Wooden Platform for Prone Shooting?

Swifty Morgan · July 8, 2020, 03:03 PM

Yesterday I cleared out some ground so I would have a 100-yard shooting lane free from weeds. While I was getting ready to put down a tarp and my mat, it occurred to me that it might be smart to build a wooden platform for prone shooting. It would give me a little elevation above the weeds, and it would make a small difference in the trajectory, which could make shooting slightly safer.

Do other people use wooden platforms? I was thinking of making something about as high as a chair seat, using plywood and 4x4's. I would have to put a roof on it to keep the cattle out.

**4V50 Gary** · July 8, 2020, 06:36 PM

I don't, but the WW II German army used them to train their soldiers.

Think of it like building a small deck. You may want to use that faux deck or walkway wood.

Swifty Morgan · July 8, 2020, 06:38 PM

I also thought about backing the truck up toward the berm and shooting from the bed.

ghbucky · July 8, 2020, 06:48 PM

Here is the setup they put together at a local public shooting club

Swifty Morgan · July 8, 2020, 06:56 PM

Those look great, but you can't spread a mat on one and shoot prone.

ghbucky · July 8, 2020, 07:13 PM

It is hard to tell without scale, but yes, they do shoot prone on them.

They also shoot that weird on your back pistol form that I can never remember the name of.

ghbucky · July 8, 2020, 07:19 PM

Here's a better shot to show scale.

I don't really know anything about who made them.

[edit] Another club I've seen just piled up some dirt to get a bit of elevation above ground level.

Swifty Morgan · July 8, 2020, 07:21 PM

Thanks for all the effort.

What that guy is doing is not the same thing as shooting prone. Actually, it looks sort of like yoga.

For prone shooting, you lie on your stomach and spread your feet. I think I can manage it on a 4' by 8' sheet of plywood, but 4' is a little narrow for proper foot position.

ocharry · July 8, 2020, 10:00 PM

Swity....i have shot off the ground a lot....not a big deal...take your mower and cut the grass close for a shooting lane....

I doubt if you take a course they will have you on a platform....so I think you should train off the ground

Just my opinion

Ocharry

FrankenMauser · July 9, 2020, 12:48 PM

Platforms are good.
Do yourself a favor and elevate the end facing the targets by at least 6-8 inches, possibly more. (Mock something up and test to see what you prefer.)
Prone is more comfortable when you're facing uphill, than when you're dead-flat.
Easier on the neck and shoulders, too.

bamaranger · July 10, 2020, 07:54 PM

I've got a vintage framed photo of what appears to be National Guard troops circa pre WWI, firing '03 Springfields at some type of match. Two shooters side by side, on an elevated firing point. Appears to be 2x8" lumber on edge, resulting box apparently dirt filed and then seeded and turf grown.

FWIW, uniforms are blue black shirt w/ tan trousers and campaign hat. Photo complete w/ scoreboard, spotter w/ telescope, and coach or on deck shooter, with numerous bystanders. Barracks or admin buildings in background, along with First Aid tent with flag.

Jim Watson · July 11, 2020, 05:14 AM

A friend and I shot out of the back of his van while his building was under construction.
Vehicles are usable platforms.

Nothing wrong with building a platform to let you see over the weeds and terrain features.

Swifty Morgan · July 11, 2020, 03:32 PM

I shot on the ground today. I had to walk to the target and back, moving grass and weeds that photo-bombed the scope.

I am no expert, but it seems like mirage is pretty heavy right down against the ground.

FITASC · July 11, 2020, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Yesterday I cleared out some ground so I would have a 100-yard shooting lane free from weeds. While I was getting ready to put down a tarp and my mat, it occurred to me that it might be smart to build a wooden platform for prone shooting. It would give me a little elevation above the weeds, and it would make a small difference in the trajectory, which could make shooting slightly safer.

Swifty Morgan
Senior Member

Join Date: September 13, 2018
Location: FL

Sounds like a great place for some snakes to make a home; I would make it high enough to easily see under and clear out if necessary

10-96 · July 11, 2020, 08:12 PM

Jug(?) It seems Ft.Bliss, TX had shooting platforms for a time out by Donna Anna and McGregor Range areas. They were kind of cool. I think it might be a pretty good idea for you Ya'll have fire ants, snakes, gators, spiders, and critters even God probably hasn't seen. I'd be all for staying out of those!.

Shadow9mm · July 12, 2020, 12:58 AM

It would be nice to be off the ground. I would do it if I had property. I would add a roof though, so I could shoot in the shade and not have to worry about direct sun on my chronograph

Swifty Morgan · July 19, 2020, 07:33 PM

I finally finished the platform. The main delay was painting. Sand and prime. Wait a day. Paint. Wait a day. Sand and paint. I could have gone the Bubba route and used $3 Krylon, but I wanted something that would last more than a month.

I'm going to put hardware cloth on the right side to confine spent casings so they don't fly out into the pasture. That should be helpful.

Tomorrow I have to figure out how to carry this a quarter-mile with the tractor. After that, I should be fine, provided the cattle don't try to turn it into a day bed.

Swifty Morgan · July 20, 2020, 02:35 PM

Moving it with the tractor turned out to be a cinch. Time to try it out.

July 8, 2020, 03:03 PM	#1
Swifty Morgan Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2018 Location: FL Posts: 467	Wooden Platform for Prone Shooting? Yesterday I cleared out some ground so I would have a 100-yard shooting lane free from weeds. While I was getting ready to put down a tarp and my mat, it occurred to me that it might be smart to build a wooden platform for prone shooting. It would give me a little elevation above the weeds, and it would make a small difference in the trajectory, which could make shooting slightly safer. Do other people use wooden platforms? I was thinking of making something about as high as a chair seat, using plywood and 4x4's. I would have to put a roof on it to keep the cattle out. __________________ People who think their guns shoot better than they do must not be shooting much rimfire.

July 8, 2020, 06:36 PM	#2
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,833	I don't, but the WW II German army used them to train their soldiers. Think of it like building a small deck. You may want to use that faux deck or walkway wood. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

July 8, 2020, 06:38 PM	#3
Swifty Morgan Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2018 Location: FL Posts: 467	I also thought about backing the truck up toward the berm and shooting from the bed. __________________ People who think their guns shoot better than they do must not be shooting much rimfire.

July 8, 2020, 06:56 PM	#5
Swifty Morgan Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2018 Location: FL Posts: 467	Those look great, but you can't spread a mat on one and shoot prone. __________________ People who think their guns shoot better than they do must not be shooting much rimfire.

July 8, 2020, 07:21 PM	#8
Swifty Morgan Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2018 Location: FL Posts: 467	Thanks for all the effort. What that guy is doing is not the same thing as shooting prone. Actually, it looks sort of like yoga. For prone shooting, you lie on your stomach and spread your feet. I think I can manage it on a 4' by 8' sheet of plywood, but 4' is a little narrow for proper foot position. __________________ People who think their guns shoot better than they do must not be shooting much rimfire.

July 8, 2020, 07:13 PM	#6
ghbucky Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2020 Posts: 1,177	It is hard to tell without scale, but yes, they do shoot prone on them. They also shoot that weird on your back pistol form that I can never remember the name of.

July 8, 2020, 10:00 PM	#9
ocharry Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2006 Posts: 686	Swity....i have shot off the ground a lot....not a big deal...take your mower and cut the grass close for a shooting lane.... I doubt if you take a course they will have you on a platform....so I think you should train off the ground Just my opinion Ocharry __________________ The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge nor jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim." - Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper, USMC

July 9, 2020, 12:48 PM	#10
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Platforms are good. Do yourself a favor and elevate the end facing the targets by at least 6-8 inches, possibly more. (Mock something up and test to see what you prefer.) Prone is more comfortable when you're facing uphill, than when you're dead-flat. Easier on the neck and shoulders, too. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

July 10, 2020, 07:54 PM	#11
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,308	photo I've got a vintage framed photo of what appears to be National Guard troops circa pre WWI, firing '03 Springfields at some type of match. Two shooters side by side, on an elevated firing point. Appears to be 2x8" lumber on edge, resulting box apparently dirt filed and then seeded and turf grown. FWIW, uniforms are blue black shirt w/ tan trousers and campaign hat. Photo complete w/ scoreboard, spotter w/ telescope, and coach or on deck shooter, with numerous bystanders. Barracks or admin buildings in background, along with First Aid tent with flag.

July 11, 2020, 05:14 AM	#12
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	A friend and I shot out of the back of his van while his building was under construction. Vehicles are usable platforms. Nothing wrong with building a platform to let you see over the weeds and terrain features.

July 11, 2020, 03:32 PM	#13
Swifty Morgan Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2018 Location: FL Posts: 467	I shot on the ground today. I had to walk to the target and back, moving grass and weeds that photo-bombed the scope. I am no expert, but it seems like mirage is pretty heavy right down against the ground. __________________ People who think their guns shoot better than they do must not be shooting much rimfire.

July 11, 2020, 08:12 PM	#15
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	Jug(?) It seems Ft.Bliss, TX had shooting platforms for a time out by Donna Anna and McGregor Range areas. They were kind of cool. I think it might be a pretty good idea for you Ya'll have fire ants, snakes, gators, spiders, and critters even God probably hasn't seen. I'd be all for staying out of those!. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

July 12, 2020, 12:58 AM	#16
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 3,973	It would be nice to be off the ground. I would do it if I had property. I would add a roof though, so I could shoot in the shade and not have to worry about direct sun on my chronograph __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload.