Finally Starting on the Berm

[graywolf]

Looks like you’ll be shooting before long.

[BrokenolMarine]

I'm sure hoping so.

[North Country Gal]

Looking forward how the range works for you when it's done. Quite the project.

[BrokenolMarine]

Looking forward how the range works for you when it's done. Quite the project.

It is. I find it hard to limit myself to two levels at a time, but I know what will happen if I push my limits. I'll be flat on my back in bed at least two or three days, perhaps a week. But, as a childhood tv hero used to say, "I love it when a plan comes together."

Funny thing, when I first started planning the range, several people (who want lessons for wives or personal coaching , ) said, "When you start, I'll be right there for the heavy lifting.". Haven't seen anyone.

[BrokenolMarine]

Headed down to the range this morning to work on the berm wall again. We are getting close to being done. The main part of the wall is over six foot high and I am going to go with that, as we can't work any higher than that without a scaffold. We may be able to add to the wall later, once the dirt berm is built up, but for now, it's done.

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On the way down, I turned in at the range house and took this shot from about 100 yards up range. This is looking downrange from in front of the range house. It's a measured 95 yards. If I set up the table inside the range house, it's 95 yards. In front of the range house, just under 90 yards. I can set the shooting table up behind the range house and still shoot safely into the berm and shoot as much as 120 yards.

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Yes, I'll need to trim the one tree's low hanging branches, or shoot just in front of them... however most of my shooting will be at 25 and 50 yards, or with the handguns, 7 and 15 yards for defensive training. Longer distances I always taught my students in concealed carry classes they should be looking to evade and escape the threat. I did teach them to shoot at up to 25 yards in case the threat was armed with a long gun, but...

[BrokenolMarine]

We are adding interlocked second wings to each side at 90 degrees to the center berm. About 7 ties high. This will form a nice "U" shape. With the dirt fill, the berm should make shooting very safe, especially containing the "splash" from the steel targets.

[Sir Henry]

It’s looking good. I can appreciate all the work you are doing.

[BrokenolMarine]

When we bought the tractor, two years ago, I insisted on pallet forks in the package just for this project. I had a real rough outline in mind even then. We have used them a lot more than we thought in the last two years, even to move pallets. But, THEY have proved to be worth every penny in this job.

[BrokenolMarine]

Worked in the cool of the morning this morning, and finished the right hand 90 degree leg of the berm wall. At least for now. May add another tie or two later. But for now, Here she is.

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Here is a look from the back side. As you can see, this will make a nice deep U shape as I planned. Nice coverage from lead / copper splash if shooting steel.

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Before starting on the left side 90 degree leg, Miss T went ahead and started moving that dirt pile into it's position. Mostly. I cautioned her against putting pressure on the berm wall before we put the vertical supports up behind the wall. Didn't want to weaken all our work.

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I COULD have moved the dirt, except Miss T has a lot more experience on the tractor from her work as a landscaper... and ....
She doesn't like to give up her seat.... and...
She doesn't like me climbing off and on the tractor with all that hardware in my leg. (She has ALL the fun.)

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After about forty five minutes of work, we had a good start on the dirt portion of the berm. We'll try and get the neighbor over with the three point post hole digger. If not.... (sigh) ... post hole digger and sweat... we'll dig the three holes and put in the supports behind the wall then move another big pile of dirt from the other side of the pond, then find more dirt and move that. We'll get the berm built up. Might have to break down and order a dump of fill dirt.

But, it's a start.

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Weather permitting, we'll work on the berm more tomorrow.

Look for the fishing post... the pond was calling.

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[BrokenolMarine]

Back at work on the berm this morning. Nice day for it. Just about 80 degrees and a light breeze. Got a surprise when we got down to the range with the loaded UTV. Found two armored Trespassers on the range. As brazen as you please... like they owned the place.

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I think they were laying eggs in the cool of the morning. Miss Tina snuck up behind them and picked them up CLOSE to their tails, and placed them on the top of the dam. One stayed hidden in the shell. The other tried continuously to bite her. Ungrateful wench. Miss T could have run her over with the tractor.

The task this morning was to install the left 90 degree leg on the berm wall. Knocked it out in about an hour. Cooler temps aside, I was hot, sweating, and glad to be done when it was accomplished. But now we have a berm wall up. Still need the rear braces. Talked to the neighbor and they should reinstall the post hole auger soon and we can knock that out.

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It's nice to have the leg done and have that behind us.

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The view uprange from the berm.

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