Looking for advice on building a steel range

[Adam0321/0306]

Hello everyone,

So I am quite fortunate. I have access to a 200 acre farm where I can shoot out to 1000 yards. I also have two 4’X8’ sheets of 3/8 AR 500. I am able to cut it to any dimensions that I wants as we have a plasma cutter at work.

I mainly shoot my 308, 25-06, 260 and .223 rifles at the farm. Looking for advice on what target array I should build. I was thinking

2-3 IPSCs
1-16” gong
2-10” gongs
Then a handful of smaller targets. Maybe cut a yote out of one.

Thanks for the advice and be safe.

 

[Clancy]

That’s about what I’ve got, except a pig not a coyote. 2” to 18”

A lot of the stuff at 600 and beyond is just mild steel, AR 500 any closer than that. The mild stuff does get dimpled a bit, but boy is it cheaper.

 

[TrapperBR549]

What are you using for a backstop? I am wanting to make one from AR steel on wheels so I can move it around but that stuff went up a bunch since I first started looking.

 

[Walt Krafft]

You don't say what type of farm. Any grazing animals that are going to ingest the lead spatter from the steel?

 

[Downeast]

My range goes to 900 and we shoot mostly F class style including some ad hoc matches on occasion. I have added more steel at 300, 600, and 900 to use as sighters before the shooter switches to the paper targets for score. I just ordered some 6 inch rounds to hang at 300 (2 MOA) for sighters. Some friends of mine have donated some mixed steel that we move around and hang from simple heavy duty "shepherd" rods that they use to hang flower pots. We have 4 inch steel hanging at 400 (1 MOA) that is quite fun to shoot. So if you cut it into targets its nice to know the diameters so that folks can practice ranging and distance determination. Some of the guys are active duty SF and we move steel all over the place and just give them diameters and they can do most of the calculations in their heads and it does not take but a few moments before they get hits on relatively small targets.

So think about how you will be shooting and try to have targets that can be used in a variety of situations.

 

[JAMER Consulting]

What are you using for a backstop? I am wanting to make one from AR steel on wheels so I can move it around but that stuff went up a bunch since I first started looking.

That may not be practical. At long distances, backstops need to be very large to cover enough area to be safe and effective, like 10'-20' wide and 10' tall depending. This is why most use dirt berms; they are cheap (if you have dirt on the property) and very effective.

 

[TrapperBR549]

That may not be practical. At long distances, backstops need to be very large to cover enough area to be safe and effective, like 10'-20' wide and 10' tall depending. This is why most use dirt berms; they are cheap (if you have dirt on the property) and very effective.

I would be limited to about 500-600 yards and one or two shooters so I think I can get by with about 4' wide. I have considered berms and plan to incorporate one at 100 yards and possible another.

 

[Adam0321/0306]

You don't say what type of farm. Any grazing animals that are going to ingest the lead spatter from the steel?

Thank you for the thoughts. This farm does not have any animals other than the random deer and turkey. They also only grow feed corn on it once every 5 years or so.