What do you use to shoot in?

[Southern-Hunter]

Wanted to see what you folks think about using a plastic 55 gal drum full of dirt to target pratice with?

I have a 45 cal, using power belt 195 gr along with 100 gr pellets..

[rem 700]

I'd get a real backstop. Shouldn't be difficult to find a place, be it public or private, with a steep hill to shoot in. Bullets can change direction when they hit.

[Southern-Hunter]

yupper saftey first..

my barrel sits on the edge of woodline
in front of our 4.5 acres..

we really don't have any ranges close to us..

suppose i could rent a front end loader to push up some dirt

[indianahick]

Have some sand hauled in and build up a decent berm. One problem I can see with your drum is it is round and unless all shots are in center then there is a major chance of richochee(sp), also as you shoot out an area you are going to loose dirt. Chances are that because you are shooting into a wooded area any strays wont pass thru but then again there is always the chance.

[Southern-Hunter]

good point..

well it's either rent bobcat or order truck load of dirt..

will check on prices and go with cheaper one..

thank you both..

[rattus58]

Back Stops can be made cheaply enough, but you will have to have either some sand or soil to stop the bullets.

you can make a good backstop out of a large wooden box, wood stacks, or create a burm. Muzzleloader bullets are easy to stop, but they are bullets and 1000 yards is no mean feat for a misplaced shot.

A simple backstop is a box made from logs or 4X6's closed on three sides and built up about 1/3 to 1/2 height in front facing you. Fill with dirt and use target frame stuck into the dirt or affixed to the front of the box. The dirt or sand will settle some over time, but usually won't spill out of the box . This still will cost money, but will last a lifetime of the wood (5-10 years) and cost around here about $500 to $700 to purchase materials.

If you have trees, then its yer labor cost to cut, trim, and stack, log together. The two I have used are about 8 feet deep by 10 feet wide and stop 22's and muzzleloaders quite ok.

I don't know about anything heavier than a 45/70 into this, but you can use your judgement.

[Talon]

Hello,

Rail road ties make a great frame for a back stop. So does old tires

Make a 1/2 hexagon shape with a couple of upright supports. Stack ties, pile dirt behind ties.

Or, do the same with old tires. Stack and fill with dirt.

On the dirt mounds plant some type of vining plants that require no tending ie. Kudzu etc. to combat erosion.

One thing to keep in mind is the possible emerging problems with EPA laws and non permitted home built ranges , such may arise if you ever plan on selling. etc.

Peace
Talon

[rattus58]

Hmmmm didn't think of old tires with a wood backstop... that would work well too...

As for the EPA ... I kinda heard that it was, shoot, shovel, skedaddle and smile... or was it smile and skedaddle...

Aloha..

[Talon]

Originally posted by rattus58


As for the EPA ... I kinda heard that it was, shoot, shovel, skedaddle and smile... or was it smile and skedaddle...

Aloha..

+1 to that!

Peace
Talon

[rattus58]