Building a range...

[Ladybug]

Hey all,
There was a post on here a couple of weeks ago from someone who built a range on their land, but now I can't find it. I need some advice. My father-in-law has been talking about building a range on his farm, which I'm very excited about since my stupid college town doesn't have a single range. My mother-in-law just wants to target shoot her little rifle, my father-in-law wants some way to make sure his sights are aligned right and goof off with his arsenal of rifles and pistols, and I want to practice shooting my .45 pistol. So ANY advice on how to best set up a range for both rifles and pistols would be much appreciated!! I think the biggest challenge will be finding a relatively flat piece of land - he has about 200 acres, but most of it is wooded and/or hilly. Luckily all nearby houses are not very nearby.
Thanks!

 

[Sharpie1]

It was me!!!

I posted the post(s) about ranges.

Here is a link to the post about the permanent range I built on a large peice of land:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19211

And, here is one I posted the other day about a portable target "thingy" I built, that can be moved from place to place -- it is large, and provides a lot of space on which to staple paper targets:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20183

Enjoy -- and if you have any questions, feel free to PM me, or email me at [email protected]

--tadyson

 

[Ladybug]

COOL thanks!! Your terrain looks a lot like my in-laws... I sent that thread to my father-in-law, hopefully he can get some ideas! I know you just built it... but do you know how long the plywood lasts before you need to replace it?

 

[Sharpie1]

It's probably going to last awhile, but someone posted that something called "asphalt board" or something to that effect was lighter, cheaper, was able to accept staples, and made clean holes instead of splinters when fired upon.

I might have to look into something like that...

I've only shot one of the targets so far -- with a 1911 .45 -- and even after shooting about 200 rounds - the plywood is still in very good shape.

Another note-- it is fun to see the turf flying up from behind the target when shooting!!

--tadyson

 

[mgjohn]

When I built my range I made the target stands out of railroad timbers and then bolted beltline to it. The belt line holds up very well and only needs to be replaced every year or so.

Had a buddy weld up some target stands that a man target cut out of cardboard can be put in.

Built a 22x18 foot shed with a 8 foot x 4 foot bench. Used the beltline as roofing. Used pressure treated lumber to build with.

I set target stands at 25 yards, 50 yards, 100 yards and 200 yards. (Putting in 300 yard target this year) Have a hillside at 70 yards with steel plates and tirerims on it. Also have a number of portable target stands that can be placed wherever.

 

[mrstang01]

mgjohn, I'm from KY, and I haven't heard of beltline, what is it please?

Michael

 

[keyhole]

http://members.cox.net/bcsgc/

Done on 24 acres, real advantage is the ground was old strip pits, from the mining days. Been open 7 years now.
Used "sucker rod" for the target stands on the pistol range, with angle iron welded to hold the target boards. We have access to some big cardboard boxes, triple wall stuff, that we cut with saws.

Best wishes on your range!