Mound Construction and Surfaces

[argh]

Hi all
We still have a bit of work to do on our range upgrade, including correcting the slope on some of our firing mounds which have been topped up too much and in some cases a bit too steep.

As part of this process, the idea of changing the mound material or surface rather than conventional grass has come up for discussion, and I thought I would seek the ideas of others. Our 500m mound is currently synthetic turf, and it works well, including being low maintenance, and far less dirt and grit to get into everything. All other mounds are grass.

Our thoughts are to look at options such as topdressing and keeping natural grass, changing over the surface to synthetic grass, concrete (probably not our preference), or even going to crushed rock surfaces like some ranges in dryer areas have.

Whats everyones preference for mound surfaces? What are the benefits and disadvantages or crushed rock or gravel mounds from those that have shot on them?

Cheers
Adrian

[Tim N]

Hi Adrian
I shoot at the cessnock club and we are changing our mounds to synthetic grass.
My assumption for the change is to reduce maintenance, the grass we have is second hand but quite good so if you hunt around you might get a bargain.
The only issue is that spikes cannot be used.

[bsouthernau]

The main feature of crushed rock is that it gets in everything.

[johnk]

The main feature of crushed rock is that it gets in everything.

... and it's like quicksand with pedestals & the like.

[Bart]

and isn't angle of the mound a great one. You can never please everyone, someone always grizzles

[lonerider43]

you can rake it,pack it and clean it right up.
but when it settles,its angles will change and again,someone will whinge.

[argh]

and isn't angle of the mound a great one. You can never please everyone, someone always grizzles

Too true. We had to change our mounds slightly after the new Range Inspector did his thing last year, and the result was we ended up with our mounds being steeper than before the works. Almost all the F-Classers in our club overnight had to go back to the shed and build platforms or boards to lift our rear bags. One part of the current mounds work is to rectify this a little and get consistency across all mounds.

[mike H]

As I understand it,the fall on military ranges was one foot in twelve feet.
Mike.