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Thread: Range Upgrade Ideas

  1. #1
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    Range Upgrade Ideas

    I live in the country and am fortunate to have pasture land where I can shoot. There is a nice swath of acreage about 350 yards or so in length that ends at the bottom of about a 15 foot vertical ridge line- a great backstop. The rifle range is marked with concrete markers laid in the field at 25, 50, 100, 200, 300 yards. They've held up pretty well, but the cattle sometimes break them. I generally shoot steel, mostly round targets from ShootSteel.com hung on shepherd's crooks. These work really well- simple to move around and maintain. Also have a torso target that swings on bungee cords suspended from a 2 x 4. The 2 x 4 is placed on top of a couple of 4 x4s I have sunk in the ground. This has worked pretty well, too. Now, after several years of use and weather, it's time to think about repair and maybe upgrading the setup. Also, I'd like to have some sort of paper/cardboard target system to train for close range shooting (when it's too close for steel). Would also like to have some more friends over this year to shoot for fun. Dueling tree maybe?

    So, here are my questions:
    (1) Any recommendations on specific designs for cardboard target holders? (I'm handy with woodworking, don't have metal working skills though.)
    (2) Ideas for improvements to the range that will withstand the elements and cattle?
    (3) Shooting activities that are fun for small groups, including some new to shooting? What's worked for you?

    Thanks for your suggestions!

  2. #2
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    I would consider not having steel targets where the cows graze as the jacket pieces and shards along with the usually lead disc from pistol rounds are likely to be eaten.

    For paper/cardboard, simple metal bases with 1x2" strips that insert at the base, light and easy to move.

    Small groups, maybe the dueling tree and a plate rack. Bowling pins on a table. .22 swingers are fun and challenging, especially for the younger ones.
    GET IN YOUR BUBBLE!

  3. #3
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    range markers flush with the ground at 3, 7, 10, 25,50,75,100 yards... When I do this at our public range, I will make Alaskan tacks out of 1/4" rebar with flat discs welded on top, and the markings plowed out with a plasma cutter, because morons will shoot at the markers at a public range.

    cardboard holders:
    • make jigs to make the parts, because wood versus .223 always ends up bad for the wood.
    • a dado down the middle of the uprights and bottom, 1/4 X 1/4, to retain the cardboard.
    • I would make the opening for a pistol target 12 X 18, because that is the target size for CCW qualification in NM.
    • I would make a Masonite sheet at 12.5 X 18.25 as a template for the inserts, so you can more inserts quick and easy with any sharp knife.
    • shelf brackets and drywall screws and a fresh battery in the DeWalt, because fancy pants joinery is incompatible with field expedient repairs
    • more frames, sized for coyote and antelope and what you got where you live
    • if you just dado every 2 X 4 1/4 X 1/4 or 1/4 X 1/2 deep, you can use plywood or Masonite inserts on windy days, or double up cardboard


    Walmart has fluorescent balls and cubes that react to .22s. don't put them at measured distances, just throw them. herd them downrange, for experience with random targets at ground level, small game sized

  4. #4
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    I pick up abandoned political, real estate and other corrugated plastic signed along roads to use as target backer. The plastic hold up to the weather better than cardboard.

  5. #5
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    I have bought reactive steel targets, bases, and a dueling tree from Bobcat Steel and RSR Steel Targets. I like the bases for cardboard targets that use 1x2's and also for hanging bigger steel with 2x4's. I also use the shepherd's crooks for hanging smaller steel.

    Dueling trees, plate racks, and the spinning propeller-type targets are fun for groups.
    To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society. --Theodore Roosevelt--

  6. #6
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    Look up "Hickok45" on YouTube for some range target ideas!

  7. #7
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    Hang Fast Targets has a T post hanger that is super easy to use and allows for a very reactive target.... good sound too.

  8. #8
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    Range update: spent Saturday morning cleaning up downed trees. There's a reason sane people do chainsaw work in the winter- Texas summer heat can be oppressive! Good news is that my boy and I spent a great afternoon assembling a clay pigeon stand, and put it to use today. For those of you with kids, man I heartily recommend the clay targets. They are crazy cheap ($6/ case of 90 at Walmart), and my son lit up every time he shattered one. Good times at the range. Dueling tree may be next!

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by P2Vaircrewman View Post
    I pick up abandoned political, real estate and other corrugated plastic signed along roads to use as target backer. The plastic hold up to the weather better than cardboard.
    Excellent advice. It also seems to me that the corrugated plastic will take a LOT more rounds, at least rifle/pistol rounds (I don't shoot much shotgun), before it's shot up too bad to be a good backer.

  10. #10
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    Anyone have recommendations for a dueling tree that will work with .22LR and 9mm pistol rounds? ActionTarget had one that was reviewed and recommend by Nutnfancy several years ago, but the company specifically advises against using rounds other than .22. Don't want to spend $500 or more on a tree that is too heavy for .22LR, but optimally would get one that could handle both. Suggestions? Thanks!

    https://shop.actiontarget.com/conten...eling-tree.asp

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EN8pOrOdDbQ

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