Home Shooting Range

[JeffJ]

This is a What if question. If you were building a shooting platform at home, what distance would you build it? Some have said 21 feet, but that seems a little close for practice. 25 yds is much to far for my wife. I was thinking between 25-30 feet, good for target and self defense practice...Opinions? Also, I am going to build a bench top on the platform for holding guns, ammo, etc...What is a good height? I am used to just pulling UTV up and using back of it, want to do something better.

[allingeneral]

I think if I were building it for myself, I would set a 6x6 post in the ground at 25 yards and build a pulley system with a steel cable from which to hang the target frame. That way, you are free to choose from 10 feet to 25 yards and anything in between. Hang your target and wheel it on out there!

Don't forget to build a berm/backstop behind the target area!

[zephyp]

If you are limited for space and ONLY want to practice for defensive situations then consider 10-20 feet. If you shoot anyone farther than that you might very well be hard pressed to defend you actions in court, especially in VA where we are expected to retreat. Also, with limited range make sure you have a good dirt berm to avoid bullets bouncing about.

[WRW]

If you are limited for space and ONLY want to practice for defensive situations then consider 10-20 feet. If you shoot anyone farther than that you might very well be hard pressed to defend you actions in court, especially in VA where we are expected to retreat. Also, with limited range make sure you have a good dirt berm to avoid bullets bouncing about.

I am not a lawyer, but my understanding of the duty to retreat is that it applies only if you are a participant in the escalation of hostilities.

Fearing my ability to outrun a bullet has been comprimised by age, I would not hesitate to shoot at any real threat from any reasonable range (North Carolina does have some constraints concerning distance, I have been told, but I seldom go there).

[zephyp]

If you are limited for space and ONLY want to practice for defensive situations then consider 10-20 feet. If you shoot anyone farther than that you might very well be hard pressed to defend you actions in court, especially in VA where we are expected to retreat. Also, with limited range make sure you have a good dirt berm to avoid bullets bouncing about.

I am not a lawyer, but my understanding of the duty to retreat is that it applies only if you are a participant in the escalation of hostilities.

Fearing my ability to outrun a bullet has been comprimised by age, I would not hesitate to shoot at any real threat from any reasonable range (North Carolina does have some constraints concerning distance, I have been told, but I seldom go there).

I dont think there are any distances spelled out in the law here in VA, but we do not have castle doctrine. And you are correct regarding literal meaning of "retreat", however, you must be able to show you were in mortal danger and used deadly force as a last resort. Could be hard to prove if you shoot somebody 30 feet away.

[allingeneral]

I dont think there are any distances spelled out in the law here in VA, but we do not have castle doctrine. And you are correct regarding literal meaning of "retreat", however, you must be able to show you were in mortal danger and used deadly force as a last resort. Could be hard to prove if you shoot somebody 30 feet away.

If they don't appear to be armed, I agree with you completely. If they're holding a firearm, I would consider myself to be in mortal danger at 30 feet.

[zephyp]

I dont think there are any distances spelled out in the law here in VA, but we do not have castle doctrine. And you are correct regarding literal meaning of "retreat", however, you must be able to show you were in mortal danger and used deadly force as a last resort. Could be hard to prove if you shoot somebody 30 feet away.

If they don't appear to be armed, I agree with you completely. If they're holding a firearm, I would consider myself to be in mortal danger at 30 feet.

I would tend to agree with you, but it depends on the context. You could be forced to prove their intent if they are merely holding it in a non threatening matter. VA laws are pretty murky. I've fished around trying to find something objective, but that's hard to do. I actually thought about this one today. What would I do if I saw someone walking down the street holding a gun in non-threatening manner? I would certainly go to red alert, but would I stop them, draw, dial 911, hide, or do a Barney Fife citizens arrest? Of course, I carry more than 1 bullet and I dont keep them in a shirt pocket. Maybe I think too much...

[OakRidgeStars]

I think this thread took a wrong turn back in Albuquerque

[Hephaestus]

I like the pulley idea. It can double as a clothesline and save you money on drying your clothes.

Personally I would build a couple stands using PVC pipe and the corresponding fittings. PVC is cheap and easy to replace if you damage it (assuming that you do not glue it together). You may want to weigh it down with a sandbag or stake it. Either way you can still easily move it to whatever distance you want it and you do not have to dig a hole (I hate digging holes). Like the others said a good backstop is a necessity.

[WRW]

Unless there is to be more than one lane, the target can be set in front of the berm and provide stations for varying distances.

[zephyp]

I think this thread took a wrong turn back in Albuquerque

Indeed it did.

[Vahunter]

I modified one of those stands you see during election time stuck in the ground. I used it beside the front yard yesterday just so it would be easier to find brass, the .380 in particular. As far as distance goes I have my set up at 50 yards but I can get 78 yards if i shoot from the front porch. Yep us rednecks shoot where we can.

[zephyp]

I really envy you guys in the sticks. I'm about ready to drop everything and head out of the city. The notion of shooting and hunting in your back (or front) yard is sounding better and better every day. All I need is a piece of land and a make-do place to sleep. I already got a coupla dogs and an old pick up...

[JeffJ]

I already have the targets set up in front of a Dirt birm. Just want to build a wood platform to stand on, tired of standing in mud during wet season. I can still shoot different ranges if wanted, just want something for normal target range for my wife and I. She seams to like it at about 27 feet. I had her stand where she thought was a good practice range and that is where it ended up being. We will see where we put it when it if final. I am going to actually build it so i can move if wanted or needed. I will set it on cinder blocks to get level.

I am now trying to decide whether to build the counter on the side or in the front so you can lean on.

[BluemontGlock]

Folks,
There are great target stands for - FREE -in Virginia, matter of fact, all the free target stands that you can carry...and they are easily attainable ..and you do a community service at the same time...

They are called "real estate signs" by the masses, and many come with faces and or sillouettes on them already, imagine that...and when they are illegally placed off site...which is everywhere around here,...they are free for the taking, I asked a Loudoun county sherriff deputy and he said
"if they are on public property, PLEASE take them,...all of them"

They have an awesome metal frame that can withstand a dirct hit from a handgun cartridge, and leaves little more than a dent, rifle round usually punch through....Cardboard or stiffer substututes slide in easily and are quickly interchangeable and you can set them up at any distance you like, just pop it in the ground...

and yes, add me to list of shooters, who do so from thier back porch...