Thinking through building a range and wondering what would you have in it? Targets? Distances? Firing line? Would love to see pictures of home ranges and ideas others are using.
The Ultimate Backyard Range
- Thread starter mjjudd
- Start date
Variety!
I like a variety of targets, paper, KYL, and mostly the metal resetables.
Occasionally I will find something in the garbage, that is fun to use, like a small plastic lid, or a old pellet tin.
The metal re-setables are by far, my favorites, and they come with different diameter holes (3/8", 1/2", 1", 1.5", etc) that must be shot through, in order to reset.
I have multiple metal resetable squirels, crows, rabbits, etc.
There use to be a gentleman on the yellow forum that made them, and they were very well built, and very affordable.
Im not sure if he is still around, but Id highly recommend him if you can locate him.
Occasionally, they do require a fresh coat of paint, and some oil or grease, but they are very well constructed, and have served me very well.
Photos for reference:
I like a variety of targets, paper, KYL, and mostly the metal resetables.
Occasionally I will find something in the garbage, that is fun to use, like a small plastic lid, or a old pellet tin.
The metal re-setables are by far, my favorites, and they come with different diameter holes (3/8", 1/2", 1", 1.5", etc) that must be shot through, in order to reset.
I have multiple metal resetable squirels, crows, rabbits, etc.
There use to be a gentleman on the yellow forum that made them, and they were very well built, and very affordable.
Im not sure if he is still around, but Id highly recommend him if you can locate him.
Occasionally, they do require a fresh coat of paint, and some oil or grease, but they are very well constructed, and have served me very well.
Photos for reference:
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You have in my humble estimation the most amazing home range shamboozle!
Would luv to wake up every morning to that....
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That is totally awesome!! What a fun time that would be. So what's beyond the last set of gongs way in the back?
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Leave them out. Even shooting an air rifle I usually get the thicker targets so there's no worry of rusting away... at least not while I'm still around
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Thanks for the love guys. One day I will get off my but and do another 20 or 30 yds.. . I shoot at least 4 days a week. Deep in the rabbit hold. It's a blessing to have a place to shoot.
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My small setup in the backyard. I don't get to shoot as much as I'd like. Neighbors off to the left of the targets are outside a bit and I don't really like shooting when they're out. The whole backyard is fenced but part of the reason I built the enclosure is to keep pellets inside and from ricocheting out. I have about 25 yards I can backup to.
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You gotta love that kyl spinners. Last one on the right made me learn new curse words.. Nice setup.
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Scott
ive got neighbors on one side too that I’ve got to be careful with. They don’t mind me shooting but don’t want to send an errant pellet their way either
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I SHOULD take them inside, but to be honest, I have 3 or 4 outside right now, that have been there for years!
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That is the best backyard for an airgun shooter! I have a 40 yards backyard space but I am not allow to shoot due to by-laws. Luckily I have a few farm permissions where I can go there and play. Otherwise, this airgun hobby of mine would never have materialized if I don't have places to shoot.
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For targets, I like AR steel gongs (zinc or galvanized if possible) that swing or spin, but they are not the best choice if you have neighbors to worry about. It's not only the noise, but shooting steel will send out spall in every direction if you don't contain it somehow.
Distances? It's good to have small targets at various distances to practice your holds. Don't forget some up close targets (biggest POA vs POI difference). I also like to populate the 10-25 yard area on the range for red dot/pistols targets.
Action shooting and/or moving targets are a ton of fun. Best with a semi-auto, but can also be fun with a bolt action too. Tin cans and plastic bottles hanging from a length of string work well for that.
If you have choice in where to put your range (or even how to orientate your only available location), think about safety first and foremost. But after that, do consider the environment (wind, sunlight etc).
IMO, just start with something simple and add to it as time goes on. That way you get to see what you like and what you don't. Portability with targets is still a good idea on a permanent range so you can mix it up. Otherwise, you'll might eventually get bored shooting the same thing all the time!
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