Tires as backstops?

S

SkytopBrewster

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Hello, I am pretty new to IPSC. My first couple matches it appeared to be common practice to use tires as back-stops. I have always been told this is a no-no, comments?

Here is an exerpt from page 39 of the RCMP range construction guidelines, just something to think about.

2.5.2 MAN-MADE MATERIAL BERMS
Man-made material berms are frequently used for the same reasons as earthen berms. However, they are primarily made from man-made materials, such as wood or concrete. They can also be used in conjunction with earthen berms to augment the overall height or length.
If used to separate adjacent ranges, man-made material berms shall:
 Rise vertically; and,
 Have a minimum height of 2.5 m, measured from the range floor.
Man-made material berms shall be of such construction that they will defeat the maximum calibre of cartridge for which the range was designed. There shall not be any gaps in protection along the length of a man-made material berm.
Man-made berms constructed of hard materials (e.g. concrete) shall be sheltered by Linatex™ (or similar material) or wood cladding at least 5 cm thick.
The use of unsheltered tires for man-made material berms is not permitted due to the hazard they pose from bullet backsplash and ricochet. If such tires are used, they shall be completely sheltered by Linatex™ (or similar material) or wood cladding at least 5 cm thick.
Note: Linatex is the registered trademark of the Linatex Corporation of America.
If tires are used for man-made material berms, then the tires shall be:
 Arranged in columns;
 Staggered and overlapped to provide uniform, gap-free coverage;
 Filled with soil or sand;
 Securely supported and configured to prevent toppling, sagging or leaning; and,
 Clad with Linatex™, wood cladding or similar materials.


Here is a link: http://www.gabriolargcc.com/media/Range_Design__Construction_Guidelines_2010.pdf
 
Last edited:
I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. The risk is so minimal as to be non existent. The only time I might raise an eyebrow would be shooting 22's into an industrial grade tire like an earth mover or large tractor. Those can be very dense and a low powered round might not penetrate and hold and instead rebound or ricochet.
 
The Alberta CFO doesn't like them.
Stated reasons are chance of richochet due to steel and kevlar in the tires. Also environmental and fire hazard.

That being said I have seen then used a lot as an indirect back stop with good success.
 
I shoot at a range that has stacks of tires behind conveyer belt. I have been told that the inspector for that area loves the setup.
 
Sniper_485 said:
I shoot at a range that has stacks of tires behind conveyer belt. I have been told that the inspector for that area loves the setup.
Click to expand...

Where was that?

I have seen them used as side berms. Seemed okay but I don't think we shot directly at them.

I have been told that shooters around here have experienced rounds coming back off of tires but I have not tried them myself.

John
 
Yes, if you read the range guidelines that is exactly what they want if you are using tires, but not to shoot directly at the tires. Others may have been oblivious to the fact that there were a lot of zingers and for sure at least one round that bounced off a tire, "thunk/zing". Was not trying to start anything, just trying to make others aware about the range guidelines, it would be a shame to have a match or range shut down if a CFO showed up.
 
Last edited:
I must have been 15 when shooting at marmots with my .270. They where in and out of the old tractor tires at the back of the orchard.... I will never forget that angry hornet sound with a few apple tree leaves coming down around me.... Lesson learned and never again.

D.K.
 
Jamie said:
Nice range!! Notice the guys gun double on him?
Click to expand...

Lol missed it and thanks. Not a member yet, but the papers are in, just waiting for the board to approve. Takes 3-4 days before I become a full member :) Got a great bunch of guys there and the RD trains there too.. In addition to that he coaches the locals regularly. My focus will be on Mini-Rifle, though, but I'll shoot 3-4 pistol matches a year as well. Good training for introducing 3gun ;)
 
John in B.C. said:
Where was that?

I have seen them used as side berms. Seemed okay but I don't think we shot directly at them.

I have been told that shooters around here have experienced rounds coming back off of tires but I have not tried them myself.




John
Click to expand...

Gardenhead Gun Club, Tompkins Sask. There you staple your targets on the conveyor belting, your bullets will penetrate the belting and be stuck in the rubber tires behind. I've shot there lots of times, and the only things that come back are someone's very light loads. I've not seen standard velocity loads come back. It's mostly a pistol caliber indoor range, though I have heard of someone shooting an SKS there as part of a hunter/firearms safety course demonstration.
 
I used to shoot IPSC with a guy that told a tail of shooting at a range with tires

He had a 45acp 230g come back and hit him in the forehead ( put him on his azz with a great big goose egg )

He hated shooting around tires
 
I seem to recall a range in the NWT that used tires. If I remember correctly, bullets did glance from frozen tires.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom