Thoughts for private range improvements...

[forindooruseonly]

Ha! If ya'll are in the area, send a message. I started pricing steel targets today, that's probably going to be the spring improvement program. I think I could build stands for four decent sized plates - 12x20 inch rectangles or 66% IPSC silhouettes - and keep under the budget I set for now. I like being able to drag them around to different positions, so a static mount doesn't appeal to me much. I need each on a free standing frame.

More steel then. Thanks for the feedback, I got a few good ideas to add to the list out of this thread.

 

[johngalt]

Which direction do you face? If north, the sun isn't a problem. Otherwise maybe some sort of shade to keep the sun out of your eyes.

 

[coltle6920]

Ha! If ya'll are in the area, send a message. I started pricing steel targets today, that's probably going to be the spring improvement program. I think I could build stands for four decent sized plates - 12x20 inch rectangles or 66% IPSC silhouettes - and keep under the budget I set for now. I like being able to drag them around to different positions, so a static mount doesn't appeal to me much. I need each on a free standing frame.

More steel then. Thanks for the feedback, I got a few good ideas to add to the list out of this thread.

I bought my AR500 steel targets from ShootSteel.Don't know if they're the cheapest but there's a good selection of 1/4" and 3/8" for all your firearms.

I bought some 1 1/2 " x 6' pieces of angle iron from HomeDepot for hanging my steel.Drill some holes and hang the steel from chain between two uprights. Sure beats those cheap Shepherds hooks that can get cut in half no matter what caliber you're shooting.

G-mac (forum member) makes quality portable stands.Would be worth it to check him out.

 

[Fred_G]

Sweet looking range, I am jealous.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

#4 Same thing as number 3, but closer in. Say, at 50 yards.

Rather than build a shorter range shooting station forward of the current shooting station, consider building it to the left or right. Move the targets closer up for that shooting station. This way you and your father and whomever else can go out shooting together and use both at the same time, and be generally more convenient for one person swapping between rifle and handgun.

 

[LittleCooner]

Something that I did for hanging steel. I took some regular T post steel fence post from the local farm supply, drilled 3/4 inch holes in the side up near the top and then drove two post at each location I wanted to hang the "expensive" steel gongs on. Used 5/8 inch rebar to slide into the holes and now I can move the gongs to different locations, by just sliding out the rebar from one end. I hang my gongs on webbing/strap that was purchased at a local surplus house.

 

[6518John]

For affordable steel check out JC Steel targets. Great stuff and great cause. I have been very happy with mine. Nice set up you have there.

I am putting in an order with them tomorrow. Absolutely outstanding and helpful customer service. This thread has been incrediably helpful. Thank you so much to the OP for starting it.

 

[JSR III]

Put the tools away and go shoot stuff!!!

 

[Wise_A]

If rustlers aren't a problem, consider adding storage for a first aid kit. You don't need it until you really, really, really need it. Doesn't have to be all 'tacticool' with clotting stuff:

--antihistamine for insect stings (spray-on and a consumable)
--bug spray
--pain relievers
--instant ice pack
--sunscreen
--band-aids, gauze, tape
--tick remover if you've ever gotten them out there
--flashlight (doubles as a signaling device if you're far from your driveway)
--orange signal flag, for daytime signaling if far
--gallon of water (again, if you're far from the house)
--tourniquet if you know how to use one
--space blanket

Maybe toss in a couple cheap gun tools, too. Wooden dowel, screwdriver, that sort of thing.

Other than that, maybe do power. Wouldn't have to go all the way to a genny. Maybe do a battery and a small camp-style solar panel. That'll let you run all sorts of stuff, including overhead lights, maybe charge cell phones, that sort of thing.

 

[forindooruseonly]

Put the tools away and go shoot stuff!!!

Good idea! Been cold and wet. Too muddy to go right now sadly.

I like the idea of putting a storage shed or some type of storage out there, and leaving supplies and such. One problem is that critters, wasps and spiders/scorpions will infiltrate it, and we have the nastiest of spiders here, both fiddlebacks and black widows. I'd want to bug bomb it every time I'd open it.

This is an ongoing project, and we will eventually do a lot of these improvements. We've had the range for twenty years or so, so it's not like we've been doing everything all at once. Just an improvement now and then.

Thanks for all the feedback!

 

[Wise_A]

I like the idea of putting a storage shed or some type of storage out there, and leaving supplies and such. One problem is that critters, wasps and spiders/scorpions will infiltrate it, and we have the nastiest of spiders here, both fiddlebacks and black widows. I'd want to bug bomb it every time I'd open it.

Ayuh. Been there, done that. Maybe some kind of airtight box.

Simpler may be better. There's a lot to be said for an uncomplicated facility. At our gun club, we used to have a nice covered pad like yours for our rifle range. Well, some gibletheads got the bright idea to enclose the rifle pad and play around with sound dampening. Now it's noisy as hell and reeks of mold and rot from being closed-up all the time.

The tools, you can just dedicate a pocket in your range bag to, and just commit to never removing them except at the range.

The first aid stuff, you might be better off just affixing to whatever vehicle you use to get out there. Or if you walk, just packing the light stuff.