Best Shooting Benches of 2024: Field Tested (+ Buyers Guide)

When my friend wanted to buy a shooting bench, he came to me for some advice on choosing the right one for the type of shooting that he does. He’s someone who usually hunts varmints on his farm, where it can take hours for prey to come by, so it’s difficult for him to hold the same position for long with a heavy gun. 

Shooting benches are great for staying comfortable during long hunts, and the right one can really help you improve your accuracy as well. Personally, I have found a sturdy shooting bench to be of great help when I need to quickly sight in my rifle or take an accurate shot with my shotgun.

So to help him out, I set out to find the best shooting benches in the current market. After a lot of testing and research, I’ve put together a list of shooting benches that can be a good fit for different shooters with different needs.

Before we dive into the list, let’s take a quick look at how a shooting bench can help you out.

Why do you need a shooting bench?

If you are serious about shooting, a shooting bench can really help you up your game:

• It provides great stability – For me, the main draw of a shooting bench is the rock-solid stability it provides. Whether I’m at the range or out in the field, I need my firearm to stay steady, even on uneven ground. A shooting bench gives me that stable platform, helping keep my aim on point.
  
• It helps you shoot comfortably – Hunting can be a long waiting game, and standing or kneeling with a heavy gun gets tiring fast. A shooting bench allows me to sit comfortably while I line up my shot, making those long waits much more bearable. Even at the range, it helps me stay focused and shoot better for longer periods.
  
• It helps you shoot consistently – I’ve noticed that my shots are more consistent when using a shooting bench. Unlike standing, where your body can shift, the bench keeps you steady. This stability helps build muscle memory and leads to more accurate and consistent shooting.

Now, you might ask why not use a regular table or any other flat surface instead of going for a specialized shooting bench. One reason is that you can experience some recoil with your gun when firing, and while regular tables can cause skidding, shooting benches are specially designed to stay stable. Secondly, a shooting bench can give you a lot of flexibility in hunting and is usually customizable to fit you; from adjustable rests to ammo compartments, shooting benches can be very helpful to a shooter.

While I do think that most shooting benches bring net positives, there are a couple of cons to them as well. Here’s a quick comparison between the pros and cons of shooting benches in general. 

Since there are quite a few options out there, I tested some shooting benches to find the best ones in the market.

How did I test the shooting benches?

To test the benches, I first made a shortlist of 15 benches based on the ones that I’ve enjoyed shooting with and the ones that my buds at Gun University have liked as well. Then, I designed a few tests based on a few specs to evaluate the shooting benches. 

• Stability – I loaded up the shooting benches and took them to different types of terrain, from the ground at the range to the forest, to test their stability. This helped me test their performance on uneven ground and see how they stabilize the firearms. 
• Space – When testing for space, I checked both the area of the bench’s surface and how much of it is actually usable to the shooter. Once I had measured each table to find its area, I loaded the table surface with different shooting equipment and guns to check its capacity. 
• Portability – Now, this was a tough category to design tests for, so I measured it based on a few factors; the weight of the shooting bench to make sure you can carry it, the ease of taking it apart and putting it back together, and how well the bench fits in a standard truck. 
• Performance – To measure performance, me and my buddies took turns shooting on the bench with several guns. One of my friends even took a few crossbows to some of the benches. This helped us judge both performance and comfort across a pretty diverse range of guns. 

After putting the shortlisted benches through these tests, I finally came up with the top shooting benches for different shooters. Keeping in mind that not every shooter’s needs are the same, I didn’t rank them in any particular order. Instead, I’ve thought of what different shooters might want out of their shooting benches and sorted them into those categories. 

Gun University’s Picks for best shooting benches

Best Shooting Benches

Best overall Caldwell Stable Table		Durable and weatherproof Stable metal frame Tabletop can be rotated 360 degrees Railing on the edge to prevent items from falling	Buy on Amazon
Best long range Caldwell DeadShot Chairpod		Can be used with most rifles and crossbows Rotatable 360 degrees with minimum effort Light weight Comes with a big chair and a backrest	Buy on Amazon
Best portable MTM HLST High Low Shooting Table		Light weight The table has a ridge to prevent items from falling off Tabletop can be swiveled 360 degrees	Buy on Amazon
Best budget X Stand Hunting Bench		Great barrel support Side pockets for storage Easy to assemble	Buy on Amazon
Best durable Benchmaster		Powder coating for durability Large tabletop Study design	Buy on Amazon

Shooting Bench Spec Comparison

Below is a table of the specifications for each shooting bench. Click the name of the item to jump to that review.

Best Shooting Benches

Here is our list for the best shooting benches

1. Caldwell Stable Table
2. Caldwell DeadShot Chairpod
3. MTM HLST High Low Shooting Table
4. X Stand Hunting Bench
5. Benchmaster

Best Shooting Benches – Reviews

I’ve written a detailed review of the best products for each category and listed factors that can help you choose the best one for your needs. 

Buyers guide

Shooting benches can keep you comfortable and boost your performance during the long hours spent looking for game. But finding the right balance between these features can be difficult, especially for beginner shooters. That’s why I put together this buyer’s guide to help you pick the right shooting bench for you. Let’s get right into it.  

What are the different factors to consider when choosing a rifle light?

Before you can find the right shooting bench for you, let’s take a quick look at the types of shooting benches. As shooting benches come in many shapes and sizes, it’s easiest to start by narrowing down the type of shooting bench you want to go with. 

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) – I’m not a handyman myself, but if you like to build your equipment from scratch, you can always make a shooting bench yourself. There’s plenty of material online to help you design and build it at home, but keep the following in mind if you are choosing this option:

• To install a shooting bench permanently, select materials that are durable such as weatherproof wood and rust-resistant hardware. 
• A portable bench would have to be sturdy but light enough to carry around and assemble. 
• You can always go to a shooting range and see what the benches there are like to get an idea of the design. 
• Consider add-ons like a roof, rain protection, bullet holders, and padded seating when you are building your bench. Don’t be afraid to have fun with it!

Portable – If you often go beyond your own backyard and like to explore new environments to hunt in, a portable shooting bench would be the best option for you. These are easy to transport and store as they can be assembled, disassembled, and folded. They usually come in a range of sizes to fit in a pickup or even a smaller vehicle. The right size for you really depends on what you’re looking for, how big your vehicle is, and how much storage space you have at home. 

Adjustable – The shooting bench that best fits me won’t always be good for you; no two shooters are the same, after all. That’s why I always look for adjustable shooting benches, as they can be customized according to my build and height. The height, armrest, and table are usually adjustable in this type of shooting bench.

360-degree swivel – The best part about having 360-degree rotation ability is the wider shooting range. Most of these benches can be rotated with or without the legs, and some of them let you rotate the chair in tandem with the table. 

The best type of shooting bench for you will depend on where you plan on using it and the different features you want out of your bench. So let’s take a look at that next. 

What are the different features to consider when choosing a shooting bench?

Now that we’ve looked at the types of shooting benches in the market, the next step is to think about the features that you should consider when buying one. I’ve put together the features that I look for when I buy a shooting bench; have a look and see how this list can help you. 

• Stability – Stability is important for accurate shooting. You need a solid setup because wobbly gear won’t help you hit your mark. Make sure your shooting rest and tabletop are rock solid. Also, check the material of the legs; sturdy materials like solid steel will provide better stability.
  
• Comfort – When I first started hunting, I couldn’t stand the waiting game. Finding a comfortable shooting bench made those long waits more bearable. If you’re sitting for hours, a bench with back and thigh support, foam pads, and adjustable hand rests makes a big difference. Weatherproof seating is also essential to avoid being uncomfortable in the rain.
  
• Portability – One of my favorite parts of hunting is exploring new spots, but hauling a bulky bench can be a hassle. Portable shooting benches are perfect for this as they’re easy to carry to your hunting location. Look for lightweight options that you can manage by hand to make things easier.
• Durability – Since shooting benches often face harsh weather conditions, durability is a must to look for when buying one. Don’t opt for painted benches as they will rust; look for ones with a powdered coating that would prevent rust from building up.
• Space – Space is all about what you need during a hunt. I prefer a large tabletop with side pockets for extra ammo and shells. This keeps everything within reach and avoids unnecessary fuss. Choose a bench that fits your storage needs and makes your hunt more convenient.

Purchasing a shooting bench is a big decision and you need to look at a lot of different specs to find the right one for you. Once you’ve found the one for your needs, it’ll help you improve your accuracy as well as stay comfortable during long shooting sessions.

Conclusion

Shooting benches are great for improving comfort and accuracy during long sessions of shooting, but picking the right one can be a little nerve-wracking for most shooters. Since they’re usually a one-off investment, read the reviews and think carefully about what you need from your shooting bench before making a purchase. Happy shooting.

Shooting Bench FAQs