Have you ever driven 45 minutes to your nearest public range just to squeeze in a 30-minute practice session? If shooting is starting to feel more like a chore than a hobby, it might be time to bring the range closer to home. And no, it won’t put a huge dent in your finances. Here, we explore how to affordably build a backyard range.
Know Your Legal Ground First
Before you spend a single dollar, check your local ordinances. Zoning laws, minimum acreage requirements, and noise restrictions vary widely by county and state.
Call your local sheriff’s office or zoning board. Also, some HOA communities prohibit the discharge of firearms entirely, so get clarity before you build.
Lay Out Your Range Thoughtfully
Your range needs berms (a backstop and sidewalls), and you can make them with the free dirt on your property. Rent a skid steer for a day and push existing soil into a mound. Tamp it down in layers as you build up, and you’ll end up with a dense, stable backstop that holds its shape through rain and freeze cycles.
Your berms should be at least 6 feet tall and wide enough to account for lateral misses. The standard rule of thumb is to extend your berms at least 3 feet beyond the widest target position on each side.
Build a Simple, Solid Firing Line
You don’t need a covered bench to start. A few treated 4×4 posts and a couple of planks give you a solid shooting bench for under $100 in materials. Add a simple roof with corrugated metal sheeting, and you’ve got weather protection.
Source Steel Targets Wisely
AR500 steel is the gold standard for metal targets, but it’s expensive. Steel pricing shifts with the market, and you can use global indicators to predict metal price trends and time your purchase accordingly. Buying raw AR500 plates and cutting your own targets (or having a local fab shop do it) runs cheaper than buying finished targets retail.
Hang your targets with chains and T-posts rather than custom frames. A single T-post driver, a bag of chains, and some quick links will have you set up for less than $50.
Get Out There and Shoot
This guide on affordably building a backyard range proves that a functional, safe shooting setup is well within reach. With smart planning and a weekend of work, you’ll be running drills in your own backyard before you know it.
Casey Cartwright
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