Build backyard shooting range
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
A wall of railroad ties backed by dirt works well, but most areas don't allow shooting within 400yds of a residence without specific permission from the homeowner. This could pose a problem if you have anyone within 1/4 mile, and I wouldn't set it up in a direction where there was anyone within a mile.
Going to the range isn't that expensive, and you don't have to worry about maintenance and upkeep there.
Going to the range isn't that expensive, and you don't have to worry about maintenance and upkeep there.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,562
Likes: 2
From: Southern MD
Very good points.
IF you want to build a shooting range, knowing your locale and the local laws would be the starting point.
Now, with that said, I recommend excavating a range, and using dirt berms, at least 10 feet high, and at least 3 feet thick.
(Don't have a clue as to WHAT you want to shoot on your range!)
Check with the NRA. They have a great range development department, and have some really great ideas and planners. (Just a thought. . . )
IF you want to build a shooting range, knowing your locale and the local laws would be the starting point.
Now, with that said, I recommend excavating a range, and using dirt berms, at least 10 feet high, and at least 3 feet thick.
(Don't have a clue as to WHAT you want to shoot on your range!)
Check with the NRA. They have a great range development department, and have some really great ideas and planners. (Just a thought. . . )
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,558
Likes: 2
Yeah i have heard about the railroad tie system, that sounds good . The excavating sounds good to but i live in florida , so i can't dig to much with out hitting water . Yes its out of the city limits , five acers , nearest house about a 1/2 mile away . The direction we would shoot theres nothing for miles . Shooting 22s , 45 , AR -15s...Thanks for the help ! ... Lew
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 20
From: Nixa
When I still had my property, I bought 12 1500lb hay bales real cheap and stacked them 2 high for a bullet catcher. Worked great and last several years. I image, since you don't get snow down there, they may last alot longer.
FTE Legend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 54,049
Likes: 2,419
From: NY and VA
I made up one with 1/4 " steel plate, about 30x30" in the front. Tapering down to nothing over 24" in the back. This way the bullets would be deflected downwards to the bottom, which was filled with sand. Being lazy I also rigged up a clothes line pulley outfit to set and retrieve the target.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
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From: McKenzie River
Yeah i have heard about the railroad tie system, that sounds good . The excavating sounds good to but i live in florida , so i can't dig to much with out hitting water . Yes its out of the city limits , five acers , nearest house about a 1/2 mile away . The direction we would shoot theres nothing for miles . Shooting 22s , 45 , AR -15s...Thanks for the help ! ... Lew
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I would want a fail-proof backstop. Plenty high, with a mechanical way of limiting the angle of fire. A high-powered rifle at a 45 degree angle could be well out to 2 miles or better.
At the AZ machine gun shoot, according to the video playing at Turner's one day, they clear SEVEN miles....
What is the access to the property behind the range? Kids wander in there to harvest their pot plants or sniff flowers?
Someone catches a bullet and it's all downhill from there, so keep that in mind.
Double check the zoning and building codes too:
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/200...916/0/COMM0601
At the AZ machine gun shoot, according to the video playing at Turner's one day, they clear SEVEN miles....
What is the access to the property behind the range? Kids wander in there to harvest their pot plants or sniff flowers?
Someone catches a bullet and it's all downhill from there, so keep that in mind.
Double check the zoning and building codes too:
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/200...916/0/COMM0601
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