Just came in from setting out targets and these little buddies showed up off the corner of the porch ;-)
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Where do you shoot and what do you shoot off of?
- Thread starter Marble8
- Start date
I shoot year-round and have set up shooting lanes both indoors and out. First is my 8m indoor range. Originally I set up in my garage while I had too much junk put there to allow my car to get in. Now that's all changed so I've moved my range upstairs into the garage attic. I am master of all I survey up here:
Using a peep sight on my Daisy 853, I found there's too much glare from the overhead lights so I rigged up a mechanic's light as my spotlight. Works pretty well:
I use a 5 gal bucket with hunter's seat from Dunham's while sitting at a small, light weight bifold table from Walmart. Add a Caldwell shooting bag and my bench is set. I trade off between rested shooting of the 853 to check zero and learn the trigger, and off-hand shooting to develop the muscle memory needed for true target gun fun.
Moving outdoors, I have two shooting lanes set up off of my patio. When the Indiana weather permits I shoot either 10m or 25m depending on my mood, my comrades, and the rifle I have at hand. Here is the 25m lane today in the sub-freezing temps. I shot off of my patio table without any bag:
I specifically limit my choice of rifle to low-power .177 springers (Gamo youth rifles and a de-tuned Crosman NP) to limit over-penetration. I also use only "soft" targets like paper and chalk that won't promote ricochets. Note that my pellet trap is set up off the ground by about 16" - that puts it above the height of my two small dogs. I track their location while shooting but took pains to raise the trap as an extra safety measure.
Finally, I have a narrow 10m lane set up along the back wall of the house, backed by the chimney and again featuring a raised platform for targets and pellet trap. Today it is not in use but you can see the lane:
The raised platform keeps the shooting above the dogs and takes the spigot and plug out of play. Of course there's a mandatory cease fire when the dogs come up for a drink from the outdoor water dish (blue) or to snuffle around the Dogloo. They like to stay to the open yard so it's not much of a problem.
Basically just using my imagination to maximize my shooting options in the space I have. Most important key for me is to select air guns suited to the limits I have to place on my myself and anyone who joins me for a shoot. Right now I've got a pretty good set-up between guns and grounds (or attic).
Using a peep sight on my Daisy 853, I found there's too much glare from the overhead lights so I rigged up a mechanic's light as my spotlight. Works pretty well:
I use a 5 gal bucket with hunter's seat from Dunham's while sitting at a small, light weight bifold table from Walmart. Add a Caldwell shooting bag and my bench is set. I trade off between rested shooting of the 853 to check zero and learn the trigger, and off-hand shooting to develop the muscle memory needed for true target gun fun.
Moving outdoors, I have two shooting lanes set up off of my patio. When the Indiana weather permits I shoot either 10m or 25m depending on my mood, my comrades, and the rifle I have at hand. Here is the 25m lane today in the sub-freezing temps. I shot off of my patio table without any bag:
I specifically limit my choice of rifle to low-power .177 springers (Gamo youth rifles and a de-tuned Crosman NP) to limit over-penetration. I also use only "soft" targets like paper and chalk that won't promote ricochets. Note that my pellet trap is set up off the ground by about 16" - that puts it above the height of my two small dogs. I track their location while shooting but took pains to raise the trap as an extra safety measure.
Finally, I have a narrow 10m lane set up along the back wall of the house, backed by the chimney and again featuring a raised platform for targets and pellet trap. Today it is not in use but you can see the lane:
The raised platform keeps the shooting above the dogs and takes the spigot and plug out of play. Of course there's a mandatory cease fire when the dogs come up for a drink from the outdoor water dish (blue) or to snuffle around the Dogloo. They like to stay to the open yard so it's not much of a problem.
Basically just using my imagination to maximize my shooting options in the space I have. Most important key for me is to select air guns suited to the limits I have to place on my myself and anyone who joins me for a shoot. Right now I've got a pretty good set-up between guns and grounds (or attic).
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I just set up my new indoor to outdoor target range from my living room to the frozen lake, it keeps me warm and inside and I can shoot all winter long with the Airguns but not so much with the Powder Burners hahaha, scope is at 6x and the plastic bottle is at about 70 yards, I tossed it out on the ice hoping to get to 75 yards being the lake just froze over and I don’t dare to walk on the ice yet. I tried holding my iPad and taking the pic thru the scope so it’s not the best.
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When the ice is thick enough I’ll put a metal target out on the ice with reflectors on it and around it so no one hits it with their snowmobile...
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My bench, I made the square tube frame probably ten years ago for my skeet thrower and the shooting bench part about five years ago. The top was made this past summer and is a big improvement over what I had on it. I have 500 yards to shoot from where the bench is sitting and with the rifle pictured have taken 9 groundhogs from 420-470 yards this summer.
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I like that idea,is that the clay thrower frame that you can put in the hitch of a pickup or car? Looks like it is why I ask."1BadDart"My bench, I made the square tube frame probably ten years ago for my skeet thrower and the shooting bench part about five years ago. The top was made this past summer and is a big improvement over what I had on it. I have 500 yards to shoot from where the bench is sitting and with the rifle pictured have taken 9 groundhogs from 420-470 yards this summer.
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My daughter and son-in law have some land about ten minutes from my house. My son built me a shooting table there. My kids are the best!
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It doesn't fit in a hitch. I made the frame out of thin wall 2" galvanized tube, it was made to take apart for easier storage. The bench has a universal joint of sorts the post, it will tilt left, right, front or back.
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I have a shooting area available and shoot a lot of targets and long range cans.
let me tell you what is real fun and practical to learn how to really shoot!
if you have a woods nearby or trees around. shoot the pine cones , shoot the walnuts or persimmons. you'll learn elevated shooting and windage. also how to work around obstacles such as a squirrel or such would get behind.
also if you have a target range. set up @ what ever distance you want. I would suggest 50yds and under. put a dot on a blank piece of paper and shoot @ the dot. its a much finer target than a big old 1/2" or inch. also if you just put a smear of honey or jam on the paper you can shoot the flies. NOW YOUR SHOOTING!
SHOOT SMALL TO HIT SMALL!!!!
let me tell you what is real fun and practical to learn how to really shoot!
if you have a woods nearby or trees around. shoot the pine cones , shoot the walnuts or persimmons. you'll learn elevated shooting and windage. also how to work around obstacles such as a squirrel or such would get behind.
also if you have a target range. set up @ what ever distance you want. I would suggest 50yds and under. put a dot on a blank piece of paper and shoot @ the dot. its a much finer target than a big old 1/2" or inch. also if you just put a smear of honey or jam on the paper you can shoot the flies. NOW YOUR SHOOTING!
SHOOT SMALL TO HIT SMALL!!!!
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I shoot at the Fortress of Pelletitude when not shooting field target competitions. Also at Camp Fussell above.
I have a covered concrete double bench and pads that go on it , and a 100 yard range set up with asphalt cores with the yardages in the ground. I shoot off the bench and my knee when practicing for a match.
I have a covered concrete double bench and pads that go on it , and a 100 yard range set up with asphalt cores with the yardages in the ground. I shoot off the bench and my knee when practicing for a match.
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Don't wow too much. I own a target making company, so I have tons of different targets to shoot at.....lol Camp Fussell loves the triangle multi hole gongs targets I made him. Me, I prefer the field targets...
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I know this is an old thread and I am late to the party, but I feel woefully inadequate now that I have seen all these awesome home ranges. I thought I had it made with my 25 yard suburban plinker paradise...
Back to the drawing board. Might have to call a realtor too. I don't have enough land for this hobby!
Back to the drawing board. Might have to call a realtor too. I don't have enough land for this hobby!
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Thanks Matt, it's turning out to be a popular design. I still need to add it to my website along with the kangaroo.....
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