Shooting Bench Top

[mr45man]

LOL I made one of those once, down in the pasture .when ever the cows were in that field they would use it for a scratching post and get crazy and turn it over.

 

[Dead Eye]

20cm OD Sonotubes make it look squat, they are buried some, earth mounded around them for additional support as they were cast separate from the top. The camera's perspective has an effect, I'm in the photo and I'm also 195cm tall. FWIW, the chair's adjustable height too (not pictured).

Shooter's 175cm tall:

It looks like you have a nice peaceful secluded range to shoot at. I like the looks of it.

 

[Dead Eye]

I also have to be carful of the weight. The treated lumber is heavy enough to be stable without sinking. My backyard gets a little squishy when it rains and everything concrete seems to settle. Some great ideas in this thread and some really nice range setups. Sure is nice to be able to load three rounds walk out the back door and be at the range. I consider myself very lucky.

 

[bsekf]

Use the plywood and then pour concrete on top of it!

 

[McFred]

It looks like you have a nice peaceful secluded range to shoot at. I like the looks of it.

It's private and somewhat remote. I can't frequent it as much as I like. It's 4-hour round-trip drive, but there's permanent steel from 100-1850 yards depending which position you shoot from.

everything concrete seems to settle.

Incorporate leveling/adjustment into the bottom of the table to account for settling. Threaded rod is nice but shims work as well.

 

[Dead Eye]

Those of you that screwed and glued layers of plywood together was it treated exterior and what did you use for glue? Also any issues with moisture getting trapped between the layers?

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Use the plywood and then pour concrete on top of it!

Those of you that screwed and glued layers of plywood together was it treated exterior and what did you use for glue? Also any issues with moisture getting trapped between the layers?

Titebond II

 

[Muley chaser 2345]

Anybody ever messed with epoxy resin over your wood top shooting bench? I’m also in the process of redoing a bench top I’ve always used the double 3/4 plywood and painted it but always seems to weather and start shedding splinters. I’m wondering about the epoxy to keep it smooth and weather a little better but I’m a little concerned it may be too slick?

 

[PigButtons]

You might want to consider this stuff as a top covering. It'll stand up to being covered in horse slop, weather can't touch it. It makes for a great surface for your rest and it won't scratch your guns.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/4-ft-x-6-ft-x-3-4-in-thick-rubber-stall-mat?cm_vc=-10005

 

[Big Mc]

View attachment 1180077 Some of the portable bench ideas you see on here are really steady but if you want something permanent

Kick Azz seat you have there.

 

[Hydenseek]

Kick Azz seat you have there.

Best I could do without dirtying up my armchair sniper seat.

 

[Dead Eye]

Anybody ever messed with epoxy resin over your wood top shooting bench? I’m also in the process of redoing a bench top I’ve always used the double 3/4 plywood and painted it but always seems to weather and start shedding splinters. I’m wondering about the epoxy to keep it smooth and weather a little better but I’m a little concerned it may be too slick?

Did you use treated plywood for the tops?
I have considered using the porch & floor paint it is pretty tough or the epoxy garage floor paint. Figure I just have to wait until the treated plywood dries out. With the current conditions that could be September.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

My legacy shooting bench has bedliner material on the front half. You could slather that all over the top and have a sealed surface that works good

 

[PigButtons]

My legacy shooting bench has bedliner material on the front half. You could slather that all over the top and have a sealed surface that works good

I like the bedliner idea. I've used Scorpion products ( I have no affiliation with them ) to good effect but never thought of trying it for the shooting bench. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I like the bedliner idea. I've used Scorpion products ( I have no affiliation with them ) to good effect but never thought of trying it for the shooting bench. Thanks for the tip.

Does the bed liner product dry hard. I wouldn’t want a tacky or sticky feel to the top. I agree that it sounds like a great solution, just never used this material before.

 

[PigButtons]

Does the bed liner product dry hard. I wouldn’t want a tacky or sticky feel to the top. I agree that it sounds like a great solution, just never used this material before.

It dries hard like the rubber handles on a pair of wire cutters. It is tough stuff and has a life time warranty. With the Scorpion product, I think it's called X2, you can even pick you own color by using automotive paint pigment, but for the best UV protection they sell black, and two shades of grey pigment.

 

[Dead Eye]

I am going to check on the bed liner. I like the durability and you can choose different colors. A lot of the choices for different coatings are black. I want to use a neutral color like tan or light brown. Worried black will get so hot in the sun that you can’t lay your arms on it.

 

[Ccrider]

My legacy shooting bench has bedliner material on the front half. You could slather that all over the top and have a sealed surface that works good

How does it work out for pointed rest spikes?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

How does it work out for pointed rest spikes?

Not sure, i use super feet

 

[bozo699]

Mine is portable (sorta) it’s made outta either 1” or 1.250” marine plywood X2 glued and screwed with a heavy coat of bedliner. The legs are adjustable. The feet are flat plate with 3” spikes in the center when I get this baby pushed in and leveled up she’s as soil is as a concrete one almost....
Wayne