I recall reading some testing done with popular calibers, shooting them at a 30 degree angle or such, and the 7mm mag went the furthest, just over 4 miles. I'd say once a bullet hits dirt that it will not go further than another 500-600 yards at the most. It will normally tumble and yaw and will loose velocity very quickly.
Long Range ?
- Thread starter broyal
- Start date
I shoot large bean & corn fields a good bit,The property is slightly down hill toward a river.Being a mile away,My last barrel is 1000yds.Ihave seen a couple rounds skip 2 or 3 times before diggin in,But thats a plowed field & a 300Mag.Most stop within 200yards of impact.A berm is still a good idea if you can.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
As a dump truck owner/driver/loader/dumper I can tell you that one load of six to nine yards of dirt will be quite sufficient for a backstop. 
If the shooting station is high enough to see whether or not there is a car on the dirt road, I would have no concern about shooting when there is no car on that road.
I really doubt that a ricochet would take a 90-degree turn and still go a half-mile to the side of the property. Way too much energy loss at the impact.
If the shooting station is high enough to see whether or not there is a car on the dirt road, I would have no concern about shooting when there is no car on that road.
I really doubt that a ricochet would take a 90-degree turn and still go a half-mile to the side of the property. Way too much energy loss at the impact.
Thanks for the replies. Im still not sure if I should build it. I cannot build a berm because we cash rent our fields and I dont have access to any earth moving equipment. I currently only own .223 rifles. I asked about .308 just in case I ever purchased a larger caliber.
The last few post indicate the I should be able to safely shoot down into the field. The first few post indicate that this is unsafe. Mainly due to their worries about people that arent there. Its a service road. Not even a gravel road. Its two dirt tire tracks.
The cost of the tower is hardly anything. Ive got lots of free 4 x 4s and just need a couple sheets of plywood and a couple 2x4s. I will attach one side to a barn for support. I was even thinking about cutting a door way out of the side of the barn and using the loft instead.
Bottom line is that I just want to be able to shoot my rifle from 25-500 yards. No range within a reasonable driving distance to me offers anything aver 100.
The last few post indicate the I should be able to safely shoot down into the field. The first few post indicate that this is unsafe. Mainly due to their worries about people that arent there. Its a service road. Not even a gravel road. Its two dirt tire tracks.
The cost of the tower is hardly anything. Ive got lots of free 4 x 4s and just need a couple sheets of plywood and a couple 2x4s. I will attach one side to a barn for support. I was even thinking about cutting a door way out of the side of the barn and using the loft instead.
Bottom line is that I just want to be able to shoot my rifle from 25-500 yards. No range within a reasonable driving distance to me offers anything aver 100.
BigMikey76
New member
Perhaps if you had specified that in the original post, there would have been less focus on the potential issues caused by shooting over a road. We can only go on the the info you provide
With all the wood you have, can't you build a 4x4 box, maybe 1 ft deep? Fill it with sand/ sand bags and you are set to go (until it needs repair). Put it on a trailer, so you can move it for the renters.
Put up warning signs on the trail.
Also, afaik, a high speed (like 3000 fps +) 223 varmint bullet will self destruct on the first impact, whether it is prairie dog or the ground. Any varmint shooter want to chime in on this??
Put up warning signs on the trail.
Also, afaik, a high speed (like 3000 fps +) 223 varmint bullet will self destruct on the first impact, whether it is prairie dog or the ground. Any varmint shooter want to chime in on this??