How many yds of dirt for a shooting berm?

[DLBDS]

This is for a private setup. Predominantly used for target practice with handguns. What would be safe dimensions to plan for and how many yards of dirt would it require?

 

[Magpie]

This is for a private setup. Predominantly used for target practice with handguns. What would be safe dimensions to plan for and how many yards of dirt would it require?

Interesting... I wouldn't have thought to ask this question on the Dis Community board. I'd have tried my local gun club, my local hardware store, Reddit (some of the gun subs, and probably the DIY one since there's some contractors on there), or just maybe Googled it and compared a bunch of different videos on YouTube to see where the consensus lies. Ideally, all of the above.

If someone here gives you dimensions and claims they're safe, how will you know they're trustworthy?

 

[tvguy]

I think my first stop could be at the city or county to see if there are any requirements for a shooting range. That might specify what you need.

Only outdoor shooting range I have ever been at was in Texas. Dirty Harry's in Orange. No berm. A few trees, and the owner said no houses for a half mile or so. But, that IS Texas.

 

[Kaytie]

Did you try googling how to build a shooting berm? I got a lot of results, notably someone needing 12 trucks of dirt.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

LOTS! Can you excavate the area & use on hand Dirt?

 

[3 MEN AND A BOAT]

I'd use at least two dumptruck loads. A dumptruck usually holds twenty yards per, so 40 yards. I have a small shooting berm in my back yard, its just extra dirt that's always changing since it's my fill dirt pile. But a yard of dirt is not much dirt. I could get by with one truckload(20yds) but I'm a decent shot, so their is no simple answer. Who all will use it? And what's the possibility of someone missing the pile? What's behind the berm if someone happens to miss?

ETA- a truckload will dump out at about 10-12ft on the bottom, 5-6ft high and only about 3-4ft at the top.

 

[DLBDS]

Thanks for the comments everyone! I did Google and I have watched Youtube videos. Haven't found quite what I'm looking for. Always get the answers I need from here no matter what the topic, so why not?? No worries.... I'm not going to just trust what someone says and run with it. I will use common sense.

The only requirement around here is to stay 100 yds from an occupied dwelling unless you have written permission from the dwelling owner and all fired ammo must stay on your property.

I really appreciate the help, Kaytie, but "12 trucks of dirt" just isn't specific enough. I don't know how many yds that is or how big the trucks are. I wouldn't know what to order.

A backstop made of a dirt berm is really the safest. Wooded areas (trees) would not guarantee that fired ammo would stay on my property so that wouldn't work here.

Anyone out there in the DIS community have some recommendations on this subject?

Thanks to all!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Thanks for the comments everyone! I did Google and I have watched Youtube videos. Haven't found quite what I'm looking for. Always get the answers I need from here no matter what the topic, so why not?? No worries.... I'm not going to just trust what someone says and run with it. I will use common sense.

The only requirement around here is to stay 100 yds from an occupied dwelling unless you have written permission from the dwelling owner and all fired ammo must stay on your property.

I really appreciate the help, Kaytie, but "12 trucks of dirt" just isn't specific enough. I don't know how many yds that is or how big the trucks are. I wouldn't know what to order.

A backstop made of a dirt berm is really the safest. Wooded areas (trees) would not guarantee that fired ammo would stay on my property so that wouldn't work here.

Anyone out there in the DIS community have some recommendations on this subject?

Thanks to all!

My recommendation? Start with an existing hill. Lot less dirt to move that way.

 

[DLBDS]

LOTS! Can you excavate the area & use on hand Dirt?

I'll have to order the dirt and get it delivered.

I'd use at least two dumptruck loads. A dumptruck usually holds twenty yards per, so 40 yards. I have a small shooting berm in my back yard, its just extra dirt that's always changing since it's my fill dirt pile. But a yard of dirt is not much dirt. I could get by with one truckload(20yds) but I'm a decent shot, so their is no simple answer. Who all will use it? And what's the possibility of someone missing the pile? What's behind the berm if someone happens to miss?

I'll be the only one using it most of the time.

I don't intend on missing the pile! LOL. I won't be more than 7 yds away from the target.

It will be located in the back of my property which is wooded with a very 'deep' creek running along the property line that's got extremely high walls to it (not deep water). In other words, no one will be crossing onto my property from that back property line but bullets would, hence the berm. Past my property line is just more woods followed by open land. Houses border me on both sides though (again... through dense woods) so 'shooting range' signs will be posted ... just in case someone decides to go walkabout.

 

[DLBDS]

My recommendation? Start with an existing hill. Lot less dirt to move that way.

That's the same logic I have.... except I have no hill to expand on. My entire property has a gentle slope to it all the way to that creek and then, on the other side of it, it starts to go back up again.

 

[3 MEN AND A BOAT]

I'll have to order the dirt and get it delivered.



I'll be the only one using it most of the time.

I don't intend on missing the pile! LOL. I won't be more than 7 yds away from the target.

It will be located in the back of my property which is wooded with a very 'deep' creek running along the property line that's got extremely high walls to it (not deep water). In other words, no one will be crossing onto my property from that back property line but bullets would, hence the berm. Past my property line is just more woods followed by open land. Houses border me on both sides though (again... through dense woods) so 'shooting range' signs will be posted ... just in case someone decides to go walkabout.

Missing is basically the only consideration. You said it was for handgun use only, so over-penetration shouldn't be a problem. Most handguns should be stopped with a couple feet thick dirt pile.
Glad to see another gun enthusiasts on the DIS.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would go to a prepper site if you feel up to it. Or you can look at government specs and get ideas.

If other methods to control access to SDZs are not effective, then the zones should be fenced in. Natural barriers around the site; e.g., rivers, hills or a large drainage channel may be used to prevent encroachment and will ensure privacy. The best site is one with a natural backstop for projectiles to reduce the cost of constructing earth impact berms and to provide natural sound abatement.

https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2013/05/f1/Range_Design_Criteria.pdf

 

[sam_gordon]

I don't intend on missing the pile! LOL. I won't be more than 7 yds away from the target.

So how wide and tall do you think you need? You're ~20 feet away, so if you're shooting at the center of a 10' wide pile of dirt, what are the odds on you going wide of that? Now you have your width.
How tall do you need it to be? I would guess 6' should be tall enough... shoot to the center and you have 3' of clearance above. Now you have your height.
How deep do you need it to be? I'm guessing 5' would be plenty, but I don't know how much power you're using. Now you have your depth.

10' * 6' * 5' = 300 cubic feet. According to a quick google search, one yard of dirt is 27 cubic feet.

300/27 = 11.1 yards of dirt. Are you going to have something to keep the dirt in place (some kind of form, which I doubt)? So you'll need more. I'm going to guess 20-30 yards of dirt.

Obviously if you want a berm wider, longer, or deeper, you need more dirt. Call whoever you're getting your dirt from and tell them you are looking for 'x' cubic feet. They'll be able to tell you how many yards is needed.