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Posted: 4/26/2024 11:51:04 AM EDT
I like build threads so let's do one for a range.
I'm building on my dad's land. The psycho asshole drunk that gave us shit about shooting finally killed himself so I have a worry free place to shoot again. In another thread I was asking about grading, turns out I don't need to. I just need to knock back the trees in a few places and build a big ass backstop. However, I want this to be nice and very proper so no one can give me shit. Two other bordering neighbors have ranges and some people nearby give them shit. The cops don't care. These people may lose their marbles when another range starts so I don't want to give them a leg to stand on. Unlike the other neighbors, I don't have MGs so there's that  So my initial questions... What's the most cost effective way to do a back stop? How tall should it be for 300yds? |
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Posted: 4/26/2024 11:51:41 AM EDT
[#1]
Gas or Electric?
I prefer gas to be honest |
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Posted: 4/26/2024 11:53:36 AM EDT
[#2]
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Posted: 4/26/2024 12:00:00 PM EDT
[#3]
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Posted: 4/26/2024 12:05:30 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Cpt_Kirks]
[#4]
Easiest: Get several loads of topsoil delivered, use tractor with bucket to arrange as needed.
Cheapest: Use a backhoe to dig a trench, and use that dirt to build your backstop. My backstop needs maintenance and expansion.  Attached File |
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Posted: 4/26/2024 12:16:10 PM EDT
[#5]
You probably have homes in the background somewhere.
I would build a big berm. Either truck in dirt or pull it from the property. |
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Posted: 4/26/2024 12:24:38 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By DVCER: You probably have homes in the background somewhere. I would build a big berm. Either truck in dirt or pull it from the property. Actually... No. But I still want a big back stop. At least 8ft tall  Attached File |
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NE, USA
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Posted: 4/26/2024 12:27:45 PM EDT
[#7]
Tires, sand, soil, RR ties
Build it bigger than what you think will work. Think about wing returns. Consider at what range you will place targets. Use frost protected foundations for any structures/benches/shade structures. Exposed wood structures require maintenance [re-stain/seal, paint]. Consider steel/aluminum if in the budget. |
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Posted: 4/26/2024 12:32:57 PM EDT
[#8]
Is there a way you can use the terrain? Scooping out just a little bit from the side of a hill would make the best backstop and require less work.
Another one: use tires. Tire shops have to pay to have them taken away, so they'll happily give you all of them for free. Stack 'em and fill them with dirt. 
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Posted: 4/26/2024 5:47:54 PM EDT
[#9]
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Posted: 4/26/2024 6:16:19 PM EDT
[#10]
This thread is relevant to my interests.
 I'm trying to plan out a dirt backstop for myself right now. Haven't figured out what is adequate for my needs. |
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Posted: 4/26/2024 6:26:36 PM EDT
[#11]
This isn't a very clear picture, but the first berm at my membership range is at 200 yards and I think it is about 9' tall.
The 2nd berm is at 300 yards and is probably 12' higher. The steel targets on the 300yd range are probably 3' tall. 
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Posted: 4/26/2024 7:08:15 PM EDT
[#12]
Is there a spot that you can clear some trees, and shoot down into the lower spots? That's always better than shooting at a small bump in a mostly level field.
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Posted: 4/27/2024 6:51:57 AM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By 67Firebird: Is there a spot that you can clear some trees, and shoot down into the lower spots? That's always better than shooting at a small bump in a mostly level field. Unfortunately no. |
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Posted: 4/27/2024 6:52:48 AM EDT
[#14]
I went to start clearing over hanging trees last night. Freaking chainsaw fuel line dry rotted.
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Posted: 4/27/2024 6:57:23 AM EDT
[#15]
My backstop is a naturally occurring terrain feature ( a mountain) so I lucked out.
If I had to build one I certainly wouldn't go crazy doing it and scavenge material from our property. |
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Posted: 4/27/2024 7:00:04 AM EDT
[#16]
I built my backstop about eight feet high. Just started at one end of the range and bulldozed down the existing grade to something closer to flat and pushed the dirt to the other end of the range. How big you want your backstop will depend on what's around your range and what weapons you intend to be firing. The range fan of a pistol range is different than the range fan of a machine gun range
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Posted: 4/27/2024 7:00:39 AM EDT
[#17]
Berms shrink. Whatever you build just remember they will erode and shrink
I have my berms at about 10 foot, used to be 15. I have rebuilt them twice in past 8 years. |
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MI, USA
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Posted: 4/27/2024 7:01:04 AM EDT
[#18]
I always thought this was pretty cool:
 How to make your own Shooting Range | Build and Targets |
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MS, USA
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Posted: 4/27/2024 7:10:47 AM EDT
[#19]
Enough land for a pond? Dig pond, use dirt from digging the pond for the berm.
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Posted: 4/27/2024 7:30:09 AM EDT
[#20]
 Attached FileHere's mine. Had my neighbor with a front end loader dig down a bit and also haul in addition sand. A bit of a horseshoe shape to it, and shooting close keeps it at a bit of a downward angle. My ground is all sand, so water is seldom an issue, even with the depression in front of the targets. This pic was when it was first dug, maybe 3 years ago. Its in a pasture, and my bull liked to roll around on the sand, so it's settled a bit and I've hade to repush the pile some, but still plenty of sand and backstop. No houses that direction for 6+miles |
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Posted: 4/27/2024 7:30:39 AM EDT
[#21]
Originally Posted By Into_the_Void: I like build threads so let's do one for a range. I'm building on my dad's land. The psycho asshole drunk that gave us shit about shooting finally killed himself so I have a worry free place to shoot again. In another thread I was asking about grading, turns out I don't need to. I just need to knock back the trees in a few places and build a big ass backstop. However, I want this to be nice and very proper so no one can give me shit. Two other bordering neighbors have ranges and some people nearby give them shit. The cops don't care. These people may lose their marbles when another range starts so I don't want to give them a leg to stand on. Unlike the other neighbors, I don't have MGs so there's that So my initial questions... What's the most cost effective way to do a back stop? How tall should it be for 300yds? Dirt and tires seems to be the cheapest method if you can run a loader and can use on site dirt. Dirt and Railroad ties or old phone poles probably looks the best. |
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Posted: 4/27/2024 7:58:01 AM EDT
[#22]
friend built his with railroad ties, some with tires stacked horizontally and filled with sand/dirt and stakes. seems to work fine.
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Posted: 4/27/2024 8:03:42 AM EDT
[#23]
The area behind your truck in the pic looks like a drainage ditch or otherwise low area? Dig a pond there and use the dirt as your bermed backstop.
At our range we cut into a hill for our "square range" area and then also bermed above that for added protection. Though we rarely shoot the other direction, we put in a berm four foot wide, 8 foot tall a total of over 300 yards running. A long high berm at 100 yards, and smaller berms at 200, 300 and 400 yards. Shorter, thinner berms at various distances in this long view to shield PT61A pop up targets that we use for various classes. A wrap around high berm at a vehicle range. A small berm on a hill under which a FOF kill house is going in this summer. You may want to see about renting an excavator for a few weeks and you can probably save some bucks and get a berm and a pond out of the time. |
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Posted: 4/27/2024 8:05:49 AM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Lowdown3: The area behind your truck in the pic looks like a drainage ditch or otherwise low area? Dig a pond there and use the dirt as your bermed backstop. At our range we cut into a hill for our "square range" area and then also bermed above that for added protection. Though we rarely shoot the other direction, we put in a berm four foot wide, 8 foot tall a total of over 300 yards running. A long high berm at 100 yards, and smaller berms at 200, 300 and 400 yards. Shorter, thinner berms at various distances in this long view to shield PT61A pop up targets that we use for various classes. A wrap around high berm at a vehicle range. A small berm on a hill under which a FOF kill house is going in this summer. You may want to see about renting an excavator for a few weeks and you can probably save some bucks and get a berm and a pond out of the time. That is a huge gulch/ravine with a creek at the bottom. Nothing is getting in or out from down there |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 4/27/2024 8:07:51 AM EDT
[#25]
Here is a link to a thread I posted a few months ago about my home range build out.
You have two legs up on me to begin with - much longer area and a lot of trees. I hope it helps. https://www.ar15.com/forums/General/My-new-home-range-Picture-heavy/5-2697293/ |
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Posted: 4/27/2024 8:33:48 AM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Manduck: Here is a link to a thread I posted a few months ago about my home range build out. You have two legs up on me to begin with - much longer area and a lot of trees. I hope it helps. https://www.ar15.com/forums/General/My-new-home-range-Picture-heavy/5-2697293/ That does help. Thanks. I may go the tire route if I can get them for free. |
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Posted: 4/27/2024 8:59:05 AM EDT
[#27]
Hell yes OP, it'll be one of the best things you've ever done. I'm digging in a pond at mine this year.
 Attached File |
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Posted: 4/27/2024 9:26:26 AM EDT
[#28]
If you know someone that works for the railroad, they can probably get you an endless supply of ties. I think I’ve seen a couple of people here use ties with dirt behind it.
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Posted: 4/27/2024 9:55:19 AM EDT
[#29]
In for ideas.
I’m thinking about renting a dozer and moving a bunch of dirt. Never drove one before though. How different are they than tractors? |
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Posted: 4/27/2024 10:03:03 AM EDT
[Last Edit: governmentman]
[#30]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Into_the_Void: Bump Also dragging out trespassers tree stands https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/220444/1000005440_jpg-3198674.JPG Feel ya on this one. Still have trouble wrapping my head around how people will trespass to hunt and leave their tree stands up all year. Best belligerent excuse I heard was that because the property is in clean and green, I have to let anyone hunt. It is Clean and Green - as timber reserve - no public access required. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 4/27/2024 10:09:09 AM EDT
[#31]
I put in a pool a couple of years ago. Kept all the dirt they dug and had them place it where I wanted the burm. Then started going around to all the used car shops in the area and got free old tires. I did a cross stack four rows deep and eight feet tall filling each tire with dirt. Then moved the rest of the dirt pile around the tires leaving the front exposed. Then brought in a bunch of railroad ties and made a wall eight feet tall in front of the tires. If you have really sandy soil you have to do something to keep the sand from eroding. That’s why I did so many tires. Then I put a shit ton of grass seed on the top of the sand. I haven’t had any problems with erosion. Even when we got that hurricane that dropped 18” of rain in less than 12 hours, no erosion!
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Posted: 4/27/2024 10:55:39 AM EDT
[#32]
sucks that you don't like close to the Mississippi River...sand is cheap and plentiful for days down here.
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MD, USA
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Posted: 4/27/2024 11:10:27 AM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By AbleArcher: Hell yes OP, it'll be one of the best things you've ever done. I'm digging in a pond at mine this year. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/188236/1000013845_jpg-3199139.JPG Bad ass set up!!! |
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Posted: 4/27/2024 11:27:37 AM EDT
[#34]
Cheapest way to build a berm, use geography
200 - 225 yd range...  Attached File Attached File Attached FileCan get to 550 from this position, which is about even with the barn but facing opposite direction.  Attached File |
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Posted: 4/27/2024 11:34:40 AM EDT
[Last Edit: arowneragain]
[#35]
Tagged.
You could rent a skid steer and take a skim of dirt off the top of the high spots and use it to build the berm. I had |
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GA, USA
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Posted: 4/27/2024 11:40:07 AM EDT
[#36]
I used to be in the middle of nowhere and shot into the hillside.
The many ATL and FL refugees building nearby recently has made me think I need to build something more semi official. Don't want to used treated railroad ties as I have a well nearby and am concerned about leaching carcinogens. Don't want to use old tires, just because. Here for ideas. |
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Posted: 4/27/2024 11:51:29 AM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By arowneragain: Tagged. You could rent a skid steer and take a skim of dirt off the top of the high spots and use it to build the berm. I had A guy with a skid steer could do just that in probably a day. Maybe 1200-1500 day. Hard to tell from the pics where your truck is , but looks like behind , left and right it drops off lower. Could you take and cut into the land perpendicular to your truck left to right and basically make the berm / backstop an island? But not really an island , more of a low spot to get dirt from but will still drain into the natural lower areas. |
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Posted: 4/27/2024 12:01:39 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By arowneragain: Tagged. You could rent a skid steer and take a skim of dirt off the top of the high spots and use it to build the berm. I had A guy with a skid steer could do just that in probably a day. Maybe 1200-1500 day. Hard to tell from the pics where your truck is , but looks like behind , left and right it drops off lower. Could you take and cut into the land perpendicular to your truck left to right and basically make the berm / backstop an island? But not really an island , more of a low spot to get dirt from but will still drain into the natural lower areas.  Attached FileTake from the purple , dig a swath not deep though. Account for drainage which ever way it needs to be graded. PLace dug dirt where you want the berm and plant some grass to keep from eroding . Also plant grass in new cut swath. Youi could also cut a couple inches out for the 300 yards or just hit any real high spots. |
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Posted: 4/27/2024 12:15:27 PM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By governmentman: Feel ya on this one. Still have trouble wrapping my head around how people will trespass to hunt and leave their tree stands up all year. Best belligerent excuse I heard was that because the property is in clean and green, I have to let anyone hunt. It is Clean and Green - as timber reserve - no public access required. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By governmentman: Originally Posted By Into_the_Void: Bump Also dragging out trespassers tree stands https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/220444/1000005440_jpg-3198674.JPG Feel ya on this one. Still have trouble wrapping my head around how people will trespass to hunt and leave their tree stands up all year. Best belligerent excuse I heard was that because the property is in clean and green, I have to let anyone hunt. It is Clean and Green - as timber reserve - no public access required. I'm over by Blue Marsh. Unfortunately a half mile through the woods it turns to game land. I have no idea how the fuck they're even getting the stands back there. It is ROUGH terrain. I damn near had a heart attack dragging them up to the field |
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Posted: 4/27/2024 12:17:32 PM EDT
[#40]
It's worth noting I have shit for dirt. Couple inches of topsoil then solid shale. Slim pickings.
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Posted: 4/27/2024 12:31:26 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Into_the_Void: It's worth noting I have shit for dirt. Couple inches of topsoil then solid shale. Slim pickings. Can you not use the shale for the berm then bring in some fill to cover it with? |
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Posted: 4/27/2024 12:35:13 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Into_the_Void]
[#42]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Codyboy: Can you not use the shale for the berm then bring in some fill to cover it with? Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Codyboy: Originally Posted By Into_the_Void: It's worth noting I have shit for dirt. Couple inches of topsoil then solid shale. Slim pickings. Can you not use the shale for the berm then bring in some fill to cover it with? Maybe? I doubt I could do it with anything short of a cat 953. That ground sucks I'm calling around now to find fill |
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Posted: 4/27/2024 12:42:30 PM EDT
[#43]
Do you have a machine?
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Posted: 4/27/2024 12:44:21 PM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By JamesJones: Do you have a machine? Nah, but I got a hookup at the local rental place. They're only a few miles away. |
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Posted: 4/27/2024 12:46:38 PM EDT
[#45]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Into_the_Void: Nah, but I got a hookup at the local rental place. They're only a few miles away. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Into_the_Void: Originally Posted By JamesJones: Do you have a machine? Nah, but I got a hookup at the local rental place. They're only a few miles away. Maybe make a new pond or road with ditching and use the dirt and trees to make a back stop. |
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Posted: 4/27/2024 12:46:56 PM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Into_the_Void: I went to start clearing over hanging trees last night. Freaking chainsaw fuel line dry rotted. damn, how long since it was used? maybe think of building up a few feet for the shooting position? even a little "down" angle will make the farther (second berm) less high. |
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Posted: 4/27/2024 12:50:30 PM EDT
[#47]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By racer765: damn, how long since it was used? maybe think of building up a few feet for the shooting position? even a little "down" angle will make the farther (second berm) less high. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By racer765: Originally Posted By Into_the_Void: I went to start clearing over hanging trees last night. Freaking chainsaw fuel line dry rotted. damn, how long since it was used? maybe think of building up a few feet for the shooting position? even a little "down" angle will make the farther (second berm) less high. Two years, but it's a 20 year old 357xp |
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Posted: 4/27/2024 1:11:16 PM EDT
[#48]
Just called two places. I calculated roughly 100yds of dirt.
First place wants $284 delivered per 20yd tri axle. Second place is going to call me back. They sounded much more likely to work with me as they asked if they could spread out delivery because they don't even have 100yds. |
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CO, USA
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Posted: 4/27/2024 1:59:51 PM EDT
[#49]
beautifil spots yall got !!!
i been wanting to do one with the thieme of the "shire" from Lord of the Rings. make a round hobit door as the main target, then flowers etc. who says ya cant have aesthetics and flowers and nerdery all in the same thing!>>!?!?!?!!! |
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Posted: 4/27/2024 2:16:45 PM EDT
[#50]
Saw is back up and running.
Fucking fuel line I got is a cunt hair too small so it's not sealing all the way where it goes into the tank. Leaking gas a little. Oh well, that's what gasket maker is for. |
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