Laws
Before you begin construction on your range, you will need to visit with your county planning department. While there, thoroughly review your state and local laws and zoning ordinances as well as any potential neighborhood covenants, codes, and restrictions that may be in place regarding the recreational use of firearms on your property. You will also want to identify, if any, Environmental Protection Agency restrictions on lead ammunition or regulatory requirements for reclamation of spent lead ammunition.
This is also a great time to discuss your construction plans with the planning department in the event that you need to apply for permits or update your property site plan.
Additionally, you may consider having a conversation with the local code enforcement personnel to inform them of your plans to construct a range on your property and that you have verified that it is legal and in accordance with local zoning ordinances. This will help them manage neighbor complaints that they may receive once your range is established and you start shooting.
The National Rifle Association has an online Range Development and Operations course that is designed to educate people that are looking to build a public range or private range. The comprehensive course that gives helpful information regarding environmental concerns along with indoor and outdoor range construction. For a much lower price point, the NRA Range Source Book retails for $59.95 and has over 30 chapters that will help you get started on your indoor or outdoor range.
Location
One of the basic rules of firearm safety is to be certain of your target and what’s beyond it. The first determination to choosing the location of your gun range is identifying a location that you have a safe natural backstop or the next option which is to build a backstop. If you are going to construct a backstop, do some research as there are a myriad of ideas online that will help to determine the perfect backstop for your intended use.
Generally speaking, constructing a safe backstop will require heavy equipment and the possibility of bringing in top-soil. Creosote railroad ties are highly recommended for backstops when coupled with a hill or dirt behind it. When solidifying your range location, keep in mind how far the bullet could potentially travel if it misses the target and or ricochets in another direction.
Shooting Bench & Props
The addition of a traditional shooting bench will provide a stable place to shoot while zeroing a rifle or gathering data. Adding items to your range like a barricade, rooftop, tank trap, or plastic water barrel will add a tremendous amount of value to your shooting and training experience for many types of shooting sports, especially if you are a hunter or precision shooting competitor. Training with these props will decrease your stage preparation time, decrease your transition time all while increasing your accuracy which is critical while afield in a hunting situation or in competition.
Rifle Target Ranges
Buy and Sell on GunsAmerica! All Local Sales are FREE!
