I would not make plans to drag around to multiple locations within an outing.




The disassembly leaves you with seven pieces (not including the pull pins)
1) Top connected with steel base
2) Center column
3) Seat and sidebar
4) Column and leg hub
5,6,7) legs 1,2 &3




I also purchased the Rock BR which I am pleased with so far. Again, for the price point I think it's well designed and sturdy. It has a 14" footprint spread over 3 legs and weighs in at 13 pounds (powdered cast iron). It operates on a ball bearing system for elevation adjustment and has 5.6" of travel. The windage adjustment offers 1.4" off center. The adjustments are smooth and fine enough for my purposes. They of course can both be locked... It stays put. There is also a built in adjustable fore end stop. Locking adjustable steel spikes can be deployed beneath the feet for stability and leveling. There's a bulls eye level in front for reference. Lastly, there is a two position tensioner for front bags (2 included: 1 filled medium varmint and 1 unfilled 3 lobe). I would like to note that the rest looks nicer in person than how it's pictured in online advertisements. You should be able to notice from the picture, its not that cheap looking light green paint finish. It looks toy like with the wheel appearing somewhat like plastic. I can assure you in person this is not the case, its fairly heavy duty and finished quite decent.



The combination from the way the stool is arranged and width of the table allow for placement and viewing of a spotter (or other gear) adjacent to your position without moving from the seat. This allows for a virtual console arranged and organized for a variety of different shooting applications.




Below are some examples of the amount of room on the table. I'm able to view/use everything that's pictured from my position without moving from the seat




Other items pictured for size reference-
iPad swivel boom stand, iPad defender case and stand, Mophie Juice universal USB 5v power pack, phone/accessory holder with cable cut-out, 12x50mm Fusion binos, gorilla pod, Nikon ED 82mm spotter, pan handle Manfrotto tripod, muffs, back up plugs, Midland compact WT, bore light, digital angle cube, multi tool, lens pen, one piece Tipton carbon fiber rod (placed in handle cut-out), bore snake, jag and brush set, Nikon D90 DSLR with ir remote shutter.




I haven't set anything underneath yet but there is plenty of room on the center column below the top to tie or wrap a small bag for additional storage off the ground.

 

[BobD]

Has anyone tried modifying their bench to accept something like this?
I like that it has a horizontal slide. This one by Caldwell can come as pictured or without the digiscoping attachment. I looks universal, that could be handy as well.

Any thoughts? Other ideas?

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[317millhand]

That looks like alot of gear to have to pack up to go shooting. My wife got me a stable table as a gift a few years ago, and I have no complaints with it. Very good product for that price. The carry bag is a good investment, but the total package in the bag is pretty heavy and still kind of awkward to carry.

 

[BobD]

Yeah, that doesn't all come with me. I wanted to try utilizing the top in different ways to keep things out of the bag/off the ground while making things more accessible. The Stable table has made home in my yard where it will have plenty of use. I'm fortunate in that I can do a bit of shooting on my property. Its not too overwealming to bring the front rest and an extra tripod there. Taking a couple trips out the front door doesn't bother me.

However, I would like the portability without the spotter, binos or other equipment left at home from the extra bulk of a full size tripod and the like. Thats why I was asking about ways to attach equipment to the table via clamp or even adding some type of pivoting arm attached underneath (possibly in place of one of the screws that attach the the steel base to the polymer top.

I'm interested in modifying it while taking advantage of the extra size and the recesses. It has more than enough room to accommodate other supplies.

Glad to hear you have been happy with yours as well. Have you tried anything to further stablize the table? For temporary purposes...

As i have it now it is acting as a hybrid between a fixed bench and portable. My small gripe with trying to replace a fixed bench is that it still creates movement when even the slightest weight is shifted on the seat. An idea that comes to mind is to weigh the seat down with a weighted bag that I can keep next to the house and bring up a separate seat.

The only other thing that comes to mind is that possibly a harded surface underneath would work better. I feel the soft ground may be transferring unnecessary movement back to the table.

Thanks for the input

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[scudzuki]

How do those table work without a cutout for the shooter?
One of my local ranges has an over built table (concrete legs with a 4x6 top) but no cutout (rectangular) and several tables built out of 2x4s with plywood tops that wobble all over the place unless one is very careful. The wobbly tables have left and right cutouts, though, so I pick them every time... just can't get into position on the sturdy table. I see the same potential problem with the stable table. The placement of the seat could slightly mitigate the ergonomic problem, but I'm not sure it can be eliminated. Just asking.

Joe

 

[BobD]

Joe,

It's tricky to describe the issue. The top of the table is actually fairly steady and resistant to movement. When sitting on the chair the you weight distributes fairly well to the already 60 pounds of table, 15+ of rest and 10+ of gun. Even without sitting, the top is fairly sturdy. However, once you sit the table sinks to a depth dependent of your weight. Part of this is the ground but the unit flexes to where the bars are finally pressing against all of the locking pins when additional weight is added. The problem is that shifting weight from the lower half of your body causes the extra movement. For example: your shoulders, arms and head can all be steady but adding/removing pressure from your feet or waist area will cause everything to move. Your top half is free to move around without changing POA.

You're right about the rectangle shape, it does limit your position. Im pretty sure the seat is farther back on this model (opposed to the BR-P version with cut-out) for this reason. As you're forced behind the rifle, I can see this being more of an issue when coupled with limited adjustment to your seating position. When not optimal you're stuck with the option to sit closer or farther back to adjust for height which can leave you hunched over, pressed against the table etc... The ability to lower the seat allows you to back off and lean forward behind the rifle opposed to over it. I suppose you could offset the top slightly as it can move independent from the seat. It wouldn't offer the same amount of room as a cut-out but could provide a little extra.

It's an interesting point you bring up and I would like to improve what I can. It could be possible to alter the top or build an addition to be attached. There is a steel plate underneath so building an alternate top to use is not out of the question.

I've also been thinking now that the joints could be pressed in a way that the whole unit stays 'flexed' as if it was already bearing weight. It might also help if I could fashion something to go directly underneath the seat that could make another contact point with the ground or into it.

I think I would like to have a setup that would work well for me at home thats a bit tighter and a separate top or configuration for travel.

I think it has good potential. I'm fairly certain that I could tailor this to my liking for less than stepping up to a more expensive model or having to separate units for home and field

Thanks for bringing those points up,
Anything else that comes to mind please chime in

Bob



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