NETim Posted October 2 Share Posted October 2 I spent some time today running a box blade over one of our club's shooting bays that had large chunks of crushed concrete on it. This stuff has been on the bay for several years now with only foot traffic primarily. As a result, it really didn't work into the surface and remained on top, creating a somewhat hazardous surface to move on. At the very least, it was uncomfortable to walk on. Now that the club has a nice little tractor with a box blade, I was able to do something about it. Basically the bay is now down to bare dirt with a smattering of rocks here n' there in the low spots. What best to replace it with? I hear about this "3/4 grind" stuff which sounds to me like it would ideal as the larger pieces interlock while the finer stuff in the mix fills in the gaps between the larger pieces. Our other bays have pea gravel on them which is okay but I was curious if 3/4 grind might be better. Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DKnoch Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 I’m interested in the answers, as I recently purchased 20+ acres and am going to build at least one bay on it. The range I help run matches at is mostly grass. There is stone in some spots that aren’t graded well and some spots just get muddy. My personal preference for range surface is a well graded bay with a good covering of grass. The nicest ranges I have shot on were grass, well graded, and actually mowed and maintained Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuz Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 Also interested in what makes the best outdoor range “flooring” where people will b running around on during matches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Phil Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 (edited) Around here (N.E. PA) we have what is called "1/2 minus". It is 1/2" and smaller crushed stone which is mixed with stone dust (from stone sawing blue stone). It is like "modified" ( #2 stone mixed with dirt). It lays flat, smooths easily and doesn't roll under your feet like pea gravel can. Once it is rained on it gets packed in and hardens. Sometimes it is mixed with concrete or porcelain to harden it more. It will cut with water runoff but it is really tough stuff. I spray mine with weed killer 1x/year to keep the weeds out. Also much better to pick brass than pea gravel. Edited October 3 by Dr. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OPENB Posted October 9 Share Posted October 9 I shot the NC Sectional at Ant Hill in the mid 2000's, and I remember the bays being grass and manicured like a golf green. Easy on the feet in cleats, but probably a pain to maintain. But I loved shooting on it! My home club is a gravel pit, with some "ankle break" sized rocks strewn about. I'm constantly kicking them to the side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHA-LEE Posted October 17 Share Posted October 17 Broken Glass Bottles, Random Lego's and Goat Head stickers. This combined with Prone position stages every match will make everyone "Happy"... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathanb Posted October 18 Share Posted October 18 13 hours ago, CHA-LEE said: Broken Glass Bottles, Random Lego's and Goat Head stickers. This combined with Prone position stages every match will make everyone "Happy"... forgot rusty nails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Phil Posted October 19 Share Posted October 19 Ahh yes, Legos! Those little buggers are fun no matter how you step on them! Might want to plant some thorny blackberries on the range. Then you can pick while the other guy is shooting. Fun to go prone in them too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Mitch Posted October 19 Share Posted October 19 larger gravel base with a pea gravel top layer. hit it with a compactor to lock it together Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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