Backyard Range w/65+ yds to work with... Thoughts?

[NamibianAmphibian]

Its better then the issue of having the state come out and fine you for not having the inspection. ...There are a lot more consequences to not having the paperwork then there is for having it.

I don't think anybody in this thread, myself included, is advocating doing anything unsafe or illegal. I think the OP is spot on with the choice of going with airsoft / pellet guns only with the distances he has to work with.

If it is possible for a bullet to hit a residence 400 - 500 yards away, then it is an unsafe situation no matter how careful one intends to be. So, far better to shoot something that can't go that far or won't do any damage if it does.

And if a stray bullet (from hunters or gang bangers or anywhere) hits something in the area, the guy with the rifle range on his property will be guilty until proven innocent in the eyes of the community.

Not sure why people are afraid of having some type of paperwork trail for it anyway. I can't find one reference anywhere that a government agency, anywhere in the U.S., has prohibited or decomissioned a legally constructed and operated private or public range...

The government wasn't really my concern. My concern is things like having your insurance dropped and being unable to get reasonable insurance because you appear in whatever property records or database as having a firing range on your property.

The more I think about it, the less I think environmental concerns would come up with a pistol / rifle range. They have come up for my gun club many times but that has more to do with shotgun sports where lead shot is being sprayed over a wide area. For a pistol range, 99% of the lead ends up in a small area and could be easily removed.

 

[Foxtrot]

I don't think anybody in this thread, myself included, is advocating doing anything unsafe or illegal. I think the OP is spot on with the choice of going with airsoft / pellet guns only with the distances he has to work with.

If it is possible for a bullet to hit a residence 400 - 500 yards away, then it is an unsafe situation no matter how careful one intends to be. So, far better to shoot something that can't go that far or won't do any damage if it does.

And if a stray bullet (from hunters or gang bangers or anywhere) hits something in the area, the guy with the rifle range on his property will be guilty until proven innocent in the eyes of the community.

The government wasn't really my concern. My concern is things like having your insurance dropped and being unable to get reasonable insurance because you appear in whatever property records or database as having a firing range on your property.

The more I think about it, the less I think environmental concerns would come up with a pistol / rifle range. They have come up for my gun club many times but that has more to do with shotgun sports where lead shot is being sprayed over a wide area. For a pistol range, 99% of the lead ends up in a small area and could be easily removed.

Of course not, no one was advocating unsafe acts.

I was refering to .22 use by an individual (not pellet rifle .22 but powder and primer type .22 bullet use) on their own private range, not air rifle use,

I was not talking about someone else firing a bullet in the area and the the personal firing range owner being held responsible. I'm talking about the person who holds the weapon that fired the bullet is responsible for where that bullet goes.

I'm not talking about how far the bullet can go, i'm talking about the standards required to ensure it doesn't go that far. Yes, a .22 round can travel a ways, might be sort of weak when it gets there, but it can travel that far, if, its not stopped before and thats what the standards established by the state, if there are any, try to do so there is not an accident. Actually they help you.

No, don't worry, insurance companies probably won't take away your insurance if you have a personal firing range, they can however require that you employ certain standards and I can just about gurantee you, based upon my own experience, they will find out what the states standards are and require those if the personal range is an issue with them.

 

[MMA_FAN]

I have only read the first couple of posts in this thread but just wanted to add my .02 .

I can see from the picture you do live in a somewhat rural area with a nice plot of land. I also read that you have neighbors with in 100 yards of your plot in more than one direction.

With that said this is my advice DO NOT DO IT.

I don't care if you have a 50 foot berm 30 feet wide. If I lived with in 100 yards of your home with my wife and kids while you or anyone was popping off rounds over there you would be hearing from my lawyer in a heart beat.

I understand you want to make it legal and by the book etc.. But honestly I would not even go that rout. You have people just to close to your place. It is not worth the liability if an accident happens.

Please just stick with the air rifles. It seems like a great place for those and a whole lot of fun too. I absolutely mean no disrespect by this. I am just trying to give you some personal input is all. Good luck to you.

 

[NamibianAmphibian]

I'm not talking about how far the bullet can go, i'm talking about the standards required to ensure it doesn't go that far. Yes, a .22 round can travel a ways, might be sort of weak when it gets there, but it can travel that far, if, its not stopped before and thats what the standards established by the state, if there are any, try to do so there is not an accident. Actually they help you.

I should clarify that most of my previous statements in this thread have been directed specifically at the OP's situation.

On 30 acres Foxtrot, I'm confident you have plenty of room to shoot a .22 safely. And your facility is that much safer with the berm and whatever other safety measures you have added. As you said, the berm protects any pets or people who might be wandering the woods unbeknownst to you. And if someone accidentally pops or ricochets a round over the berm, the chances if it harming anyone are exceedingly small.

However, on the OP's property described as a bunch of residential 2 acre lots, one would have to essentially build an indoor range in the backyard to safely shoot anything other than pellet guns. If you know there is a residence downrange within range of your firearm, the only safe decision is not to shoot.

 

[GKH]

Again; great posts everyone!
I was telling my wife last night that I want to get started soon on my backstop (for air guns only).

I think, I will use 3 4x4 posts for support. And, probably plywood (3/4") for the main back - maybe spraying it w/Thompson's water seal, and putting some kind of vinyl edge around it. Using 3 posts will allow me to use smaller sheets of plywood, placing them side by side.
Then, I was thinking about sheet metal on top of that plywood, and sandwiching the the sheet metal with another sheet layer of plywood. I'm thinking out loud at this point.
'Think I will do a search and see what other folks are using for backstops with air rifles. But, getting the posts in the ground is the first step.

 

[Foxtrot]

Again; great posts everyone!
I was telling my wife last night that I want to get started soon on my backstop (for air guns only).

I think, I will use 3 4x4 posts for support. And, probably plywood (3/4") for the main back - maybe spraying it w/Thompson's water seal, and putting some kind of vinyl edge around it. Using 3 posts will allow me to use smaller sheets of plywood, placing them side by side.
Then, I was thinking about sheet metal on top of that plywood, and sandwiching the the sheet metal with another sheet layer of plywood. I'm thinking out loud at this point.
'Think I will do a search and see what other folks are using for backstops with air rifles. But, getting the posts in the ground is the first step.

Get some PVC "posts", maybe three inches or so in diameter. Dig a couple of holes and sink them in the ground, set them apart the length of a 4x8 sheet of 1/2 inch plywood, then attach one sheet of plywood in front and another sheet in back. You could probably pick up a couple pieces of PVC suitable, for nothing from construction or destruction scrap at some project somewhere and might even come across some plywood suitable also.

 

[GKH]

Get some PVC "posts", maybe three inches or so in diameter. Dig a couple of holes and sink them in the ground, set them apart the length of a 4x8 sheet of 1/2 inch plywood, then attach one sheet of plywood in front and another sheet in back. You could probably pick up a couple pieces of PVC suitable, for nothing from construction or destruction scrap at some project somewhere and might even come across some plywood suitable also.

Appreciate it!

 

[Zeppelin77]

Appreciate it!

Sounds like you have extremely powerful air guns for that kind of construction project. Pretty sure that much plywood will stop any airsoft or bb or pellet. Sure it will look nice.

 

[Spectre_USA]

Did you see some of the airguns they had in the newest American Rifleman?

They had a picture of a Crossman .357 that pumps out a pellet that is between
90 and 175 grains! At 700 - 1000 fps, that's like a .22 in force, I'd say...

 

[Jim Kuykendall]

If it's an airgun only situation try finding some 36" wide belting from a ready-mixed concrete plant or rock crusher. It makes excellent backstop material and is easy to hang. It usually is scrap, has 5-8 plys of cord and holds up well to weather. When tied in a circle and secured with flat bar and bolts can hold a signifigant amout of soil.

 

[wnr700]

The only outdoor shooting range in the area is the MSSA (Mid South Shooting Association). And, they have it all! Long range, high powered rifle shooting to much shorter handgun lanes. And, they have an area for Skeet. However; to join you're looking at $400+ with a monthly fee. The whole thing is a bit steep for me.

This seems inexpensive compared to what you would be investing in time, effort, upkeep, and money. Peace of mind, limited liability, and safety are priceless IMHO.

What if you plug some curious neighborhood kid who wanders over... what if the kid steals daddy's Glock and bring his friends while you are at work?

 

[mrasgt]

Now, I coulda swore I submitted.....

A nice long post here with suggestions on what I'd do.

Anybody know what happened to it?

 

[GKH]

This seems inexpensive compared to what you would be investing in time, effort, upkeep, and money. Peace of mind, limited liability, and safety are priceless IMHO.

What if you plug some curious neighborhood kid who wanders over... what if the kid steals daddy's Glock and bring his friends while you are at work?

Indeed! If shooting was my only hobby, joining the MSSA would be nice. But, if the weather is nice on the weekends, my wife and I are usually out riding my Spyder. It's a shame we don't have an outdoor range like that (or similar), that rented by the hour like the indoor ranges do. It's a club setting. And, I'm really not a 'club' person. One of our newer employees at work moved from outside of Kansas City. He told me they have an outdoor range there that charges $3.00 an hour! It may not be fancy... who knows? But, does that matter? And, when I lived in Tucson back in the 70s, we would shoot at an outdoor facility that was by the hour, as well.

But, again.... my little project will be for my air rifles. There will be no .22 15-22, or otherwise on my property.

 

[Foxtrot]

Indeed! If shooting was my only hobby, joining the MSSA would be nice. But, if the weather is nice on the weekends, my wife and I are usually out riding my Spyder. It's a shame we don't have an outdoor range like that (or similar), that rented by the hour like the indoor ranges do. It's a club setting. And, I'm really not a 'club' person. One of our newer employees at work moved from outside of Kansas City. He told me they have an outdoor range there that charges $3.00 an hour! It may not be fancy... who knows? But, does that matter? And, when I lived in Tucson back in the 70s, we would shoot at an outdoor facility that was by the hour, as well.

But, again.... my little project will be for my air rifles. There will be no .22 15-22, or otherwise on my property.

I am familiar with someone in your area who used to, don't know if they still do as I haven't talked to them in a while, have a management position with MSSA. If I remember too from that general area of the country, been years since i've been in that area, but there is, or was, a public range at Shelby Farms, don't know if its still there or not but i think i read something somewhere that they closed to public use back in 2003 but i'm not sure.

Since you mentioned MSSA I think your in the Memphis area. There are, or were, a few indoor ranges for both pistol and rifle:

Memphis - RangeUSA, 2770 Whitten Road, Memphis, TN 38133.
Phone: 901-386-7002
Facilities include: Indoor Pistol, Indoor Rifle, Archery

Memphis - Rangemaster, 2611 S. Mendenhall, Memphis, TN 38115.
Phone: (901) 370-5600 - Fax (901) 370-5699
Facilities include: Indoor Pistol, Indoor Rifle

The TWRA also has some ranges in the state but are probably farther then you want to travel, but I seem to remember something from somewhere that the TWRA was going to establish a range in Shelby County were Memphis is located, But anyway, you can check here and maybe call them > http://www.tennessee.gov/twra/firingranges.html

If you don't mind a little travel, there are ranges available for public use across the state line in Mississippi:

DeSoto District Ranges, US Forest Service
P.O. Box 248,
Wiggins, MS 39577 601-928-4422
Outdoor Pistol (25,50,100), Outdoor Rifle (25,50,100), Muzzleloading
Call for range times

There are some others in Northern Ms, and in Desoto county, but I can't locate information for them, but they are there as i have an aquantance who lives in Hernando and she has told me in the past of ranges she uses.

 

[GKH]

I am familiar with someone in your area who used to, don't know if they still do as I haven't talked to them in a while, have a management position with MSSA. If I remember too from that general area of the country, been years since i've been in that area, but there is, or was, a public range at Shelby Farms, don't know if its still there or not but i think i read something somewhere that they closed to public use back in 2003 but i'm not sure.

Since you mentioned MSSA I think your in the Memphis area. There are, or were, a few indoor ranges for both pistol and rifle:

Memphis - RangeUSA, 2770 Whitten Road, Memphis, TN 38133.
Phone: 901-386-7002
Facilities include: Indoor Pistol, Indoor Rifle, Archery

Memphis - Rangemaster, 2611 S. Mendenhall, Memphis, TN 38115.
Phone: (901) 370-5600 - Fax (901) 370-5699
Facilities include: Indoor Pistol, Indoor Rifle

Range U.S.A. is where we usually go to shoot my M&P 9L, and 15-22. Nice folks, too!
The range at Shelby Farms did close around that time, yes.

 

[Foxtrot]

Range U.S.A. is where we usually go to shoot my M&P 9L, and 15-22. Nice folks, too!
The range at Shelby Farms did close around that time, yes.

I know its difficult to find a good range. I've never really had a problem because all the ranges I have access, or can get access, to are law enforcement, government ranges, or private club ranges of friends, and now my own personal range, so I don't really use public ranges.

Something a lot of people don't consider is to make friends with someone who has access to one of the private club ranges and go shoot with them because most times they can bring guests with them to shoot. Some times the smaller private gun club ranges will let you shoot occaisionally for a small price for a few hours even if you are not a member if you only show up a few times and not like several times a month because if you do that they will want you to join which is not a bad idea if the fees are reasonable and you shoot a lot.

Make friends with someone in your area who is already a member at MSSA, buy them a case of ammo, and they can let you use MSSA as their guest. If I remember correctly they have some nice facilities at MSSA.

Something else for your area too, across the state line outside of Walls, Ms, near lake comorant, and about 30 to 45 minutes from downtown Memphis, is the Mid-South Institute of Self-Defense Shooting (and about 15 minues from the casinos if you are so inclined ). They contract to government, military, and various law enforcement agencies for training for things like CQB, tactical entry, covert weapons employment, and things tactical with firearms, the U.S. Navy Seals and other military units use them a lot for training as do agencies like the DOE, DOJ, Secret Service, CIA, FBI...i've been there myself. They have some really very nice facilities and bring in probably the most experienced and knowledgable instructors in the business. They will sometimes, or at least used to, allow private individuals use of their ranges for a small fee for the day but they don't publically advertise it. Its been a while tho so maybe a phone call would not hurt to check, all they can do is say "no" > http://www.weaponstraining.com/pages/about.htm < but.... you can also take a class too (if you get enough people together for the class) and gain access that way to their ranges in the future because they let their students come back and use them anytime, and a self defense shooting class is not such a bad idea but currently I think they are only booking courses for military, government, and law enforcement agencies, but they still might let you use a range for a small fee - doesn't hurt to ask.

A lot of times there are people working in gun stores in the area who have access to a private club range and if your a decent customer sometimes they will get you in to shoot. And... believe it or not, some law enforcement departments/agencies in some cities/towns, will allow limited use of their own range facilities as some of them have a "non-publically announced" "firearms safety" program so sometimes will allow limited public use of their own range, but ya gotta call them to find out and generally you need to sign a hold harmless agreement to relive them of any liability.

 

[CTSixshot]

I'm hardly the range designer/environmental engineer authority, but assuming you have the backstop and noise issues resolved, what about lead contamination issues?
Here's my little contribution to you... SinterFire (or other brand) frangible lead-free bullets and (no laughing now...) plastic SA riot bullets.
The frangibles are available in most common calibers and I can attest to their ricochet reduction having shot the .45 ACP on steel from 12" with no blowback. Use more than 5' for .308 rifle.
The plastic riot bullets shoot straight and grouped nicely out of my K31 at 50'. Haven't done much longer range work with them yet.
SinterFire - Lead Free Frangible Ammunition Components
.308 South African plastic tips Larger View