My Thinking on setting-up a range

I’m no expert…

Setting up a Shooting Range, Targets and your Backstop / Berm

After reading and viewing the post submitted by member BALBZ on May 3rd … It got me thinking about the time spent on planning and materials needed to setup the range … First off consider the location your range will setup at…any restrictions up discharging a firearm in the area?... what the distance needed from the range to the nearest dwelling? … Is a special permit needed for the range? … Do you need insurance for the range? … This is a few things to think about and research before moving forward.

Now that you’ve picked out the location of range … Consider what you’ve use a backstop / berm … will it be dirt, wood, combination of old tires and dirt, or do you a natural backstop / berm already in place? Such as a hill or mountain … Consider leaving the front open for now so you can truck-in and materials needed to build your backstop / berm … Is might saving you time and a few cuss words …

Target stands…
you want stands that are fixed in place or will you use portables stands? …
4x4’s PT make for great outer post and running a 2x4 between them makes a decent place to hang targets from … So what if what you add more targets or just get tired of the set-up … Do you know where your shovel is? … Portable stands … might be made of wood, steel or pipe … allows you to change to look of your range in minutes …

Targets …
1/4”, 3/8”, 1/2” etc, etc thick in AR400 and AR500 steel … what do you need? … Plenty of charts out there to help you choose the right thickest … I’ve used scrap metal on my range but only use it on the smaller caliber target stands for 22 or 17 …

Target Hangers and Straps …
Tons of hangers and straps out there to choose from … Hanger wiser I like the ones that allows the target to move when hit … and I really like the hangers that place the target angled lightly downward … good video … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GpKZzt29BM …

In the pics below notice the use of pipe hangers, threaded rod, hinges and straps and some of the static targets are angled down … Straps … contract your local FD and ask them if they have any old hose you can have … 1 roll which is usually 50’ if enough once cut down straps or whole and cut to length …

Again I claim to be NO Master Range builder

The birth of my Range ...My First Setup
PVC Pipe, Mech. Wire and Tennis Balls

more pics

More pics

Pics

Last of the pics

How much land do you have?

Wow. That is nice! W VA?

WMD...flintstone MD.... 17 acres

I have been slowly working on mine for a few years now. All woods so takes a while to clear. It is hard to make out but I have 6" PVC pipe sunk in the ground at 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 200 yards kind of staggered. I use 4x4's with a 2x4 cross to hang targets. I can pick them up and set them in whatever PVC pipe at the distances I want to shoot. Adds flexibility for a narrow range like mine.

How are your eyes now Laddertowr? You get them fixed?

There is a lot there to keep one amused. Now I want to post some pics of my range.

I need a larger plot of land.

Suburbia is dumb, what with it's "You can't operate a firearm in your yard because there are houses 50 feet away in every direction" nonsense

One thing to mention, you really shouldn’t be splashing lead in to the river/stream from having the targets that close. It will dissolve in the water if even slightly acid or basic, increasing lead levels in the water down stream.

The amount contributed from a personal range probably isn’t much, but still not good for the habitat.

/tree hugger message for the night

lazarus said:

One thing to mention, you really shouldn’t be splashing lead in to the river/stream from having the targets that close. It will dissolve in the water if even slightly acid or basic, increasing lead levels in the water down stream.

The amount contributed from a personal range probably isn’t much, but still not good for the habitat.

/tree hugger message for the night

Click to expand...

Nah. Acidic coal mine tailings is more of a concern out there. A few slugs in a creek bank? Creek constantly flushes itself out.

Nice range!! Can't beat that BIG backstop.

lazarus said:

One thing to mention, you really shouldn’t be splashing lead in to the river/stream from having the targets that close. It will dissolve in the water if even slightly acid or basic, increasing lead levels in the water down stream.

The amount contributed from a personal range probably isn’t much, but still not good for the habitat.

/tree hugger message for the night

Click to expand...

Slugs and even splatter really don't shed much in the way of contaminates. But you can bet (as we've seen in some spots in MD) that people who want to shut down your ability to shoot will absolutely sift through the creek silt and find a few pieces of lead ... and make an unholy stink via the EPA or similar state-level operation. Just be aware it can happen.

Occam said:

Slugs and even splatter really don't shed much in the way of contaminates. But you can bet (as we've seen in some spots in MD) that people who want to shut down your ability to shoot will absolutely sift through the creek silt and find a few pieces of lead ... and make an unholy stink via the EPA or similar state-level operation. Just be aware it can happen.

Click to expand...

National Capital Skeet and Trap (Darnestown, MD) was shut down for lead shot going into Great Seneca Creek.

Aamdskeetshooter said:

National Capital Skeet and Trap (Darnestown, MD) was shut down for lead shot going into Great Seneca Creek.

Click to expand...

Exactly the case I was thinking of. And that was just neighbors who moved in where a long-standing range was in operation finding a BS way to shut them down.

lazarus said:

One thing to mention, you really shouldn’t be splashing lead in to the river/stream from having the targets that close. It will dissolve in the water if even slightly acid or basic, increasing lead levels in the water down stream.

The amount contributed from a personal range probably isn’t much, but still not good for the habitat.

/tree hugger message for the night

Click to expand...

outrider58 said:

Nah. Acidic coal mine tailings is more of a concern out there. A few slugs in a creek bank? Creek constantly flushes itself out.

Click to expand...

Looks like a stream that could easily hold trout. I'd be more worried about smoking a dude walking the river fishing or a kayaker.

nice range/property/targets. color me jealous!

My little range in our woods

Bench at 100 yds. Plans for the bench are all over the web