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Interesting thought - I'm not sure what could be done to "improve" the template on a fixed piece of land (without actually purchasing extra land - not possible in this case). I've seen images on the web from ranges in the USA where they have overhead angled pieces of timber - but this would likely be for noise attenuation.

Noise complaints is the other problem we are experiencing as there is expanding residential development in progress to the east of the range complex but we are separated from it by the Gateway arterial road (basically a freeway). I recently found out that the noise tests conducted at the range property boundary had issues with the high background "noise" from the freeway, so they conducted tests at 2am one day and got some high readings from the odd truck and motorbike on the freeway that exceeded any noise value that that got from the range noise measurements that they did when the range was open. I think the problem is not so much the noise level from the range but the fact that the residents know the noise is gun fire and this would upset the anti-gunners amongst them.

Of course the anti gunners that have been living in the longer term established surrounding areas are also jumping on the bandwagon of the noise complaint petition. Although, in all fairness, there are many rifles with muzzle breaks these days and they would certainly send more of the noise their way. I'm not a big fan of muzzle breaks (I gotta admit that tactical rifles don't interest me at all, there are many "classical" style firearms that shoot extremely accurately and look good and are more practical for field use) and why do they bother putting them on 308s and the like?

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The angled timber is a feature most often used on pistol/rimfire ranges, but where used on centrefire ranges is often as much about controlling aimed trajectory options as it is anything else. IIRC there's something about the type of timber used that makes it expensive (hardwood and lots of it)

On the subject of noise complaints, people will complain, rather than educate themselves about things they don't understand. There is a group (supported by the greens) that wants to close Essendon Airport in Melbourne due to what they feel is the disturbance of activity outside curfew
hours. Trouble is, over 95% of curfew busting flights are exempt because they're Police, Ambulance or the Flying Doctor.......


Muzzle brake noise is fairly easily addressed by angled buffers at the sides of the firing points to deflect the noise upwards where the jets flying overhead are the only ones likely to know. You could always get some local arts students to decorate them.......