Anybody built a shooting range?

[GolfAddict]

I don't now, but have shot steel in the past without any issues. Some were commercial targets using lead; silhouettes and falling plates. My sons built me some spinners a few years ago, but I have trouble hitting them anymore.:laughing:

I think spinners are beyond my skills - after the first shot anyway!

I was at a used-a-bit type shop weekend before last and found a ram target (the traditional NRA ram shape). I brought it home, but have been real hesitant to actually shoot at it. It caused me to do some researching, and now I see how it can be safe to shoot steel. And it sure looks like a lot of fun.

I think I may get some targets that I know are made of AR500 steel. There are a number of sites offering targets made of it. Quite a range of prices! This ram I have no idea what it's made of. I'll probably do some long range experimenting to see if it dimples.

Sorry to de-rail the thread for a bit.

 

[k0ua]

I have shot steel targets for decades. Many thousands of rounds.. 8 inch plates. Pepper Poppers, Falling Plates A-zone steel, and of course Rams, Pigs,Turkeys, Chickens You name it. It is common to shoot steel in both IPSC and IDPA, as well as Steel Challenge, etc. Some things to watch for.. Never closer than 10 meters. never shoot a steel target that has been shot so much it starts looking like a parabolic reflector. and the focus point is toward your direction... Bad.. Watch any rifle round that has a steel core, or you could have nice holes in your steel or dimples at a mininum. Pistols shotguns, and rimfire rounds no worries. Rifles need to be further away, and watch ammunition selection. Have fun.

James K0UA

 

[k0ua]

This guy didn't do great, but he recovered on the Texas Star. The trick is to start on the top, and keep the star balanced as much as possible to eliminate wild swinging of the wheel. Clean it from the top down, and shoot the target when it stops.

Texas Star with my XDM-45 ACP - YouTube

 

[k0ua]

Texas Star - YouTube

here is another better demo of Texas stars..not all Texas stars are so unbalanced to start with.. some are very precision made. and equal. But generally look at the star and see how it moves, and evaluate your strategy to keep it balanced, as you clean its "clock"... really fun with a modified choke semi-auto shotgun with 7 1/2 or 8 shot.

James K0UA

 

[k0ua]

here is Ian Harrison of top shot fame.. cleaning a course with shotgun and pistol. lotsa steel, and a Texas star with a pistol to finish.

Iain Harison Runs a 3-Gun Stage - YouTube

 

[Dan Hunter]

I have a "gong" at the ranch. It's an air compressor tank from a unit that the pump fail on. I cut one end off and ran an eyebolt through the air line fitting to hang it. I only use it for .22lrs. After setting up the ranch, I determined that where I want to place the 30 X 40 steel shed is right in line with the range and an absurdly high shot would put it at risk so I'm going to remove the shooting and sitting bench along with the target hanger and relocate it.

 

[GolfAddict]

That looks like a fun one, and not quite as bad although still quite a challenge. When I was thinking of a different kind of "spinner" I'd seen. Check out the bottom video on this link.

Washington Steel targets

 

[k0ua]

A lot of instruction you-tube is not the best, but I watched this one, and believe this guy and gal, have some something to offer on controlling recoil here.

Rifle Recoil Control Techniques - YouTube

Also some things to learn here too about presenting and controlling a handgun. (Erica is not bad looking either)

Handgun Recoil Control - YouTube

 

[ncnurseryman]

I'll say. And love her choice of "tactical" shorts.

 

[SPIKER]

Well today I got back after the Shooting Project, got the back stop MOSTLY done today. NOTE the thumbnail pics open with them rotated right way for me but not sure if they do for others...

Here is the start 3 logs 16+ feet long stacked



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Started adding some logs in back that are wedged in to keep the stacked logs from ever rolling backwards, the logs actually lean towards the shooter some.



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Here are some of the limbs/logs holding the vertical wall against trees.



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close up of the logs they are a bit soft but should last a while.




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from hand gun shooters perspective.



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From the uphill back side there is a bunch of brush and limbs in behind the logs, and then a topper of logs on top of the limbs.



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Front side with most of the logs in place so any rounds that goes thru the openings will be deflected down as everything is angled so deflection is down, even the brush when laid in was just not tossed in but laid in so brush limbs/BUTT side was laying on the lower or next up logs.



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back side of logs covering the brush & limbs.



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angle shot of the nearly done back stop.



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adding the final layer of small limbs & brush which will be hand laid out the pile is dumped off the bucket. wall height is about 6' and is in middle of a hill and the hand gun range is slightly lower and the riffle area is actually 10' or so higher on other side of creek. I'm planning on adding the limb brush on top all way across as the left side is in final pic.




my target is going to set in-front, I have a bit of re-grading as ground was soft & logs tore it all up moving it all around. so got to flatten it out and plant some seed.



the target is well used and not much paint is left on it the 110/22 is fun to see if ya can get all of them spinning...

Mark