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Of course it'll take a little time, and it'll be a private facility...

Having the acreage to do this helps, and nieghbors far from any possible harm when safety #1...

I've done some research, and shot at a bunch of facilities in the past...

And without sounding like a doof, I have yet to really figure out how high I really need to build up a backstop for certain types of shooting disciplines...

Of course I'll have a short-range bay for pistols, shotgun and other small bore firearms...

What I am wondering is how do you calculate, or if there even is a method to figure out a way to contain as best you can a longrange rifle situation...

I have stuff that can reach out there a long way, yet I want to get good at the 1000 yard shot...How realistic that is, will be determined...

But somewhere (and I may be wrong) I had heard there may be a formula to calculate how much of a berm you need for situations and certain range (distances)???

I can move tons of dirt if I need to and build to the sky, but I'm thinking I really down have to do that...

I'm not going to go wild sending stuff downrange, but if I had an idea what is realistic and safe, I can certainly work to some standard, even though this is going to be on private property...

Just thought I would throw this out there...See who bites...

Y'all can PM me if you need to tell me I'm barking up a tree with no squirrels in it...

See the long field running north to south between the two small lakes???

http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image. ... 7cTExas%7c

Thats the one...

The NRA can provide a lot of answers on building a range.

http://www.nrahq.org/shootingrange/sourcebook.asp

I'm about 360 miles to the north, so your berm can be whatever height you want.

I hope you build it just the way you need it. Good luck.

Steve:
I have some NRA material on ranges. Give me a call if you want copies.

Chas.

stevie_d_64 wrote:See the long field running north to south between the two small lakes???

Thats the one...

Looking at the topo, it looks like there is about 600 meters maximum of clear and level, backed up by by the ridge on the NE, which is about 70 feet higher. The level shooting area would be about the 370 foot level, but it's between two seasonal creeks. Probably marshy, and that could shorten your practical range up considerably.

Another option is shooting from just SW of Shield Lake, NNW toward the slope east of Shiloh Church.

Remember, you've got an east/west highway running north of this property.

Kevin

Thanks for the suggestions...Looks like I got some homework...

Bet I get an "A"!

BTW, the northern 400m of that long field is my Dad's driving range...

The area is bounded by some challenging topography...

The eastern length just inside the treeline is a well defined deep-cut creek that is always wet and flowing (north to south)...

The cleared portion is flat, and the elevation change is negligable along the entire length of the clearing...

I believe we'd be better off shooting long range towards the south...

We have lots of place a short distance away that we can excavate and build up where we need it, a good "red clay" berm/backstop...

Plus having plenty of trees to make a pole barn as a sun and rain shelter to shoot from is part of the plan as well...

Hopefully if they ever decide to update the photos in this area, y'all will see some improvements soon...

Kevin...

We call "Shield Lake" "Beaver Lake" now...

My Grandmother will give you $20 a tail to clear some of them out...

Its harder than it looks...

stevie_d_64 wrote:Kevin...

We call "Shield Lake" "Beaver Lake" now...

My Grandmother will give you $20 a tail to clear some of them out...

Looks like you've got some lily pads, too.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=quitman,+ ... 8&t=h&om=1

Its amazing how much better perspective you have when you can compare tree and scrub growth over a span of time in these two photos...

I've been talking to the landlord (Dad) up there, and I mentioned we may want to clear a wider swath toward the SW side of that long field to open the lane up a bit...

At least we'll be fat on firewood for a while...

And come to think of it, some of those timbers would make for a good palisade support for a backstop...Sure it'll rot out over time, but it'll look neat...

Oh, and you were speaking of backstops and containment...

For long ranges, you obviously can't build the backstop high enough to contain all shots. Some ranges use overhead baffles to accomplish the same thing. They're just heavy timber "screens" that will contain stray bullets (or at least seriously drain the energy from them). The idea is to set the range up so that from the firing point, the bullet is going to strike either dirt or baffle.

Kevin

You're right...

I certainly will not rely on the treeline to contain any shot that doesn't go to the berm/backstop...

PSC keeps the long range stuff low by a wall that forces you to shoot under it to keep the rounds going downrange low...Makes sense...

Since this will be a private deal, We'll just have to be hyper-safe in keeping the shots elevation low...

I don't think we'll have a problem at all with any safety issues...

Maybe soon we'll see some big clay/dirt berms on the south side of that long field next time they update the database...

Stevie:

You rock.

Build it. If you build it, you can decide if "they will come."

Or who will come.

Here's a little info that might help. Texas Parks and wildlife has a grant program.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/gr ... pa/#target
Target Range Grants

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department administers Federal funds to assist in the construction, development, improvement, and/or maintenance of target ranges and associated facilities. These grants are available to qualifying applicants from both private clubs, non-profit organizations, and local governments who provide public use of their facilities. This is a 75% reimbursement program. The applicant is expected to finance 25% of the entire project. Thus, the amount of the grant award varies, depending on the project. DEADLINE: Project proposals may be submitted at any time. Awards will be determined by funding availability and by the grant application's rank within the TPWD Target Range Plan which serves as a scoresheet for the grant application.The National Rifle Association Range Source Book ($49.95) provides important guidelines for planning and construction of target ranges. Please note that construction of projects should not begin until federal and state approval is granted. Project participants will be notified upon approval of their grant application. For information on this grant, please contact Steve Hall at 512/389-4568.


This may help you or anyone else who wishes to build a range.