Building a berm...

[squirrels]

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[Inigoes]

Do not use gravel!

Any soft dirt, prefereably screened to remove any rocks. Bank run will do, however you might get a rock or two.

3 feet is the rule of thumb (tamped will stop a 50 BMG).

However, dumping dirt into a pile. The height is usually twice the width (thickness) of the base. You want the 3 feet depth to be where the rounds are entering the pile.

 

[campns]

You can rent a Sheeps foot compactor or something similar to compact it into place, while doing this placing the dirt in lifts of no greater than 6" and then compacting it should yield a berm that is quite substantial and capable to withholding many rifle rounds.

 

[ToBeFree]

Hey

I've seen stacked tires, filled, holding dirt in place. a few staggered rows so nothing slips through the cracks.
Oh, don't use the rims.

I like the idea of a huge mound of dirt better.

Good luck.

 

[tomandjerry00]

I plan to build a berm this spring. My plan is to stack tires 6 high, 3 deep staggered, all filled with soil. Albeit, I'll be shooting into thick woods and far from a residential area.

I expect it to stop my rounds without any real problem. I like the tires for less year-to-year maintenance as they hold the dirt efficiently.

 

[UNcommon Arms]

...for shooting at home. Who here has done it?

What kinds of materials are you using? How thick did you make it?

I'm looking to make something that'll stop rifle rounds. My largest caliber right now is .308 Win.

When I excavated for my 500' drive I used the soil to build a 6' T x 20 W X 100' L, planted it with pampas grass which is robust and not harmed by shooting at it. :-)

 

[lowoncash]

I've seen stacked tires, filled, holding dirt in place. a few staggered rows so nothing slips through the cracks.
Oh, don't use the rims.

I like the idea of a huge mound of dirt better.

Good luck.

Tires are not recommended because of a tendency for low velocity rounds to bounce back or ricochet. Wood such as railroad ties is also not recommended.

 

[ohen cepel]

Check your county rules before you go too far. Some of the counties here have to inspect your range and if that is the case I would want their guidelines before you start.

I'm used to dirt supported with the railroad ties (military std it seems).

I thought about a few plastic drums for limited use, or one of the large 300 gallon water totes filled with soil.

 

[howard762]

+1 on the dirt only. I've seen many rounds ricochet off of tires and wood.

 

[Pinecone]

Also, depending on the county, you may not be far enough away from others to shoot.

Better to check first.

 

[huesmann]

What about a filled-tire core, with earth around it?

 

[covertpanda]

+1 on the dirt only. I've seen many rounds ricochet off of tires and wood.

Agreed, ours is approx 15' tall and close to 30' deep. We used soft dirt, tamped, and more dirt until the height was correct. I would note that you should build it a bit larger than your intended dimensions; as it will settle.

 

[SuperMag]

Another option is if you have a sloped grade, dig down and make the shooting area level. This precludes having go go upwards as high with the berm. Make sure to grade for proper drainage so your excavated area doesn't turn into a frog pond when it starts raining.

 

[namrelio]

As said above, large pile of dirt is the way to go. If you can afford a few dump trucks, and can get them where you want your berm, its not much work involved. I've been shooting in the one out back of the house for years.

 

[lsw]

As said above, large pile of dirt is the way to go. If you can afford a few dump trucks, and can get them where you want your berm, its not much work involved. I've been shooting in the one out back of the house for years.

You use dump trucks for your backstop?

 

[Bob A]

You use dump trucks for your backstop?

MRAPs. Army's giving 'em away.

 

[namrelio]

Even with my armor piercing loads, I have yet to have one come thru the back side.

 

[Don H]

I stacked six 8' long, 16" diameter oak logs.

 

[huesmann]

MRAPs. Army's giving 'em away.

Yeah, but the shipping cost from Afghanistan is likely to counter any savings from a "free" MRAP!

 

[ironpony]

Built one. AACO officers came out and just said keep shooting. It is 7' tall x 25'. All dirt. About 4 hrs on the backhoe. Montana Gold JHP 9mm will go 12 to 18" and hold their shape. I often shoot a couple logs end grain for large caliber rifle, thumb tacks hold the targets easy