Match Rifle Racks

[atomicbrh]

I am building another rifle rack to go behind the firing line in anticipation of starting Matchs at our home range. I have to make the rack portable so that it can be placed in storage after each match to prevent vandalism. Advice is needed. This rack is a treated wood A-frame design with 2" X 8" (actual width 7 & 1/4") top plate and 2 X 4 legs. This is similar to my favorite rack at Winnsboro. To lean the barrel against the top plate I plan to drill a 1 inch hole leaving 1/4" of wood between the hole and the edge. Then cut the 1/4 inch section out with a jigsaw to leave a U shaped slot for the barrel. I want to stagger the rifles on each side of the rack so that a person does not hit scopes knocking a rifle off the opposite side of the rack. This leaves 4 & 3/4 inches of wood down the middle of the 2 X 8 to hopefully prevent warping. Of course, I want to get as many rifles as possible in the length of the rack. How far apart would you center your barrel slots? (Pictures or plans of any racks would also be appreciated.)

Bobby R. Huddleston

[mcsdave]

I came a cross this a while back hope it helps.

http://www.shootkta.com/KTA%20gun%20rack.pdf

[Jerry G]

Most of the problems I have seen have been with the bolt of one rifle hitting the rifle next to it. The bolt on my Anshutz sticks out just a little over 2 1/2 inches from center. You need to be at least 3 inches C-C on one side so that would be 1 1/2 from side to side. I don't think you should crowd them so I would use 2 inches C-C for the bbl cut-outs. Some racks have sway bracing in the center and the scope hits that which is a problem that can only be solved by putting the gun in at a slant which takes even more room.

[atomicbrh]

Thanks for the replies and I came up with the same measurements as Jerry G. The rifle rack has been built and I cut the slots 8 inches apart on each side when measured center to center so that rifle slots on opposing sides are 4 inches on center away from each other. My center brace is a vertical 2X4 so that the center rifles will not hit the brace. I had to build the rack fairly high off the ground because our range does not have concrete and I wanted to minimize the chance of grit getting in the rifles.

Bobby R. Huddleston

[mordecai]

What, no pics?