BSA Troop considering building 500m range. Need construction advice/tips.

Status
Not open for further replies.
1

10 Ring Tao

Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2004
Messages
947
Location
SE MI
The troop I'm an assistant scout master in, has been given the green light to plan and build a 500m rifle range at a camp that the scouts use frequently.

Basically, beyond the obvious dirt mound at the end of an open space, I'm looking for tips, plans, advice, and sources of info that will make this into a worthy investment for the camp and our troop.

The idea is that there are very few ranges of this distance, and for a small fee people will be willing to pay to use it, thereby helping to support a camp that is very special to the troop and myself.

Of course it will also be a great place to take scouts and turn them on to real rifle shooting.

Thanks guys!
 
I would suggest your Scouts get in touch with your state DNR. I am sure they will have some great tips. Also have your Scouts check with established local gun clubs. MHO
 
If you build a 500 yard range, you WILL need pitts with target frames, and that makes it a whole lot more complicated. You might have to consult with a lawyer, insurance agent, and an environmental specialist. Believe me, as soon as people find out what you plan to do, they will place all kinds of obstacles in your way. The NRA might be the best place to start.
 
When I was in Scouts we were only allowed to shoot .22LR and 20GA, they must be lightening up on high power stuff. We did get to shoot .30-06 at Philmont, though. That was pretty sweet.
 
good luck in your journey, i remember when i did my Eagle scout project. i took forever but it was well worth it, and i was happy i completed the task. please keep us informed on how it goes for you, thanks.
 
10 Ring;

Undoubtedly, the NRA is the best place to get info. However since I haven't contacted them about this subject myself, as I'm not constructing a range, a few thoughts cross my mind.

Be aware of the prevailing wind direction. It's nice if you can locate the long axis of the range parallel to the wind. Sun direction is another thing to at least be aware of. If the range faces east, for example, you may not want to take the risk of having it open during the very early morning. Looking thru a scope into the sun can cause eye damage. Drainage, nobody likes walking through a young swamp to get to the targets. Have running water on site if possible. Not only for sanitary reasons, but reactive targets are fun for all shooters.

900F
 
Being from Michigan myself, I can add this... DO NOT consult the DNR... they are the ones who SHUT DOWN the Ogemaw Pistol & Rifle Club range, with STUPID stuff that they really had NO BUSINESS dealing with... by the time it was all straightened out, the range was gone, the target pits filled, and berm bulldozed... and they even apologized... a couple weeks too late!

Leave those DNR Jack-monkeys out of it! you'll be far better off... (they really have NO say in it, on private land anyway!)

I also question the 500m high-power stuff... when I was in the scouts, .22's and 20 Ga. shotguns were it... (my father and a couple other scoutmasters DID sneak in a range trip or 3 with bigger stuff, but that was NOT sanctioned)
 
One of the posts sounded like it was to me a money maker for the camp.

Good luck and I hope the nearest neighbor is at least 2 miles away cause you will soon be hearing from them-as soon as they hear of the plans.
 
Lead is a biggie ! If you're starting from scratch...

there are a lot of issues that need consideration. I am on the lead committee of my club, and have been in environmental and waste operations for 15 + yrs. I'm far from a 'greenie', but the govt has a way bigger gun.

The EPA is involved in lead mitigation at shooting ranges. They have a publication: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AT OUTDOOR SHOOTING RANGES. It is available at: www.epa.gov/region2/waste/leadshot Latest version is June, 2005. It explains the EPA position on lead and hazardous waste issues, and provides lots of information on prevention and mitigation of lead contamination.

The posts on NRA help are spot on, they have a good range construction and management book.

Access your state health dept web site and look for information on shooting range management. They may have a document that will give their perpective. In fact, I just looked. Michigan Dept of Environmental Quality [ http://www.michigan.gov/deq/ ]has a plethora of information on shooting ranges.

Another source is: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AT OPERATING OUTDOOR SMALL ARMS FIRING RANGES. This document is produced by Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council. Try: www.itrcweb.org Click on 'guidance documents' and then small arms ranges. Good information on ways to start out keeping the range environmentally sound.

Submin's site is a gold mine. The National Assn of Shooting Ranges has pretty cheap membership and lots of information.

Hagar is correct. The public is scary ignorant about issues and laws. Neighbors and not-so-neighbors will present obstacles from lead to noise to safety to gun issues in general. If you have a sound background in the laws, and a good plan, it will go a long way defending your position and also in the permits you will likely need.

Not to be a wet blanket, but all the parameters need covering. Good luck and good shooting.
-HowardC
 
Last edited:
A few thoughts.

Contact the NRA. They have lots of info on setting up safe rifle ranges.

Do the Scouts *really* need a 500M range? For the expense and work involved, are they going to wind up with more range than they can use?

I agree that once you go past about a 200 yard range, you're at the point where you'll need target pits and target frames and all that. The distance is too far to walk down and check your targets all the time and is also too far to reliably spot bullet hits with a spotting scope, unless it was a very high end scope and the light conditions were right. (And even then I'm not sure)

Personally, I think a 500 m range *without* target pits and the ability to have someone in the pits run the targets up and down is not going to be used at the full distance. If your going to be at 100 meters or closer most of the time anyway, it's going to suck if your shooting stations are set up at 500 M.

Now, if you *do* decide to go with a 500M range with pits and target frames and everything else, you might as well go the extra 54 yards and make a full 600 yard range. That would allow to shoot a full "across the course" highpower match. 500 meters is 554 yards and that's not quite 600 yards.
 
I just thought of some more things.

You mentioned you want to rent out access to the range to help support the scounts. How would manage this and how would you reduce the troops liability? Would the insurance cover non-troop member use?

Also, are you sure that enough people are interested in a 500M range in this area to make it worth the time, energy, and money you'd use to create the range. A 500 M range without pits or pit service is not nearly as attractive as a 500M or 600 Yard range *with* pits and pit service. But, is it worth the considerable extra expense creating a range with pits would cost?

I'm not trying to *** in your Wheaties. I'd just hate to see you spend a lot of time and money on something that isn't going to do what you want it to do.

Personally, I'd focus on Scout use and forget about renting out the range, at least for now. I'd build a 25 meter airgun range and a 100 yard or 200 yard rifle range. I think that's the practical limit for shooting without pit service. I think the Scouts would get a lot of practical use out of a 25M range and a 100 or 200 yard range.

You could also consider building a trap or skeet house instead or as part of the range.
 
I thought I was clear enough, but I guess not. This isn't a scout range. The BSA borders on uselessly PC when it comes to this stuff, so often times we simply choose not to endure official BSA facilities.

This is a private/non-BSA camp that our troop has a long standing relationship with. This is their property and initiative. We've built many projects, such as camp sites and simple structures with them. This contribution would in the same spirit.

Ventures are allowed to shoot anything, and do so during our shooting experience weekends. Our guide and traditional program only shoot .22 and shotgun. I'm sure access to a range of this distance would be a nice addition to the shooting weekend menu.

http://www.scouting.org/pubs/gss/gss08.html

Thanks for the covering a large part of my lead concerns, Howard. I'll be able to take those links and run with the info there.

I'll bring up target pits at the next meeting. Those may be much more involved than the camp is prepared for, on top of the other monetary and other concerns.
 
Even a 100 or 200 yard range with no pits would be useful. Adding a shotgun trap/skeet area wouldn't add that much extra expense. It doesn't have to be a 500 M range or nothing.
 
Agree with Trebor. A 500 metre plinking range is not much use. A club I shoot IDPA at bragged of a 700 yard range, just a shed firing line and a berm way out there. No way to tell what you were doing, it was seldom used. They are remodeling now with plans for 600 and 1000 yard ranges. I am not a member and do not know the detailed plans but sure hope they put in pits and rising targets for proper matches.

If the troop cannot manage that, I further agree that a 200 or 300 yard walkdown range would be all that is needed. Maybe use the extra area for 50-100 yard small bore and 0-50 yard pistol ranges.

You only need 240 yards shotfall distance for a trap field, if you limit it to nothing larger than 7 1/2 shot.
 
NRA Range Source Book

I have the NRA Range Source Book at my disposal and would be glad to lend a hand as I may. I'll do some snooping in it tonight and see what I can come up with.
 
Charles, shoot me an email..I can fix you up with someone who has just done something similar, including dealing with the lead issue and neighbors.

Sounds like a fun project!
 
A 500m range can be set up without pits ,IF you have a red zone ether left or right with a pulley system that runs behind the barrier. or else it was when we had a 500m range when I was in the Boy Scouts back in the early 50's but then too the only thing we had back then that would shoot 500m was a mouser :D
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

mpofficer31a
  • Locked
Advice on building your own outdoor range
Replies
4
Views
356
JJFitch
JJFitch
T
  • Locked
The Construction of a Range: Pt. 1
Replies
12
Views
999
gamachinist
G
G
  • Locked
Obama's "Civilian Defense Force" will be armed with M14s, FALs
Replies
2
Views
682
Jorg Nysgerrig
J
O
  • Locked
Help Us Construct the Perfect Berm
Replies
13
Views
1K
Grump
Grump
A
  • Locked
Building a homemade range - Need ideas
Replies
16
Views
2K
Rembrandt
Rembrandt
Back
Top