50 yard range.

[graywolf]

Got the range cleared back to 50 yds. Problem is the backstop is inside the woods line. Shooting from outside the woods line makes target hard to see. This picture is from the 50 yard line.

[BrokenolMarine]

Two suggestions:

Clear some trees around the targets to allow light in, or...
Easier: Use bright orange centers on bright white background for your targets when the light is at it's brightest.

[BrokenolMarine]

I'm shooting down a tunnel of trees, but the berm is at the back edge of the tree line and there is sun on the targets most of the day as the berm is somewhat exposed. I have a guy coming late fall to remove three more trees. You can guess which ones... they are right in the way ...

Here is the view from 50 yards, you can see the sunlight on the berm. A bright white target of any kind in the sunlight will stand out.

50b.jpg (255.09 KiB) Viewed 1203 times

This is a view from 80 yards, but somewhat zoomed.

trimmed 80.jpg (247.57 KiB) Viewed 1203 times

[BrokenolMarine]

We have added a lot more dirt to the berm itself since these pics were taken. It's now level with the top of the berm wall, and much thicker.

[graywolf]

I’ll put a blank sheet of paper up today and see how that stands out. You can see something in picture that shines a little. That’s a set of aluminum ramps to the left of the backstop. If I see them, maybe I can see the white paper. Where the bush hog is sitting is at 25 yds. That’s the edge of woods line and can see good from there. When the leaves fall, probably can see then.

[Sir Henry]

Mine is in the open yet I still have problems seeing the targets because I shoot to the south. In the summer it’s great. In the winter not so great. I’m hoping that all changes when snow is everywhere. Still it’s nice having a range even with problems.

CA4772B3-369F-41FC-A445-C631B47761E0.jpeg (466.19 KiB) Viewed 1181 times

[North Country Gal]

Our backyard range has the same problem with shade, given our yard is surrounded by trees.

If we want to effectively use iron sights or even red dots we have top pick a time of day when the backstop isn't in shade. Even brightly colored targets are hardtop see in deep shade and I've tried them all.

The only way we can shoot any time of day on our range is to use a scope. It's not so much the magnification as it is the ability of the scope to make targets in the shade visible. I love shooting with iron sights and do it when the light allows, but that's not often. Without scopes, our backyard range wouldn't get much use.

[BrokenolMarine]

I knew there would be issues, but I chose my location intentionally. This is Oklahoma. This summer, we had forty five straight days with temps over 110. The wind comes whipping down the plains, even though we are in the mountains. The temps in the shade are significantly lower, drive by any pasture, see where the livestock spend the day. The trees also provide a decent windbreak.

I'll deal with it.

[North Country Gal]

With you all the way on dealing with it. Beats not having a range.

[Sir Henry]

With you all the way on dealing with it. Beats not having a range.

My feelings exactly. My side “Boot Hill” range makes me shoot uphill maybe 20 feet in 50 yards. Not ideal but better than tid-dly-winks.

[Hatchdog]

“ This summer, we had forty five straight days with temps over 110.”

[North Country Gal]

That's nuts. Up here, we only get a few days in the low 90s most summers. Have seen a few with no 90s. Of course, our long cold winters do balance things out.

[Sir Henry]

That's nuts. Up here, we only get a few days in the low 90s most summers. Have seen a few with no 90s. Of course, our long cold winters do balance things out.

I thought summer was great. Not too hot and it rained once a week. Of course we have already had our first snow.

[BrokenolMarine]

This has been the worst summer of record since the dust bowl, according to the old timers at the general store in the next town over. We finally got a decent rain last night for the first time in months. Our pond is down ten feet.

[graywolf]

As much as I like to shoot, I just can't handle it in the summertime. Its usually around the end of September into October before I can start to enjoy shooting, even though I'm shooting in the shade. Extending the distance to 50 yds. I will be in the sun.

[BrokenolMarine]

Good news, it started raining last night, a slow steady rain. It's still raining. It's supposed to rain thru tomorrow. This slow steady rain is just what we need. The dry cracked ground is soaking it up for now, but when it's gotten it's fill it will run down into the pond and the creeks and drain safely away as it should and not flood. Being down ten to twelve feet now, the pond will take a lot before it starts to divert the excess into the creek as it's designed to do. (A whole lot.)