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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 127
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 127 |
Have any of you used your pond dam as a backstop for a shooting range? I've been thinking of building up a berm for a backstop, and now I'm wondering if I could just let my pond dam double as a backstop. This would be very lightly used. Just myself and occasionally a few friends.
I assume that if I'm firing from outside the pond into the dam there's no way for water flow to carry lead into the pond?
Do you think there's any chance that bullets could penetrate the dam enough to cause leaks?
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,975 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,975 Likes: 277 |
Do you think there's any chance that bullets could penetrate the dam enough to cause leaks? I'd lay off the .50 BMG just to be sure.
"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever." -S. M. Stirling
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277 |
I don't see a problem. I built a 100 yd shooting range and the backstop is a lot thinner than a dam. A whole lot thinner, something like 6 ft. The lead only penetrates a couple of inches with my 30-06.
Last edited by Dave Davidson1; 07/27/09 05:17 PM.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,902
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,902 |
So long as it's minimal shooting I'd say go for it. You just might want to change the target loc. once in a while to let the vegitation take root to prevent erosion. If alot of shooting you should look into lead mitigation. I can find out but IIRC lime in the pit will help.
Pond Boss Subscriber & Books Owner
If you can read this ... thank a teacher. Since it's in english ... thank our military! Ric
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,074
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,074 |
Have been shooting into the dam and pond for ever, Did not know to worry about it
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 265
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 265 |
Depends on how much you shoot, some guys I know around Austin shoot allot and kept getting complained on..One of the neighbors even called the EPA and EPA made them move the berm because of lead mitigation, now the berm is even closer to the neighbor who called EPA
"Is the Poop-Deck really what I think it is?" - Homer Simpson
"A man can't just sit around" - Larry Walters, 1982
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 87
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 87 |
I have been doin it all my life. In my younger days, I built a range that went out to 600 yards, and practiced often. Everything from .22s to the mighty .338 Lapua Magnum. Used this range in this manner a LOT for 20 years, but now only occaisonal sight in / practice with deer rifles and pistol practice.
Never had a problem one.
Like otto said, I never even considered it might be a problem.
"The doorway to freedom is framed in muskets"... Charleton Heston
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 2
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 2 |
Bullets break up rather fast on impact with the ground. It would take a lot of shooting to cause a lead problem.
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 167
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 167 |
I do a lot of clay target (trap, skeet, sporting clays) shooting. One of the local trap ranges is now on a year-to-year lease with the city rather than the 5 year leases they previously had.
The shot from all the shells falls into the city's only waste water lagoon and when they went to dredge it out the shot caused a ton of problems/damage for the dredge.
This is a small range with only 10-20 guys shooting one night a week.
Lead is also an issue if waterfowl eat it. If you every plan on having a flock of ducks it might cause a problem.
Every person should have an interest in life - I think I'll go fishing. ~ Thoreau
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,458 Likes: 2
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jan 2009
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I've researched a lot on lead and waterfowl and a lot of the lead is bad for waterfowl is hype. Not to say a duck eating lead pellets isn't bad for them but it isn't nearly as wide spread as many make it out to be.
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 396
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 396 |
The NRA has a great text with all you would ever want to know about setting up a range (private or commercial) I only know this b/c I am going to do the same on my property. It is available on their website. From a safety standpoint your dam is plenty thick enough. I would be concerned about what is behind your dam , and also to a 90 degree angle to either side. I would not be concerned about lead so long as it is just you and a couple budies shooting every so often. It will be negligible. Make sure neighbors are aware and follow local ordinances (ask me how I know). Good luck
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 105
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 105 |
I shoot across the length of my dam,and across my pond ,and have for years,No problems observed.Amen to CJBS2003,the hype over lead exposure period is overblown.In my area,along the Ohio river,every old city had lead water lines going to each house.For well over a hundred years people drank and bathed in this water.They still do to this day.
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,722 Likes: 282
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,722 Likes: 282 |
I think that the folks worried about lead must have eaten paint chips as the main course for most of their meals as children. Right up there with the "new and improved" pressure-treated lumber.
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