And while I'm dreaming, a pony would be nice!

[priv8ter]

Being bored at work, I was able to let my mind wander. Sooner or later, I want to own a house with some land. There are still 5-10 acre parcels around here that are not to expensive, and close enough to have a reasonable commute.

Once I have my land, it has always been a dream of mine to try and build my own private indoor gun range. Especially if I win the Lotto and have lots of land .

Has anyone ever looked into the feasability of such a plan? I mean, physically, rent a Bobcat, dig a trench 10'x50'(doesn't need to be too long for some pistol practice. Concrete/rebar walls, some sound absorbing medium, lighting, a pretty mondo ventilation system. What else?

What would really get you I guess would be the EPA. Lead buildup...

Should I see the shrink now, or start saving my $$$$$$?

Greg

 

[blades67]

Start saving your money, because what's really going to get you is your insurance premium.

 

[Leatherneck]

Totally feasible. Screw the insurance company; if you only use it for self/friends, it's none of their business.

As for lead contamination, I'd plan on a sand trap and plan some way to reclaim and recycle the spent bullets.

I doubt you'd need to make it a tunnel; rather, just a trench (taking advantage of a natural terrain feature would be best). Picture the realtor on about the fifth attempt to show you her idea of a good lot: "Darned if I can figure out what priv8ter wants: I've shown him five perfectly builable lots, and all he says is 'Nah--too flat.'" Plan on as much noise abatement as possible at the firing point. Neighbors might get to complaining about the .50AE reports. Absolutely make the impact area ricochet-proof with an overhead canopy of timber/earth. Keep dreaming!

TC
TFL Survivor

 

[Bravo11]

Start a private club.
Membership by invitation only.
Have your friends join at a nominal fee, not to make a profit but
help with the cost of construction and maintenance. If its a private club with limited membership have them sign waivers.
You know all the members since its invitation only so you know they probably wouldn't sue anyway. They wouldn't mind the fee
since they get a good place to shoot for a minimum cost.

 

[ball3006]

Instead of all that work......

just use concrete sewer pipe....chris3

 

[Flashpoint]

Ever seen the indoor range at the Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, Mo.? It's a pretty neat system. There is a curved piece of steel at the end of the range that ricochets the bullet up into a channel that guides the lead to a collection point. There is no telling how much it cost. That is the only indoor range that I have ever been to. The designe may not be such a unique thing. I'm fortunate enough to be able to go out to the back yard and staple targets to a Sweet Gum tree that hit by lightning a few years back and blast away. I don't think I'll go back to an indoor range .40 cals are lound enough without all the reverb.

 

[jmbg29]

And while I'm dreaming, a pony would be nice!

Get the cash by successfully suing your parents.

It is obvious to me (from your opening remark) that you are one of the many millions of victims that suffer needlessly from Diminutive Equine Deficiency Disorder. I say needlessly, because we all know how much cash can cheer a person up. And speaking of cash, I would be happy to testify (for a reasonable fee) on your behalf vis-a-vis your suffering and depression from years of the D.E.D.D. affliction.




I would also be happy to testify on behalf of those that have reason to believe that they suffer from Post-Traumatic Birthday Clown Separation Anxiety Disorder.

Cash on the barrelhead please.

 

[Sisco]

I started a thread on this at TFL, my plan was to install a length of concete pipe extending underground from the basement.
Some of the problems pointed out there have been addressed here;
Potential lead contamination that could cause problems when the house is sold.
Ventilation. An exhaust fan would have to be installed at the target end of the tunnel to pull the fumes out & away from the house.
Lighting. The target would need to be illuminated with easy access to the fixtures to change bulbs.
AD. Since you'll be firing live ammo in the house, you would want to ensure that an accidental discharge can't go throuh the ceiling and cause injury / damage in the room above or the rooms adjacent to the shooting gallery.

 

[Standing Wolf]

How about a covered pit at one end, a covered pit at the other, and a concrete pipe in between? That wouldn't solve the ventilation problem, but lighting shouldn't be complex. At the far end, a sheet of bullet-proof steel angled 45° should deflect bullets downward into sand. Once a year, take the top off the target end, push the sheet of steel upright, and harvest the lead from the sand.

 

[jsalcedo]

I knew someone who dug a large pit and placed the huge 10'
diameter concrete pipe 50 feet long.

He said it was great except it kept filling with water.

maybe angle it a bit and put a cheap pump at one end.

For a bullet trap You might consider using cut apart used tires
to line the back stop to prevent splashback and ricochets.

Ventilation will be of utmost importance maybe use some old
AC ductwork with one of those $25 vortex fans at the far end to pull the bad air out.

Sound like a very cool project and I wish I had the land to do it.