Can you test your loads at home?

Tex S · February 12, 2011, 04:33 PM

I was curious how many people can actually shoot and test their loads at home. I live in the city so I hafta go to the ranch or the range to do all of my testing. This unfortunately creates a huge bottleneck in the load development process.

So, where do you do your shooting/testing?

Crashbox · February 12, 2011, 04:49 PM

I drive about 12 miles west to Custer Sportsmen's Club and do my shoosting there.

dlb435 · February 12, 2011, 05:08 PM

I built a bullet catcher from a 8" ID schedule 80 steel pipe. It was about 4.5 foot long. The bottom 18" was filed with sand. Worked great. No complaints from the neighbors as long as the garage door was shut.

Rifleman1776 · February 12, 2011, 05:17 PM

Back yard now.
When I lived in town we had a farm about ten miles out. I took my needing testing ammo with when I went to feed the cattle.

Nomadicone · February 12, 2011, 06:19 PM

I have to drive a bit now but years ago when I did more load development I used to have a portable press and I would load at the range. Saved a whole lot of time and components.

chris in va · February 12, 2011, 06:26 PM

12 miles to Knob Creek.

highvel · February 12, 2011, 10:10 PM

Walk out the back door and blaze away.......................I never could live where I was unable to burn some powder for stress reduction!

Uncle Buck · February 13, 2011, 06:29 AM

I walk out the back door and shoot off of my porch. The only problem I have is when the dang cows knock down my target stands.

I would have a hard time if I could not have a place to shoot when I want to.

DiscoRacing · February 13, 2011, 08:18 AM

no...

But we do have over 100 acres we can use that is 10 miles away with our private range on it.

Brian Pfleuger · February 13, 2011, 09:01 AM

Nope.

mikejonestkd · February 13, 2011, 09:08 AM

I have a 5 minute drive to my local rod and gun club, which isn't too far at all.

PawPaw · February 13, 2011, 09:11 AM

For twenty years I lived in the country, with a 250 yard range out my backdoor. My shooting bench did double duty as a picnic table.

Nowadays I live in the 'burbs and I have to drive seven miles to do my shooting.

This is probably the last place I'll ever live. I hate moving and I really like where I am now. The only down side is not being able to shoot.

jfg · February 13, 2011, 09:49 AM

300+ yards out the back door, hunt around the house also.

t45 · February 13, 2011, 10:06 AM

Im thinking about building a bullet trap and installing more ventilation in the basement for testing. May have to add sound retension to the walls and ceiling also to keep the miss's happy.

Hog Buster · February 13, 2011, 10:31 AM

Yes.... One of the many good points of living in the sticks.

M.O.A. · February 13, 2011, 10:37 AM

ive got 300 yards off the back deck and a steel set up at 200 and three yards

for anything over that have to make trip tp the coal mines and set the portable steel up

ding ding ding

Stargazer · February 13, 2011, 11:22 AM

I have local ranges all around me here in North Plano, Texas. Used to have one in McKinney only 20 minutes away but the city passed a noise ordnance and run them off. Now I have a shooting lease 40 miles away in South Dallas. Well worth the drive, locked gate, shooting 7 days a week dawn to dusk, Tannerite OK, Rifle Grenade(practice) OK, ATV OK. This is about as good as it gets in the city/burbs as far as a place to shoot. I grew up able to shoot out the back door though so this has been an adjustment.

BIGR · February 13, 2011, 11:24 AM

Could go out the back door and try them, but to be nice to my neighbors (sister) I go about 300 yards over the hill.

Jim243 · February 13, 2011, 12:03 PM

Very interesting question. The short answer is no I can't, but it would be nice to be able to. So I have to do things just a bit different.

A little background, I live in a townhouse (no back yard) in a small suburb just outside the third largest city in the US in a state that is so so on gun ownership (Illinois easy on buying, but hard on shooting) at least in northern Illinois. And I am right accross the street from our police station. I don't think they would be too happy on my testing loads.

For pistol I have four ranges within a half hour drive, but for rifle it is a hour and a half drive away (yes over 60 miles away). When I purchase a new firearm, I will spend one to two weeks on researching what I want to do and use. I will work up 4 loads for each weapon and settle on the best one and stick with that almost forever. I make up 1,000 for each gun once it is settled on the combo that works best for that weapon.

I spend more time on the books and internet than shooting. (reloading, but still get out to the range about twice a month, more in the summer)

I have been lucky so far in finding the right loads, now I just have to find the same components in a large enough quanity.

Good Shooting and stay safe.
Jim

kraigwy · February 13, 2011, 12:29 PM

I have a 400 yard range out my back door, makes it handy. Also I have an openning in my shop that over looks my pistol and 100-200 yard rifle targets. Makes it nice to step from the press and fire a couple out the window.

I also set up one of those awaning tents with netting around the sides on one of my firing points. Saves me from chasing my brass all over the country and lets me shoot in the shade.

When I retired I swore I was gonna buy a place where I can shoot all day without leaving home. I done it.

Tex S · February 13, 2011, 04:21 PM

It is surprising to me that the poll numbers are so close; a little less than half of us can shoot at home. I would not have guessed that.

Stargazer · February 13, 2011, 06:17 PM

Quote:

When I retired I swore I was gonna buy a place where I can shoot all day without leaving home.

I am working on that issue right now. It may take a few more years but it will happen, I still got 8.5 years left in the game.

Mattp27 · February 13, 2011, 07:26 PM

I wish. That would save a ton of time going back and forth to the range. Even though its only 15 min drive.

603Country · February 13, 2011, 10:28 PM

I retired a year ago and we moved to our country place. I'm happy to say that I can reload in my workshop, which is 20 steps from my shooting bench, which is under the roof and on concrete. The range is 100 yards. I'd like at least 200 yards, but that isn't really workable. It sure is nice on days like today to keep working up loads till you get it right, and never have to pack all the stuff and go to the range, pay money, and wait for a shooting spot.

semi_problomatic · February 14, 2011, 12:05 AM

Knob Creek is awesome!! They'll let you shoot anything there as long as its not glass. Even full propane containers!! Used to shoot there when I was stationed at Knox.

View Poll Results: Are you able to test loads at home?
Yes	49	41.18%
No	70	58.82%
Voters: 119. You may not vote on this poll

February 12, 2011, 04:33 PM	#1
Tex S Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TEXAS Posts: 909	Can you test your loads at home? I was curious how many people can actually shoot and test their loads at home. I live in the city so I hafta go to the ranch or the range to do all of my testing. This unfortunately creates a huge bottleneck in the load development process. So, where do you do your shooting/testing?

February 12, 2011, 04:49 PM	#2
Crashbox Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2009 Location: Lynden, Washington Posts: 199	I drive about 12 miles west to Custer Sportsmen's Club and do my shoosting there. __________________ Four Rugers, three SIG Sauers, assorted rifles. NRA, GOA and SAF Life Member.

February 12, 2011, 06:19 PM	#5
Nomadicone Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 214	I have to drive a bit now but years ago when I did more load development I used to have a portable press and I would load at the range. Saved a whole lot of time and components. __________________ Outdoor Equipment Outfitter for your outdoor equipment needs www.outdoorequipmentoutfitter.org

February 12, 2011, 10:10 PM	#7
highvel Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2010 Location: Powhatan VA Posts: 633	Walk out the back door and blaze away.......................I never could live where I was unable to burn some powder for stress reduction! __________________ Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.--Mark Twain "I have opinions of my own 'strong opinions' but I don't always agree with them."--George Bush

February 12, 2011, 05:08 PM	#3
dlb435 Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2009 Posts: 654	I built a bullet catcher from a 8" ID schedule 80 steel pipe. It was about 4.5 foot long. The bottom 18" was filed with sand. Worked great. No complaints from the neighbors as long as the garage door was shut.

February 12, 2011, 05:17 PM	#4
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	Back yard now. When I lived in town we had a farm about ten miles out. I took my needing testing ammo with when I went to feed the cattle.

February 12, 2011, 06:26 PM	#6
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	12 miles to Knob Creek.

February 13, 2011, 06:29 AM	#8
Uncle Buck Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2009 Location: West Central Missouri Posts: 2,592	I walk out the back door and shoot off of my porch. The only problem I have is when the dang cows knock down my target stands. I would have a hard time if I could not have a place to shoot when I want to. __________________ Inside Every Bright Idea Is The 50% Probability Of A Disaster Waiting To Happen.

February 13, 2011, 08:18 AM	#9
DiscoRacing Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: milton, wv Posts: 3,640	no... But we do have over 100 acres we can use that is 10 miles away with our private range on it. __________________ Desert Eagle Alliance Group Launcher Extraordinaire ______ ----Get Busy Live'n.....Or....Get Busy Die'n......Red -------They call me Dr. Bob,,,, I have a PhD in S&W

February 13, 2011, 09:01 AM	#10
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	Nope. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

February 13, 2011, 09:08 AM	#11
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,717	I have a 5 minute drive to my local rod and gun club, which isn't too far at all. __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

February 13, 2011, 09:11 AM	#12
PawPaw Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Central Louisiana Posts: 3,137	For twenty years I lived in the country, with a 250 yard range out my backdoor. My shooting bench did double duty as a picnic table. Nowadays I live in the 'burbs and I have to drive seven miles to do my shooting. This is probably the last place I'll ever live. I hate moving and I really like where I am now. The only down side is not being able to shoot. __________________ Dennis Dezendorf http://pawpawshouse.blogspot.com

February 13, 2011, 09:49 AM	#13
jfg Junior Member Join Date: February 7, 2007 Location: TEXAS!!! Posts: 9	300+ yards out the back door, hunt around the house also.

February 13, 2011, 10:06 AM	#14
t45 Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2010 Location: Foothills, NC Posts: 782	Im thinking about building a bullet trap and installing more ventilation in the basement for testing. May have to add sound retension to the walls and ceiling also to keep the miss's happy.

February 13, 2011, 10:31 AM	#15
Hog Buster Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2009 Location: Pointe Coupee, Louisana Posts: 772	Yes.... One of the many good points of living in the sticks. __________________ Those who beat their guns into plows, will plow for those who don't.-Thomas Jefferson

February 13, 2011, 10:37 AM	#16
M.O.A. Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2011 Location: south indiana Posts: 555	ive got 300 yards off the back deck and a steel set up at 200 and three yards for anything over that have to make trip tp the coal mines and set the portable steel up ding ding ding

February 13, 2011, 11:22 AM	#17
Stargazer Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 506	I have local ranges all around me here in North Plano, Texas. Used to have one in McKinney only 20 minutes away but the city passed a noise ordnance and run them off. Now I have a shooting lease 40 miles away in South Dallas. Well worth the drive, locked gate, shooting 7 days a week dawn to dusk, Tannerite OK, Rifle Grenade(practice) OK, ATV OK. This is about as good as it gets in the city/burbs as far as a place to shoot. I grew up able to shoot out the back door though so this has been an adjustment. __________________ 5.56mm, reach out and touch something. .458 SOCOM,reach out and knock something down. M70 Web Page

February 13, 2011, 11:24 AM	#18
BIGR Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2000 Location: Mountains Posts: 1,385	Could go out the back door and try them, but to be nice to my neighbors (sister) I go about 300 yards over the hill.

February 13, 2011, 12:03 PM	#19
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	Very interesting question. The short answer is no I can't, but it would be nice to be able to. So I have to do things just a bit different. A little background, I live in a townhouse (no back yard) in a small suburb just outside the third largest city in the US in a state that is so so on gun ownership (Illinois easy on buying, but hard on shooting) at least in northern Illinois. And I am right accross the street from our police station. I don't think they would be too happy on my testing loads. For pistol I have four ranges within a half hour drive, but for rifle it is a hour and a half drive away (yes over 60 miles away). When I purchase a new firearm, I will spend one to two weeks on researching what I want to do and use. I will work up 4 loads for each weapon and settle on the best one and stick with that almost forever. I make up 1,000 for each gun once it is settled on the combo that works best for that weapon. I spend more time on the books and internet than shooting. (reloading, but still get out to the range about twice a month, more in the summer) I have been lucky so far in finding the right loads, now I just have to find the same components in a large enough quanity. Good Shooting and stay safe. Jim __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum Last edited by Jim243; February 13, 2011 at 12:12 PM.

February 13, 2011, 12:29 PM	#20
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	I have a 400 yard range out my back door, makes it handy. Also I have an openning in my shop that over looks my pistol and 100-200 yard rifle targets. Makes it nice to step from the press and fire a couple out the window. I also set up one of those awaning tents with netting around the sides on one of my firing points. Saves me from chasing my brass all over the country and lets me shoot in the shade. When I retired I swore I was gonna buy a place where I can shoot all day without leaving home. I done it. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

February 13, 2011, 04:21 PM	#21
Tex S Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TEXAS Posts: 909	It is surprising to me that the poll numbers are so close; a little less than half of us can shoot at home. I would not have guessed that. Last edited by Tex S; February 14, 2011 at 06:27 PM.

February 13, 2011, 07:26 PM	#23
Mattp27 Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2009 Location: Houston Texas Area Posts: 107	I wish. That would save a ton of time going back and forth to the range. Even though its only 15 min drive.

February 13, 2011, 10:28 PM	#24
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	I retired a year ago and we moved to our country place. I'm happy to say that I can reload in my workshop, which is 20 steps from my shooting bench, which is under the roof and on concrete. The range is 100 yards. I'd like at least 200 yards, but that isn't really workable. It sure is nice on days like today to keep working up loads till you get it right, and never have to pack all the stuff and go to the range, pay money, and wait for a shooting spot.

February 14, 2011, 12:05 AM	#25
semi_problomatic Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2009 Location: Ft. Polk Posts: 883	Knob Creek is awesome!! They'll let you shoot anything there as long as its not glass. Even full propane containers!! Used to shoot there when I was stationed at Knox. __________________ Freedom's just a word. If I'm gonna die for a word, my word is jello...