Finally, a place to shoot airguns

[Hasaf]

The city I live in recently forbade shooting airguns in backyards. Well, recent as in a couple of years ago.

While the ordinance has an exception for shooting indoors, I really don't have a great place to shoot in my house, the angles are wrong.

Then, last night in lodge (AF&AM) a related topic came up and there was a strong consensus (unanimous) that no one was opposed to airgun shooting in the lodge. We have a place that can be safely used. Our upstairs area is a long, unused, room.

The Lodge Master ran with it and is committed to checking about a rimfire gallery. That said, the city ordinance clearly allows airguns and the lodge agreed to it. As such, I have a place to plink again.

 

[JohnKSa]

Very nice! Year 'round, light or dark, rain or shine. Indoor shooting is really great if you have a good setup.

 

[HollowDawg]

Would never encourage civil disobedience of course, but suppressors are an OTC item for air guns and are even integral on some models. Jus sayin'.

 

[Remington1911]

I shoot inside in the winter, just garage length. My garage is a bit longer then normal, not two cars nose to tail, but one car can easy fit in sideways.

 

[Meeks36]

So can one fire from the inside out? Like through a open window or door? Would open up some shooting at the house.

 

[Speedo66]

So can one fire from the inside out? Like through a open window or door? Would open up some shooting at the house.

As long as you have a wide enough sight window to make sure nobody is walking into your range area, and your shots stay on your property, why not?

 

[Hasaf]

This is the text of the applicable section if the ordinance.

The unlawful operation of an air gun, air rifle, bow and arrow, slingshot, BB gun or paintball gun is the shooting, discharge or operating of any air gun, air rifle, bow and arrow, slingshot, BB gun or paint ball gun, within the city, except: (a) within the confines of a building or other structure from which the projectiles cannot escape or (b) at the legal place of business or sanctioned event of a bonafide business, under the supervision of their applicable safety rules and insurance coverage; in such an event there must be a minimum safe distance which prohibits projectiles from striking a residence."

Yes, I considered shooting from my house into my garage. I will probably eventually put up a privacy fence to replace my current chainlink. However, the Exception "a" allows shooting at my lodge, yet makes "house to garage" shooting unlawful.

 

[doubleh]

This thread brought to mind why I am glad I chose country living. Just last week I popped a gopher with my 410 shotgun. It's nice to sit in the shade on my patio and plink away with an air gun too.

 

[d2wing]

I took a chance and sighted in my Hatsan 95 today in the backyard. Only one neighbor could see me shoot but a few could see me walk around the garage to the backyard. No cops showed up so I am good.

 

[P Flados]

I see they also outlawed slingshots and Bows with no exceptions for "toy versions". They also went after paintball guns but left off airsoft.

 

[jmohme]

This thread brings up another question that has had me wondering.
I had heard that some gun ranges would not allow PCP air rifles. I just recently got an RTI Prophet and want to get it zeroed in at 100 yards without having to deal with wind, so I called a gun range where I am a member and asked. It was a big fat NO!

Is it some unwarranted concern about a gun with a 4500 psi air tank attached, or something else?
Anyone here have any ideas on this?
I am planning on taking me Shadow 2 to the same range tomorrow. I will try to remember to ask why then.

 

[Remington1911]

No clue, you are just sending lead, not much different from anything else.

 

[jmohme]

So I took my CZ's to the range yesterday and asked why they would not allow air guns, and yes, the 300 bar tank was their reason.
Still makes no sense to me. The same range will rent you a full auto and sell you as much ammo as you would like to puke out of the barrel, but pellet guns with air tanks are too dangerous. Oh well.

Not a big deal. I have a perfectly fine place to shoot just out my back door. I just wanted to do an initial sighting in at 100 yards without wind as a variable. I got it done with light winds.

 

[Remington1911]

Then it is clear they just don't understand. Not unlike the anti gunners that we see screaming on the news nightly.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Sad and silly that a firearms range won't let an air rifle on! I think it may be that they can't keep your brass and sell you ammo for $50 per box maybe? That said, a revenue stream they are turning away which they may want when ammo is hard to source. Just silly and splitting the community more.

Big fan of shooting in the garage or barn if you have one. 10m is the international standard for air pistol. When they are all in the same hole, standing one handed (with a pistol) then look for a longer range . I think too many people want to go long for limited gain. Yes, with some rifles I understand it. However, some shooting is better than no shooting while dreaming of that perfect farmland to shoot on.

 

[jmohme]

Sad and silly that a firearms range won't let an air rifle on! I think it may be that they can't keep your brass and sell you ammo for $50 per box maybe? That said, a revenue stream they are turning away which they may want when ammo is hard to source. Just silly and splitting the community more.

Big fan of shooting in the garage or barn if you have one. 10m is the international standard for air pistol. When they are all in the same hole, standing one handed (with a pistol) then look for a longer range . I think too many people want to go long for limited gain. Yes, with some rifles I understand it. However, some shooting is better than no shooting while dreaming of that perfect farmland to shoot on.

I am fortunate in that I can shoot any distance I want in my back yard.
I have backstops set up at 25, 50, and 85 yards. If I relocate my shooting bench I could stretch that out to 150 or 175.

The gun I just bought was chosen because I want to do benchrest competitions, so 50 to 100 yards are where I need to be working on my accuracy.


The range would have been the ideal place to zero in my scope. No wind and not shooting up a grade. But I will manage.


This was at 50. Will give my 85 yard lane a try later.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Were not supposed to shoot air guns in town either. But my yard is 10 foot below street level. So i get away with it.

 

[USNvet]

A couple of months ago I jumped into the world of PCP's for the first time with the purchase of a low end Air Venturi Avenger in .25 caliber. It seems to be a popular entry level rifle thanks to its adjustable regulator. Of course I couldn't leave the mods alone, and proceeded to give it a new look with the aid of 3D printed parts.

I have not used it indoors yet, but I'm lucky enough to have room for 25 yard shots either shooting across the dining room, connecting hall, and across the living room with the fireplace as backstop, or, if I can put up with the heat in the summer and cold in the winter, the same space is available up in the stand-up attic (it's a Tudor style roof).

 

[Ascot500]

Please share more info about the 3D printed parts that you used

 

[MikeInOr]

One of the biggest hurdles to any shooting range is dealing with the lead hazard and making sure there is a complete HEPPA filtration system to filter any lead dust out of the air. I know the EPA shut down quite a few indoor ranges around here because the costs of living up to EPA regulations were prohibitive.

Just something to beware of when checking out what it takes to setup even just an airgun range. I know I still shoot lead pellets.

There are a lot of attorneys that make their entire living on lead hazard cases. They are always looking for new blood to suck dry!