Home on the range

Ramey · February 8, 2017, 09:30 PM

Hello all. So my dream is to have a shooting range on my property. I need to know how many acres I need. I mostly shoot handgun and semi auto rifles. 100 yards would suffice. I would of course put in a proper backstop and would need to be outside the city limits to be legal. I hope this isn't a pipe dream. So how many acres do I need to tell the realtor be looking for?

Colorado Redneck · February 9, 2017, 12:16 AM

An acre is 43,560 sq. ft. If the shape of an acre of land is square, it would be approx. 208 feet x 208 feet. So go from there. If the piece of ground was 100 ft wide, then it would be 435 feet long.

jmhyer · February 9, 2017, 07:47 AM

The primary concern is not so much the size of your property, but rather what's going on down range and around you. It's the age-old adage for real estate -- "location, location, location."

Is there danger to life or property if a projectile escapes your acreage? Are there neighbors whom are likely to gripe and otherwise make trouble for you about noise? A shooting range in the middle of otherwise uninhabited acreage is doable on less than an acre.

5whiskey · February 9, 2017, 08:35 AM

Quote:

The primary concern is not so much the size of your property, but rather what's going on down range and around you. It's the age-old adage for real estate -- "location, location, location."

This. An acre and a half way out in the sticks would likely be plenty of room. But then you do have to consider the neighbors. Are they far enough away that noise will not be an issue? Even if you have a proper backstop, the possibility of an errant round cannot be ruled out. Especially if your backstop is merely a berm. Rounds can and will skip off a berm. The have very little energy after that, but enough to do damage.

I've often debated on making a backstop to fire a suppressed pistol at in the back yard. I continue to realize that I'm better off to just do any yard practice with an air pistol.

UncleEd · February 9, 2017, 09:05 AM

See thread entitled

"Advice for those seeking advice"

lamarw · February 9, 2017, 09:15 AM

The shape of the land is another consideration. I live in a valley with a large hill as a backstop. When I say hill I am referring to a relatively quick 200' change in elevation and it is wooded. There is no one on the hill or on the other side of the hill. Beyond the hill is 7,000 acres of forest owned by a utility company. The other side of my property is a 40,000 + acre lake. I do not shoot in the direction of the lake. The hill is not rocky. It is akin to shooting into a clay embankment.

Even on small acreage, you can build a backstop and have your downrange area away from habitation and roads.

Ramey · February 9, 2017, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleEd

See thread entitled

"Advice for those asking for advice"

Northwest Ohio

jonnyc · February 9, 2017, 10:16 AM

That might not be enough. You will need to check state, county, city, town, local regs.

jackstrawIII · February 10, 2017, 11:43 AM

As JMHYER stated, size of the property isn't a huge concern, it's the surroundings.

Things to consider:
1. Where will the bullets go?
2. Where will the sound go?

It is illegal to shoot a gun within 500 ft of a dwelling (at least in NY it is), so start there and answer the two above questions. Even if you build a "safe" backstop, will the neighbor next door place a grievance whenever you shoot because the noise is rattling his dishes?

osbornk · February 10, 2017, 03:29 PM

The first thing I would do is check the local zoning laws, bulding restrictions and requirements to see if they will even allow the business. In some areas, anything to do with guns are not welcome. My sister-in-law bought what she thought was a perfect piece of property to build a business only to find out that it didn't meet zoning and other requirements. She finally resold the land but at a loss.

cjwils · February 10, 2017, 03:35 PM

There may be big differences in the local laws if your range is totally private versus being operated as a business. Some of the comments above are about businesses.

jmhyer · February 10, 2017, 04:30 PM

I didn't get the feeling that this is going to be a business...just a range for personal/private use.

Ramey · February 10, 2017, 04:41 PM

100% private use. Here in Ohio there are cities surrounded by miles of cornfields. Will there be neighbors yes. But they would be miles away. The shooting range I used to belong to has closed because a neighbors house was "allegedly" hit. I'm trying to avoid this.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ShootistPRS · February 10, 2017, 11:59 PM

Check your county regs.
In the county I live in and the next county to the south there are few rules that cover personal gun ranges. Private ranges are different and so are public ranges. I can have a personal gun range on my property so long as I don't endanger any one or any adjacent property. That is the sticking point. Try to sell your home and acreage when there is a guy shooting guns just down the road. Now, shooting in my area must start after 8:am on weekdays and after 9:am on weekends. Shooting must stop at 10pm and if you are shooting after dark the targets and adjacent area must be lit.
If a neighbor a mile down the road produces a bullet you can be held responsible. The neighbor down the road should know that a live round is not a bullet before they call the sheriff. It really helps to get to know the law enforcement folks in your area - have them over for a BBQ and show off your range. If they want to shoot let them know the rules and be your own range master. If it is done professionally you will see more of them as friends than you would otherwise as law enforcement. It might also help to invite the neighbors over too. If they come and see that they are not in danger they can be a lot easier to get along with.

February 8, 2017, 09:30 PM	#1
Ramey Member Join Date: December 1, 2016 Posts: 60	Home on the range Hello all. So my dream is to have a shooting range on my property. I need to know how many acres I need. I mostly shoot handgun and semi auto rifles. 100 yards would suffice. I would of course put in a proper backstop and would need to be outside the city limits to be legal. I hope this isn't a pipe dream. So how many acres do I need to tell the realtor be looking for?

February 9, 2017, 10:16 AM	#8
jonnyc Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,731	That might not be enough. You will need to check state, county, city, town, local regs. __________________ 2024 PA Cartridge Collector Show; Aug. 16-17, 2024!!! Buy...Sell...Trade All Types of Ammunition & Ordnance PM or email me for 2024 show details.

February 10, 2017, 11:43 AM	#9
jackstrawIII Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2016 Location: Upstate NY. Posts: 901	As JMHYER stated, size of the property isn't a huge concern, it's the surroundings. Things to consider: 1. Where will the bullets go? 2. Where will the sound go? It is illegal to shoot a gun within 500 ft of a dwelling (at least in NY it is), so start there and answer the two above questions. Even if you build a "safe" backstop, will the neighbor next door place a grievance whenever you shoot because the noise is rattling his dishes? __________________ In God we trust.

February 9, 2017, 12:16 AM	#2
Colorado Redneck Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2008 Location: Northeast Colorado Posts: 1,993	An acre is 43,560 sq. ft. If the shape of an acre of land is square, it would be approx. 208 feet x 208 feet. So go from there. If the piece of ground was 100 ft wide, then it would be 435 feet long.

February 9, 2017, 07:47 AM	#3
jmhyer Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2012 Location: MS - USA Posts: 899	The primary concern is not so much the size of your property, but rather what's going on down range and around you. It's the age-old adage for real estate -- "location, location, location." Is there danger to life or property if a projectile escapes your acreage? Are there neighbors whom are likely to gripe and otherwise make trouble for you about noise? A shooting range in the middle of otherwise uninhabited acreage is doable on less than an acre.

February 9, 2017, 09:05 AM	#5
UncleEd Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2013 Location: N. Georgia Posts: 1,150	See thread entitled "Advice for those seeking advice"

February 9, 2017, 09:15 AM	#6
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	The shape of the land is another consideration. I live in a valley with a large hill as a backstop. When I say hill I am referring to a relatively quick 200' change in elevation and it is wooded. There is no one on the hill or on the other side of the hill. Beyond the hill is 7,000 acres of forest owned by a utility company. The other side of my property is a 40,000 + acre lake. I do not shoot in the direction of the lake. The hill is not rocky. It is akin to shooting into a clay embankment. Even on small acreage, you can build a backstop and have your downrange area away from habitation and roads.

February 10, 2017, 03:29 PM	#10
osbornk Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2012 Location: Mountains of Appalachia Posts: 1,598	The first thing I would do is check the local zoning laws, bulding restrictions and requirements to see if they will even allow the business. In some areas, anything to do with guns are not welcome. My sister-in-law bought what she thought was a perfect piece of property to build a business only to find out that it didn't meet zoning and other requirements. She finally resold the land but at a loss.

February 10, 2017, 03:35 PM	#11
cjwils Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2010 Location: Washington state Posts: 401	There may be big differences in the local laws if your range is totally private versus being operated as a business. Some of the comments above are about businesses.

February 10, 2017, 04:30 PM	#12
jmhyer Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2012 Location: MS - USA Posts: 899	I didn't get the feeling that this is going to be a business...just a range for personal/private use.

February 10, 2017, 04:41 PM	#13
Ramey Member Join Date: December 1, 2016 Posts: 60	100% private use. Here in Ohio there are cities surrounded by miles of cornfields. Will there be neighbors yes. But they would be miles away. The shooting range I used to belong to has closed because a neighbors house was "allegedly" hit. I'm trying to avoid this. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

February 10, 2017, 11:59 PM	#14
ShootistPRS Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2017 Posts: 1,583	Check your county regs. In the county I live in and the next county to the south there are few rules that cover personal gun ranges. Private ranges are different and so are public ranges. I can have a personal gun range on my property so long as I don't endanger any one or any adjacent property. That is the sticking point. Try to sell your home and acreage when there is a guy shooting guns just down the road. Now, shooting in my area must start after 8:am on weekdays and after 9:am on weekends. Shooting must stop at 10pm and if you are shooting after dark the targets and adjacent area must be lit. If a neighbor a mile down the road produces a bullet you can be held responsible. The neighbor down the road should know that a live round is not a bullet before they call the sheriff. It really helps to get to know the law enforcement folks in your area - have them over for a BBQ and show off your range. If they want to shoot let them know the rules and be your own range master. If it is done professionally you will see more of them as friends than you would otherwise as law enforcement. It might also help to invite the neighbors over too. If they come and see that they are not in danger they can be a lot easier to get along with.