Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

Snakum

Snakum

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Feb 21, 2010
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Sandhills
#1
We've been looking for property to build on when I finish school and we've got a couple of very promising lots running from 15 to 21 acres. The 21 acre property is a long strip which is perfect for a range and would yield close to 800 yards if I have the elevation figured correctly. The smaller would give me about 600 yards if I thread it thru trees and have elevated firing positions. But in both cases, we have neighbors on one or both sides with minimal stand of trees to buffer the noise. I was thinking that planting quick-growing Leyland Cypress on both sides might help mitigate the noise.

Anyone had a similar situation? What would you suggest for planting for dense buffer? How thick should the minimum buffer be to give the neighbors a bit of a break? Ideas?
 
#2
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

That's weird that you mention that cypruss - we have some here and a guy was telling me how he planted them as they are the fastest growing etc etc...

I notice all ranges have vertical berms now - and Carlos Hathcock (Or the Phantom of Phua Bai - I forget) said that in Vietnam sometiems a tree just a few feet in front of them would catch the shockwave and the enemy never knew where the sound came from...

So maybe build a mini bunker...but you still have the bullet shockwave.

Those cypruss are probably a good idea - the trees that they grow (POplar I think) to block wind also grow fast but doubt they would do much for sound...and they have EXTENSIVE roots that shot out several blocks and destroy sidewalks etc...
 
#3
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

I've thought about this a little before. It's going to be a private range, couple of shooters at a time max I'd guess? Trees, yes and lots of them.

But what about shooting through a wooden box, maybe 4'x4'x8' since plywood is that size, with a 1' hole through it....then wood baffles inside, maybe some foam, etc. Basically a REALLY big wooden suppressor. You'd have to build a couple of them, maybe one for prone and one for bench shooting.

I would imagine that it could knock down quite a bit of noise....or you could just buy some suppressors.
 
#4
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

Thanks for the ideas. I hadn't thought about using an enclosed firing position. That might be the ticket.

What I have planned is, depending on the land and existing trees, at least four firing positions: one prone at the absolute rear of the range, one elevated at the rear, one foxhole position a little forward and out of the firing line (will set up range stakes), and one barricade a little forward that allows standing, shooting through openings, and underneath. And I'd like to have targets threading thru the treeline at 100 yard intervals to 600 or more, with five or six "unknown distance" targets for which the range would change depending on the firing position. Ideal would be to have ten or twelve target areas so that I can move the targets around constantly. Twelve targets 100 - 600 yards and four firing positions which would change the range and angle. One property has a creek with a high bank that I'd incorporate into a high angle station.

I want to thread it thru the trees rather than clear it because the property will also be where I hunt. There will be food plots and also our garden butting up against the range, or maybe even overlapping it. Will have to really plan well to make efficient use of the space whatever we buy.

The wife is really indulging me. She likes to shoot, too and wants to hunt next year, as well. She's kind of stoked about buying a large country property instead of something in a subdivision.
laugh.gif
 
#6
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Alaskaman 11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For the noise, you could make it an Archery Range.</div></div>

It will be ... for three months ... when October rolls around.
laugh.gif
 
#8
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

I like the idea of having a semi-enclosed shooting position, maybe just a couple sheets of plywood with some sound absorbing material on the inside for your shooting positions that are close to the house. The range I shoot at has dirt berms running the length of the range at all the ranges from the 15 yard range out to the 100 yard range. Really they just made the ranges flat by cutting into the side of a slight grade and piled the dirt up between the 15, 50 and 100 yard ranges, but one thing I noticed is that it really cuts down on the blast you hear others shooting on adjacent ranges. The shooting positions are under roof also, which seems to make it louder from the shooting position but probably blocks some of the blast from your neighbors point of view. When I'm on the 15 yard pistol range and someone's shooting at the 50 yard rifle right next to it, as long as they aren't right at the close end I don't need hearing protection when I'm not shooting. You could probably do the same thing on a smaller scale if you have any dirt work being done. Have them build up two berms with the overburden running along either side of your shooting position a few feet higher than muzzle level and maybe 20 feet long, then just plant some grass to lock it in place. The trees will probably be a good long term solution, especially if you layer them with some lower level evergreens to fill in the space underneath the canopy of the taller trees.
 
#9
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bacarrat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Suppress everything!</div></div> That's probably your most effective and cheapest route. Gives you an excuse to buy some suppressors too! You can take them with you if you move too.
 
#10
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

I was on a private range some years ago that used rows of old tires as a sound baffle. The one I saw used was about 35 ft long. The tires were screwed to each other, and held side to side by two old telephone poles.

A wooden carpet covered board was built on the shooters end, with a estimated 1 square foot hole that the muzzle was inserted into. The exit end was left open.

It was very effective in mitigating the muzzle blast.

I did not take picture of it at the time, but I did find this picture on line, which is similar to what I saw.

RangeSoundSuppressor.jpg


Bob
 
#11
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

I too was going to suggest the "enclosed" firing position. And tractor tires/heavy equipment tires can be used as well.

For sound attenuation, the angles and the faces(surfaces) are what you have to work with.

Not unlike the way a reflector works in a flashlight, sound too is directional. What you do with it is your huckleberry!
 
#12
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

I've seen something similar to what BobinNC described using blue plastic barrels with the ends cut out and hay bales stacked to hold them in place.

The barrels were then spaced with ten foot gaps in between them.

Best of luck.
 
#13
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BobinNC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was on a private range some years ago that used rows of old tires as a sound baffle. The one I saw used was about 35 ft long. The tires were screwed to each other, and held side to side by two old telephone poles.

A wooden carpet covered board was built on the shooters end, with a estimated 1 square foot hole that the muzzle was inserted into. The exit end was left open.

It was very effective in mitigating the muzzle blast.

I did not take picture of it at the time, but I did find this picture on line, which is similar to what I saw.

RangeSoundSuppressor.jpg


Bob



</div></div>

That is a good friggin idea. What would you compare the reduced sound to for comparison?
 
#14
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

Unless you enjoy the headache from the concussion of firing from an enclosed position I suggest against it. There are a few other issues that may arise as well:
Concussive Minor TBI
Concussive Eye Injury
Concussive Capillary Bleeding(ENT)
These are the issues that stopped my old unit from using the indoor range for easy qual days at 25M. I hated that place with a passion as well because trying to train the non shooters one after the other left me drained and often times with that damn headache from the concussion bouncing off the position walls.

Isn't NC one of the 'easy to get a silencer' states? WOuldn't it be cheaper to can all your rifles? Cheaper than other stuff I would think
 
#15
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

Coupla things. The tire stacks are a well proven method of 'noise attenuation', I don't like using the words "sound suppression" for the implications they carry.

Drain holes are essential because of mosquitoes, and it pays to keep an eye out for wasps and yellow jackets as the tire interiors tend to make ideal sites for nests (look <span style="font-style: italic">up</span>). They can get awful riled when a muzzle belches loudly a foot or so away from their nests. Bee spray is an essential accessory. Use it <span style="font-style: italic">before</span> shooting.

The tires serve an additional purpose; that of safety baffling. Often a bitchy neighbor will make claims of bullet migration onto their property. The tires baffle the bullet paths into beaten zones to control them toward intended berms, etc. Their presence can turn a nuisance complaint into a false report, which can be prosecuted into a significant backlash, getting that nuisance neighbor corralled once and for all.

Greg
 
#16
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

What I have seen that works well is take a 50 gal drum and cut both ends out. Stack tires in them and fill the tires with insalation. Then take chicken wire over the insulation to keep it in place.

Shoot with the muzzel in the tire stack.

The ones I have seen are hanging infront of the shooting bench. He made them so he could stack 2 back to back, but found no need for it.
 
#17
Re: natural vegetation works

Snakum; Last year I was shooting in a farmers field that we had mowed a lane in for 600 yd shooting. The clover and grass field had grown up a couple feet, we were shooting prone, it was surprising to find out at 20-30 yards away it was like hearing a suppressed firearm, the vegetation muffled all the sound. At 50 yards it sounded like .22 short instead of the 300Winmag shooting. We mowed a small shooter area and a 8 foot lane to shoot in, worked fine. No complaints.
 
#18
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

Drill, with a hole saw, drainage holes in the very bottom of the tires. Keeps mosquitoes from breeding there, and the inevitable collection over time of unburned powder kernels can be hosed out without the excitement that ensues when they finally burn.
 
#19
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

I tested using makeshift walls on both sides with an open top and this is probably the direction I'll go. I knew that thick cover makes an excellent buffer, and I will still plant the Leyland Cypress on the sides of the range(s). But a simple low wall seems to make a significant difference as well, and is easily built and/or moved, if needed.

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone!

Bob ... when we get a place and start planning the lanes you'll definitely have to come down so I can pick your brain. Lunch and ammo is on me. Jeremy and I are also exploring lightweight, portable steel-hanging stands so we should have a good number of possibilities if I can get 20 acres shaped appropriately. And you're welcome to come shoot with us anytime, of course.
 
#20
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

Snakum, these makeshift walls that you speak of,,, what about "angles"?

Seeing as sound travels, bounces, and reflects, are there dissimilar angles to which the walls should be pointed up with? To add to the deadening effect? I'm thinking you may be on to something there.
 
#21
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Snakum</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Bob ... when we get a place and start planning the lanes you'll definitely have to come down so I can pick your brain. Lunch and ammo is on me. Jeremy and I are also exploring lightweight, portable steel-hanging stands so we should have a good number of possibilities if I can get 20 acres shaped appropriately. And you're welcome to come shoot with us anytime, of course. </div></div>

Snakum,

If you are talking to this Bob, absolutely.....Let' me know how I can help.

Thanks,

Bob
 
#23
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

Baffle range with fast-growing white pines on either side.

You don't have to go down far, and it doesn't have to be expensive.

Tires work but look ghetto and limit your field of view.

Suppressors are probably your cheapest alternative but depends on where you live and whether you're going to suppress everything you own.

Check these guys' gallery photos for ideas: http://www.cvaltd.com
 
#24
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

Yep ... BobInNC ... we'd love to have you come shoot.

On the angles, I haven't broken out my college math book (I still keep it around after all these years) but I would imagine a 35 - 65 degree angle beginning at some point along the vertical axis of the wall would further attenuate the sound. However, it also seems I would begin to experience increased concussive effect at some point, similar to having a covered structure, wouldn't I? Not that this is such a big deal with .308s. But .338 Win Mags and Lapua Mags would really rock your butt if it were enclosed, I think. Maybe not.
 
#25
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

around here they are putting up some matted walls around the urban gas rigs. Keeps the light and noise down. Something like that would be a hell of a lot better than getting concussion head aches from shooting through tires or barrels.


But seriously get a suppressor and be done with it. 1,000 bucks and you can practice shooting from different positions on your property and its a lot better than trashing your home with tire stacks and hornets nests.
 
#26
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

one of the ranges I have been to here has all ranges below the average ground level (its built in old gravel pits) over the shooting benches and the 1st 10 yards or so they have a "ceiling" of 2x6's on end....they run perpendicular to the shooter. these actually worked pretty good to help noise reduction.
PICT0049.jpg
here is a pic
 
#27
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

A suppressor is in the works for the new rifle, but there will be other folks shooting that won't have one, and I won't have one for all my stuff, either, so I have to explore other avenues.

The end-on 2x6s is interesting. Attenuation without concussive effect.

So far I have planned:

- two prone positions side-by-side
- one two-man foxhole firing position
- two elevated positions, most likely a ladder leading to a large platform build onto a tree; at least 20' high
- one two-man barricade station shooting through a window (one one each side of the barricade/wall), over a portion of low barricade on the outside ends, and through a 10" space between the barricade and the ground for those lovely canted shots.
laugh.gif


It shouldn't be too much more trouble to build a low wall to the sides of all these to knock the edge off the noise. Coupled with the cypresses I imagine we'd be good to go as long as we're not wearing the neighbors out three or four times per week.
 
#28
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

The 'ceiling' is similar to an architectural structure called a pergola, and serves as a form of sound baffling. Those sound baffles can also limit off-angle shots.

Fast growing trees, Lombardi Poplar.

In a mainframe computer room (HUGE, several decades back) we took small flat cardboard boxes (empty punch card boxes), wrapped them with carpet scraps, and arranged them randomly on the walls and ceilings. The boxes on the ceilings had the most benefit.

They 'broke up' the flat surfaces, and cut back on reflected sound waveforms significantly.

Hanging 'curtains' made of old carpet can also attenuate sound.

And, it's <span style="font-style: italic">Phu</span> Bai, reputedly meaning 'Grave Yard'.

Greg
 
#29
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The 'ceiling' is similar to an architectural structure called a pergola, and serves as a form of sound baffling. Those sound baffles can also limit off-angle shots.

Fast growing trees, Lombardi Poplar.

In a mainframe computer room (HUGE, several decades back) we took small flat cardboard boxes (empty punch card boxes), wrapped them with carpet scraps, and arranged them randomly on the walls and ceilings. The boxes on the ceilings had the most benefit.

They 'broke up' the flat surfaces, and cut back on reflected sound waveforms significantly.

Hanging 'curtains' made of old carpet can also attenuate sound.

And, it's <span style="font-style: italic">Phu</span> Bai, reputedly meaning 'Grave Yard'.

Greg</div></div>

I'd almost forgot ... we hung a series of large "sound baffles" over the punch presses waaaay back when I worked as an IE and manager in precision metal fab. I had totally forgotten about that. I must be getting old.
frown.gif
 
#30
Re: Ideas for buffering noise from a private range?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sinister</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Check these guys' gallery photos for ideas: http://www.cvaltd.com </div></div>

"Palo Verde NGS Shooting Range" I have seen this range and it is pretty nice.
 
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