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Old 02-05-2009, 08:41   #1
Soft Target
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Private Shooting Range Backstop

I am picking up 20-30 railroad ties this weekend for the purpose of building a backstop for a personal shooting range on my property. I live on extremely flat prairie. Mostly handgun, small rifle caliber and occasional shotgun with ranges out to about 100m.

Any advice?

I must be google-challenged since I couldn't find anything on this.
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Old 02-05-2009, 09:04   #2
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I am picking up 20-30 railroad ties this weekend for the purpose of building a backstop for a personal shooting range on my property. I live on extremely flat prairie. Mostly handgun, small rifle caliber and occasional shotgun with ranges out to about 100m.

Any advice?

I must be google-challenged since I couldn't find anything on this.
Use a lot of dirt as well, and plan your range fan for ricochets and overshots. Someone eventually, will wing one over the backstop.

TR
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Old 02-05-2009, 09:12   #3
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What's wrong with a nice high dirt mound? Throw some fertilizer on it to grow some weeds to stabilize it and you have the perfect back stop.
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Old 02-05-2009, 09:35   #4
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Thanks, Guys. At least now I'm expanding my thinking.
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Old 02-05-2009, 10:38   #5
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If it is that flat,,

TRENCH,, at least for the short range,, You can get someone with a bulldozer or even a plow-blade tractor and just plow a trench 40-50 ft wide x 10-15 ft deep. use the tailings to build a burn around the target end.. Just look for a spot that is 30 - 40 ft above the water table,, so you don't create a swimming hole...

I have seen some good improvised ranges at streams that erode pastures, creating trenches that are almost perfect for ad-hoc target shooting..

An aside: I have use RR ties to line my drive-way, very common here,, about 5% of the ties have spikes and rail plates still attached.

Good Luck,, when your done,, let's see some pictures...
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Old 02-05-2009, 10:46   #6
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If you're really into it you could bulldoze and big U shape and shoot 270 degrees!
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Old 02-05-2009, 11:26   #7
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Wink

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If you're really into it you could bulldoze and big U shape and shoot 270 degrees!
Thanks again. I've been told I do that anyway
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Old 02-05-2009, 11:49   #8
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Over shooting.

You can do a lot to prevent shooting over the berm. You can erect an over head baffle about 1/3 distance the range to stop the occasional stray. The baffle should be low enough to shoot under and just high enough to catch the strays. Watch your ballistic arch to the target. Blitzzz
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Old 02-05-2009, 11:59   #9
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I also hear that if you shoot from behind a log, you need to check and make sure that the muzzle is clear, despite how nice a view of the target you have through the optic.

TR
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Old 02-05-2009, 12:06   #10
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I also hear that if you shoot from behind a log, you need to check and make sure that the muzzle is clear, despite how nice a view of the target you have through the optic.

TR
Yup, this is also extremely important if one is about to pull the trigger on the M-203......
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Old 02-05-2009, 12:09   #11
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I also hear that if you shoot from behind a log, you need to check and make sure that the muzzle is clear, despite how nice a view of the target you have through the optic.

TR
TR - You refering to our stupid stick?
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Old 02-05-2009, 13:07   #12
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TR - You refering to our stupid stick?
LR1947: You did not see me do that on Empire Range during Range Week!
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Old 02-05-2009, 13:15   #13
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LR1947: You did not see me do that on Empire Range during Range Week!
I smell a story brewing . . .
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Old 02-05-2009, 14:40   #14
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I don't remember.

To quote one of my heroes: "I know nothing!" Feldwebel Schultz
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Old 02-05-2009, 14:42   #15
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OK. RUMOR was that someone shot the shooting stand on the firing line on the .45 range. It was NOT me.
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