Covered Rifle Range Firing Line

[RAFII]

A local gun club in SE Wisconsin has formed a committee to investigate the putting a roof (covering) over the firing line of their rifle range. We (the committee that I am part of) are looking for input from shooters, gun clubs and club members who have a similar setup. We are looking at the pro's and con's of doing such an undertaking. And whatever "hind-sight" thoughts and information on what you/club would do or want differently.

Currently the club has a large concrete slab for the firing line. But due to the unpredictable Wisconsin weather many activities can have low turn out or are canceled. Activities ARE scheduled throughout the entire year! The range is used by many shooting disciplines from bench to service rifle. So the design must keep in mind shooting prone, at a bench, or standing.

So if you have any information/thoughts/suggestions/ideas, or other avenues for information please PM me. If you have pictures to share of your range setup that would be great too.

Forum Boss, sorry if this is being posted under the wrong forum heading...

Thanks,
Richard

 

[ShootDots]

I would call the people at Rio Salado range in Phoenix, Arizona.. It has the finest facilities I have seen... Talk to them and get their input... If you do it like them the first time>>>there will be none of this "I wish we had done this or that later on"..

 

[SmokinJoe]

Make sure that your roof line extends past the edge of the concrete slab by a foot or more to keep as much water off the slab as possible in "normal" precipitation. Ours wasn't built that way & has been a constant pain. We did extend the firing line side of the roof for some relief, but much better to plan it that way from the beginning.

 

[Shiraz]

The local county range here in Bellingham, WA has had a covered firing point for as long as I can remember. It has a concrete slab and then a slanted roof, low in the front and high in the back. Median about 10 feet. Supported by large timbers and open all around.

Works really well to keep us dry. Sacramento has the same set-up, but roof seemed like it was lower, which increases sound. I would go tall roof and 4' overhang all around. We move the heavy wooden benches to the back for our prone matches.

 

[LHSmith]

Go to the photo section on International Benchrest Shooters website, they usually have a few pics of the entire firing line taken at major matches.

 

[Terry]

How much money do you have for this?

 

[madderg]

Think about a 2 level roof, one angle over the other with an 8 inch space between... think of a golf umbrella. I used to live in your neck of the woods and know you get some pretty stiff winds. This will help keep the roof from blowing apart. Good luck!!

 

[dickn52]

After you get the roof taken care of, think about running a guide wire across the back just under the back eave, and then hanging heavy duty canvas or material to block wind from the back. It can be pushed open when wanted for a cooling breeze in summer and closed to keep out the artic blast in winter.

 

[SS427]

Ours is three sided with the back side facing the prevailing winter winds. Includes a wood stove. Sure is nice to gather around the stove to get warm on cold winter days.

 

[spclark]

Which range?

I know only of two: CCKC in Bristol and Racine County Line.

The first already has roofed firing lines (AND several positions in a heated, enclosed building on some of the 100-yard rifle side) the other's wide open.

Used for high power, Racine's 600 range 200-yd firing line's concrete pad would be a problem if roofed over.

If you have some members semi-skilled in carpentry it shouldn't be a big problem finding one or two members who do this kind of thing for a living & who'd make good supervisors.

 

[RAFII]

Per the question posted by Terry: "How much money do you have for this?"
At present there is no budget.
As we have only just formed a committee to to look into the possibility...
The intent is to see what there is out there and learn from others first, before coming up with any type of a plan that then will require a cost estimate.
We would rather not "re-invent the wheel" but would rather learn from others' successes and mistakes.
Hence the request for information, including what if anything you would change.

Thanks,
Richard

 

[SDDasher]

Palo Alto Rifle and Pistol Club in Donaldsonville, LA has a covered 600 yd firing point that is one of the best I have seen. Port Malabar in Palm Bay,FL sports indoor/outdoor carpet under their cover making for a comfortable firing point.
Blakely, GA has a covered 1000 yd firing point engineered to accommodate both Bench rest and prone shooters.
Having shot both open and covered my vote is for covered. Think about covering enough to allow room for equipment behind the firing point and match directors lane of access to shooters.

 

[gary0529]

I believe we used the NRA for technical assistance in re-building our range and covered shooting area.

Go to Loudoun Co. Va. IWLA (Izaak Walton) to see if you can access pix of the range.

If not, PM me and I will see if I can get range committee member to give more info.

Ours is a 100 yard range in an area that is becoming slightly more populated so the NRA came in to upgrade it for safety reasons-the covered range was just one of the improvements -mainly to prevent shooting with an upward angle and having the round go over the berm and towards homes and livestock-and yes it happened when 2 yahoo's decided to put cans on the top of the berm and shoot them.
When 2 rounds went over me as I was mowing a field I became quite motivated to speak to the miscreants and set them straight.

Gary

 

[Rtheurer]

Raton New mexico at the NRA Whittington Center. Should be pictures on there web site. Nice Cantalever with no poles in the front and seems to hold up to those harsh NEW Mexico winds.

Check it out.

RussT

 

[Terry]

Raton New mexico at the NRA Whittington Center. Should be pictures on there web site. Nice Cantalever with no poles in the front and seems to hold up to those harsh NEW Mexico winds.

Check it out.

RussT

Could not find pictures.

 

[Rtheurer]

Really i see several.???

 

[RAFII]

Is there any significance to the two standard roof designs: Shed vs. Gable?
And specifically the gable design with a short/steeper section being on the leading edge facing the targets?

Is this better for deflecting rain?
Is this better for dealing with wind driven lift on the roof structure?
Is this better for low sun conditions?

Our range has the firing line running east to west, with the targets to the north, so the sun direction is optimal.

 

[RAFII]

Anyone else have anything to add or comment on this?

 

[Terry]

The Harris, MN range used a steel tubing frame covered by tarps. It works well for a low cost option.

http://www.grrc.org/

 

[wyoming .260]

I used to shoot at a range in the suburbs of Philadelphia that was a 3 sided block building with all kind of sound barriers to reduce noise output. While it was good in bad weather and I was thankful to have a place to shoot in the "Burbs". It was viciously loud with muffs and plugs in there. Blast and concussion from those guns would give you a head ache in no time. Smoke from muzzle loaders did not clear all to well either. Just be sure to consider these things also when deciding what to do for any enclosure.