Opening an outdoor shooting range?

[BigBlock]

I'm growing rather tired of driving 30-40 miles out into the woods to shoot. There's a range nearby, but their yearly fees are absurd, and there are way, WAY too many rules.

Lately, I've been thinking about opening a basic outdoor range, with only a few rules for basic safety, and reasonable fees. Not really looking to make a profit, but it would have to break even and maybe give me a little beer money.

My thought is finding a small peice of farm land (lots of it around here) outside of city limits, piling up some dirt for a backstop, and build some basic covered stands. An area, say, 100 yards X 50 yards is only 1 acre, think I could get away with doing something like this on a 3-5 acre parcel surrounded by more farmland?

My main concern is really if I'd be able to find enough members to pay for everything. How would I research such a thing? It would need to be in a somewhat out of the way area for financial reasons, but then again, it would be within 5-15 miles of cities with 17,000 and 22,000 populations. Do you think I'd be able to get enough people to make the drive to support an anything goes, open 24/7 type of range? Personally, I'm interested in shooting at fun things like propane tanks, old trucks, appliances, etc...not peices of paper. I'm not sure how many others feel the same way.

Any other thoughts to share?

 

[JCaraker]

I'd say the biggest problems would be the EPA and local antigunners. A hassle for sure but not insurmountable. We have several ranges like this in my area and they do well.

 

[churched]

You are going to have to get all the proper zoning permits and present your buisness plan to some board of reviews. I would pitch this idea with as many pros as possible. You also need to look into insurance for such a buisness. I would get together with your local police or sheriffs department and see if this is something that they would like to use. If you can lock your local police force into the idea then your local government may have a hard time shutting down those who are sworn to protect and serve.

This kind of endeavor is not as cut and dry as we would all like. As long as you do all of your research and get your ducks in a row you should be able to make it happen.

 

[BigBlock]

I'd say the biggest problems would be the EPA and local antigunners.

Is it really any of their business though? I don't think I need the antigunner's permission. Are there EPA requirements for outdoor shooting ranges?

We have several ranges like this in my area and they do well.

That's another question I had...is it there much trouble trying to compete with a few other ranges within 30 miles or so?

 

[BigBlock]

I would pitch this idea with as many pros as possible.

What sort of pros would you suggest I contact?

 

[BigBlock]

Another thought: If it was a "private" range, (easy to join) wouldn't that make you immune to a lot of possible regulations? I mean, it would be like me and my buddies shooting out in the back yard, wouldn't it?


Just thinking out loud here...

 

[Robert Hairless]

NRA shooting range assistance

I suggest that one of the first things you do is get and read the NRA Shooting Range Sourcebook. Also look at the shooting range services listed by the NRA. Poke around the links on that NRA site to see other ways the NRA can help you. They can include advice from an experienced person.

 

[jwr_747]

the NRA may help with your design.I belong to a "private club" in the middle of 700 acres,we use about an acre for the rifle and pistol ranges.since all drainage stays within the farm boundries EPA concerns aren't a problem.if you buy your land,legal issues will change from just using private land.the NRA can also help with those issues. jwr

 

[RNB65]

You're going to need lots of liability insurance because sooner or later someone is going to do something stupid and you're going to sued.

Also, you'll want to setup a private corporation to own and operate the range in order to shield your personnel assets from liability.

 

[RPCVYemen]

An area, say, 100 yards X 50 yards is only 1 acre, think I could get away with doing something like this on a 3-5 acre parcel surrounded by more farmland?

Assume a shot goes over the berm. Where will it go?

It all depends on what's down range, but I know a 100 acre range that has had to limit itself to (traditional) pistols and shotgun.

Mike