Lynn - were I to make a bench for both modern and ML's, I'd build it to allow a muzzle rest, in other words, long enough to have a 'chunk' rest at the front. Measuring up a 'chunk-gun with typical length of barrel and building the bench long enough so the butt is a good 12" from the rear of the table would work. The greater the distance between the legs, the more sturdy the bench will be, providing the legs are fairly stout. Being able to sight a gun for a muzzle rest is important if you participate in 'scoring' chunk matches. The point of impact from the bench and from prone should be the same if the barrel is rested identical from each respective postion. My bench has a handle cut out of it's side at the balance point. This is more than slightly handy for carrying as if your mitt is big enough, you can carry the rifle and the bench in one hand.
Measurements- why, give me a second and I'll measure mine. - OK - 24 wide X 42" long. The cuttout is 19" long starting at the rear of the bench and is X 5" deep. In making antoher, I'd make that 7" deep to allow the chest (heart) to easily clear it. My guestimations above were a bit off. So goes the memory, sometimes. A 5 1/2 foot bench should handle most longrifles? The reason to clear the chest is to prevent the heart from bouncing the sights.
