Mr. Michael McGovern
Town Manager
c/o Mr. Paul Fenton
Coordinator
City of Cape Elizabeth
320 Ocean House Road
PO Box 6260
Cape Elizabeth, Maine 04107
RE:

July 21, 2015
DRAFT

Range Design Evaluation Report
Spurwink Rod and Gun Club
1250 Sawyer Road
Cape Elizabeth, Maine 04107

Paul:
This shall serve as a draft report for the above referenced project. It is intended to give review and
recommendations to the questions raised by the City of Cape Elizabeth and concerned citizens regarding
the safety of the subject range. This report is backed-up by our professional practice, over 10-years of
national experience in gun range design / consultation and our visit to, and review of, the physical range
characteristics / range standard operating procedures and discussions with the current range master.
This report (and our service) does not include review of, or recommendations for, any environmental
factors or remediation or the operation or protocol of the range. This report addresses the physical
aspects of the site, firing line and target stations only.
This report does not attempt to review or make recommendations regarding the operation, protocol,
management or training practiced or provided at this range as none of these were observed during any
site visit. While some data and information regarding the operations of the range was provided for
review, no claim can be made in this report as to the implementation or control demonstrated during
actual operation.
Disclaimer of Liability:
The National Rifle Association and R Design Works does specify dimensions for range layout in NRA
sanctioned shooting events, but does NOT certify or in any way approve ranges or range design for any
purpose. While every effort has been made to provide up-to-date technical information, this report is in
no way to be used as a substitute for, or in lieu of, consultation with architects, engineers and attorneys
who shall be called upon to make recommendations for individual range design, construction and use of
shooting ranges. The NRA Range Source Book is NOT a code book or certification standards, but rather a
publication listing general suggestions. Each range is site specific, fact sensitive, risk driven, and needs to
be considered in that light. The National Rifle Association assumes no liability for information contained
therein.
In order to build and operate a safe shooting range, the plans, specifications and construction of said
range require the thorough professional evaluation, guidance and services of professional engineers and
architects. This source book is under no circumstance to be viewed as a restatement of the law in any
jurisdiction or to assume compliance with any applicable federal, state or local laws, ordinances, rules or
regulations. You must consult a local attorney to ascertain compliance with all applicable federal, state
or local laws, ordinances, rules or regulations and to advise you the applicable duty of care requires of
operators of a shooting range in your jurisdiction.
NEITHER THE READER OF THIS REPORT OR ANYONE ELSE IS TO: RELY ON ANY REPRESENTATION,
DRAWING OR STATEMENT MADE IN THIS REPORT; RELY ON THIS REPORT OR DESIGN, BUILD,
CONSTRUCTION OR OPERATE A RANGE; OR RELY ON ANY CLAIM THAT A PARTICULAR RANGE IS IN
COMPLIANCE WITH OR DEISGN, BUILD, CONSTRUCTED OR OPERATED ACCORDNING OR PURSUANT TO
THIS REPORT, WHEN VISITING, ATTENDING OR TAKING PART IN ACTIVITIES UPON OR AT SUCH A RANGE.

 THE NRA AND R DESIGN WORKS EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABLITIES, LOSSES, COSTS,
CLAIMS, DEMANDS, SUITS OR ACTIONS OF ANY TYPE OR NATURE WHATSOEVER., ARISING FROM OR IN
ANY WAY RELATED TO: THIS REPORT; THE USE OF THIS REPORT; ANY REPRESENTATION, DRAWING OR
STATEMENT MADE IN THE REPORT; OR, ANY CLAIM THAT A PARTICULAR RANGE IS IN COMPLIANCE
WITH OR DESIGNED, BUILT, CONSTRUCTED OR OPERATED ACCORDING OR PURSUANT TO THE REPORT.
Notice: Firing range safety implies: (1) proper use of the range as it relates to physical design; (2)
continuous training (entry level and on-going) programs for users, instructors and supervisors; and (3)
strict regulations on use of coupled with strict enforcement.
General Summary
The Spurwink rifle and pistol range is an average facility and is located appropriately for shooting
activities, once remediation has been completed. It appears to be maintained minimally and to be
operating as intended. It’s use is appropriate as a gun range and the overall design of the firing line
although the facilities are below average for a range of this type and size. However, the relationship
(elevation, distance and allowed ballistics) between the firing line, targeting location (100 Yard and less),
the existing ridge, adjacent residences and ballistics allowed are not adequate to avoid any direct-fire,
ricochets or fragments.
No definitive property boundary was provided but satellite images and topographic map overlays
suggest the angle of incidence is too slight to adequately attempt to contain live fire. The relationship of
in-line points, in addition to inadequate target station design and too much firing line “blue sky’ towards
down-range targets, contributes to the potential of rounds escaping the property.

Projects
Completed

Club Suggested Project and Schedule
Anticipated
Date
May/June
Acquire enough clean fill to level 10 meter, 25 yard, 50
2015
meter and area out to 100 in front of 100 yard shooting
May/June
2015
May/June
2015

Projects to be
completed

area.
Cover the portion of the concrete wall with rubber
shred material that has become uncovered due to
settling.
Place cleaned fill sufficiently to raise the ground to the
50 meter target area and the 100 in front of the 100
yard target area. The majority of the range (everything
but the 25 feet in front of the 100 yard target) is now at
its roughed in height awaiting ballistic sand material.

7/31/2015
7/31/2015
7/31/2015

Complete replacement of stairs leading to range area.
Repair of fence crushed by tree.
Secure shooting tables to concrete slab of shooting
shed.

7/31/2015

Repair knee wall directly in front of and below shooting
tables.

7/31/2015

Install emergency first aid kit (gun shot specific) in
shooting shed area.

7/31/2015

Install emergency cell phone and charging station in
shooting shed area.

 7/31/2015
7/31/2015
7/31/2015

Install ballistic sand material, lime and grass seed to the
S.D.Z in front of 25 yard berm.
Secure temporary shooting bench to concrete slab
Remove steel I beam holding up targets at 100 yard
area.

12/31/2016

Install another concrete wall between 25 yard and 50
meter shooting area.

12/31/2016

Install ballistic sand, lime, grass to 100 yard shooting
area.

12/31/2016

Bring concrete walls (wood wall access openings) all the
way to concrete slab of shooting shed

12/31/2016

Install posts for final wood/ rubber hybrid wall at 50
meter range area.
Refine the Lead Management Plan.
Install "no blue sky" baffles
Cover baffles with ballistic rubber material
Install eyebrow panel over 25 yard berm

12/31/2016
12/31/2017
12/31/2017
12/31/2017
12/31/2017
12/31/2017
12/31/2018
12/31/2018
12/31/2019
12/31/2019
12/31/2019

Install rubber shred material and re-activate 50 meter
shooting area.
Refine LMP
Replace existing road to 100 yard target area
Install eyebrow on 50 meter berm
Install concrete wall at 100 yard area
Install rubber shred to concrete 100 yard berm
Install eyebrow to 100 yard berm

Observations / Review
Targeting station summary (between
Firing Line station elevation / location
and Targeting Station elevation /
location):
Yardage
% of
Incline to Slope Breach Degrees to Slope
Breach
Down-range ridge (233 Yards) 8.6
5
While no design is typically feasible or possible at this or most other ranges that would completely
eliminate the potential of downrange projectiles leaving the property boundaries, the existing range
facility could use improvements in several areas to increase safety and attempt to eliminate projectiles
from leaving the property boundaries to a much greater degree. After analyzing the small-bore pistol
and rifle targeting areas (100-yards and less) regarding locations, angle of incidence, angle of anticipated
ricochets (or caroms), general topography of the site (taken from GPS locations and site information),
target vertical elevation relative to the firing line stations vertical elevation, the targeting areas
horizontal location relative to each “most outside” firing line station location (two for each side of the
range), the general condition of the ground / soil and calculating trajectory opportunities for each of the

 five down-range targeting areas (yardages of 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100) …we make the following
recommendations:
While the existing range is in the process of implementing a plan of improvements, a more
comprehensive approach to containment and sustainability needs to be considered, designed, funded
and implemented to provide a safe environment for users and contiguous property owners. Elements of
this approach are as follows:
1. An accurate topographic and environmental survey needs to be conducted of the existing site to
establish the existing conditions for the basis of design and engineering.
2. A comprehensive “Range Manual” needs to be compiled addressing procedures. Additionally, a
narrower limit needs to be established for the ballistics, fire-arms and powder charges allowed
on this range. Once that is determined, the range designer can better design to contain live fire.
3. A range designer needs to be retained to work with the gun club and city to determine the exact
requirements for containment. At that time, a range baffling, containment, no blue-sky, sound
dampening or other systems can be engineered. These decisions can also incorporate schedule,
budget, phased use, limited use and any other (environmental) considerations.
Until the above steps are begun or implemented, we recommend the existing range discontinue use of
any live fire. The reasons are as follows:
1. All ballistics that are currently indicated as “allowed” at the range have the potential of leaving
the range site and property. Also, current “down-range” users and residences are within the
distance these ballistics “allowed” can reach.
2. There is currently no containment system in place. The angle of trajectory needed to exit the
property is only 8.6% (5 degrees). This is not significant enough to assure live-fire (or
ricocheted-fire or fragmented-fire) does not create an unsafe condition to the surrounding
properties and residence. Even though the direction of fire (in terms of elevation differential
from the firing line to each of the target locations (5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 yards) is generally level
or in a downward direction, this is not enough to assure accidental fire, ricochets or fragments
are contained.
3. The existing firing line shed is not protective of users or accidental discharge.
4. The clubs ‘Range Manual,’ allowed ballistics and operating procedures are not complete.
5. Security around the clubs property is not substantial or delineated well enough to assure
accidental entry.
6. The existing and proposed improvements are not sufficient to assure containment.
7. A more comprehensive containment system needs to be designed and implemented including
side berms / baffles, overhead baffles, firing shed protection, bullet trap / berm, targeting
systems (holders) and ground materials / berms / baffles. Sound and environmental issues need
to be addressed, if desired, at this time also.
It is well understood that this situation is no doubt difficult to absorb or remedy. The sequence of
events that have led to the proximity of live fire, adjacent properties / residences and city ordinances,
while important, are not the concern of this report. Our work effort is to evaluate the existing
conditions and react to (report) the situations with recommendations for the safety of life and the
health of the gun range.

 These targeting areas should be better surrounded by earthen berms on all three sides.
This will be accomplished when the targeting areas are lowered.
These targeting areas should be equipped with an NRA approved backstop (see NRA
Range Manual (3.04.5.1 (I-I-23) and 2.04 (II-2-8)) within these newly developed targeting
areas.
The firing line stations associated with these high-powered targeting areas (less than
100-yards) should be provided with safety baffles (at the firing line and down-range) to
eliminate any “blue sky” being visible downrange. See NRA Range Manual 2.06 (II-2-12).
A lid and back-stop system should be constructed at each targeting location (per NRA
Range Manual recommendations) to help contain skipped or fragmented projectiles.
Topographic / Vegetative Conditions
Vegetation is adequate to minimize erosion, not create hazards and allow for clear lines of sight.
Topography is not adequate to contain ballistics at the vertical elevation above the Firing Line that the
targets are currently located. Based on angles for incoming ballistics (angle of incidence), the average
slope (%) from the firing line to the ridge and anticipated ballistic exit trajectory, the target firing shed
and range needs to be modified.

 Soil / Ground Conditions
Acceptable condition, although environmental wetlands appears to be running across the range.
Flat Targeting System / Holders
A better target holding system needs to be incorporated to assure secure placement of targets and to
reduce the risk of ricochets and fragments.

The distance a bullet will travel varies according to several factors: ballistic coefficient, bullet weight,
muzzle velocity, caliber, bullet shape, angle of muzzle elevation, and to a lesser degree, wind speed,
wind direction and relative humidity. The ballistic coefficient and muzzle velocity are the two most
important factors in determining the distance a bullet will travel. The following ballasting table has been
modified for the use of this source book and is used with permission. Additional cartridges and newer
projectiles have been added to the cart. The new cartridge data was derived by using Sierra Infinity v6ii.
This chart should be used only as a quick reference to check comparative data for various calibers using
specific bullet weight and velocities for planning purposes. The 30-06 (boattail) bullet, weight of 172
grains, muzzle velocity of 2,600 feet per second has been added to the chart and is shown to have a
range of 5,500 yards or 3.12 miles, and does not mean that you have to own a control 3.12 miles of
downrange area. Various factors can affect the maximum distance that a bullet or shot may travel. The
tables below are to be considered as guidelines only.

 Chart A
Pistol
Calculated Maximum ranges

Bullet Caliber/Name

.22 Long Rifle
.221 Rem. Fireball
.38 Special
.357 Magnum
.357 Sig
.38 Super
9mm Lugger
.40 S&W
.44 Rem. Mag
.45 Auto
.45 Auto Rim
.45 Colt

Bullet
Style

RN
PSP
STHP
JHP
JHP
STHP
FMJ
JHP
JSP
FMJ
FMJ
LFN

Assumed
Bullet
MV.
wt (grs.)
(fps)

40
50
110
158
125
125
124
180
240
230
230
255

1150
2650
1320
1410
1350
1280
1140
1015
470
945
810
860

Calculated max. range
(yards)

1922
2666
1800
2366
1928
2033
1900
2093
2500
1833
1633
1800

(miles)

1.09
1.51
1.02
1.34
1.09
1.26
1.08
1.89
1.42
1.02
0.93
1.02

RN- Round Nose, PSP- Pointed Soft Point, STHP- Silvertip Hollow Point, JHP- Jackets
Hollow Point, FMJ- Full Metal Jacket, JSP- Jacket Soft Point, LFN- Lead Flat Nose. Table
updates 2011

 Chart B
Rifle

Bullet Caliber/ Name
222 Rem
223 Rem
22/250 Rem
220 Swift
243 Win.
243 Win.
250 Savage
257 Roberts + P
6.5 Creedmoor
270 Win.
270 Win.
7mm Rem Mag
280 Rem.
300 Win Mag
300 Win Mag
308 Win.
308 Win.
308 Win.
30-06 Spfld
30-06 Spfld
8mm Mauser
338 Win. Mag
375 H&H Mag.
45-70 Govt.
458 Win.

Bullet
Style
PEP
FMJBT
E-tip
PEP
PP
PEP
ST
PP
SST
ST
PP
PP
BST
PSPCL
PSPCL
PP
BTHP
ST
ST
FMJBT
PP
PG
FS
HPFN
SP

Bullet
wt. (grs)
50
55
50
50
100
80
100
117
140
130
150
175
140
150
180
150
168
180
150
172
170
250
270
300
510

Assumed
MV. (fps)
3140
3240
3810
3870
2960
3350
2820
2780
2850
3060
2850
2860
3040
3290
2960
2820
2680
2620
2910
2600
2360
2650
2670
1880
2040

Calculated max.
range
(yards)
(miles)
2500
2766
2933
2660
4000
3500
3500
3820
5602
4000
4333
4933
3700
4028
5202
4166
5157
4500
4089
5500
2853
5358
4688
2453
3385

1.42
1.57
1.67
1.51
2.27
1.99
1.99
2.18
3.18
2.27
2.46
2.80
2.10
2.29
2.96
2.37
2.93
2.56
2.32
3.12
1.62
3.04
2.66
1.39
1.92

PEP (Positive Expanding Point), FMJBT (Full Metal Jacket Boat Tail), E-Tip Polymer
Tip Lead Free, PP (Power Point), ST (Silvertip), SST (Super Shock Tip), BST
(Ballistic Silvertip), PG (Partition Gold), FS (Fail Safe), SP (Soft Point), HPFN
(Hollow Point Flat Nose). Table updated in 2011.

 The following table lists standards distances for specific shooting activities. Note: Some distances used
for special competitive activities, are optional and are duly noted. When in doubt, consult the
appropriate rule book.
Smallbore Rifle, 50 feet, 50 yards, 50 meters, 100 yards (200 yards for special competition)
Highpower (Big bore/ centerfire) Rifle
a. Conventional: 100, 200, 300, 500, 600 yards (800, 900 and 1,000 yards for special long range
activities)
b. International: 300 meters
c. Bench Rest: 100, 200 yards. Some activities are conducted at 300 and 1,000 yards, but are the
exception
d. NRA Highpower Sport Rifle: 100 and 200 yards
e. Police Qualifications: 100 and 200 yards

 Pistol
a. Bullseye:
Indoor and outdoor 50 feet and 25 yards
Outdoor: 25 and 50 yards
International/ UIT: 25 and 50 meters
b. Police Combat: 7, 15, 25 and 50 yards
c. Action Pistol: 7, 10, 25, 35 and 50 yards (different events may require different distances)
d. Police Qualifications: Varies from 1 to 60 yards
Silhouette
a. Air Rifle: 20, 30, 36 and 45 yards
b. Smallbore Rifle: 40, 60, 77 and 100 meters
c. Highpower and Blackpowder cartridge: 200, 300, 385 and 500 meters
d. Air Pistol: 10, 12.5, 15 and 18 yards
e. Hunter’s and Smallbore Pistol: 25, 50, 75 and 100 meters
f. Long Range Pistol: 50, 100, 150 and 200 meters
g. NMLRA Muzzleloading: 50, 100, 150 and 200 yards
Muzzleloading
a. Round ball: 25, 50, 100 and 200 yards
b. Slug: 100 and 200 yards. (300, 600 and 1,000 yards for special events of

 Range Floor Contour (Grading)
a. Material: The ground between the target and the firing line must be free of any hardened
surface (smooth surface walkways, concrete and blacktop surface excepted), such as rock or
other ricochet producing materials. The surface may be sodded or planted with low growing
ground cover. The floor of the range can be concrete or blacktop. When projectiles hit concrete
or blacktop at shallow angles such as a 20 degree or less, they have a tendency to follow the
angle of the surface or rise at about 1-2 degree angle above the surface of the range floor.
b. Configuration: Ideally, surface areas should be nearly level, sloping only enough to provide
drainage. Slopes of 1-2 percent toward the targets, and 3 percent laterally, are ideal.
c. Size: The overall size will be governed by the range distance and number of firing positions.

Firing Line Cover
a. Material: Firing line covers should be
constructed using low maintenance materials,
such as concrete floors, sheet metal covered
walls, treated lumber, corrugated plastics, etc.
Corrugated plastic or metal roofs without
insulation are unsuitable because of noise
reflection. These materials can be covered with
spray-on acoustical material or by applying
other acoustic material.
Backstop/ Bullet Impact Berm
Various factors can affect the course, travel,
deflection, bounce-back and ricochet of bullets
or shot. The distance and measurements stated
are to the considered as guidelines only. You
may be held responsible for personal injury or
property damage caused from any bullet or shot
that escapes the shooting range or that deflects, bounces back or ricochets, no matter how well
your backstop, sideberms or baffles may be constructed.
Main Backstop
a. Materials: Main backstops may be natural
hill or man-made earthwork, free of large rocks
and debris to a depth of 18 to 24 inches. In areas
where removing large rock is impractical, steel
backstop and be used or material trucked in from
backstop construction. Another method used in
rocky areas is to build a backstop with fill dirt or
wood cribs as core materials to minimize the cost
of trucking in clean soil to finish the project. Any

 broken core material, or cribs must be covered with a minimum of 18 to 24 inches of soil and
maintained to that depth. Where soil conditions permit the construction of earth backstop or
side berms, discarded material such as broken concrete, rock, asphalt, or bricks, may be used for
the core or interior of the backstop or berm. This technique saves on the amount of clean fill
required for surface treatment.
All Surface areas where bullets will strike are recommended to be free of large rock.
Contact local agriculture agents if information on low, fast growing grasses common to the area
to surface treat earthen backstops or berms. Crown vetch is a good choice in much of the United
States, and it will aid in erosion control. Some areas of the country do not have enough available
water to support ground cover.

NRA highly recommends that
ranges DO NOT use railroad
ties, stacked lumber or wood
products for backstops. Bullets
embedded in the wood can
eventually cause lead buildup
sufficient in size to cause
backsplatter or bounce back of
projectiles
or
particles,
projectiles or particles can
travel up to 50 yards straight
back to the firing line with
sufficient force to cause
personal injury or property damage

CAUTION: Exposed automobiles tires may
cause bounce-back where ammunition
velocities are below 800 fps. Highly
recommend that no automobile or truck
tires be used in backstop construction. The
exception would be commercial or club
built backstops using ground rubber tires
or chunk rubber, ¾ to 2 inch in size, is
acceptable. Keep in mind that the rubber
normally settles on a 30 degree angle from
horizontal and is stable. Provide proper
drainage for the backstop. When utilizing
with Geocell materials available today.

 b. Configuration: Sides should be sloped as steep as soil conditions will allow. Shallow slopes may
call for the installation of either a horizontal bullet catcher and/or a wall on top of the backstop
to retain occasional ricochets. Most soils stabilize on about a 1.5-to-1 slope. Geocell materials
may be used to aid with soil stabilization.
c. Height: The recommended height for a backstop id 20 feet high, except where the down range
area is backed up by high terrain features, such as a large hill our mountain, or by sufficient
distance, to contain occasional ricochet. This is especially true with a 50 foot range, often used
by youth shooting sports programs, where 10 feet is commonly recognized as the appropriate
height.

Where compaction procedures are not used, or do not work because of soil types, the fill
material will settle, reducing the overall effective height. To counteract the condition, add
additional fill as needed.

Side Berms/ Walls Around Each Target
a. Material: Core material may be broken concrete, asphalt, rock- laden fill or other fill material
discarded by area contractors. Exercise caution as local soil conservation district may restrict
such use. Surface area subject to occasional bullet strikes should be rock and debris free to a
depth of at least 12 inches. As an alternative to earthen sideberm, masonry walls may be used.
When using masonry walls, they should be grout filled unless using solid block and designed for
the prevalent wind load. Precast concrete wall panels offer a long-term use and ease of
installation. They are generally less expensive than earthwork, and take up a much smaller
footprint. Geocell materials may be used to build walls in areas where the soil is not stale such
as sand.

 b. Configuration: Side berm need not be as high as the backstop, but they should have the same
slope. For efficiency and cost savings, construct all berms as a single project. Install concrete
walls vertically.
c. Size: Earthen side berms suggest height is 8 feet.
Caution: Where soil conditions present a problem with compaction, additional material should
be added to compensate for settlement. Wooden or concrete walls are recommended to be 8
feet high, and designed to stop all projectiles from penetrating the barrier.

Overhead Baffles
Overhead baffles are used to contain the flight of bullets to a specified area within the range. These
overhead baffles are useful in areas where space is limited. Baffles are also described in sections on
particular shooting activities (see drawings A/A-16, A-17, A-17, A-20, B/A-20, C7, C-9, C-24, C-25, C-26, C28, C-29, C-62, C-70, C-71, C-72, C-73, C-74, C-75, C-76 and C-77). Other designs may be acceptable.
a. Material: Construct baffles from a variety of materials, but make long-term low maintenance a
design consideration. Reinforced concrete, steel, wood, and high-impact bullet-resistance plastic
are some of the materials available.
b. Configuration: Concrete panels should be pre-stressed, and a minimum of 6 inches thick. To
interrupt or redirect the flight of errant projectiles, set concrete panels in place either vertically
or at a 25 degree (see drawings C-24 and C-25). Width of these concrete slabs depends upon the
local concrete contractors capabilities. NRA recommends the slabs be pre-stressed and have a
5,500 psi rating, especially when using rifle calibers.
c. Wood and metal used in a “sandwich” configuration, with wood facing the shooter, allows
bullets penetration to the metal, yet prevents backsplatter. The off-side if the baffle panel is
covered with a thin later if wood to reduce sound generated by bullet strikes. Where sound is an
issue, acoustical materials may be added to the face of the baffle.

 d. High impact clear plastic may be just as baffle material for some calibers in areas where the light
is needed to improve visibility. Baffles using this type of construction are very expensive, may
only take two or three projectile impacts, and may be sensitive to UV radiation from the sun
causing them to deteriorate over time. Such plastic prevents the escape of bullets and provides
for natural illumination of the firing line area.
e. Plywood can also be used for baffles. To do so, construct long boxes out of plywood and 2 x 6
inch lumber to be filled with a medium capable of stopping any bullet fired on the range, such as
3/4 inch crushed rock. Prior to baffle construction, select and test materials to be used in the
baffle construction to determine effectiveness for bullet containment. In some cases, the baffle
must be designed with 2 x 8 inch or 2 x 10 inch lumber. Test every designed to determine if it
will stop the projectiles used at the range. If it fails, increase the baffle’s depth until it can
effectively stop and contain the projectile. This will also require engineering the support
structure to handle the additional load.
f. Baffles designed using dimension lumber and built (see drawing a – 16) are acceptable for pistol
ranges. Recommend testing for baffle to ensure that projectiles will be contained.
 You may add conveyor belting to the face of the baffle. This will reduce the
velocity of the projectile, help protect the baffle, and will not be a reactive
target for the shooter. As a projectile impacts the baffle, the remaining velocity
and aerodynamic properties of the projectile change significantly.
 Projectiles may travel the legal length of the property as long as they remain on
property owned or controlled by the range.
g. Size: overhead baffles must extend the entire width of the firing line and connect to either a
sidewall or side between. * Recommend concrete slabs be a minimum of 4 feet wide, 6 to 8
inches thick, , and have a 5500 PSI rating. Lengths up to 40 feet of pre-stressed concrete will
increase the effectiveness of the range design and give a larger open area without obstruction
from support structures. Built wood/steel laminated panels 16 feet long and 4 feet wide.
Thickness depends on lamination required for a specific range. Do not forget to design baffles
taking snow and/or wind loads into consideration.

Bullet catchers
a. Material: Wood or concrete. Wood can be plywood, dimension lumber or railroad ties.
b. Configuration: Install the catcher to provide maximum use of the exposed surface area. On
earthen backstops, the horizontal bullet catcher is installed perpendicular (normal) to the slope.

 For training ranges, a horizontal bullet catcher build parallel to you, and 8 feet above the ground
is acceptable.
c. Size: Extend horizontal bullet catchers across the entire width of the target and project a
minimum of 6 feet out from the face of the backstop.
d.

Bullet catchers may also be diagonal set at approximately 45 degrees from vertical leaning
toward the firing line.

d. You may also have a vertical bullet catcher which may be a wall constructed out of a variety of
materials. The purpose of these assemblies is to contain, redirect or slow the projectile, so it
remains on the property. The use of Geocell materials will allow the height of the backstop to be
raised providing a vertical wall.

Target frames/ Backers
a. Material: Use soft pine, metal, cardboard, plastic or a combination of these materials to
build target frames and backers. (See drawings A-30, A-31, A-40 and C-54.) Cardboard or
other materials that allow bullets to pass through with minimum deflection is suitable for
backing material. NRA recommends that you do not use plywood. It may leave splinters
around the target area.
b. Design: Target frames are generally rectangular or square.
c. Size: Target frame size depends on the target being used. For example, the NRA bullseye
pistol, the target frame must allow for a 21 x 24 inch size target; for highpower rifle, 4 x 6
feet at 200 and 300 yards; 6 x 6 feet at distances of 500 to 1,000 yards; and smallbore rifle,
14 inch wide and 42 inches high. Generally frames are sized to allow 2 to 3 inches of space
around the edge of the target when a full face target is being used (smallbore rifle
expected).
Important to remember: All targets should be placed at a height such that the projectile
goes through the target and impacts a backstop.

 A sample of a more comprehensive range operations manual, existing property plans and existing range
improvement diagrams are attached. Please see attachments “Sample Range Manual”, “Existing
Property Plans” and “Existing Property Plans”.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to call.

Sincerely,
R Design Works

Rick LaRosa, NCARB, DBIA, LEED
Principal