Pistol and Rifle range design

[waynem34]

Well I was going to post this in the Our Town forum but figured this was probably a better place.I'm doing a little work with my brother on some property we own and had a track loader over to clear some of the land.I have pictures but my camera settings were at 4 or 5megapixel and I can not host them here.Is there a way around this?I will take more at a lower setting and post.I'm trying to build a pistol/rifle range and need imput on this.It's pretty much for me because my brother doesnt really like to shoot like I do.We need to clear some hill side so I figure"I'LL KILL TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE"House latter gun range now.Loader cost a pretty penny but he is a neighbor and can stop buy to and from other jobs.Saves on fuel.Also clearing a place for a small casting/utility building.I hope they hold off on the burn ban long enough other wise gotta be after 4p.m. and out by 12.01a.m.But no worries Got most of it burnt while the loader man was here.Rambling now I KNOW I'm really excited about this.It's not building a gun but I'm into it alot more than any gun ever cost me.If i could get around the large file issue with my photos it would be great.THANKShttp://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_195504f42754ba680c.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=4040)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_195504f4276997273c.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=4041)

[Bambeno]

First off congratulations! Think over length of range, what type of shooting, GOOD backstop, able to use it after building house, any directions better suited to shoot towards, time of day you plan to shoot most, will the sun bother you, etc etc.

Have fun!

[shooterg]

Be nice to locate the building to use as a shooting shack in the cold months too !

[Janoosh]

Nice land. Figure out major impact area, usually just behind targets. Cover with "dead sand", or any sand for that matter. Cover sand with wood chips. Very easy to reclaim spent projectiles now. Rake away chips, sift sand, replace sand, replace chips. Bark chips shed water and prevent rutting of backstop. Start sand depth to what you can afford, then build depth. Think years, your money will go further. Good luck and again... Nice property!

[Janoosh]

The Range I worked at built the sand depth to 12". We always looked for any sand on sale. "Play Sand" from toy store or the Depot is sometimes cheaper, or easier to get to the site. Couple of bags here, couple of bags there. It all will build up. Bark chips will also keep the berm from freezing. I know, I know, Va, but with the winters the way they are, you never can tell. And to keep the Feds off your back, throw in some pelletized lime. Damn Greenies!

[waynem34]

Thank You all.While giving me lots to consider and alot of questions to ponder.I realize I've bittin off quit a large amount of work as far as plaining for a home site.I was hoping to utilize the lay of the land to an extent,and I'm now finding myself needing fill.I'm currently trying to figure where to get it off the land I have available.Thats the bad news "The good news is the gun range is looking great".Thanks for the info and tips.Photos to follow.

[jonas302]

Cheapest way to get fill is to advertise or ask around once we put the word out to a few people had construction companies calling and hoping they could dump when they have a local job