Rifle range setup

[WoobieJ]

I have a long straight road that is perfect for a rifle range at my family ranch. Potential to shoot to 1500 yards.
- What size of steel plates do you recommend at each distance?
- Where did you purchase your steel?
- What is your preferred method to hang or set up the steel?
- Do you shoot from an elevated platform, the ground or bench or a combination of each?

Any ideas related to setting up an awesome 1500 yard rifle range would be welcome!

 

[WoobieJ]

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[DrainTheSwamp]

Two t posts with wire tied from one to the other. Then sling some baler belting over it. Sure if the wire takes a round it will snap but it’s a cheap easy fix. Go to any ag implement repair shop and they should be able to find you some old used baler belting for free.

I’ve had really good luck with the Shepard’s hook rebar hangers. Easy to make and the rebar holds up to rifle rounds pretty good.

My local steel shop made the ar 500 plates for cheap. Way cheaper than I’ve seen them anywhere else. Just have to bring in your dimensions and they’ll water jet them for you

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

I would go 2 moa or similar on closer ones and 3 and 4 moa on the farthest targets and decrease their sizes as you become a better shooter/reloader.

 

[WoobieJ]

Two t posts with wire tied from one to the other. Then sling some baler belting over it. Sure if the wire takes a round it will snap but it’s a cheap easy fix. Go to any ag implement repair shop and they should be able to find you some old used baler belting for free.

I’ve had really good luck with the Shepard’s hook rebar hangers. Easy to make and the rebar holds up to rifle rounds pretty good.

My local steel shop made the ar 500 plates for cheap. Way cheaper than I’ve seen them anywhere else. Just have to bring in your dimensions and they’ll water jet them for you

Good ideas! Thanks!

 

[WoobieJ]

I would go 2 moa or similar on closer ones and 3 and 4 moa on the farthest targets and decrease their sizes as you become a better shooter/reloader.

thanks for the advice!

 

[DrainTheSwamp]

I will usually hang 2 plates at each distance. One big and one small. 2 moa and a 1 moa. That way if a target goes down I have a another without driving down range to go fix it

 

[Olen_4504]

you know the rubber bumpers on loading docks? it's a bunch of rubber straps with two holes with a rod through them.
My buddy was able to get about 100 of the the individual straps from his work. they make FANTASTIC target hanging straps. they hold up to impacts and already holes in them for hanging. the wooden saw horse lasted us a few months. then only took <$20 to rebuild. depends how many stray bullets it takes. We use a 12x20 plate at 1,000 yards. we also shoot off the ground because the terrain allows for it. Let know if you want a handful of straps, I'll send you some. we have a ton

 

[WoobieJ]

you know the rubber bumpers on loading docks? it's a bunch of rubber straps with two holes with a rod through them.
My buddy was able to get about 100 of the the individual straps from his work. they make FANTASTIC target hanging straps. they hold up to impacts and already holes in them for hanging. the wooden saw horse lasted us a few months. then only took <$20 to rebuild. depends how many stray bullets it takes. We use a 12x20 plate at 1,000 yards. we also shoot off the ground because the terrain allows for it. Let know if you want a handful of straps, I'll send you some. we have a ton


View attachment 6928847

hell yeah id love some straps! good idea!

 

[Olen_4504]

PM me your address and I'll send you a few pairs out next week.

 

[DrainTheSwamp]

Such an awesome community on the hide!!

 

[WoobieJ]

Such an awesome community on the hide!!

yes sir!

 

[WoobieJ]

.

 

[Supersum1]

Renewing the thread: has anyone made a DIY swinger spinner target? Idea is pretty simple (steel plate, rubber strap, rebar/similar across the top), but is there an ideal distance/size/strap length/weight? Basically trying to make sure I don't make it too far/long/heavy to swing.

 

[WoobieJ]

Renewing the thread: has anyone made a DIY swinger spinner target? Idea is pretty simple (steel plate, rubber strap, rebar/similar across the top), but is there an ideal distance/size/strap length/weight? Basically trying to make sure I don't make it too far/long/heavy to swing.

I would be interested in this also

 

[RickyRodney]

We make our targets and hangers separate. For hangers we use 1/2” rebar, then 5/16” chain and 1/2” bolts on the plates and it’s all removable and so you can move the plates between the different hangers. Just weld about 6” piece of rebar straight up off the hanger and it will never fall off

 

[goatboy]

I've been organizing a range - 15-400m.

Most important piece of steel is an 18-20" square gong. Anyone can hit it and it lets you see impact for correction. Invaluable.

Most fun is a set of 6 8" plates hanging on hooks. Pistols from 15, rifles from 100'is a lot of fun.

For precision, 4 and 6" gongs hanging on n rubber are good.


A board where you can hang paper is fun important.

I bought an MGM armored duelling tree that is a lot of fun at 100 yards with a buddy.

If I could only have two steel targets - a large steel gong and a 6-8" one.

Have fun.

 

[47guy]

T posts...convey belt...2”x2” angle.

I have these from 100yds out to 925yds at 100yd increments where I shoot...I leave the posts and just set up or pick up my targets.
I run 1&2moa targets from 300yds our to 925yds.

I also have stands made out of 3/4” rebar so I’m mobile if need be.

 

[sd0311msg]

Two t posts with wire tied from one to the other. Then sling some baler belting over it. Sure if the wire takes a round it will snap but it’s a cheap easy fix. Go to any ag implement repair shop and they should be able to find you some old used baler belting for free.

I’ve had really good luck with the Shepard’s hook rebar hangers. Easy to make and the rebar holds up to rifle rounds pretty good.

My local steel shop made the ar 500 plates for cheap. Way cheaper than I’ve seen them anywhere else. Just have to bring in your dimensions and they’ll water jet them for you

I get along well with Shepard's hooks as well. Quite cheap if bought on sale in the fall at Wallyworld, Menards, Runnings, Tractor Supply, etc..

 

[sd0311msg]

Any advice is appreciated.

Past 1,200 yards with noticeable wind, you lose the audible verification. I have some AR400 1/4" plates made for 1 mile and 1.5 mile shooting. The lighter weight plates will give a more reliable visual indicator at those distances. I would recommend learning about "how to set up" steel plates in regards to distance, round velocity, plate angle, and plate movement to ensure maximum longevity and safety.

 

[Supersum1]

I made a more permanent solution for hanging steel targets. 2-3/8” used steel pipe welded together and i-bolts put through the top bar. Dig a hole about 1.5-2’ down and filled with concrete.

 

[HDWRENCH]

Not My idea but some one else's being that you see many swing sets for sale on CL or free in some cases the frame is light weight enough and they have chains . Hang the plates on the chains.. I picked one up for 25 bucks . I plan to have some plates cut local and see how it goes . The other Idea I have is that I plan to add wheels to it so I can move it with the quad .( working that one out open to ideas on that thinking maybe a junk boat trailer .

On my deer lease ( its a TX thing ) I have an area that will allow for 1295 yards along the bottom of the section Its already a access road just need to do a little work . Shooting bench is next

 

[hrt4me]

you know the rubber bumpers on loading docks? it's a bunch of rubber straps with two holes with a rod through them.
My buddy was able to get about 100 of the the individual straps from his work. they make FANTASTIC target hanging straps. they hold up to impacts and already holes in them for hanging. the wooden saw horse lasted us a few months. then only took <$20 to rebuild. depends how many stray bullets it takes. We use a 12x20 plate at 1,000 yards. we also shoot off the ground because the terrain allows for it. Let know if you want a handful of straps, I'll send you some. we have a ton


View attachment 6928847

Do you happen to have any more of those rubber straps you could send?

 

[Olen_4504]

Do you happen to have any more of those rubber straps you could send?

I don't unfortunately. i'm using up the rest i had for my .22 range at my in-laws house.


you can buy them pretty cheap online i found out.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200648655_200648655

 

[madppcs]

I have a 1500yd range and use these for my silhouettes. I use AR500 out to 800 then mild steel from there to 1500. The mounts are for 2x4 posts and I got them on Amazon.

 

[madppcs]

I built a shooting deck also

Dialing in the 300wm at 1500 is a challenge. But the 50BMG punishes at this distance. Those projectiles sticking out of the 1/2" plate are Armor Piercing Incendiary Tracers. (APIT)

 

[bourbonbent]

I use sucker rod and oilfield pipe.

4140 takes a beating. The pipe is schedule something, I use it for making vise stands and anvil stands and whatnot. Lay in 3 or 4 root passes then a hot cap over. Flux core, it does the job.

The attachment method relies on one centrally located hole on the plates/silhouettes, I didn’t have them on hand to measure for wider mounting but a single hole and some carriage bolts will do the trick, if it doesn’t it’ll get made again.

Sucker rod is cheap. Didn’t have time to make the hangers when we shot it in the following pics, but the leather and paracord don’t last very long.

Really cool seeing all the other permanent setups, thanks for posting. These ones are portable, we packed them in about a mile and a half.

 

[Seed tick]

Good stuff fella!!! Thanks for sharing!!

 

[Aftermath]

I have a long straight road that is perfect for a rifle range at my family ranch. Potential to shoot to 1500 yards.
- What size of steel plates do you recommend at each distance?
- Where did you purchase your steel?
- What is your preferred method to hang or set up the steel?
- Do you shoot from an elevated platform, the ground or bench or a combination of each?

Any ideas related to setting up an awesome 1500 yard rifle range would be welcome!

Can I be your friend? If so, I can help you figure out all of that stuff while we shoot lots of money downrange.