Anybody built a range at home, not in the basement but on your property? Did you push up the berms yourself or have some help. What distance do you have? Trying to put together some plans for a project this summer.
Firing Range at Home?
- Thread starter billwill
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The first range I ever built was 25 yards long. The bench was in the front of the living room. I shot through the open doors of the bedroom and down through the hallway to the far side of the kitchen. I used a heavy steel plate and a box w/ sand on the bottom to catch the spent bullets. Had to shut it down. My wife complained of the noise.
My most successful range design has been based on pallets. I use for of them to build a box. I line the interior with cardboard or some sort of thin plywood/paneling. I then fill the interior with dirt. I put an extra pallet on the front and then nail on a 4'x4' section of plywood. When it gets to many holes in it, I nail on another piece of plywood. Targets are easily stapled to it. I used this set up at one church for almost 8 years. It is impervious to any rifle or pistol round known to man. No matter what I used, even armor piercing rifle rounds, nothing ever got very far into that dirt. When I later dismantled it, the amount of spent lead in that dirt was amazing.
Recently I found another good way to build a range. Use worn out harrow blades for the targets. Spray paint them white. Aim at the axle holes. A concrete block or a old truck hub works fine to lean them against. I used this setup for about four years. One harrow blade cracked in half after several thousand hits w/ .45ACP, .40 S&W and some 9mm. Occasionally I'd shoot myself when a round would bounce off the blade and strike me. I didn't have this problem when I stood more than 7 yds. from the plates.
Other than the little 25yd. range in the house, the above described ranges were 100 and 200 yard affairs, usually built along the side of peanut field, etc. where there was space available. The harrow blade range was limited to 25 yds.
My most successful range design has been based on pallets. I use for of them to build a box. I line the interior with cardboard or some sort of thin plywood/paneling. I then fill the interior with dirt. I put an extra pallet on the front and then nail on a 4'x4' section of plywood. When it gets to many holes in it, I nail on another piece of plywood. Targets are easily stapled to it. I used this set up at one church for almost 8 years. It is impervious to any rifle or pistol round known to man. No matter what I used, even armor piercing rifle rounds, nothing ever got very far into that dirt. When I later dismantled it, the amount of spent lead in that dirt was amazing.
Recently I found another good way to build a range. Use worn out harrow blades for the targets. Spray paint them white. Aim at the axle holes. A concrete block or a old truck hub works fine to lean them against. I used this setup for about four years. One harrow blade cracked in half after several thousand hits w/ .45ACP, .40 S&W and some 9mm. Occasionally I'd shoot myself when a round would bounce off the blade and strike me. I didn't have this problem when I stood more than 7 yds. from the plates.
Other than the little 25yd. range in the house, the above described ranges were 100 and 200 yard affairs, usually built along the side of peanut field, etc. where there was space available. The harrow blade range was limited to 25 yds.
Dmaxboy08
Member
This is my range that I have been working on during the late winter and early spring. I still have one large tree to get down. I have done more work after these pics were taken so its more open and longer than the pics show. I basically had a shed I wasnt using so we cut a hole in it, built a bench, cleared trees and brush and I have a 50 yard shooting distance with a natural built back stop. Its not much, but it saves a few dollars at week by not going to the range.
Best thing is, since you shoot out of a building, you can shoot during the elements of the weather.
Best thing is, since you shoot out of a building, you can shoot during the elements of the weather.
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For big rifles I use 3 stacks of tires in a triangle about 6 or 8 tires high and fill them with sand. For pistols and .22s I have picked up pieces of plate about 1/2 in thick and I angle them so the bullets ricohet to the ground but the tires also work great for the pistols and .22s. Old tires are free and it takes a bunch of bullets to wear them out to where they won't hold dirt. I don't like harrow disc because if the concave side is to the shooter the bullet may bounce back. If the convex side is to the shooter and the bullet hits the side or top there is no telling where it will go. My .22 and pistol is 25,50 and 75 yds. The big rifle is 100, 200 and 300 yds. Larry
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I built a range on some property that I bought. It is located out in the country. It also has road frontage as well. I have a fence with a gate. My range consists of 200 yards. I have never shot the two hundred target. I never have felt the need. My friends have shot it though.
I built a really nice shooting bench made from treated wood. The legs are made from 6x6's and they are sunk into the ground. It also has a seat on both sides that is built in.
If you are building a bench then I strongly suggest this one! I found the plans online. I watched one being built on a TV show. It was on "Get in the Game". Go on their website and it should be there.
I used two metal fenceposts stuck in the ground at 50,100,200 yrds. I put a small piece of plywood up and clamped it to each set. Then I drilled a hole through each post and plywood on each corner. I used bolts with winged nuts to hold it together. It is very easy to put up and take down.
When I am not there, all you see are two metal fenceposts sticking in the ground. If you go to the 1522 forum and do a search for promag magazine review, you will see my review with pics posted. BTW- I have a hillside, which is on my property, in the background as a backstop. I hope this helps.
I built a really nice shooting bench made from treated wood. The legs are made from 6x6's and they are sunk into the ground. It also has a seat on both sides that is built in.
If you are building a bench then I strongly suggest this one! I found the plans online. I watched one being built on a TV show. It was on "Get in the Game". Go on their website and it should be there. I used two metal fenceposts stuck in the ground at 50,100,200 yrds. I put a small piece of plywood up and clamped it to each set. Then I drilled a hole through each post and plywood on each corner. I used bolts with winged nuts to hold it together. It is very easy to put up and take down.
When I am not there, all you see are two metal fenceposts sticking in the ground.
If you go to the 1522 forum and do a search for promag magazine review, you will see my review with pics posted. BTW- I have a hillside, which is on my property, in the background as a backstop. I hope this helps.
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I'm fortunate to have two ranges at home. One outdoors which is marked at 7, 10 and 25 yards.
The indoor is on the second floor of my barn/shop. It's 35 feet front to back.
For targets I built frames of two by ten lumber with plywood front and backs. I put rubber mats against the back if the target side to seal. Filled with sand and shoot away. 30x30 measurement works well. Have a lid on both that just screws off to check the sand level. Have over 3000 rounds of 9mm and 380 and probably 4000 of 22 and nothing has come close to penetrating. I can open big windows on the upstairs one for ventilation and better light.
We have a safe table in both and rules posted. Only one shooter at a time handling a firearm. Works very well!
Oh and I too just add another plywood sheet as needed for a fresh face on the target. One has eight layers at this point.
The indoor is on the second floor of my barn/shop. It's 35 feet front to back.
For targets I built frames of two by ten lumber with plywood front and backs. I put rubber mats against the back if the target side to seal. Filled with sand and shoot away. 30x30 measurement works well. Have a lid on both that just screws off to check the sand level. Have over 3000 rounds of 9mm and 380 and probably 4000 of 22 and nothing has come close to penetrating. I can open big windows on the upstairs one for ventilation and better light.
We have a safe table in both and rules posted. Only one shooter at a time handling a firearm. Works very well!
Oh and I too just add another plywood sheet as needed for a fresh face on the target. One has eight layers at this point.
Brian41
Member
My next door neighbor was building a new drive and I had him make me a berm with the left over dirt. Cost me nothing, he had a place to dump the dirt and it's lasted several years now.
I can get about 150 yards out of it before I'm getting back towards the house and could bother my neighbors with noise.
For a target holder I took the packing skid my safe came on, knocked off one board and buried the 6X6s in the dirt in front of my berm about a foot. It's wolmanized lumber and has held up even with my misses on the target into the wood at times.
I have about 300 yards behind the berm and a woods should I miss the berm completely for my bullets to land safely on my property.
I've thought about another berm at the woods so I could shoot out to 300 yards or more. Maybe should my neighbor have his front end loader out some time I'll have him build me another, likely just cost me beer.
I built the start of my first berm with dirt left over from my new water well. I carted it all out back behind my garden tractor and hand unloaded it. It was a lot of work but a good start of one.
I can get about 150 yards out of it before I'm getting back towards the house and could bother my neighbors with noise.
For a target holder I took the packing skid my safe came on, knocked off one board and buried the 6X6s in the dirt in front of my berm about a foot. It's wolmanized lumber and has held up even with my misses on the target into the wood at times.
I have about 300 yards behind the berm and a woods should I miss the berm completely for my bullets to land safely on my property.
I've thought about another berm at the woods so I could shoot out to 300 yards or more. Maybe should my neighbor have his front end loader out some time I'll have him build me another, likely just cost me beer.
I built the start of my first berm with dirt left over from my new water well. I carted it all out back behind my garden tractor and hand unloaded it. It was a lot of work but a good start of one.
KKECK5
Member
Live in a rural setting. Over 120 acres of town owned land behind my house. Neighbor and I used his front-end loader to push a bunch of trees we cut down to make a nice backstop approx 8 feet high against the town's land....About 35 yards long with a slight downward angle toward the targets. Just enough to enjoy if we don't want to travel to the gun club.
I have a good 60 yard handgun and pistol-caliber carbine range set up about 300 yards behind my house. I can set up a portable bench at up 150 yards, but I really don't have need for that. I have worked with a tractor and front-loader to improve on a natural hillside and debris pile left by a timber operation. It has been very wet this spring, but I get out when there are a few dry days and improve the berm. It is surely sufficient now, but I like to make sure.
Daughter with her 442 at five yards. I have heightened the berm several feet since the picture.
From about 15 yards. Again, improvements have been made since the picture.
From 40-50 yards.
Daughter with her 442 at five yards. I have heightened the berm several feet since the picture.
From about 15 yards. Again, improvements have been made since the picture.
From 40-50 yards.
MY property is a long rectangle with a 250’ width. I live on a lake out in the boonies and other than the summer weekends quite deserted the rest of the year. I have a range that actually measures 95 shoot able yards. I can shoot from behind the house from a bench for the 95 yard and anywhere for closer work. Have a couple old wooden picnic benches a couple places so targets, guns and other items can be set there.
Directly behind my property is a 700’ mountain and the lay of the land makes it a good safe backstop. I have no berms set up but my back stop is a stand that I built that is about 6’ square and I fill it with tightly stacked pieces of cut down trees as a bullet stopper. I start off with 8’’ logs and fill the remain spaces with assorted branches/pieces.
To the best of my knowledge I have never had a bullet make it though there and out to the mountain, as those different size wood with some airspaces stop projectiles quite well. Wood gets shot up, as I have plenty I just replace it.
My range is quite safe and legal as the only law about shooting way out here is the 500’ from a occupied dwelling. I only have two neighbors that fall that close and one only comes up a few days in the summer and the other is a gun guy and he has his own range also. He is also a hot car guy (like me) and we get along just fine.
Directly behind my property is a 700’ mountain and the lay of the land makes it a good safe backstop. I have no berms set up but my back stop is a stand that I built that is about 6’ square and I fill it with tightly stacked pieces of cut down trees as a bullet stopper. I start off with 8’’ logs and fill the remain spaces with assorted branches/pieces.
To the best of my knowledge I have never had a bullet make it though there and out to the mountain, as those different size wood with some airspaces stop projectiles quite well. Wood gets shot up, as I have plenty I just replace it.
My range is quite safe and legal as the only law about shooting way out here is the 500’ from a occupied dwelling. I only have two neighbors that fall that close and one only comes up a few days in the summer and the other is a gun guy and he has his own range also. He is also a hot car guy (like me) and we get along just fine.
Do you guys with the outdoor ranges have any concerns about lead contamination? With the environmental regulations getting worse, I'm curious if there any requirements about cleaning up or decontaminating if you decide to sell your property later.
My folks' farm has an old dump pit on it that was perfect for a range. All sides are at least 20' high. I have a target set at 200 yards, but that is the maximum. Most of our shooting is in an large area that is about 100 yards by 30 yards, all surrounded by tall dirt walls. It's perfect for walking around and shooting at active targets. There are piles of dirt here and there to set targets on and walk around, I even have a skeet thrower mounted down there.
kraigwy
US Veteran
When I was searching for my "retirement home" my main goal was someplace I could shoot. I found it. No covenants, no zoning.
Spent three days in the court house checking. Found the perfect place. Checked with the neighbors and no problem, they shoot also.
So I bought it, that was over 19 years ago and I'm still shooting. I didn't have a build a berm. My backstop is a 500 foot ridge, and behind it is a taller ridge (which is also on my property).
I only have 400 yards but not far from here (2 miles) is an abandoned gravel pit on BLM land where I can get to 2000 plus yards.
Funny story, not long after I moved here I called an appliance repairman to come fix my washer.
In giving directions he asked "where are you in relation to the guy who sets on his back porch and shoots all day"....I says, "that be me" and he said he knew exactly where I was at.
Spent three days in the court house checking. Found the perfect place. Checked with the neighbors and no problem, they shoot also.
So I bought it, that was over 19 years ago and I'm still shooting. I didn't have a build a berm. My backstop is a 500 foot ridge, and behind it is a taller ridge (which is also on my property).
I only have 400 yards but not far from here (2 miles) is an abandoned gravel pit on BLM land where I can get to 2000 plus yards.
Funny story, not long after I moved here I called an appliance repairman to come fix my washer.
In giving directions he asked "where are you in relation to the guy who sets on his back porch and shoots all day"....I says, "that be me" and he said he knew exactly where I was at.
keith44spl
Member
Right thar ya go Boys....One of lifes lit'l pleasures!
Oh, I got a 200 yard range out my back door as well.
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So far, I have only pushed up a berm that measures 8' tall, 20' wide and 10' deep. I used the soil from cutting in my driveway to make it. It suffices until I can hire a dozer again to level and smooth back 25 yards for a honest to gosh 25 yard pistol range. I have a total of 110 yards or 100 meters on this range, and plan on placing a shooting house/bench at that point with smaller berms 25 yards and 50 yards from the 100 yard bench for rimfire work. I also plan on using the soil from the leveling operation to make a side berm, just to guard against stray shots, and future plans also include an angled steel plate covered with plywood that covers from 7' to 11' for any high shots that might be made. I don't really worry about it because there aren't alot of houses in the area down range. The closest is 1/2 mile, and there are a few ridges between it and the range.
If you can operate a dozer or TLB, then you can rent one and do the work yourself. If not, plan on hiring out the work. I highly recommend putting in your own range if you have the property, as there are no idiots with which to contend, unless you invite them. Good luck.
Redline911
Member
This is my setup from inside my attic to an outside berm. About 50 yards with a spinning steel target in front of a 5 ft high, 4 ft thick dirt berm. Nothing but fields behind in case of a missed shot.
SW_shooter
Member
us city folk can only dream about a shooting range at home. 
99savage308
Member
First things first. I live in West Virginia,the Mountain State. I have a natural back stop.It's a hill. I have an old kids swing set frame I hang some conveyor belting off the swing hooks and then place my targets onto the belting. This belting makes the best target backing. Since I'm in WV, we have a LOT of Coal Mines. Used belting is not hard to get. This target range is 30 yards long. It next to the road into my place and across from my cabin. If I want more distance I back up to my cabin and be at 50 yards. This range is for: shotgun,rifle and pistol only. In WV in these woods and hills 50 yards is a long shot. I do have a close range pistol range "bout 15 yards, next to my cabin,again back stop is a hill. This range is for defence pistol. My long range rifle range is 100 yards,again back stop is a hill. This range is for rifle and hunting pistols , as in 44 mag stuff long range targets.
Note: for those not knowing 'bout WV and the lay of the land here. Flat land is a big money maker here, if you have it. Long shots at game is short and up close type stuff. I Love It.
Note: for those not knowing 'bout WV and the lay of the land here. Flat land is a big money maker here, if you have it. Long shots at game is short and up close type stuff. I Love It.
USAF385
US Veteran
I have 164 acres of woods and three ranges.
Well, I sort of have three ranges. One right off of my back deck. That's for revolvers only.... my wife doesn't want casings stuck between the boards or laying around in the grass. All it is is a stump I shoot into.
The second one is right off of my driveway. It's about 30 yards total length. I do most of my handgun shooting there. In fact I'm planning on sprucing it up a bit soon. It's currently an old stump with a wooden target board over it an one of those healing spinny targets. Nothing fancy but it's close and it works.
This is the second shooting spot:
It's shooting up hill. The land behind the target rises plenty high enough that I didn't bother with a dirt backstop. Plus... anyone who's remotely close behind it is trespassing...
I'm planning on making a wooden platform a little in front of where I was standing while I took this shot. Big enough to stand on and have a small table.
I have a longer range up in the woods for rifles, but I'm not a huge long gun guy so it doesn't get much use. That one is about 250 ish yards and in dire need of upkeep.
(Sent via iPhone)
Well, I sort of have three ranges. One right off of my back deck. That's for revolvers only.... my wife doesn't want casings stuck between the boards or laying around in the grass. All it is is a stump I shoot into.
The second one is right off of my driveway. It's about 30 yards total length. I do most of my handgun shooting there. In fact I'm planning on sprucing it up a bit soon. It's currently an old stump with a wooden target board over it an one of those healing spinny targets. Nothing fancy but it's close and it works.
This is the second shooting spot:
It's shooting up hill. The land behind the target rises plenty high enough that I didn't bother with a dirt backstop. Plus... anyone who's remotely close behind it is trespassing...
I'm planning on making a wooden platform a little in front of where I was standing while I took this shot. Big enough to stand on and have a small table.
I have a longer range up in the woods for rifles, but I'm not a huge long gun guy so it doesn't get much use. That one is about 250 ish yards and in dire need of upkeep.
(Sent via iPhone)
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My range is on the dam of my lake. From the bench to the target is 100 yds exactly. I can move back up the hill with a portable bench to exactly 300 yards. Most of my neighbors shoot so no one cares about the noise. The backstop is the hillside about 60 feet high.
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