Pistol Range Design? 1

[Rye1]

I've been asked to provide a quote for a pistol range design in N.C. I have a general layout from a NRA guy as far as how the bays are laid out, length etc. Has anyone every designed a pistol range and would be willing to share lessons learned? My early research is indicating that an environmental permit maybe difficult to obtain. And the initial layout has earthen berms separating the bays, I have a couple of ideas about stabilizing the soil on the berms but I thought I would ask here as well.

Robert Billings

http://www.newrivereng.com

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Don't know much about this - but the fact that people tend to shoot over the berms and I hope you are far out in the "country" where very few people live!!

 

[TopKnot]

Pistol only is a lot different than rifles, both from a bullet travel and a noise standpoint. Most ranges will end up with a little bit of everything. First, you'd better check zoning requirements. And then start researching design standards. Public versus private and how close are the neighbors are the most important questions.

One link I found:

http://www.hss.doe.gov/SecPolicy/pfs/Range_Design_Criteria.pdf

I studied noise propagation for small arms ranges in residential neighborhoods for USACOE in grad school. We worked on muffler design. Here is the paper:

http://www.cecer.army.mil/techreports/pate_muffler/pate_muffler.post.pdf

This is software we worked on to study noise propagation. Google:
SARNAM: Small Arms Range Noise Assessment Model Call Larry Pater with USACOE with questions of noise propagation. It is worth looking at.

For bullet travel, I remember needing 4-5 miles clear downrange for .50 cal rifles, ranging down to a lot less for lesser calibers. If you are talking about pistols only, and there are neighbors within one mile, I'd put it indoors and insulate for sound.

Also, any old dirt berm will work to stop a bullet. No special treatment I am aware of, other than native re-vegetation. Somewhere USACOE will tell you how tall a berm for what bullet type.

One last link: this is an open public range own by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. No personnel management. From West to east is trap, rifles\pistols, and law enforcement on the far east.
LAT 40° 3'5.15"N, LONG 106° 8'33.95"W

Good luck!

 

[bimr]

You should develop a clear scope of work. Many municipalities have very simple gun ranges. Some are located close to residences. Here is an example of a city police range.

http://binged.it/HZfcDp

 

[chicopee]

It would be an excellent idea to have a very tall cliff behind the targets if such site is available. The southern states is a mecca of military installations, see if you can get some input from the military.

 

[bimr]

Benefits:

• High pressure without high speed.

• Large differential head in a single stage

• Reasonable efficiency for small flows

• Able to pump non-lubricating fluids

http://www.technology.jjsea.com/rhapsody_display.asp?id=3A75903A-1430-41FD-8A2F-0C4904DC00AB

http://books.google.com/books?id=aW...epage&q=advantages of pitot tube pump&f=false

 

[beej67]

Just curious,

Are there guidelines for outdoor ranges that deal with the issue of lead contamination in the groundwater, or is it not that big a deal?

Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East -

http://www.campbellcivil.com

 

[bimr]

beej67,

It is not a big deal until you want to sell the property.

http://www.epa.gov/Region2/waste/leadshot/bmp4_7.pdf

http://www.epa.gov/Region2/waste/leadshot/download.htm

 

[beej67]

Interesting, thanks.

Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East -

http://www.campbellcivil.com

 

[TD2K]

Interesting links bimr, thanks.