Armory Sponsor
Posted: 2/19/2005 8:10:30 AM EDT
|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our local Sportsmans Association's board of Directors has placed a moratorium on the fireing of .50 BMG rifles at our rifle range. As it was explained to me, it was more like a knee jerk reaction to some wild and varied speculation on the large 50BMG cartridge. "Why that BIG 50 cal gun is liable to shoot clean through that berm!!!!!!!! (Said Berm is 50' wide at the base,20 ft tall and approx 20'-30' wide at the impact area behind the target rails) " The( horror) LIABILITY !!!....... "What would happen if one of those BAD .50BMG rounds were to go over that thar berm!!!!!!!" ( In my opinion, IF and thats a big IF a .50 BMG were to ever make it over the top of the clubs 20' high berms, the round would contenue to gain elevation, travelling approx 2 miles over sparsely populated wooded areas, and as it reached its terminal velocity, descend somewhat 2-3 miles into the Straits of Juan De Fuca, a rather large body of water, that seperates us from those heathen (socialist) Canucks, some 20 miles North by Northwest of our range) Never mind that on the 2nd Sunday, of every month, over 20 shooters fire 80 rds each down range in a span of 3 hours (OVER 1600 rds on a single day!) durring the local HI Power matches........ No one seems to be too concerned about the LIABILITY of one of their rounds going over the BERM!!!! What I need help on is locateing Govt. Specs on containment berms required to contain 50 BMG BALL ammo at a range of 100 - 300 yards ( our maximum distance) I seriously doubt that an M1A1 Abrams sould shoot ( blast) a hole in this berm that is 50 feet at its base, 20 feet tall and 10 feet at its top, made of compacted pit run that has been in place for 30 years. Any Help with .50 BMG ballistics and range specs( Exactly what sized berm is GOVT. Spec to contain a .50 BMG BALL rd?) would be much appreciated ! |
|
I Can't help ya with the info you're looking for, but out if curiosity, where is this range? I live in the Port Angeles area and am always interested in checking out shooting facilities. Most of my shootin' occurs on National Forest Land, but lately the horseback riders that have taken to my current "range" are getting on my nerves. You'd think If you got out of your truck 30 feet from a guy shooting, unloaded your horses and saddled them up, you wouldn't have the gall to ask him to stop shooting in "your" riding area.  < hijack over > - Nw - |
|
The NRA has a dept. specifically for range development. You might contact them for info. They also have books at their online store: http://store.nrahq.org/nra/dept.asp?dept%5Fid=115 You should also contact your state rifle association, and any area ranges. They will be able to give you pointers about local laws on range construction. NRA Range Technical Team: http://www.nrahq.org/shootingrange/technicalteam.asp NRA Range Development program: http://www.nrahq.org/shootingrange/development.asp NRA Shooting Range Services: http://www.nrahq.org/shootingrange/ |
Nw, I am in Hippie Central.......Washingtons Key City otherwise known as Port Townsend. We are practicaly neighbors! I have heard rumors of .50 cal shooters occasionally haveing a shoot in the National Forest above Sequim........Hopeing to hook up with those guys, but waiting for an intro. Good to meet a gun guy neighbor! |
|
We had the same problem at our range over in the Tri Cities. One 50 shooter got all the facts and presented them to the board and got the 1000 yard range opened up for 50's. You should come on over for our shoots this year. We are going to have a couple of fun shoots, and a official match also. I think you can find details on the dates and times at www.tcsa.info. All of the info for ballistics can be found on biggerhammer.net or some of the other links. I believe that the berm at the Yakima Firing Range is only 30' at the base, and they hose it down with the M2's all the time. If your interested in the matches and can't find the info on the site, I can dig it up and post it later on. |
|
Update on 50 matches at the Rattlesnake Mountain Shooting Facility in Tri Cities, WA. April 30th, May 1st, October 15th and 16th are the dates for the fun matches. June 24th -26th is a sanctioned match. Hope to see some of you west siders come over. Our range has firing berms from 200 out to 1000. If you're not used to 1000 we can start you out at any range you'd like and work you back to 1000. If you need help with the statistics to present to your range board members, I can get you in touch with the guy who did the presentation here, and he can probably give you all the info you want. We heard all the arguements here about berm errosion, damage to target carriers, the physics defying ballistics of the 50, and even firing line errosion caused by the muzzle blast. One of the biggest worries was rounds going over the berm. Everybody I've seen shoot at 1000 for the first time has ALWAYS been low on the first few rounds. EVERBODY was conservative on their elevation, and that's been true for the 30 cal high power guys too. Good luck and I wish you the best in your endeveavors at your range. |
Armory Sponsor