Back Yard firing Range

[willis68]

Well,

We made an offer that was accepted on a new house, so if everything goes as planned the good news about this is that I will have an awesome man cave separate from the house and over 5 acres in the country all fenced in and I want to build a back yard firing range. My question is does anyone know the best way to do this?

I am thinking of having several yards of dirt hauled in and maybe creating a dirt mound as a bullet stop any suggestions???

[NashvilleStage]

My question is does anyone know the best way to do this?

Invite us all over, of course!

[Guest Lester Weevils]

I don't know anything about it, but have seen pictures of "tactical" ranges with berms on three sides. That seems useful for pistol practice, so that one could fire at targets in different directions without missing a berm?

[NashvilleStage]

Check out the "NRA Range Sourcebook". I think it's geared towards commercial ranges, but it seems to be the go-to book on the subject. The binder is $60, but the CD version is only $20.

See: NRA Shooting Range Services - The NRA Range Source Book

"The NRA Range Source Book Description The complete treatise on shooting ranges. Forty-four sections of information on range operation and construction hints collected for you in a three-ring binder. A guide to every aspect of range development that needs to be considered whether starting fresh, adding on or updating your range. Complete Source Book includes Outdoor and Indoor Range packets.

[-boatman-]

These are some pics of mine. Maybe you can get some ideas that you can use or tell me how I can improve mine. I started with cross ties on the back side. They are all drilled and fastened together. I put wings off the ends to help hold the dirt. The first two pics show construction of the back.

The other pics show it finished with the exception of adding more dirt when it gets through settling. It is still settling so I'll probably wait until spring to add more dirt.

[TGO David]

Willis68, I have a copy of the Source Book on CD that you can have. I doubt seriously I'll ever use it.

[56FordGuy]

Willis, what area of the state are y'all moving to?

My range is essentially backed by a gigantic ridge/ bluff, but Boatman's setup looks great. Railroad timbers can be found relatively cheap, as can dirt. If you're moving to the Sumner/ Wilson county area, I might be able to help you with dirt.

[eastenn]

my neighbor who has his own range put some tires in the middle of his dirt pile to help slow down rifle bullets and such.

[willis68]

Willis68, I have a copy of the Source Book on CD that you can have. I doubt seriously I'll ever use it.

David,

I would greatly appreciate that!!!!

[willis68]

Willis, what area of the state are y'all moving to?

My range is essentially backed by a gigantic ridge/ bluff, but Boatman's setup looks great. Railroad timbers can be found relatively cheap, as can dirt. If you're moving to the Sumner/ Wilson county area, I might be able to help you with dirt.

We are staying in Mount Juliet, just more out in the country I appreciate the offer and may take you up on it!!!

[willis68]

These are some pics of mine. Maybe you can get some ideas that you can use or tell me how I can improve mine. I started with cross ties on the back side. They are all drilled and fastened together. I put wings off the ends to help hold the dirt. The first two pics show construction of the back.

The other pics show it finished with the exception of adding more dirt when it gets through settling. It is still settling so I'll probably wait until spring to add more dirt.

That is exactly what I had in mind, thank you for this, I am so looking forward to being able to shoot in my own back yard,

Edited December 9, 2010 by willis68

[gregintenn]

I just dumped a couple of loads of dirt for a backstop.