DIY Home Shooting Range Report

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SMH77

SMH77

Member
Oct 28, 2017
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Wisconsin, United States
Guys,

I know several folks here have the blessing of having enough land in the right location to put a shooting range on the property (myself included). Today I made a lot of progress in finishing my outdoor shooting range and it made me wonder if I have incorporated as many good ideas into the range as possible. So I figured I would start a thread to for people to document what they are doing for their personal shooting ranges-can be indoors or outdoors, doesn't really matter.

If you want to contribute, I would suggest including some minimum information about your range, along with pictures. You should plan to include things like: what state are you located in, general setting of the property (open farmland, forest, wetland, acreage, etc), where you have your firing line, which distances do you have targets set at, how far out is the farthest target, what type of shooting are you doing (benchrest, target, plinking, Field Target, etc), what the primary materials for your targets are, and what kind of cost you have invested in the range. From there it would be great to share photos of the types of targets you have out on your range, features of the range, challenges you face with setting up your range (neighbors, terrain), and future expansion plans, etc. I figure the more we share together as a community, the more we can learn from each other and glean great ideas to improve our home shooting ranges.

Since I'm starting this topic, I'll go first with my outdoor range.

Geographic Location: Southern WI, about 45 min SW of Milwaukee

Setting: 8.5 acres of Oak forest mixed with wetlands, adjoing 11 acres undeveloped property that connects to 600+ acres of public hunting grounds

Location of Firing line: my back deck, facing North

Range Details: targets at 25/30 yards, 50, 75, and 100 yards

Types of Shooting: primarily target (Benchrest, prone) steel spinners and paper targets

Primary Materials: A combination of old deck boards (from a tear-off) and scraps of new treated deck boards; throw in some purchased 2x12" treated boards for target holders as well

Investment: So far probably about $75 total-mainly for the 2x12's and screws (not including spinners-I probably have $125 worth of spinners out there...)

Challenges: Straight line of site through heavily wooded, Kettle Moraine (very rolling) terrain; not disturbing the wildlife or damaging the trees I want to keep; managing buckthorn and honeysuckle overgrowth

Future Expansion: Indoor 10m range (can go to 18 yards), and possible Field target lanes; I want to add a compressor sometime in the future too to be self sufficient; I would like to add some high quality wind flags; Archery Ranges as well

Further description:

Overview

1545367886_1198796015c1c714e524896.15738787_Overview Shooting Range.jpg


Firing Line Details:

1545365376_9363056275c1c67805bc259.79112366_Firing Line.jpg


25/30 yard target (depending on location of firing line) :

1545365349_11658193835c1c676531ea08.17862640_30 yd Target.jpg
 

50 yard target details:

1545365406_18938886315c1c679e0f54b7.74328089_50 yd Target.jpg


75 yard target details:

1545365470_18972765325c1c67dec19864.05036404_75 yd Target.jpg


100 yard target details:

1545365514_8842799945c1c680a301927.12774769_100 yd Target.jpg


So there you have an example of what I'm referring to for sharing information. Hopefully others chime in and share what they've done to enjoy this excellent sport / hobby / obsession that joins our community together. I know there are some really nice personal ranges out there and some great, creative ideas as well!

As a side benefit, by telling your general location, we may be able to join together and share access to our ranges with nearby members (who maybe don't have easy access to a range or club) and help further build our 'community' together. Just a thought...



Sean


 
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While I don't have anything like what you have @ home, I can shoot in my yard out to 30 yards. But now that it's cold and damp and shooting from inside my backyard shed is better than being cold and wet, this time of year we (my son and I) start shooting at my shop. My shop is located in S.E Pennsylvania. I am an automotive machinist by trade- which means I build engines for a living.My shop is in the basement of an auto parts store one story below street level. (That's the best part) There's a driveway beside the building that leads down to the parking area outside my shop....surrounded on three sides by 15 ft. walls. We can shoot anytime of day or night and not bother anyone. My firing line is also pretty great for this time of year. We stand in front of the heater room door 40 ft. back from the garage door we shoot out of.

1545400126_15830645755c1cef3e20bad5.77942064_20181221_083002.jpg


Toasty warm. From the firing line to the far wall (the next building ) is 105'....so roughly 34 yards.

1545400366_14353349875c1cf02e24ea00.23765673_20181221_083122.jpg


So what we shoot is silhouettes offhand. 

1545400462_11940619395c1cf08e9fa182.62011689_20181221_083213.jpg


1545400508_1815470285c1cf0bcb7f0f9.62171381_20181221_083306.jpg


We also shoot these round disc targets I make from freeze plugs ( engine parts)

1545400646_18795609665c1cf14638fd43.22116408_20181221_083347.jpg


They are cheap and I have hundreds of them in sizes from .750 all the way up to 2.250" in 1/16 increments. We shoot the silhouettes @ 18 yrds for chickens. ....23 yrds for pigs. .....28 yrds for turkeys. .....33 yrds for rams. As far as investment, just what I paid for the silhouettes from Pyramyd Air. Everything else is homemade and the racks for the silhouettes were just shelving left over from the auto parts store.

1545401107_16060152885c1cf3139916a8.53238149_20161231_130724.jpg


We also occasionally bring the field targets in for a change of pace. I have over 20 field targets mounted on old brake rotors that we put out at different distances and shoot. So that's my DIY shooting range. It's 15 minutes from my home and since my gun club is 50 mins from my home, if I just have a couple hours to shoot this is where I go. Especially if it's raining and cold.
 
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Here is my 12.7 acres I bought 2 years ago and set up my shooting range, my retirement home will go at the end of driveway in a few years so it won’t effect my shooting lane. The Red is my Camper, Blue is shooting bench and canopy and Yellow box is my 100 yard shooting area/lane.

Click to expand...

Very Nice Jim! I am somewhat jealous of the nice flat terrain you have for your shooting range-the rolling hills by me (while beautiful) makes straight line of sight difficult for sure, and requires tall targets out back. I bet you can't wait to live there full time?!



Sean
 
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While I don't have anything like what you have @ home, I can shoot in my yard out to 30 yards. But now that it's cold and damp and shooting from inside my backyard shed is better than being cold and wet, this time of year we (my son and I) start shooting at my shop. My shop is located in S.E Pennsylvania. I am an automotive machinist by trade- which means I build engines for a living.My shop is in the basement of an auto parts store one story below street level. (That's the best part) There's a driveway beside the building that leads down to the parking area outside my shop....surrounded on three sides by 15 ft. walls. We can shoot anytime of day or night and not bother anyone. My firing line is also pretty great for this time of year. We stand in front of the heater room door 40 ft. back from the garage door we shoot out of.



Toasty warm. From the firing line to the far wall (the next building ) is 105'....so roughly 34 yards.



So what we shoot is silhouettes offhand. 





We also shoot these round disc targets I make from freeze plugs ( engine parts)



They are cheap and I have hundreds of them in sizes from .750 all the way up to 2.250" in 1/16 increments. We shoot the silhouettes @ 18 yrds for chickens. ....23 yrds for pigs. .....28 yrds for turkeys. .....33 yrds for rams. As far as investment, just what I paid for the silhouettes from Pyramyd Air. Everything else is homemade and the racks for the silhouettes were just shelving left over from the auto parts store.



We also occasionally bring the field targets in for a change of pace. I have over 20 field targets mounted on old brake rotors that we put out at different distances and shoot. So that's my DIY shooting range. It's 15 minutes from my home and since my gun club is 50 mins from my home, if I just have a couple hours to shoot this is where I go. Especially if it's raining and cold.
Click to expand...

Nice setup Brislee! A heated firing line sure is nice during these cold winters! Very creative use of the recycled freeze plugs too-I love it!

Question: I see the silhouette targets next to the truck-do you have problems with debris from the pellets exploding hitting the truck? Maybe I should back up and ask what caliber / energy you are shooting with? I have found debris at my targets (even the 100 yard target) embedded laterally-and pretty deeply-into the side pieced of wood from exploding when hitting the spinners or gongs. I'll take some photos today and post for reference. I was actually very surprised to see the debris so deeply embedded laterally into the wood. Makes me wonder if you'll have similar problems with a vehicle next to your targets?

Thanks, for sharing!

Sean
 
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You forgot one thing...

Mic drop!



Nice set up and great documentation. You have a near perfect setting.



Wyshadow:

So when can we all come over to shoot?
Click to expand...

Jim,

Thanks for the compliment! Yes, I really am blessed with this property. The wildlife here is pretty phenomenal as well-tons of whitetail deer, opossums, Squirrels, chipmunks, coyote, fox, raccoon, etc. I mainly only snipe the chipmunks since they are making Swiss cheese out of my retaining wall, LOL.



Wyshadow:

Head on over! You may not like shooting out in the 15-30 degree temps with me though, LOL.



Sean
 
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Most of what we shoot is under 12ft.lbs......I have 7 HW30'S and my kids can bring a friend in to try shooting. As far as the truck, it hasn't moved in 6 years and don't think it will anytime soon. Saying that though I haven't noticed as damage to the truck from pellet fragments just thousands of these everywhere 

1545406815_5924266295c1d095f0595b7.60164220_20181221_103528.jpg


Lol. Thanks for the response. 
 
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Sean,

you live close to Bristol, Wisconsin. the BAGA club shoots there on Saturdays. have you ever shot there?

a really bunch of great knowledgable guys shoot there. indoors at 30 yards in the winter and Field Target property and clubhouse in nice weather. chechout the BAGA website.

Don
Click to expand...

Correct, Don-I do. I remember shooting 10m with you before my hiatus to Illinois. I am back in the state now and about 45 minutes from the club (I live in the Southern kettle Moraine Unit now-by the nordic trails). I was actually just at the club last weekend introducing a new shooter to the guys down there. I hope to see you again in the near future-BAGA is a GREAT club for sure!



Sean
 
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Brislee, I like the corrugated angle you used for the silhouette targets and what you did with the tins, I’m using sawhorses but you’re set up is way nicer, thanks for the ideas.

My retirement setup in 2-3 years.

Sean I have a slight hill in the middle to shoot over but can still hit the 100 yard plates, the hill is where my home will go being it’s the highest part of the property, don’t think I’ll do a basement though. The home is 30ft x 68ft then the garage will be 30 x 30 ft and I’ll have a 30 x 45 ft pole shed off to the northwest of the home, something like this, plus I’ll still have my shooting lane.

1545415885_2832761045c1d2cce001576.92105497_ED6EA2B9-1B92-4C5C-BD9D-492F08ED3FE7.png

 
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Most of what we shoot is under 12ft.lbs......I have 7 HW30'S and my kids can bring a friend in to try shooting. As far as the truck, it hasn't moved in 6 years and don't think it will anytime soon. Saying that though I haven't noticed as damage to the truck from pellet fragments just thousands of these everywhere 

1545406815_5924266295c1d095f0595b7.60164220_20181221_103528.jpg


Lol. Thanks for the response.
Click to expand...

I was wondering if you moved the truck or just left it there.
 
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Hey Imold dont forget a cement pad and hookup for my travel trailer when you build. I may never leave.
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Heck I sit at the shooting table that has the canopy over it and I don’t want to leave, I like it better then sitting on my deck at the lake. Plenty of room for a handful campers and I keep it mowed so no cement slabs necessary and power won’t be a issue when I get it put in. My property line runs about 80 yards north behind the camper and I’m about 30 yards from my east property line. It’s tucked in pretty nicely right there.

1545442033_7859939715c1d92f103c272.58785583_0E15ADE0-9369-4BBF-8DAD-5938D7A45F04.png




the highway curves around to the east about 170 yards north of shooting lane so no shooting that way and to the east is swamp and low land and to the south it’s lowland and trees for a couple miles so no worry there.
 
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Think I would put the firing line at the other end and fire N for no incoming light and better light on the target. And while your at it out the shop on the firing line also for warm dry area to shoot from. And refreshment and potie area nearby too.
Click to expand...

Jim,

I'm kind of with Lenweber2 on his suggestion: if you plan to put your shop slightly further SW of where it's currently shown on your diagram, you may have line of sight out at 100-120 yards around the SW corner of your garage. You could shoot with a heater in the shop, with the door open to hit those 100 yard targets in the winter-plus have a heated shooting lane. Unless there's a hill obstructing the view-but even then, build something like I have for my 100 yard gongs/targets.

Just a thought-but I think it brings some extra options. Hey-once you plan the property for shooting, then you can settle all the little details-like the house layout and stuff, LOL! Gotta do the important stuff first...



Sean
 
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Holy you know what Sean that’s pretty wild, is that with JSB pellets hitting a AR500 plate?
Click to expand...

Yep, it sure is: the .25 cal JSB Heavies, Mk I. And that amount of scrapnel is up and down the left and right supports, embedded pretty deeply too. It was hard to photograph with my phone (since I'm short, and it's a ways up there). The crazy thing is that I've only shot the gongs maybe a dozen - 18 times (shots) so it's not like that was a fluke on a couple shots over many, many sessions. Those boards are going to be good 'keepers' of the lead debris over time.

Of course, I see the center sections laying on the ground after it smacks the gong as well-those look similar to Brislee's photo above...



Sean
 
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