[shoeshooter]

For several months I've been toying with the idea of putting a little range here on my 1 1/2 acres. I've located a spot that will give me 75 yards, maybe a little more. The natural terrain gives me better than a 8' rise to the property line, about 15' to the horizon in my neighbors dormant pasture. I google-mapped the line of fire, and there's nothing but the occasional road for miles. I think I'd be very comfortable with a berm about 9' tall by 8' wide, considering the existing grade. I'm going to have a backhoe out here shortly to rebuild my septic system, so if that bid comes in low enough I may piggyback this project onto it.

One question is how much dirt do I need? Earlier I did some research and came up with 20 - 24 yards. Sound about right? How many yards in your average dump truck? Any ballpark on the price?

Should I get any certain type of material, being concerned about angle of repose among other things? How much compaction? Any other thoughts, ideas, concerns I should consider?

 

[sidroski]

One thing to thing about if you use dirt from your land, you'll have a small "pond" that will be a breeding ground for misquitoes. If you make an 8' berm, you're going to have that much of a hole. Considered dirt brought in. Not cheap but you'll enjoy your backyard more without the lamps all around and the kids will also. You can put things in there to keep them out though. Let us know what you decide on. The size of the berm sounds like a large hole. Hope some of the guys from Magnolia like SGF will pipe in on what the bill will be. Be nice to go out and pop off a few rounds to blow off steam.

 

[Xd357]

im not sure but you might be able to dig into the 'hillside' and get some of the dirt you will need. if your impact area is below the 8' rise you wont need to much dirt.

 

[msredneck]

Been there done that....

Depending on the lay of your land...cut one out of the side of a hill...Of course depends on how much dirt you gotta move to get the whole thing fairly flat

Don't forget to make ya a shooting platform to shoot from...if ya wanna shoot rifles prone

Figure 2 days at $100 an hr

Main thing is you need a good dozer man...I know the best in Hinds Cty


pm me if you need more 411

 

[SubGunFan]

Say a berm 8' tall and 9' wide (better wider than tall) I calculate about 34 yards of dirt.

However, another suggestion. If only you and your wife are shooting there (very controlled shooting), how about 1 or 2 of those large round hay bales. Much cheaper than dirt and no EPA issues later on (haul the bales away and replace then). If you are worried about the possibility of a 30-06 going through a bale, place 2 bales back to back. I would think hay bales would last at least 2 years before time to replace. Round hay bales are big and should give plenty of target area.............

.

 

[Beladran]

just dont shoot incendiaries! ha ha no more back stop

 

[Beladran]

my dad now lives semi in the city limits but not really. he is on about 22 acres and he was complaining about not being able to plink anymore = ( i said dad you have a bull dozer and 22acres build you a berm!

 

[Xd357]

Been there done that....

Depending on the lay of your land...cut one out of the side of a hill...Of course depends on how much dirt you gotta move to get the whole thing fairly flat

Don't forget to make ya a shooting platform to shoot from...if ya wanna shoot rifles prone

Figure 2 days at $100 an hr

Main thing is you need a good dozer man...I know the best in Hinds Cty


pm me if you need more 411

$100 an hour is kinda high. I know a man that did my work that's $75 hour.

 

[jakeg823]

Say a berm 8' tall and 9' wide (better wider than tall) I calculate about 34 yards of dirt.

However, another suggestion. If only you and your wife are shooting there (very controlled shooting), how about 1 or 2 of those large round hay bales. Much cheaper than dirt and no EPA issues later on (haul the bales away and replace then). If you are worried about the possibility of a 30-06 going through a bale, place 2 bales back to back. I would think hay bales would last at least 2 years before time to replace. Round hay bales are big and should give plenty of target area.............

.

That's how we used to do it on my grandparents land outside of Puckett, about 300 acres though and behind the bale was nothing but woods for miles and miles, so missing the bale was no issue, unless someone or something was on the land that wasn't supposed to be.

 

[SHANE704]

dont know how much difference there is between wayne co and where ever you are from but a load of red clay dirt goes for about $75 here and i believe there is 7 yards on regular 2 axle short dump body....somebody correct me if im wrong

 

[SubGunFan]

 

[shoeshooter]

If only you and your wife are shooting there (very controlled shooting), how about 1 or 2 of those large round hay bales. Much cheaper than dirt and no EPA issues later on (haul the bales away and replace then). If you are worried about the possibility of a 30-06 going through a bale, place 2 bales back to back. I would think hay bales would last at least 2 years before time to replace. Round hay bales are big and should give plenty of target area.............

.

So two big haybales will stop a 30-06. Man, that sounds like the ticket. We're seriously considering selling here and moving to Rankin county next year, closer to work (and the range ). Lots easier to dispose of/explain hay bales than a big pile of dirt. Pretty sure I won't go beyond a 30-06, probably not many of them. And lots cheaper than $300 worth of dirt and the tractor to pile it. Anybody see any flaws with this plan?

 

[Rw]

Just dont get too close to the hay bale with that m44, the fireball from it might ignite the hay.

 

[Missippi84]

Im all about cheap and easy! hay bails are cheaper than piling up dirt and easier plus the added ability to get rid of them and not have to worry about EPA stuff. hay bails are a winner in book.

 

[bubbat]

Like the art work.. :lol3:

 

[yroc]

you forgot to give Shoe some eye protection

 

[SubGunFan]

How much do the large roll hay bales cost? What about ones that have been rained on? I understand it is bad for animal food if they get rained on too much.

.

 

[22lrfan]

I've been using square bales this winter (tractors broke down) but the round ones were $35 last summer.

 

[SubGunFan]

WOW.... that is less than I thought. I would have guessed over $100 due to their size.

Hey Shoe, order 4 bales................ and some plywood (not chipboard).

.

 

[shoeshooter]

Looked at the Market Bulletin last night...running from $20 (erosion control...read old & crappy) to around $45 (high end horse hay). Sizes vary, too. 4x5, 5x5, 4x6, etc. Delivery extra I'm sure.

Still, for maybe a $100, I can be blasting away. I like it.