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Question for competition prone shooters

Our club is in the process of building a new rifle range. Although we will only have 400 yard capabilities we do have some competition involving prone shooting. We are considering putting a gravel drive in front of the firing line to facilitate loading/unloading. We need to know what is the most common surface used in prone shooting. While it would seem that grass/turf is most desirable we also understand that most use some type of mat. If we use fine gravel and limestone dust for our drive will that be a problem for most prone shooters. What is typical for most ranges?

The topic of the drive for loading/unloading is not a part of this discussion. WE are aware of both the upside and downside of that part of the plan. We just want to accommodate prone shooters as much as practical.

Rick
 
Every range is different, out west you dont see much grass, usually dirt or some type of packed road base, back east grass is pretty common, unstable material like gravel will make your position sag during the string and very hard surfaces tend to make you sore. Also having the firing points graded so the shooters feet are elevated is very undesirable
 
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Every range is different, out west you dont see much grass, usually dirt or some type of packed road base, back east grass is pretty common, unstable material like gravel will make your position sag during the string and very hard surfaces tend to make you sore.
Thanks! That's the kind of information I'm looking for. What we have in mind won't be as soft as grass, but wouldn't be like loose gravel, It would be a hard packed surface much like dirt or hard pan.

Rick
 
Elevated whatever you do so if it rains or has been raining you aren’t shooting in a mud puddle.

Hard pack with grass or poured concrete is what we shoot on mostly in the Great Lakes region
 
I've shot on macadam (CT), and grass everyplace else. As mentioned, elevated, so you are not laying in a puddle.

I would personally be a bit concerned about the fine gravel and limestone dust in front of the firing line. I say this because, depending on how close the firing line is to the loading/unloading area, I would be concerned about the dust that may be raised from the muzzle blast. I would not be happy with a fine coat of gritty dust on my equipment.

John
 
Sacramento is small pea sized chip gravel. Drains well and easy to manicure with a rake. The small chips do get in mags if your not careful. Like gme mentioned make sure your feet are level or a little lower.
 
Should have the driveway behind the firing line otherswise; will you be shooting OVER the parked vehicles? An oopsie can results in additional vehicle ventilation
 
I prefer grass over anything else for reasons of comfort. You are locked in pretty tight with a sling, and your elbows have nowhere to go. Even with a mat, shooting on any hard surface leaves my elbows pretty sore. I’ll still do it, but grass is so much more pleasant.
 
Our club uses concrete and has provided cover over the shooting area. This is important here in the PNW where rain is a constant problem. Proper drainage for what ever you choose is important. If you plan to put gravel or road base in front of the shooting area. Keep in mind that during the dryer periods, this will cause a lot of dust to be kicked up from the muzzle blast. A problem when the dust gets in your eyes and on your equipment. It will also affect the shooters vision. This is the biggest issue as it may do so more in some areas than others creating an unfair advantage for some.
Concrete would be my first choice, followed by grass, then a road base that compacts to a solid base.
 
Keep your access road at least 20' in front of the firing line, for muzzle blast.
Have your firing line elevated 11/2' to 2' above the existing grade, grade the firing point with a 2% decline from front to rear.
Thank you for building a new range.
Steve Bair
 
First, thanks to all who've commented. We need the input and it is all useful. I'll answer a couple of questions that came up. There will be no pits. Most competition will be limited to 300 yards. Pits are not practical. The considered drive will not be 20' in front of the line. That would defeat the purpose which is ease of unloading equipment. Better to unload in the rear and schlep it across. Concrete is cost prohibitive, our range shed is 280' long so that won't happen. Also, we are looking for a softer surface. I suppose dust could be an issue, but in dry weather even a grassy area will have dust. The fine gravel/crusher run hardens to something closer to concrete but without mud during the wet season. The firing line will be slightly higher in the front than the rear whatever we choose to do. more input is appreciated.

Rick
 
I also echo the comment suggesting raising the firing line above the grade. The closer your line of sight is to the grass (if that applies) on the range floor the more you will have heavy mirage with any moisture in the grass and direct sunlight. A couple of feet can make the difference between aiming at a shimmering black blob or at black with shimmering rings. If in a low humidity desert it is not a big issue but here in the southern states it can be a nightmare if the line is near grade. Bar 3 range being a poster child for a low line and unbearable mirage if the conditions align.
 
I also echo the comment suggesting raising the firing line above the grade. The closer your line of sight is to the grass (if that applies) on the range floor the more you will have heavy mirage with any moisture in the grass and direct sunlight. A couple of feet can make the difference between aiming at a shimmering black blob or at black with shimmering rings. If in a low humidity desert it is not a big issue but here in the southern states it can be a nightmare if the line is near grade. Bar 3 range being a poster child for a low line and unbearable mirage if the conditions align.

Good points. We have built the firing line/range shed above the immediate portion of the range, Our range is a gradual uphill, so we built up as much as possible to get as close as we could to level to 100 yards. From the firing line 30' forward is a 10' drop before a gradual uphill. Whatever material we choose to use we will make the front of the prone position higher than the rear. As far as mirage, we will be holding monthly benchrest matches and we want to avoid mirage as much as possible. On the 100 yard range it should not be a problem. From 100 to 200 it will be more of an issue. Fortunately the range drains well and will hold very little moisture.

Rick
 
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Just a thought, if your building a new line with a significant amount of fill, wait a year or two for it to settle before a final design.
 
Grass has always been my preference. Gravel is ok to shoot on, but you always seem to haul some home. Depending on your climate, fescue will serve you well and makes for a nice looking range.
 
Grass has always been my preference. Gravel is ok to shoot on, but you always seem to haul some home. Depending on your climate, fescue will serve you well and makes for a nice looking range.

Range is in middle TN. We'll be staring with a mix of wheat and fescue depending on when we get enough dry weather to spread the last batch of topsoil and then seed and straw. No choice will be perfect. If we choose a drive around for unloading it will have to be a gravel/limestone dust mix. Grass will be good but it prohibits a drive and when we get rain, we'll get mud. Like I said, all choices have their up and downsides. All the input and experience is much appreciated. Whichever way we go will please some and displease others.

Rick
 

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