Had to say goodbye to my old private Range

[wcd]

Ned Job resulted in a transfer to a new state, and selling and purchasing a new home. Our old place had a real nice 1000ft range. Now I am in the process of building a new back stop. I have decided to make this one a little wider to perhap2 20 feet across and a little higher. Unfortunately the new place has a trash pile the size of a small foot hill, I have pulled most of the non burnable stuff out and put into the dumpster, but I am wondering about the 15 to 20 used car tires. My new backstop will be a u shape so I was wondering if there might be any issue with laying them flat on either side and filling with dirt? I would completely cover them with a bout a foot of dirt minimum on either side and about 3 feet of dirt on the top. Any see any reason not to do this?

Also since this is only my second back stop I have ever made I would appreciate any other suggestions to improve it? It will be used mainly for small callibers 380,9mm etc
Thanks

 

[foxytwo]

That sounds like a good plan.

 

[Rhino]

You need a 1000 ft range for 380s and 9mms? Wow.
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I love having my own land. It makes life so much easier.

 

[chilipeppernorm]

I have several friends who have ranges on suitably sized property to support them. My only advice regarding your range is to remember that you own every round you fire, morally, ethically, legally, and criminally, therefore plan you backstop accordingly. Congratulations and good luck.

 

[wcd]

You need a 1000 ft range for 380s and 9mms? Wow.
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I love having my own land. It makes life so much easier.

At our old home range was that distance, I had several friends and co workers that would come by and shoot a variety or arms. I am not for me its primarily 9 mm 380 and of course my favorite 1911. Herre it may be a while before we have guest that shoot. Also my soon really enjoys pushing the envelope wiht his 10/22 he enjoys reaching out with it so having a little extra distance for him is nice a well. Here I am thinking about 500 feet will do. typically I will take the tractor and basically dig out a landing strip so to speak ultimately is will be a lane that graded and smoothed leading up to the back stop

 

[JimTh]

Rubber tires with low velocity rounds could cause the rounds to bounce rather than penetrate. The angle at which they would strike tire would govern which way they bounced.

 

[Stan45]

Tires are not a good idea.

 

[wcd]

Tires are not a good idea.

thought I was being green, but seriously the tires were placed flat filled with sand then there was about 4 feet of dirt placed all around them then dirt was piled on top of them. So I think it should be ok? the berm is about 20 feet across now and 7 feet tall once I get it done I will post a picture. Next I am thinking of taking an old pallet filling it with dirt and using that as a base to set such seasonal targets as carved pumpkints on it.

 

[jameshd]

Based on your description of your plans, there PROBABLY will not be any problem. Do you want to bet on probably? One thing to keep in mind is that buried tires have a bad habit of working their way back to the surface. I don't know how they manage it, but I've seen it happen at farms I've lived and worked on. If they do that, it won't make any difference how deep you buried them. JimTh is right; small arms rounds do tend to bounce off of tires. If you to this, make sure you have plenty of insurance just in case your plans don't work out. It sounds, however, as if your are going to do this even if everyone who responds recommends against it.

 

[wcd]

Based on your description of your plans, there PROBABLY will not be any problem. Do you want to bet on probably? One thing to keep in mind is that buried tires have a bad habit of working their way back to the surface. I don't know how they manage it, but I've seen it happen at farms I've lived and worked on. If they do that, it won't make any difference how deep you buried them. JimTh is right; small arms rounds do tend to bounce off of tires. If you to this, make sure you have plenty of insurance just in case your plans don't work out. It sounds, however, as if your are going to do this even if everyone who responds recommends against it.

NOPE decided to go with "PLAN B"

Of course this portion will be off topic but decided to stack the tires about 4 high fill them with dirt an grow potatoes in them! When harvest time comes I will just bump them over and and harvest the potatoes.

Now back to the berm decided to slowly box it in on three sides with rail road ties to help contain the dirt. I am guessing it might not be a bad idea to throw some grass seed on it as well.

 

[Rhino]

Just make sure you spell "dirt" correctly.
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Link Removed

 

[jameshd]

Sounds like a much better plan for both. Never thought of growing taters that way, but it should work. Be easier than digging them up.

 

[phillip69]

thought I was being green, ....the berm is about 20 feet across now and 7 feet tall once I get it done

FWIW NRA range book says min height is 14 feet... but again, if you own the 5000-6000 ft behind it and can guarantee keeping neighborhood kids & hikers out of it, you should be good to go with only 7 ft, luck, & good insurance.

 

[dogshawred]

Tires not slit around their circumference will create a problem once buried (this how they come to the surface again, especially if they are traveled over by machinery). If they are slit and there is no air cavity existing they will just lie there and lie there and lie there, yeah it takes a long time for them to just go away. If the EPA knows about them your in trouble, they have their own formula for internment, just saying.
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I would feel very safe if the tires were below impact point and buried under a couple of feet of soil. But I am not you, you are the one who is going to be responsible for any consequences that might occur.
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I have my own property also and was fortunate to have a hillside in which to build my back stop without having to be concerned with the projectiles going anywhere than where I put them.
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Good luck with what ever you decide and happy shooting. Hope you are soon back to having friends over to enjoy the sport.

 

[wcd]

FWIW NRA range book says min height is 14 feet... but again, if you own the 5000-6000 ft behind it and can guarantee keeping neighborhood kids & hikers out of it, you should be good to go with only 7 ft, luck, & good insurance.

Not real sure but I will consult the range book to see if the foot hill behind it will meet 14ft minimum. Although I suppose I could try and hike up it and drop a tape measure off it i to see how tall it is? Or perhaps I could just say if I am standing in front of it and can not see the top with out backing up a quarter mile or so maybe I can call it good.