Posted: 4/23/2007 11:54:23 AM EDT
| I have been kicking around the idea of making my own range. I was thinking of stacking railroad ties to build my back stop. I realize a dirt berm would be better but it will cost me significantly more to build. What are your general opinions of this design and what could be done to make it better. Or if any one has an inexpensive design they would like to share. I have some land to build on obviously but have a road 100yd from the fence line i would like to build the range on. |
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If your soil is deep enough why not just have a bulldozer push up a berm? If the soil isn't very deep the dozer will get down into the rock, but if your soil is deep the dozer can move a foot of soil from a wide area and make you a big berm. With even a small dozer that is less than one days work. If it erodes some in 5 or 10 years then have someone with a dozer come out and build it up again. |
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You might want to look at using tires and dirt. Linkaroo I am assuming that you are going to be using this mostly for pistol work? How tall are you planning on making it? |
| Well to answer the many questions. First all of the ties were given to me for free.ht I was planning to do pistol work and up to 7.62 on it. So i guess i had better sandwich some dirt in between. I was planning on 16 feet long and 8 feet tall. I knew if i posted here that i would get some good information and input with my plan. |
Would you put the tires behind the ties or in front of them? I do have a couple of tractors but no loaders on them. I am trying to do this as inexpensively but as safely as possible. |
Thanks for the link. I am assuming from the responses that I may want to rethink my design and incorporate a dirt berm or stacked tires with dirt. |
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I can't remember where I saw this but it was how to build a shoot house with used tires and dirt. I think it applies to this situation. Level the ground down to good soil before starting. Compact the soil to give it a good base. Now put down your first layer of tires. Fill the tires with dirt and compact it. The dirt will actually expand the tires out as if they have been over inflated. Keep adding dirt until you can't compact it any more and then add your next layer or tires. No I can't remember it the staggered the stacking like a brick wall or not but I think they did. Repeat the dirt fill and compacting of the tires. Keep repeating until you have it a the desired level. Personally I would also add some poles in the middle off the tires but I do not remember them doing this. Don't shoot tracers or incinderary ammo into a tire back stop unless you want to show the FD your guns and you want to rebuild your back stop. |
The NRA has their NRA Range Sourcebook. It's only $60 (printed binder) - it's only $20 if you just get it on CD - it will probably keep you from making at least a $60 mistake.  NRA Range Sourcebook NRA's guide to planning and constructing shooting ranges Purpose of Source Book The NRA Range Source Book provides both basic and advanced guidance to assist in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of shooting range facilities. The source book discusses methods and technologies which may result in a fuller use of range operations. Source Book Design The NRA Range Source Book is designed to provide technical guidance and typical examples of physical layout and equipment used on shooting ranges for various firearms, ammunition types and shooting activities. Range Categories Ranges are categorized by the type of construction, shooting activity, target, firearms and ammunition to be used on the facility. Source Book Organization The NRA Range Source Book is divided into two types of chapters: general and technical. General chapters deal with information necessary for any shooting facility, while the technical chapters concern specific shooting activities. Source Book Overview The NRA Range Source Book provides basic drawings of range layout and equipment. It is not practical to discuss local ordinances or zoning/building codes or specific topographic conditions. The technical information along with information gathered from on-site visits and from studying local ordinances provides the basis for planning and design of a range facility. Simply to impose a "standard" plan onto a parcel of land or in an existing building, without considering the site's individual conditions, is to invite improper planning with unsatisfactory results. Proper design work requires practical understanding and knowledge of local ordinances, codes and engineering principles. Therefore, it is recommended that an architect, engineer, or consultant experienced in range planning and design be consulted from the onset. The NRA Range Source Book is a technical source book for shooting range builders and operators. The source book will provide certain information and strategies that may or may not be useful or applicable, depending upon the particular circumstances and objectives of a particular range. All information contained within is in the form of suggested practices only, and no standards are stated or implied. Failure to follow any of the suggestions in The NRA Range Source Book in no way implies that the range is being operated negligently. Nothing contained within The NRA Range Source Book shall be construed as a standard for the evaluation of any specific shooting facility. What's In the NRA Range Source Book SECTION I - GENERAL INFORMATION Safety Plan, Planning & Design, Organization & Management, Operations & Maintenance Introduction Chapter 1 - General Information Chapter 2 - Safety Plan Chapter 3 - Planning and Design Chapter 4 - Organization and Management Chapter 5 - Operations and Maintenance Chapter 6 - Sound Abatement Chapter 7 - Public Relations SECTION II - OUTDOOR RANGES General Information, Design Criteria, Operations & Management Chapter 1 - General Outdoor Range Information Chapter 2 - Outdoor Range Design Criteria Chapter 3 - Outdoor Range Operations and Maintenance Chapter 4 - Outdoor Air Gun Chapter 5 - Outdoor Muzzleloading Chapter 6 - Outdoor Smallbore Rifle Chapter 7 - Outdoor Highpower Rifle Chapter 8 - Outdoor Bullseye Pistol Chapter 9 - Outdoor Action Pistol Chapter 10 - Outdoor Silhouette Chapter 11 - Competition Shotgun Chapter 12 - Miscellaneous Shotgun Chapter 13 - Outdoor Private and Test Chapter 14 - Outdoor Informal Training Chapter 15 - Outdoor Moving Target Chapter 16 - Outdoor Archery Chapter 17 - Outdoor Hunting Simulation Chapter 18 - Outdoor Law Enforcement SECTION III - INDOOR RANGES General Information, Design Criteria, Operations & Management Chapter 1 - General Indoor Range Information Chapter 2 - Indoor Range Design Criteria Chapter 3 - Indoor Range Operations and Maintenance Chapter 4 - Indoor Air Gun Chapter 5 - Indoor Smallbore Rifle Chapter 6 - Indoor Highpower Rifle Chapter 7 - Indoor Bullseye Pistol Chapter 8 - Indoor Private and Test Chapter 9 - Indoor Informal Training Chapter 10 - Indoor Moving Target Chapter 11 - Indoor Archery Chapter 12 - Indoor Law Enforcement SECTION IV - APPENDIX References to Products & Services, Shooting Sports Contacts Drawings |
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I also had this in my links: http://www.blackwaterusa.com/targetsystems/rangefaq.asp RANGE FAQ How much does it cost to build a quality range? This can be a tough question to answer alone, but with Blackwater Target Systems on your side, we can walk you through the process easily. Some of the things you may want to consider when making decisions are: Do you need an indoor or outdoor range? What caliber guns do you want to shoot? How many shooting positions will you need? How long will your lanes be? If indoors, will you be moving into an existing building or constructing a new one? What sort of training or competitions will you have? We can help you work through these and other questions, and ensure you find the most cost-effective solution for you. Where can I get more information? An informed consumer is a smart consumer. Blackwater Target Systems encourages you to learn as much as you can, and to start you off, go to www.myNRA.com. On the left, click "NRA Store". In the store, look for the "NRA Range Sourcebook". This publication takes you through planning for both indoor and outdoor ranges, and includes drawings. Additionally, you can go to the National Shooting Sports Foundation at www.rangeinfo.org and find lots of great "must have" information. For military specifications, go to www.efdlant.navfac.navy.mil/lantops_15/documents/military_handbooks.htm Finally, as a responsible range and shooting professional, you must be educated on the environmental impact that shooting ranges can have on the surrounding area, to shooters, and to employees. To get the most up-to-date information go to www.epa.gov/region2/waste/leadshot/epa_bmp.pdf. This manual, which originated in EPA Region 2, is now being accepted as the standard for the entire United States, and is the best information for lead management at outdoor shooting ranges. |
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I can tell you that the NRA does not endorse the use of tires on ranges. The proper berm is one that is 20' tall with a 1/1 slope with at least 24" of clean fill on the face -no rocks etc... I have attended the NRA range workshops and have dealt with the premier range inspection consultants in the country (Kramer One) several times. Do whatever you want but understand the liability issues that attach to building a "range" especially with alternate methods of construction. When I went to the first NRA range conference they asked how many of you are thinking about building a range? About half the hands went up. After they explained the financials of moving dirt and building one.....about half of those folks got up and left! |