Finally Finished my Shooting Range

[Steve Cover]

Finally Finished My Backyard Shooting Range.

Now I can shoot out my backdoor.


New Backstop down by our Gate.

The range to the backstop from my bench is 100 yards
I had been shooting at targets stapled to the plywood I had screwed to one of our gate posts.
One of my 44 Magnum rounds found a rock and ricocheted up toward out neighbor’s house.
That brought all shooting to a halt until I could construct a suitable backstop.


As usual, my wife accused me of gross overbuild... I wonder why?

However, when it comes to the safety of my neighbors, I tend to error on the side of caution.

My backstop is made of railroad ties with a double layer in back.
Because the ties are not a smooth cut anymore, there are some gaps between them in places.
(Gaps visible in the picture)
Hence the double layer in back and sandbags to catch any bullets that get through.


The backstop measures eight feet wide, six feet tall, and four feet deep.

There are two vertical four by fours set out six inches from the back wall that have a couple of two by fours screwed across to mount my cardboard target supports to.

I’m planning on suspending a six inch steel gong on the left side.


Because of the potential of another ricochet off the steel gong, I also have a layer of sand bags on the roof.


This shows a better view of the sandbags against the back wall and roof.


Side view showing the roof overhang.

My targets should stay dry in a storm.


From our driveway, it is just a short distance to the backstop to change out targets.
(Old plywood  target support on the right near gate)




I built a new heavy shooting bench a couple of years ago

As luck would have it there is a shade tree next to my bench.

Now I can get back to all the shooting projects that have been piling up for the last couple of years

Thanks for looking

Steve

[MikeBjerum]

Looks nice!

What is with the plastic and rocks on the shooting bench in the first photo?

[Steve Cover]

Looks nice!

What is with the plastic and rocks on the shooting bench in the first photo?

Plastic tarp over the bench when not in use.
Rocks to keep it from blowing away in a storm.

We live in the mountains about fifteen miles south of Canada and about thirty miles west of Idaho.
Wild turkeys and white tail deer graze in out back yard.

When the weather is nice, it is beautiful, but when it storms, we are out in the open and get very high winds along with LOTS of rain.
I need to protect the bench as it isn't painted yet.

Steve

[tombogan03884]

Cool.

[alfsauve]

Very cool.   Many's a time I wish I lived back in the country.  <sigh>

[Sponsor]

[brushmore]

Very cool.   Many's a time I wish I lived back in the country.  <sigh>

I agree with that!  I guess I need to be content with a BB gun range in the basement for the time being.

[PegLeg45]

Very nice...similar to what my son want to build for our shooting needs.


One thing I'd add on the gong, elongate the shape (oval instead of round, rectangular instead of square) and then tilt it forward at the top so the rounds splatter downward. The elongation will give the illusion of being round or square from a distance.

[Steve Cover]

Very nice...similar to what my son want to build for our shooting needs.


One thing I'd add on the gong, elongate the shape (oval instead of round, rectangular instead of square) and then tilt it forward at the top so the rounds splatter downward. The elongation will give the illusion of being round or square from a distance.

I thought of bounce back.
I'm planning on having the suspension rings welded to the back of the gong so it hangs slanted forward.

Thanks for the tip.

Steve

[Magoo541]

No way I could put a range in at the house, I live in the middle of town. So I found a work around, I applied to be my clubs Range Manager  I like the idea of the shed type backstop, I'll file that away in case I want to put an air rifle range in the back yard for the grandson.

[Steve Cover]

No way I could put a range in at the house, I live in the middle of town. So I found a work around, I applied to be my clubs Range Manager  I like the idea of the shed type backstop, I'll file that away in case I want to put an air rifle range in the back yard for the grandson.

I spent a couple of years working as a Range Master in Everett.
Lots of work keeping idiots from shooting each other, but very rewarding.
Got to shoot everybody's new toy and was given a ton of brass.
If possible, find an NRA trainer and take the RSO (range safety officer) course.
It will be very worth your while and a real eye opener about range management.
The course came with a bright orange cap.
I wore it on the range all the time, but only once in town.
It seems that some people think RSO stands for Registered Sex Offender and that I had to wear the hat as a warning.

Seriously, along with the RSO, get certified as an instructor too.
You will never regret it.

Steve