How much land to safely fire a handgun

[cwatson]

I was wondering what the concensus is on how much land you feel a person should have to fire a hand gun on it? I would like to set up some targets and practice with my handgun but don't think I have enough property. We have an acre. My Mom said we could you part of her property and she has 3 acres that run long not wide. The back part of which is not used at all for anything. What do you think? And if it would be okay how would you set the targets up?

[MooseToo]

depends entirely on topography - with the right hill/slope a small site can be completely safe - whereas a hundred acres on an untreed table-top can be a real hazard -

[Anon001]

What I did was use one of my big round hay bales. It was in a place the cattle couldn't get to. I put my targets on it and it worked good. Of course, you can't feed the hay to cattle after that... lol That was 4 or 5 years ago. Today, I don't want to waste the ammo.

[cwatson]

There are some trees but not thickly wooded. We do not have a near by range so I have yet to have fired the hand gun I purchased almost 2 weeks ago. I am getting frustrated. I thought about enrolling in a CHL class but you have to be experienced with your weapon and they are booked until the end of June. Argh!

[cwatson]

Paul, that might be an idea with the hay bale. I don't have cows so I wouldn't have to worry about that. :)

[Anon001]

CHL ? Is that the concealed carry class? I took that and we had some in our class that had never fired any type of weapon. Needless to say that the time we spent on the range having to qualify was long and boring waiting on them to try time after time to pass their shooting test. lol

Give the bale a try. I don't know what they cost there if you can find one, but you could probably buy an old bale cheap. I bale my own and had some old ones and one of those was what I used. That was also before I learned there was a small range about 15 miles from me.

Good luck.

[flatwater]

Just remember a couple things #1 Rick-O-Shays and laws where you practice

[kawalekm]

You might want to reconsider the haybale idea. There was a court case in the last two years where a guy was using bales as a backstop, but the bullets were passing through and hitting a house more than a mile away. He as convicted for that.

Perhaps you can get around that by putting a sheet of plywood or sheetmetal behind the bales, and monitor whether or not all the bullets are being stopped. This is especially important because the area is wooded and you don't know who might be in the woods, or right on the other side. If you can't definatively say where the bullets will stop, you are not shooting safely.

A second legal issue is how close you are to any structure owned by a neighbor. In my state it is illegal to fire a gun within 450 feet of any structure if you are not the owner. Even a three acre property may not be legal to shoot on if any neighbor has a structure within that distance. Check your states fish and game regulations to find out what the restrictions on shooting are.

As an alternative, is there any state or federal lands nearby? Our national forest has a designated shooting range (free to all) just a few miles away, and I go there frequently to avoid paying range fees.

[Anon001]

You might want to reconsider the haybale idea. *There was a court case in the last two years where a guy was using bales as a backstop, but the bullets were passing through and hitting a house more than a mile away. *He as convicted for that.

What kind of hay bale was that? I can see that might happen with a small square bale, but with a big round 1200 pound bale, I can't see the ammo going all the way through a 4' tightly baled bale..... I could be wrong.

[kawalekm]

What kind of hay bale was that? *I can see that might happen with a small square bale, but with a big round 1200 pound bale, I can't see the ammo going all the way through a 4' tightly baled bale..... I could be wrong.

That's a good question, but I don't remember what kind it was. I guess the important thing to ask is do you know the bullets are stopping, or do you think they are stopping. That's why I think the sheet of plywood is a good idea. If you fire off at your target and the sheet stays intact, then you know there is no problem. If there are holes though, your bullets are wandering off somewhere.

I've got it lucky. My target area faces a good sized hill so I can blast away as much as I want without any concerns. Well, I do have one concern. If my neighbor hears me shooting, he'll want to stop by and ask if he can borrow some ammo.

[Old_John]

Here in Indiana, less than 90 days ago, there was a man who was shot while laying in his bed at home, by a "stray bullet". It went through the side of their modular home. The bullet hit him in the throat and he died before the medics could get there.

Come to find out a neighbor had repaired a .45acp, semi-auto pistol, for a policeman friend. He was testing it in back of his house shooting toward a woods.
The man who was hit, lived on the other side of the woods, a quarter mile, or, 450 yards from where the gunsmith was testing the gun on targets.

An acre is only about 210' by 210'......and 450 yards is, about 1350 feet, IOW, more than 6 acres.

Oh and the gunsmith who was testing the handgun was charged with Negligent Homicide.
It has not come to trial yet.

Always, ALWAYS Shoot at an approved range, or be sure of your Backstop. Always know where your bullets are going. We use the earthen dam of our pond. We have our target stands below the dam.
Please be Safe.

[cwatson]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I definitely am trying to be safe here. I was walking DM's property again and realized she has what we call Mt. Mom about 200 yards behind her house. It is a burm or small hill that was created when they put in her septic tank 10 years ago and has become over grown with grass etc. It is about 8 feet tall and probably 20 feet long. I am thinking that with a haybale infront of it might work well. I am still calling around trying to find a place. Todays calls ended up with the same results, "We do CHL but not basic handgun".

Paul you were correct CHL is conceal handgun License, which is how they advertise it in my area.

Thank you all for your help.

[Anon001]

Well...if you were closer I would tell you just to come over and use my setup... It's nice to have some one to practice with. lol It's more enjoyable than just shooting at targets alone. My old shootin' buddy got too busy with work and such to practice any more.

[cwatson]

Thanks Paul but I think that is a little further than the range that is 2 hours away :) Though I could imagine it would be more enjoyable with friends.

[MooseToo]

Thanks Paul but I think that is a little further than the range that is 2 hours away *:) *Though I could imagine it would be more enjoyable with friends.
i don't think it would be enjoyable at all with enemies -

[cwatson]

Well I would really like to know how to use it in case of enemies.

[cwatson]

YaY! I finally got to go to the range and fire of 50 rounds today! Its was great. No training but that's okay it was easy to handle and load. I hit the target about 70% of the time. Not bad for the first time shooting it. I can't wait till I can go again. ;D

[ArmySGT.]

NRA's little range finder.
http://www.nra.org/nralocal.aspx

NRA guide on how to build one.

http://www.nrahq.org/shootingrange/sourcebook.asp

[DM]

Shouldn't this whole thread be about "How do you stop a bullet?"

Once you have a good back stop, it doesn't matter how much land you have!

DM

[kawalekm]

Once you have a good back stop, it doesn't matter how much land you have!
DM
Well, yes it does. If you follow the legal limit of 450 feet to any neighbor's structure (in my state) you'd have to have at least a 14.6 acre property, assuming neighbors built right on your property lines.

[DM]

Well, yes it does. *If you follow the legal limit of 450 feet to any neighbor's structure (in my state) you'd have to have at least a 14.6 acre property, assuming neighbors built right on your property lines.


First of all, there is no 450 ft. legal limit where i live... BUT, i figured common sense would be used too. I didn't figure i'd have it lay it out right down to don't put the target on your foot, don't shoot into water blah blah blah...

DM

[Tegerian]

lol

[Anon001]

Well, yes it does. *If you follow the legal limit of 450 feet to any neighbor's structure (in my state) you'd have to have at least a 14.6 acre property, assuming neighbors built right on your property lines.


If you have limitation on how close to shoot, then you probably have a limitation on how close to a property line you can build.

We have no limitation like that here that I know of.

[cwatson]

I can't find that we have a limitation like that either. Our local sheriff said we are good to go but like I said I wouldn't feel comfortable on our property due to the neighbors being closer.

BTW I promise not to put the target on my foot. ;D

[martialcanine45cal]

I am not sure of your prior experience with firearms, but assuming it is none, until you get quality instruction in the safe and effective use of your handgun, I wouldn't shoot on your property or anyone else's without experienced supervision. Aside from strays or ricochets, negligent discharges from - no offense - incompetent handling should be a huge concern.

That said, as others have pointed out, local and state laws will apply, and they vary widely from place to place. For instance, in Michigan, it is illegal to shoot a firearm within a certain distance of a structure without owner permission ONLY when hunting; it doesn't apply to private recreational shooting on personal property here. You should also consider noise ordinances.

Then, again already pointed out, regardless of the legal guidance specifically for shooting, there is also the possibility for criminal/civil proceedings should your backstop not stop bullets that end up damaging property or injuring/killing animals or people.

I have a range on my 11 acre property consisting of a mound of dirt about 15 feet long, 3-10 feet deep (top-base), and 10 feet tall. Behind the mound are old telephone poles sunk into the ground a couple feet, in the center of stacks of dirt-filled tires. These are behind the mound and not exposed to direct fire.

The range used to be up by the house, but I moved it to the very back about 3 years ago when the property along the north border was sold and divided up into residential lots. Did I legally have to? No. I did it to be safe for my own protection and - gulp - even their's (city folk bringing city living out to the country...we don't get along).

The mound from the septic dig sounds adequate should you feel comfortable/competent enough to shoot on your property. A 1200# bale would work if you're experienced and accurate, but at 70% on target, I'd say just use the mound.

[cwatson]

Thanks MartialCanine. In the end I opted to go to a range and get professional training before doing anything. I got my CHL and have been to the range many more times since the start of this post. We did use my Mom's property or her dirt mound a couple of times also but not until after DH and I both went through the hand gun training. Originally we were having a hard time finding someone that would do the training and not just a CHL but we found one about 30 miles down the road and he has been a great teacher. We were just out there again this past weekend and next weekend we are learning home defense safety.

I appreciate everyones help and concern.

[martialcanine45cal]

Excellent. Best wishes in your training.

[Rafael]

I have a friend who shoots indoors. He has sandbags at the end of a hallway.
He's been doing it for years with no problems.

[MinotBob]

The week after I took possession of my place in North Dakota I was out back shooting into a safe backstop and the neighbor called the Sheriff on me. Two cars came out and one big ole fat deputy came walking up the hill and asked how we were. I explained we were shooting and we were safe about it. He said "I can see that, have fun" turned and walked away. Ever since I been careful about how much I shoot and what claibers. But I didn't stop.

[cwatson]

We usually just go to the range now but a couple of times we did use the area on my Mom's prop. that I had discussed earlier. We did have any problems until I was firing our shotgun one day. DM's neighbor came over screaming about we were going to shoot someone. I told her she was welcome to watch that we were being extremely careful and safe. She said she would call the sheriff and I told her I would do it for her if she wanted because I already checked with all of them and we were within the law. She yelled a little more, DH gave her some choice words and she left and has not said anything since. We are thinking of getting a .22 just for target practice out there.

[JeffColorado]

If you can find an old sand and gravel pit, they make great places to set up some targets, of course the sand part, not the rocks, and make sure you clean up after yourself - a lot of places people use to be able to shoot around here have been shut off from the public just because of all the nimrods that wouldn't clean up after themselves.

Also, do you have an army / military base around, most have a firing range open to the public since they want to promote marksmanship and all. Best ranges around - I shot at Fort Lewis several times a month - great people and the range fees, as well as ammo prices, are very reasonable.

[Teg]

I have a friend who shoots indoors. He has sandbags at the end of a hallway.
He's been doing it for years with no problems.

Saw something like that on one of those shows where they go look at old homes, the original owner was a collector and gunsmith so he built himself a single lane firing range in his basement, it was a pretty nice set-up especially if you consider he built it in the late 1800's.

[cwatson]

On YouTube there is a clip of a 10 1/2 year old girl that is supposed to be a really good shot and her Dad built her something like than in their basement. Wish I had a Pa like that ;)

[Oblio13]

.... In the end I opted to go to a range and get professional training before doing anything....

Good for you. Now you have a solid foundation on which to build. You now know what to practice so that you aren't just reinforcing bad habits.

For those of you with close neighbors, one word: Suppressors.

[whtdragn]

Just my 2 cents the home ranges I have shot on all go into a Berm or Dirt mound/hill. I would either dig out and make a nice berm with sand and dirt or stick to a professional range. I cannot find the link but one I saw made someone used a small back hoe and made a a low point in this land about 2 feet deeper and so he could stand and be shooting into a hill and then added 3 feet above down range and added sand. He was shooting into about 12 inches of sand and then the hill.