Indoor commercial range questions

[TAJ45]

Will probably be sitting down w one of the principles that will be building one in a smaller town. I will be nothing more than a Crusty, rangemaster, if hired, and part time at that. Zero $$ invested and zero say in decisions.... Just volunteering observations gathered over 40+ years.

They are thinking no lead allowed ?? Great for ammo sales but only after supply recovers. Their decision of course but curious as to the effect of the polymer coating that is becoming popular of late. I realize less smoke bc of the absence of lube but anyone know of any studies or info?
Gas checks? Any worthwhile effect that EPA would smile on? I'm thinking gs are as helpful as poly coating could be if it is.
How about baffling? Suggestions?
Also, what was the plant the blew abt 2 yrs back...Oregon or WA state? Not the Pyrodex plant.

 

[stork]

I'd be very cautious on building or investing in a range that didn't allow lead. Just from my own usage at our club range, 99.9% of my shooting as well as the vast majority of the other shooters are using lead. All your 22 shooters are using lead or lead with a microscopic copper wash. Those that can afford a lead substitute are not going to shoot enough to make up for all the shooters that can't shoot because of the lead restriction. If you take the time to examine the bases of fired bullets, you'll see the bases are not melted. Even the paper patched bullets have pristine bases (I'm going off other folks reports on that one, I'm strictly a 38, 41 mag, 45 ACP lead bullet shooter).

You have to make sure your ventilation system is capable of moving that "wall of air" continuously downrange, taking care of the smoke. A very large % of the lead contamination is due to the priming mixture, not the lead bullets. And cleanliness! Clean your floors with squeegees and damp mop daily in front of the firing line.

Depending on the capture system, you can offer your lead shooters a constant supply of lead for the low low price of "you come & get it & it's yours". Recycling at it's best.

 

[bpd459]

Greetings,
The Pyrodex plant in Issaquah WA (just east of Seattle on I-90) blew up in January 1977.
John

 

[Bill Rodolph]

The NRA publishes a range manual that should cover baffles and ventilation. As well as many other concerns and issues. And I would think a good architect would have that kind of information available to him.

 

[mousegunner]

I imagine you want a number of stalls/firing lanes plus related pro shop/store, waiting/lobby area? What would your insurance run you? How much is this going to cost (rhetorically asking)? We had one in town a long time ago but insurance got too pricey and they shut down. There are a couple others but I'm not big on shooting indoors so I haven't used them.

I have shot in a containerized range that was self contained. Turning/retrievable targets, vent system with filters, rated for .223 but it was a govt range so cost was unknown to me. Is your range going to make the monies to cover the costs of your range. I'm sure all this has been addressed but these are just questions that come to my mind.

Hope everything works out for you guys, let us know when it opens!

 

[TAJ45]

Gents, I edited original post. Entered info I should have stated from the bounce.

 

[Mr. Zorg]

With primers of any type in short supply, it'll be a very niche clientele if all ammunition not using lead free primers is disallowed. Availability including via imports of ammunition using lead free primers is something I'd expect to only have slightly more supply than lead free primers for hand loaders to use or range to use to manufacture house brand ammunition.

Links to examples / details

WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT LEAD FREE AMMUNITION? — Hunters Handbook

With all the innovation in the industry and a recent push for reduced lead exposure to consumers, it begs the question why is reducing lead so important all of the sudden and why would anyone want lead free ammunition anyways? NOTE: this is not an article about why we don’t shoot lead pellets out o

www.huntershandbook.com

Lead-Free Pistol Primers - American Handgunner

Shooters are exposed to airborne lead particles for multiple reasons. Bullets with exposed lead bases experience melting from the hot gasses of burning gunpowder.

americanhandgunner.com

Super Matrix - GECO

GECO ammunition for shooters and hunters: handgun ammunition, centerfire rifle cartridges, air gun pellets, rimfire cartridges and reloading components – reasonable quality ammunition with good accuracy for hunting and sport in many calibres and bullet types.

geco-munition.de

‘Fort Smith’ (FSAAP) Lead-Free Large Pistol Boxer Primers | FedArm

fedarm.com

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Lead free will never go over. You need to hire a range design firm that actually does this for a living. One bad design and it will suck so bad nobody will come. We have one of those ranges in my town. Guy dumped his retirement into a range him and his friends designed and hes the only car in the lot for the past couple years

 

[wagonman]

recreational revolver and pistol shooters will shun lead free ranges they wont even go to ranges that require you to buy and shoot their ammo because no reloads are allowed.

 

[rr2030]

I know of one local range that was coated bullets and mercury free primers only. New ventilation system installed and we are back to led and any primer.