Last Saturday I went to a new range. No rounds were put down range, but dirt was flying all over the place. Firearm safety rule number 4 was the main focus of this days event.
This is the story of building a private range on my mom’s property. For years I have been practicing my shooting sport skills at many public or private ranges in the states I’ve lived in, Illinois, New York, and Indiana. In all those ranges, public or private I’ve had close calls due to others being unsafe in their actions or just plain stupidity or ignorance.
My parents 3 years ago bought a new home with 5 acres of land. Their intent was to have horses, unfortunately my stepfather passed away a year later. Last fall my mom asked if I would like to shoot in the “back yard” when I visit her. Told her it would be awesome! Right away I realized I would need a backstop. So through the winter I saved up money for a backstop. I based my backstop on what INGO member mkbar80 posted here back in June.
https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/general_firearms_discussion/219235-has_anyone_built_their_own_range_or_converted_a_building_into_a_range.html
With 60 tons of dirt, 54 railroad ties and 8 12’ poles and an outstanding buddy with a bobcat with bucket and auger. It was time to build a backstop!
Before:
60 tons of dirt!
First drilling for the poles
Drilling 4 feet down
All drilling complete with 8 poles in holes!
1 hr 30 mins of tampered down dirt the poles are set
The braces are in place
First section is up, 8 foot tall
All four sections are up
A view of the back of the wall
Front view with some of the dirt pushed up.
All that is left is for my mom’s neighbor, a 85+ years old, who is a hard charger, non-stop fireball to take his loader and finish pushing the dirt up the backstop. He has been wanting to “play in the dirt” ever since I started this project. And I won’t be standing in his way to have him some fun in the dirt.
And last to my friend Tim, who has been a major help, hell who I’m I kidding, I would not of had enough money to rent the equipment needed to do this project this year. So, to Tim, and his incredible talent running a bobcat and his time he gave to me in getting this dream project to its completion! I owe him big time!
This is the story of building a private range on my mom’s property. For years I have been practicing my shooting sport skills at many public or private ranges in the states I’ve lived in, Illinois, New York, and Indiana. In all those ranges, public or private I’ve had close calls due to others being unsafe in their actions or just plain stupidity or ignorance.
My parents 3 years ago bought a new home with 5 acres of land. Their intent was to have horses, unfortunately my stepfather passed away a year later. Last fall my mom asked if I would like to shoot in the “back yard” when I visit her. Told her it would be awesome! Right away I realized I would need a backstop. So through the winter I saved up money for a backstop. I based my backstop on what INGO member mkbar80 posted here back in June.
https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/general_firearms_discussion/219235-has_anyone_built_their_own_range_or_converted_a_building_into_a_range.html
With 60 tons of dirt, 54 railroad ties and 8 12’ poles and an outstanding buddy with a bobcat with bucket and auger. It was time to build a backstop!
Before:
60 tons of dirt!
First drilling for the poles
Drilling 4 feet down
All drilling complete with 8 poles in holes!
1 hr 30 mins of tampered down dirt the poles are set
The braces are in place
First section is up, 8 foot tall
All four sections are up
A view of the back of the wall
Front view with some of the dirt pushed up.
All that is left is for my mom’s neighbor, a 85+ years old, who is a hard charger, non-stop fireball to take his loader and finish pushing the dirt up the backstop. He has been wanting to “play in the dirt” ever since I started this project. And I won’t be standing in his way to have him some fun in the dirt.
And last to my friend Tim, who has been a major help, hell who I’m I kidding, I would not of had enough money to rent the equipment needed to do this project this year. So, to Tim, and his incredible talent running a bobcat and his time he gave to me in getting this dream project to its completion! I owe him big time!
$45.00 
