Backwoods firing range. Any tips?

[Hogleg]

I have 10 square acres treed on all four sides, I can see neighbors house lights through the trees on two sides and dont have a safe direction to shoot.
I am looking to build a bullet stop for close range pistol and shotgun shooting. I am thinking a three sided log wall with dirt mounded up behind the logs.

I am curious to hear from others on how you may have built a shooting range.

Thanks

Andy

[rassd71]

an earth berm I think would make a better backstop than a log wall. Maybe build it the opposit of what you described? So the log walls are on the outside.

That's for the shooting stop, then on the other end would be benches and other shooting stations.

edited to add...

also, be sure that it's legal to do in your area. Here it's 300 yards from just about anything.

[tufhelp]

Here are some resources:

NRA has a design book offered on CD for $20.
http://www.nrahq.org/shootingrange/sourcebook.asp

NASR (National Association of Shooting Ranges) has a good bit of info:

http://www.rangeinfo.org/resource_library/resLibDoc.cfm?filename=facility_mngmnt/design/baffles_berms.htm&CAT=Facility%20Management

I just googled shooting range design. But of prime imortance as Rassd mentioned, check out your legals first, there may be a mountain of red tape and restrictions that may not be worth the climb...

The "official" ranges here in NM have tall berms on the sides and signifigant back-stops - don't know if out of super safety concerns or legislation.

Good luck!

[Matthew]

Might be better to join a local club.

I would use sand as my stop, too many rocks in regular earth, ricochets are a major concern. No need to risk your hard earned property by shooting your neighbor's kid on accident.