New range plan.

[Texas Solo]

Awhile back I posted the Central Alabama Gun Club was beginning the task of building a 1000yd range.
Unfortunately the topography of the land is so bad that we were looking at $500K to do it. The idea was scrapped.

Now we're looking at building a new 600yd range elsewhere on our property. The membership will vote this Saturday to approve the money for a survey, etc.

I know it's not 1000yd, but a really nice 600yd range should get well used. We plan on doing this first class, as much as possible. The range will face West for obvious reasons. 20 positions, berms at 200, 300 & 600. Shotmarker scoring.
Electric & water too.

So without any bad news from the survey, we hope to get started soon.

 

[Allen Corneau]

... The range will face West for obvious reasons.

Would you help me understand this statement?

As far as I know, the the preferred orientation is to have the range face due north so that no matter what time of the year the sun is overhead or behind you, thus keeping the targets illuminated by direct sunlight.

If you face the range westward then the you get the sun in your face/scope and the targets in shadow any time after noon and getting worse into the evening.

Just trying to understand your perspective. Best wishes for the project!

 

[Turkeytider]

Would you help me understand this statement?

As far as I know, the the preferred orientation is to have the range face due north so that no matter what time of the year the sun is overhead or behind you, thus keeping the targets illuminated by direct sunlight.

If you face the range westward then the you get the sun in your face/scope and the targets in shadow any time after noon and getting worse into the evening.

Just trying to understand your perspective. Best wishes for the project!

Our range runs essentially north and south, with the targets set up where shooting direction is from north to south. I’m not sure that there is a worse orientation, especially in summer. Sun is in your face, heating up both the shooters and barrels. The only benefit is that most of the time the wind is either coming from directly in front or behind.

 

[Texas Solo]

Would you help me understand this statement?



Just trying to understand your perspective. Best wishes for the project!

First, North to South or South to North is impossible due to boundaries.
2nd, with matches starting at 0800 and finishing by about noon, there couldn't be a better orientation than East to West.

 

[Allen Corneau]

Geographic constraints are definitely a primary limitation.

Being in a good situation for club matches is also a consideration. You'll just have to keep in mind that if you intend to ever hold bigger regional/state matches that always extend into the afternoon you'll start to have to deal with sun in your face.

Again, best wishes for your new range layout and matches.

 

[Texas Solo]

Geographic constraints are definitely a primary limitation.

Being in a good situation for club matches is also a consideration. You'll just have to keep in mind that if you intend to ever hold bigger regional/state matches that always extend into the afternoon you'll start to have to deal with sun in your face.

Again, best wishes for your new range layout and matches.

True. We've already considered that and plan on a long cover to combat that

 

[Clancy]

East and West? I bought a membership to an east/west range once and couldn’t wait until it expired.

But, if that’s the only option, that’s what it’s gotta be.

 

[charlie b]

Land availability almost always dictates directions. Been on many ranges with EW or S shooting positions. Yep, a PITA. but when it is all you can get you deal with it.

 

[6BR_DM]

Awhile back I posted the Central Alabama Gun Club was beginning the task of building a 1000yd range.
Unfortunately the topography of the land is so bad that we were looking at $500K to do it. The idea was scrapped.

Now we're looking at building a new 600yd range elsewhere on our property. The membership will vote this Saturday to approve the money for a survey, etc.

I know it's not 1000yd, but a really nice 600yd range should get well used. We plan on doing this first class, as much as possible. The range will face West for obvious reasons. 20 positions, berms at 200, 300 & 600. Shotmarker scoring.
Electric & water too.

So without any bad news from the survey, we hope to get started soon.

I'm in Mobile and shoot 600 yards at Pascagoula Shooting Club. I know several shooters that would come shoot a range in central Alabama. PSC faces west to east so we are used to it. Can't start any matches until 9:00.

PSC event calendar

 

[Texas Solo]

Where are you in central Alabama? Club name? I'm in Mobile and shoot 600 yards at Pascagoula Shooting Club. I know several shooters that would come shoot a range in central Alabama. PSC faces west to east so we are used to it. Can't start any matches until 9:00.

PSC event calendar

Montgomery area, actually Shorter.
Central Alabama Gun Club
Google it.

 

[Matthew Schwartzkopf]

Having built several ranges, 500k is not that bad for a 1000 yard range.

I just got done with a project building a 300 yard range and the cost was 920k, but of course that is with proper lateral berms a 20 ft backstop and water mitigation and detention for lead. All following the EPAs Best Management Practices for Lead at Outdoor Shooting Ranges.

 

[jackieschmidt]

When we did our renovation at Tomball, which is just 100/200 yards, we spent right at $300,000 on what amounted to dirt work.
That included a county survey to get the drainage right, and using the existing soil to build the 30ft tall Burm at the rifle range, a 15 ft Burm at the pistol pit and a10 ft tall perimeter fence.

Keeping in mind that bullet containment is paramount.

Edit. We have zero utilities. We have a Generac Generator with a large propane tank to run things during Matches, and two handicap sized Porta Cans, which are cleaned weekly.

If we had utilities come in, are taxes would go way up, and we would have to deal with things we would rather not.

It’s a shooting range. Not a home away from home, even though many of us treat it like one

 

[Texas Solo]

The $500k did not include anything other than the dirt work. So add a bunch to that. We just can't afford that much.
Topography at the new location is better and won't cost as much.
After the dirt work, we'll need to add a cover, electric, water, Shotmarker targets, etc. So we have no idea of total costs until after the survey.

Damn Matthew, that's a lot of money for a 300yd range.
Very discouraging.

 

[Matthew Schwartzkopf]

The $500k did not include anything other than the dirt work. So add a bunch to that. We just can't afford that much.
Topography at the new location is better and won't cost as much.
After the dirt work, we'll need to add a cover, electric, water, Shotmarker targets, etc. So we have no idea of total costs until after the survey.

Damn Matthew, that's a lot of money for a 300yd range.
Very discouraging.

Building shooting ranges is not cheap if you do it correctly. I work with dozens of organizations and states each year to provide technical assistance and they are always shocked at what it takes to build a range. Been doing it in some manner for 19 years and it only keeps getting more expensive.

It is not just pile up some dirt to shoot into. You have compaction rating you need to adhere to, water mitigation, and other engineering controls to keep bullets from escaping the property and to follow the EPAs Best Management Practices.