Portable platform for shooting in the snow?

T

TimK

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 13, 2010
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Woodland Park, CO
www.timkulincabinetry.com
#1
I'd shoot more in the winter if I didn't have to lie right in the snow. To make it worse, all my shooting sites have sloped shooting areas which are uncomfortable. I'm thinking of building myself a wooden platform with some sort of adjustable legs that would get me up off the ground and more flat and level.

The last time I shot in the snow, I put a tarp down first, then my mat. I was on about a 5° slope, and as soon as I lay down, the whole thing turned into a sled. Gotta do something different.

Anyone ever built such?
 
#5
Re: Portable platform for shooting in the snow?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm sorry, but are you shooting in the snow <span style="font-style: italic">for fun</span>? </div></div>

If you don't shoot in the snow here, you don't shoot for 7 months of the year. It's generally warm enough to be very comfortable in the sun, there's just a lot of dang snow on the ground. It's snowing as I type, which is what made me think of it.
 
#6
Re: Portable platform for shooting in the snow?

Oddly enough, I understand the point. I live about 50 miles South of Sodus Point, NY. Saw (some..., light...) snow here a coupla times this past week.

When you run the scale down small enough, I'm right below Penn Yan.

Frost is your <span style="font-style: italic">friend</span>...

LOL!!!

Greg
 
#7
Re: Portable platform for shooting in the snow?

This old rug works pretty good if I'm not going far from the truck.

Img_5487.jpg
 
#9
Re: Portable platform for shooting in the snow?

Tim,

Not thinking about too long I think I would use 1/2" plywood, to keep weight down, making some sort of base to screw it to. As for legs I would use 1/2" maybe 3/4" pipe. Mount flanges to the base and screw the pipe to that. You would have to come up with a way to stow the legs to the base so you don't have to carry a bunch of stuff. Being on a slope adds some degree of getting it stable (no wobbling). Also it depends on how far you would have to carry it. Just trying to give you some ideas.

Knowing you what ever you come up with it will be practical.

Dino
 
#10
Re: Portable platform for shooting in the snow?

How about a used wood or aluminum slat 'roll up' boat floor, like the flooring used in the bottom of Zodiac type rubber boats?

It's basically alternating slats and fabric sections so it's pretty ridgid, but can be rolled up (or "Z" folded like an accordian) into a portable package.
 
#13
Re: Portable platform for shooting in the snow?

That 'slats idea' reminds me of a Futon.

I figure a drill press, some lath or firring, and some paracord could equate to something relatively functional and fairly portable.

Greg
 
#16
Re: Portable platform for shooting in the snow?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tim K</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chiller</div><div class="ubbcode-body">contact CKA </div></div>

Is that a member or a vendor? </div></div>

CKA (Captain Kick Ass) is a member.

Depends on how serious you want this rig to be.
 
#18
Re: Portable platform for shooting in the snow?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tim K</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'd shoot more in the winter if I didn't have to lie right in the snow. To make it worse, all my shooting sites have sloped shooting areas which are uncomfortable. I'm thinking of building myself a wooden platform with some sort of adjustable legs that would get me up off the ground and more flat and level.

The last time I shot in the snow, I put a tarp down first, then my mat. I was on about a 5° slope, and as soon as I lay down, the whole thing turned into a sled. Gotta do something different.

Anyone ever built such? </div></div>


An avalanche rescue shovel will allow you to build a snow platform that is level on the slope. This could be elaborate or basic. Shovels are light in weight, easy to pack, can be used for other tasks.

A good closed foam pad or two will insulate from the ground. Cut or punch small holes in the corners of your foam pad, use duct tape to reinforce the holes like a grommet, run P cord loop through the holes, stake them out or clip them to you pack so the wind does not blow them away. I always use ski poles in the hills and these make great stakes in snow pack. These be used for self belay too so you do not slide down the slope.

Snowshoes, pack, jacket, a whole host of kit will give support in the snow for your rifle. Use your shovel to tamp down the snow first, could even dabble water on the snow, let freeze for support.
 
#19
Re: Portable platform for shooting in the snow?

You didn't specify if it was to be used also for hunting or just a nice stable platform for a day of accurate long range shooting. I made 2 to use, my first was smaller and in place of the small platform on top of the tripod you could fabricate a small rest to lay the rifle in and it could be adjustable for sitting, kneeling or sitting on a bucket. The second is a heavier unit that I think may have been a tripod used for possibly supporting speakers. It is VERY stable and could support any type of platform you wanted to fasten on top of it. Mine was made to be used for placing my long range pistol on top of it for the long range matches I participate in. A bit larger top could be used to support a rifle and still be condensed to be carried on a backpack to remote location.

Heavy duty camera tripod with a small aluminium plate on top.

tripodbase2.jpg


The heavy duty unit with a 1" aluminium plate on top. It's actually more stable than most wooden shooting benches we shoot of.

tripodpicture.jpg


Topstrap
 
#21
Re: Portable platform for shooting in the snow?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tim K</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The last time I shot in the snow, I put a tarp down first, then my mat. I was on about a 5° slope, and as soon as I lay down, the whole thing turned into a sled.</div></div>

That is halarious! It sounds like something I would do.
 
#22
Re: Portable platform for shooting in the snow?

Wooden snow fence (drift fence) it rolls up you can cut a piece long so your bi-pod can be supported by it.Stand it on end for support in the knelling. Just stand it up and shake it and the snow falls off.
 
#23
Re: Portable platform for shooting in the snow?

So I think I have part of a plan. I'm thinking 1/2" OSB or plywood, something like 3' X 7', supported underneath by 1X4 framing. I'll carpet the top and cut some hand holds. Ought to be light enough to drag from the truck to the ground right next to the truck.

I'd like the legs to be adjustable so I can compensate for the sloped shooting areas, and there I need a clever idea. If I had 6" - 8" of adjustment and an overall leg length of 12" - 18", I'd be hot to go.
 
#26
Re: Portable platform for shooting in the snow?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ExSniper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Threaded pipe flanges:
http://compare.ebay.com/like/200251...f7fc6e9&itemid=200251467220&ff4=263602_304662

Cut several legs 6", 12", 18" (2 to 4 of each) mix and match for terrain. Mount to the underside of your platform then screw in the appropriate length legs. </div></div>

That's an interesting idea. I hadn't considered having various lengths.
 
#27
Re: Portable platform for shooting in the snow?

Learning to properly use a sling would negate a lot of hassel and the carrying around of extra parafernalia. Additionally, lightly packed snow makes shooting out of a sling 'rock solid', as it aids in supporting your hold.
 
#28
Re: Portable platform for shooting in the snow?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jpretle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Learning to properly use a sling would negate a lot of hassel and the carrying around of extra parafernalia. Additionally, lightly packed snow makes shooting out of a sling 'rock solid', as it aids in supporting your hold.
</div></div>

Not interested in sling shooting. The comps I go to are all prone/bipod events.
 
#30
Re: Portable platform for shooting in the snow?

JJ

There are 2 rifle shoots per month on a regular basis for LR and one for an AR. The AR match is run by Hoser and it is basically an IPSC match for a rifle (most shoot an AR). Two in Pueblo and one at the Whittington Center in Raton NM. We have several guys from the 10th that shoot when they are on town.
Once you get settled get a hold of me, Tim or Hoser.

Dino
 
#32
Re: Portable platform for shooting in the snow?

There are a couple of 10th group guys that shoot with us , one of them is going to your locale for a match in Dec , regularly all ready . Here are the links to the local stuff here ,

Look here ,
http://sportingriflematch.com/
and here ,
http://coloradomultigun.com/
and here ,
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=315062
and here ,
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1077762#Post1077762
and our big match ,
http://www.steelsafari.com/

For the more conventional high power stuff 9H on here is the guy to get hold of .

There is a large long range / practical shooting crowd on the front range .
 
#33
Re: Portable platform for shooting in the snow?

Get a large piece of insulation foam board, the thick stuff in 3 -5 inches thick, and often silver foil backed which stops them breaking up too quickly. Cut to a decent raft size for the bipod only; say 2ft by 2ft. If it isn't strong enough then glue some thin ply to the bottom which will take a string carry handle. They make good insulation seats too and though bulky not heavy.
 
#34
Re: Portable platform for shooting in the snow?

you already have a portable platform, your vehicle. Put on all your winter clothing, get in and drive south until you find somewhere were no one knows what you have on, and shoot there! LOL.

In all seriousness, I just lay on my drag bag, with wool clothing on.
 
#36
Re: Portable platform for shooting in the snow?

I have been considering something similar, but for use in both deep snow and when the grasses get high and make it hard to see over them. I thought about building a folding set up, with a deck on the front end to support the rifle, bags, ammo and whatever other junk I decide to set up there, maybe 30" inches wide X 40" long, then towards the back on the other side of a hinge would be the part you lay on. It would have a gradual slope to it, sort of like shooting of a roof line or something like that. I was going to carpet the deck portion and hit the rest with spray on bedliner. Under the deck I was going to put a door that sealed it off to carry the legs, and you could put other stuff in there too. I figured a hasp to lock the two pieces together when folded and a handle screwed on one side, maybe even a should strap.

This was just an idea that popped in my head on the way home from a shooting session that became a challenge of where to find a clear shooting lane between the grass / brush. My steel targets sit about 4 feet off the ground and everything looked great during set up, but once I hit the mat to shoot, I could only see about half the targets because of the brush. I figured being able to bring the rifle up about a foot or so would have solved the problem, so on the drive home I was brainstorming options. I have never done anything else with it yet though. Maybe next spring. I do have a couple of shooting benches that I can use too, but I still like prone shooting.

I have seen pics where some guys shoot out of the bed of their trucks, which might be an option too, if your truck has a big enough bed / tailgate surface area.
 
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