Back Yard Range

[pop pop]

Had time to go out and do some improvements to my range yesterday. Hope to complete them this morning. I recently had some trees cut and had the cutters to pile some large logs against the back fence to make and additional 14' backstop for shooting. I rocked the ground in front of the logs with small chip rock so I could use it even in wet times. People don't like getting mud on their feet. I also treated the logs with termite spray that I had on hand so the bugs and termites will not infest the logs, and they will last longer.  I have some firewood I sprayed like this, and it has been piled for over 6 years now and still very solid and burns well. Have good/better expectations for these logs.  

Now I am going to purchase some steel to put in front of the logs. I really like steel because it just hangs and very little upkeep. I can spray paint it and draw a circle and do precise shooting. I plan to purchase some targets that hang on T post as I have none of them at this time. All my steel is hung on rubber straps. I want 6" high and 4" wide this time. That will be my practice zone for these targets. 

I am enjoying the range a lot and have been practicing more as of late.  I will say, "It is bad to see, with age, your abilities decrease." Must practice more to aid and overcome with this situation as much as possible, IMO. Just trying to do my part and improve. 

Edited Wednesday at 06:04 PM by pop pop

[DraxTheDad]

My range on my land is 60 yards right now, I want to push it out to 100 yards, but I need to do some tree clearing to make that happen.   I have 100+ acres of woods, so no real backstop.  Love having It out there to go plink on.   I do plan on building a good backstop with the trees I fell from pushing it out to 100 yards, in the mean time, going to just enjoy it for what it is.

The sound of the metal targets is awesome, love having them out there.

[pop pop]

Well, I got my improvements accomplished this morning. Ready for the rain. Now I need to sit down and order my steel targets. I already have the T post on hand, so I just need the steel and T post hangers. I like all my steel to have a downward tilt, so bullet splatter goes into the ground in front of the targets and not back at the shooter. From what I have seen these T post hangers has this tilt. 

Got my last ones from shootsteal.com and have plans to check them out soon. Most of my practice with handguns is from 7, 15, and 25 yards. Most is at 7 to 15. I do practice off hand 25 yard but will say it is a stretch with a hand-held pistol or revolver. Better with the revolver because I can cock it. I can hit pretty consistent on my 12" steel circle at 25 yards although my groups are a little large. 

I can get 100 yards, for rifle, pretty easy but need to carry my shooting table back out to my front yard and beside the house to get there. My yard is 625' deep at the longest point. I have close to 3 acers with no close neighbors behind my target area. 

I recently reconfigured my shooting table and added a rifle arm on it. My Led sled now fits the 14" rifle extension on the right side of my shooting bench as I am a rightie. Also had to raise my seat about 6" to accommodate the rifle arm in order to be comfortable while mounting the rifle.

I could cut a few trees and get 100 yards, behind my house as our lot is 350' wide. Then I would need to keep it mowed and build another backstop, so I don't see that happening. 

Am having a lot of fun with my range. 

[Jeb48]

I have bought the majority of my steel from https://shootingtargets7.com Free shipping if you buy $99 worth.  

I use rubber mulch under the targets that get lots of rounds shot at them.  Without you get a trench from the deflected bullets.  The mulch seems to keep it neat longer and can be smoothed out with your foot when you paint your targets.  Goes on sale at Aldi's every spring.

After using assorted cheap paint that was on sale I found target paint with a higher pigment level was worth the extra cost. I use red, yellow and green, buy with a friend or two to get quantity discount. https://www.rangestore.net/

I color code my targets, some are for .22 only others are for handguns and carbines, then some heavy stuff for bigger stuff.  Of course the color code is for the max rating.  That way I can afford more targets and they ring better for the intended caliber.

[pop pop]

All my targets are for larger stuff. That insures no one will make a mistake and shoot the wrong one. I do have 7 22 LR targets, but their rack holders are all smaller and lower on the ground so no one can mistake them for bigger ones.

With ear protection I wear I don't hear much of the ping on my targets. For a while now I must wear foam inside my ear and muffs over them. If I don't, I will suffer dizziness (Verdugo) the next day. The sudden loud sound messes with my inner ears then I am down for that day.  

I am going to replace some of the 2X4s on my target hangers soon, because the bullet splatter has eaten them almost in-to. For sure on my large 12" because all the beginners shoot the big one for starters. I allow them to do that because it builds their confidence. The big one is hanging out on a 3" bolt so the top of the steel will hang/tilt over the bottom, so the splatter goes into the ground in front of it. I also make everyone wear safety glasses and bystanders must stand behind those firing at the targets. I had a piece of splatter hit my cheek when I first started shooting steel, so I learned by mistake/experience on this one. Brought blood and hurt. 

Experience has been a good teacher. Don't allow anyone to shoot the steel closer than 21' to 26' and must have safety gear on. Large rifles are 100' +. Don't like to shoot a lot of large rifles because of sound/ or neighbors. 

Edited to add; Hope to order my new targets today. Thanks for the heads up on the target company rangestore, net, Jeb 48.  Will check them out. 

Edited 8 hours ago by pop pop

[Jeb48]

The majority of what I shoot on my home range are hand guns and carbines, because of the noise problem might bother the neighbors too.  So far non have complained and I want to keep it that way.  If I do shoot bigger stuff use I double ear protection also, but the smaller stuff I use active ear muffs and that is plenty and I can still hear the targets ring.  Some of my steel is closer but I shoot from a raised platform (my deck) plus tilt the targets so it hasn't been a problem.