[Bellevance]

Like a lot of handgunners on this forum, I'm lucky to live in a rural area far enough away from the nearest dwelling so that I can plink in my backyard without annoying any of my two-legged neighbors. Lately I've been thinking about setting up a more defined range, as opposed to a plank with tomato cans on it.

I would be grateful to hear anyone's suggestions about what key criteria, materials, and so forth to use when planning and building a private shooting range, say 25-yard distance. And if anyone would like to post pictures of such a set-up, I'd love to see those, too.

[Snagglepuss]

Me too!

[Chuck R.]

My "backyard" range, with a few of my 520 AR steel IDPA targets set up:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a5/CFRHunter/Img0806.jpg

It's 30M by 40M graveled, and the backstop is cut into a hill to make a 40' berm. I put in a 200 meter bench and 100 meter target stands. Stretching up to where my back deck is going to be I can get 300 meters in. I plan on changing the angle and putting in a firing point for a 385 meter Turkey silhouette for practice.

View from my bench:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a5/CFRHunter/Img0829.jpg

Closeup of my bench:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a5/CFRHunter/Img0830.jpg

Chuck

[Gonefission]

:what:
WOW, Very nice set up Chuck. I am green with envy.

[Chuck R.]

Gonefission


Thanks, it’s definitely a “work in progress” I've been working on it for a little over a year. I was hoping some more guys would post up because I’m always looking for good ideas to appropriate.

I’ve put in some railroad ties at the base of the berm and my next project is to have some steal welded up to mount on the ties. I plan on making bowling pin stands out of them.

I also belong to Mill Creek Rifle Club out in DeSoto. It’s a great range, but it’s a 45-minute drive for me. So since we wanted to move out to the “country” the range is an added benefit.

Where are you in KS?

Chuck

[Black Majik]

Chuck,

That's an awesome setup! I'd spend way too much money (and time) if I had my own personal range! :)

[M2 Carbine]

Ever since I was a little kid I wanted enough ground where I could shoot and land a plane on.

I've been using this backyard pistol range for about 30 years. The dirt mound is actually a storm cellar. The steel, not the dirt, is for stopping the bullets.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v135/Bell406_206B/Cellar_backstop.jpg

This is my 100 yard range. About 200 yards from the house. An hour ago I was shooting my new Rock River Arms NM AR.:)
From where the picture is taken, lately I've been shooting pistol at 100 yards (the circled target).
Some fun.:)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v135/Bell406_206B/100yardkimbershooting3.jpg

[10-Ring]

I'm really jealous of you guys that have your own ranges in your backyards. Me, if I go shooting in my backyard, I will be in a whole world of trouble :what:

[Chuck R.]

Black Majik,

Thanks, I had to come up with some out of the way place to shoot. Every time I went to a public range or my rifle club some guy would end up telling me how unreliable my super tight Baers are. :D

I was beginning to doubt my own experience. Now I simply go through a few hundred rounds at my leisure.

M2 Carbine,

What are you using for backstop steel????? My backstop is a little large to think about doing that, but I am looking to make some bowling pin racks, and some poppers. How well is it holding up?

Thanks,

Chuck