Hey everyone, I have been thinking for a while on building a gun range. This would be a business so there would be some money involved. What would be one thing you want in a gun range? Are you mostly a distance shooter? Tactical shooter? Just plain target shooting? Tell me your perfect range setup.

Bench rest rifle range, ranging from 100-400 yards.. Pistol range anywhere from 5-50 yards, maybe even 100 yards (for the pistol hunters out there) and an area where some can engage in match type (IDPA/USPSA) obstacles either pistol or rifle, but big enough to accommodate either. The only reason I don't see the rifle range being longer is for the mere fact that your on a hunting forum and there is a fine line between what is necessary and what is ridiculous in the name of long range shooting at animals. I know there are those that can do it, but as a majority, I seriously doubt hunters are capable of taking shots at longer ranges.

what he said. . . .^^^^^^^^

I'd like 25-1000 with carts to mess with targets.

If you are thinking about opening a range, check with the NRA. I think they still have programs for helping plan them and even aid in the building.

The best public range I have been to is Ben Avery range close to Pheonix. Look it up and checkout their layout.

An area for folks to bust some clays, would be a nice option as well.

Here, you are going to need this.

http://www.locktonrisk.com/nrains/default.htm

Awesome link DCS Thanks tons. If I am ever able to get this thing off the ground that will probably be what I end up using

What area are you thinking of doing this?

I haven't the slightest idea where yet. It would be either around the Dallas or Houston area if I stay in Texas. Those seem to be the most welcoming areas for this kind of thing.

Out of the weather would be great. Being able to check your target from the bench without waiting on the other shooters. That probably makes it more expensive.

Go to the TacPro shooting range. THAT.

rifle from 50-350 yards
I like shooting paper but also like to see a big gong style swinging target at the longer distances.
They are fun to shoot at and keeps my son interested in long range shooting

I like the pistol range to be off to the side, also with separate pits that one family or group can occupy
thats nice for teaching the wife and kids how to shoot and handle a gun, without having the distraction of being on the main shooting line

Most of the response from this forum will be hunters as AO said, but you may want to consider the long range shooters that would make good use of a long range. There may not be as much demand for a range beyond 400 or 500 yards, but there are so few of them and that might help to corner part of the market for you.

Keep in touch on the range, it would be good to hear how it progresses.

People come to my place for longer range shots. Those places are alot harder to find. The problem with that would be the price of the property. Maybe a 3 D type range with charging animals like DSC uses.

30-150 for rifle pistol, tactical shooting

Rifle, out to 300 + yards. I also like the ida above of carts to service targets. Especially if you go out 300,400, 500 yards. The cease fire times would get very long without carts.

And be sure and let us know when and where. I would like to have a good one close to me.

Friendly staff not a bunch of A$$es.

Shotgun for sure. There definitely are not enough places to shoot clays.

My personal choice is a range that has at least 200 yards. Most ranges are only 100 and that gets boring for target shooting.

What area would you be building the range in?

First purpose of business is to make money..One sets up a service
type industry, they must maintain and grow their cleintelle..in
other words..gain and not loose their customer base..If you have
noticed if you have less than 200 acres..NRA will not insure you
and you leave yourself liable to every crackpot w/a lawyer there
is..Also, you do not want anyone shooting off handed in less than
a controlled envoirment..hence high berms/short yardage and cover
of some type where possible on pistol ranges..Pistol ranges up to
25 yds, rifle min 50 & 100..If you put in Skeet & Trap..you need
to have registered shoots for at least one discipline..If you have the acreage..setup longer ranges..be concerned about your neighbors..all around you..You'd be surprised who will go after you if they are not getting their way..Don

Go to the TacPro shooting range. THAT. [/quote]



TacPro is pretty good, and is my favorite place in the DFW area for sure, but I actually think "Best of the West" near austin is a little nicer.

Notably, their long distance range has a single firing line, with multiple distance berms, so you can shoot at 300 while the guy next to you shoots at 700 or 1000 or whatever.

TacPro's long distance range is a single berm with multiple firing lines, so if someone is shooting from 1000, you cant shoot from 300, 400, or 500. Usually no big deal, but sometimes a little annoying...

You guys have some good ideas. I'm thinking to have a long distance range as well as an indoor training site. I'd like to make a solid building (old warehouse?) with movable walls (plywood sheets) to simulate a building. Have teams work to clear it (or individuals) while targets appear and disappear.

The main thing I can think of that is extremely frustrating at some ranges....is when they use benches that are connected to each other, so then you have to deal with the vibration of other people's rifles going off when you're trying to stay steady.

So I cannot stress this enough....MAKE SURE EACH TABLE IS SEPARATE AND INDEPENDENT FROM THE OTHERS!!

Yep.. This right here is why I don't support any of my local gun shops down here in Corpus Christi..