Building a home zeroing range

hairycow

Well-Known Member
Right sold our cows and now my mate is just going to put sheep in the field every now and then to keep the grass down so I’m thinking I might build a 50 and 100m range for zeroing and a bit of target practice under the 28 day rule.
so just after a bit of advice as to the legality of it and build advice Our land is undulated so plenty of natural back stops but wondered if anyone has done the same and got some pics.
it will only be for me and my wife to use as on land adjoining our property, the other question is any ideas on best design for a seated shooting bench as 52 with the body of 98 year old Pics also appreciated.
 
Am doing very similar myself at moment. Put a 10 X 9 shed on a six feet platform. Going to build bench full length of shed to shoot out of hatches.
Been a on going project for last few months but we are getting.
Tough juggling more shooting commitments than ever and trying to build this but can't complain all be fun lol
 
How are you building your back stop or are you just shooting into the ground and what are you attaching your targets to
p.s sounds good have thought about a shed nice seat and brew holder hmmm
 
I don’t know about any legalities.
But my boss (years ago) had a zeroing “range” it was a box made from pallets. Filled with soil and well compacted. He shot slightly down hill into it too.
 
How are you building your back stop or are you just shooting into the ground and what are you attaching your targets to
p.s sounds good have thought about a shed nice seat and brew holder hmmm
It's on a slope in a valley and also the box adds elevation with decent angle
 
Plenty of bench designs on the internet, for the target holder, knock two fence posts in front of a safe backstop and slide a wooden pallet over them, them just attach target of your choice
 
Target support - just use a supermarket cardboard veg tray stood on edge with a weight holding it down. Cost nowt & easy to replace. I like the ones with a white underside surface. Adhesive spot patch for an aiming point, or you can pin paper targets to it. - Tesco noticeboard pins are good - don't leave sharp staples in the box and reusable.

Keep the bullet trajectory as close to the ground as possible. This keeps you more out of the wind and considerably reduces sound propagation if neighbours may be upset by the bangs.
Ian
 
Having used various paper target holders which you slowly shoot to pieces my best tip is use a hard foam gardening kneeling pad the shots just “Squeeze “ though it without destroying its structural integrity. decide which size targets you are going to use then just screw 4 Phillips screws through from the back so they are 10-15 mm proud at the target face side push your paper targets on to the screws job done, the pads last for ages Picture is one I am making that’s getting attached to simple wooden fold up frame
 

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Target support - just use a supermarket cardboard veg tray stood on edge with a weight holding it down. Cost nowt & easy to replace. I like the ones with a white underside surface. Adhesive spot patch for an aiming point, or you can pin paper targets to it. - Tesco noticeboard pins are good - don't leave sharp staples in the box and reusable.

Keep the bullet trajectory as close to the ground as possible. This keeps you more out of the wind and considerably reduces sound propagation if neighbours may be upset by the bangs.
Ian
My boss mentioned above. Used to use a neighbours field for zeroing at times.
This usually involved a veg box stood on end with a large X on it.
Prior to a trip to Canada he was zeroing his new 300 WM. Steadily getting worse he offered me a shot.
So new box sat behind a high leg bipod. Bang, and off we go for a look (he said I’d missed. Anyway we found the target sans hole, nothing. Well till we looked more carefully, I didn’t get another go, the bullet went straight though the gap leaving very small marks either side. Middle of the X, so he took his toys in.
He did come back with his Caribou though.
 
I run a range at my place

3 lanes

Centre lane - lane 2 - is for centre fire

Lanes 1 and 3 for .22 LR

No 2 is built of 50 tonnes of earth and sand - needs to be replaced periodically as wind and rain conspire to remove it

I planned 5 tonnes each in lanes 1 and 3 - built of 6" by 8" railway sleepers - the sand is necessary in order to capture rounds, minimise ricochet and show splash

Max distance is 175m - I own the land immediately beyond the backstops

Home range.jpeg

No 3 shows its construction before sand was added

no 3 backstop.jpg
 
I run a range at my place

3 lanes

Centre lane - lane 2 - is for centre fire

Lanes 1 and 3 for .22 LR

No 2 is built of 50 tonnes of earth and sand - needs to be replaced periodically as wind and rain conspire to remove it

I planned 5 tonnes each in lanes 1 and 3 - built of 6" by 8" railway sleepers - the sand is necessary in order to capture rounds, minimise ricochet and show splash

Max distance is 175m - I own the land immediately beyond the backstops

View attachment 207825

No 3 shows its construction before sand was added

View attachment 207826
I understand you own the land, did you need permission from the police to start doing this??? Are you restricted to 28 days per year?? Have you had to take out liability insurance???
 
Yes I own the land

No permission required from the police - nothing to do with them

HSE will get involved if there is an issue.

Police would only get involved if a crime has been committed

Restricted to 28 days per year if you do not have planning permission for change of use on the land

£5 million insurance

All participants fill in a Section 21 declaration confirming they are not banned from shooting

if shooting centre fire - FAC holders must be conditioned for AOLQ etc (as opposed to HO approved target club) unless using my firearms under estate rifle rules

.22LR is run on miniature range rules and so no such conditions apply

I'm a NRA RCO and I require each lane to be manned by a range safety officer under my control

I'm ultimately responsible for range design and safe operating procedures
 
I understand you own the land, did you need permission from the police to start doing this??? Are you restricted to 28 days per year?? Have you had to take out liability insurance???
You don't need any permission other than your FAC to zero and practice with rifles. All you are doing is creating non permanent fixtures that make it safer and a bit more comfortable. You already have permission via your FAC to carry out zeroing etc on land on which have lawful permission to shoot over.

The 28 day rule applies much more to clubs and commercial type operations. If you are simply using the range for your own zeroing / load development and inviting the odd guest to check their own rifles then no need. If you are having organised days, offering training, or pay to play type and there will be consistent and regular noise then it starts to become much more of an issue.

Personally I would suggest trying to keep things pretty discrete. I have a few large sections of old logs about three foot in diameter and three foot long stacked on top of each other in front of a good bank with lots of soft leaf litter etc. I pin my targets to front of the bottom logs and bullets bury themselves in the log to several inches. My firing point is a comfortable grassy knoll on which I lay a rug and pack to shoot over. It works, its safe, and nobody knows its there.
 
Build a nice 4 bay sheep shed with sitting benches that look over the fields on a down slope make sure its nice and warm in there with shutters on the bays and a door , that way your only building a sheep winter shed and add a steep U shape High burm to keep the wind away at 100 mts/yrs few rail sleepers with 2x2 sockets and your away .
 
I have a 45mtr mini range at my cabin. I bought a 1000 ltr big bag and filled it with sand. I have used it for several years with both rim and centrefire rifles with no issues.
 
Restricted to 28 days per year if you do not have planning permission for change of use on the land
I’m not sure if it is continuing this year. But the 28 days was doubled last year. Mainly for the benefit of camping (a mate with a campsite on the farm told me about it).
It may or may not be of benefit to you.
 
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