5 acres enough?

elper · January 25, 2001, 11:15 PM

Is 5 acres enough for a small firing range with a shotgun?

Also, does anyone know where a good skeet launcher would be sold?

-elper

Dave McC · January 26, 2001, 07:19 AM

Sorry, nope. Even #8 shot will carry well over 100 yards, so 5 acres is not big enough.

M1911 · January 26, 2001, 09:52 AM

Have to agree with Dave, 5 acres is nowhere near enough. Your shot and birds will land beyond the boundaries of your land. Sorry.

M1911

January 26, 2001, 10:15 AM

It depends on how the property is shaped, and where you set up. A 5-acre square is 467 feet on a side, if my calculations are correct. If length-to-width is 1.5:1, the long dimension is 572 feet.

Do you want a true skeet setup (2 towers, 2 launchers), or are you planning on something more informal? A mail-order supplier like Cabela's will usually have a variety of inexpensive manual launchers.

handgun357 · January 26, 2001, 10:18 AM

If it works out to be shaped correctly to put in a range, be sure to check with zoning. It would not be in your favor to put a range in just to be told to take it out.
Good Luck.........

FPrice · January 26, 2001, 10:50 AM

elper,

I am interested in your question, not because I have an answer, but because I would like to retire and buy enough land to have my own pistol/rifle range, and have a similar question.

The answers you have received are, I am sure, correct, if you have flat land. Now, if your land had some sort of a natural backstop, such as a near vertical wall of sufficient height, then 5 acres might suffice. If the fields of fire were oriented correctly.

My problem is too find enough land with a natural backstop which could meet the most stringent safety considerations I can find. You have to make sure that any bullet you fire will NOT impact in populated land.

Frosty
MOLON LABE

January 26, 2001, 10:15 AM	#4
Jeff, CA Guest Posts: n/a	It might be It depends on how the property is shaped, and where you set up. A 5-acre square is 467 feet on a side, if my calculations are correct. If length-to-width is 1.5:1, the long dimension is 572 feet. Do you want a true skeet setup (2 towers, 2 launchers), or are you planning on something more informal? A mail-order supplier like Cabela's will usually have a variety of inexpensive manual launchers.

January 25, 2001, 11:15 PM	#1
elper Junior Member Join Date: November 30, 2000 Posts: 8	Is 5 acres enough for a small firing range with a shotgun? Also, does anyone know where a good skeet launcher would be sold? -elper

January 26, 2001, 07:19 AM	#2
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Sorry, nope. Even #8 shot will carry well over 100 yards, so 5 acres is not big enough.

January 26, 2001, 09:52 AM	#3
M1911 Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2000 Posts: 4,055	Have to agree with Dave, 5 acres is nowhere near enough. Your shot and birds will land beyond the boundaries of your land. Sorry. M1911

January 26, 2001, 10:18 AM	#5
handgun357 Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2001 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 293	If it works out to be shaped correctly to put in a range, be sure to check with zoning. It would not be in your favor to put a range in just to be told to take it out. Good Luck.........

January 26, 2001, 10:50 AM	#6
FPrice Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2000 Location: People's Commonwealth of Massachusetts Posts: 1,456	elper, I am interested in your question, not because I have an answer, but because I would like to retire and buy enough land to have my own pistol/rifle range, and have a similar question. The answers you have received are, I am sure, correct, if you have flat land. Now, if your land had some sort of a natural backstop, such as a near vertical wall of sufficient height, then 5 acres might suffice. If the fields of fire were oriented correctly. My problem is too find enough land with a natural backstop which could meet the most stringent safety considerations I can find. You have to make sure that any bullet you fire will NOT impact in populated land. Frosty MOLON LABE