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Shooting range safety distances

BarneyLongden

BarneyLongden

Member
Messages
39
I have access to some land in a rural/agricultural area. I think I found a spot where I could shoot but thinking about it got me wondering if there are some standard safety rules for a range.

The spot I want to use is about ½ mile from a public road. The bad news is I would be shooting toward the road. There is also a building ½ mile away that is about 30 degrees off the line I would be shooting. I would be shooting handguns only and the target would be set up in front of a substantial brush/wood pile.

On one hand, if every shot is even close to being on the target it would be absorbed by the wood pile. On the other hand, I am shooting toward where people could be. Is 750 or 1000 yards even close to a safe distance in case of an errant round? I am not one to let random rounds fly but we have safety rules for the what-if situations.

What is a safe distance? Clearly, 10,000 yards is more than enough and 100 yards is not enough.

Anyhow, I went to the public range today because I am pretty unsure about this whole thing.
 
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BarneyLongden said:
it is a private landowner who has granted me permission to use the property for some other activity.

what difference it make? My question is purely about the safe distances for shooting.
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Typically, a range operated on a private property has fewer regulations, than BLM ( https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/recreation-programs/recreational-shooting/california#:~:text=Shooting is strictly prohibited in,or improvements on public lands. ) or U.S. Forest operated. Each agency has their own requirements.

Since it's a private property, the owner still would need to comply with the county and state regulations ( https://dtsc.ca.gov/shooting-range-maintenance-guidance/ )

Generally speaking, shooting in the near proximity of buildings or in the direction of the public road can and will be considered dangerous.
 
SomeOne said:
Typically, a range operated on a private property has fewer regulations, than BLM ( https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/recreation-programs/recreational-shooting/california#:~:text=Shooting is strictly prohibited in,or improvements on public lands. ) or U.S. Forest operated. Each agency has their own requirements.

Since it's a private property, the owner still would need to comply with the county and state regulations ( https://dtsc.ca.gov/shooting-range-maintenance-guidance/ )

Generally speaking, shooting in the near proximity of buildings or in the direction of the public road can and will be considered dangerous.
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Yes, I agree to everything you've said above. I've already decided that I probably will not utilize this property for shooting but, the question remains what is the threshold for a safe distance?
 
Generally in rural unincorporated private land, no target shooting within 150 feet any dwellings. Have a talk with the land owner and confirm they understand the rules/regulations/liabilities with your activity. They are on the hook for anything happens legally.
 
I have a few desert ranges. The following is personal opinion only.
For pistol and 22lr my rule of thumb is a mile minimum beyond my berms.
I typically don't shoot rifles unless the backstop is a substantial hillside.
Shotguns with birdshot or buckshot are probably completely safe beyond 500yds.

Usually common sense will tell you if it's going to be cool or not when you actually go to try it.
I have tried shooting at a few spots and immediately realized it was a no go for one reason or another.
 
With a big enough dirt berm, I wouldn't be worried about any distance. With a brush or wood pile as the backdrop, I wouldn't do it with anything but a 22. Sounds like a reasonable answer was settled on.

Rent a tractor and get to sand berm building!
 
BarneyLongden said:
Yes, I agree to everything you've said above. I've already decided that I probably will not utilize this property for shooting but, the question remains what is the threshold for a safe distance?
Click to expand...

I don't think there is a distance "threshold." I'm most concerned about a proper backstop. I like spots that are up against a mountain. I wouldn't shoot within a mile of someone's house, regardless of the direction. That's just impolite behavior. There are roads and there are roads. If the road is like the 405 at rush hour, I wouldn't be within two miles. If it's a desolate desert road that might see two trucks a day, that's a little different.
 
This is from the NRA of England; I included it because the linked PDF is free to view. It is a large document, with many pages. What you are seeking I believe is on page 29/150, and is an example of 5.56mm trajectory. It is a good read nonetheless.
https://nra.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/NRA-RANGE-DESIGN-AND-SAFETY-HANDBOOK-DEC-2022-22-12-22-1.pdf

I will have to check my NRA range construction sourcebook, but I believe it is very similar.

My experience with the construction of private firing ranges has varied depending on location. IME, when you can see any type of structure, roadway, public access trail, etc. while looking downrange, you are likely to have issues. IF you can locate a legal location for discharging firearms beyond legal hunting, trajectory and backstop issues must be addressed first, and then sound. As an example, you can have an otherwise great spot for impact and trajectory, but if the firing point(s) are located in such a way that the noise can be heard at a level that irritates surrounding neighbors, the complaints and hassle aren’t worth the trouble. Testing at both night and daytime hours (in some locations sound travels differently due to factors such as air density) is advised.

Personally, from what the OP initially described, I’d be inclined to find another place.
 
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