Share Your Back Yard Shooting Range And DIY Bench Idea’s

[msurf]

First pic is my range at 27 yards, it is a DIY grill trap/target.  I don't have a home made bench....have been using the Caldwell field pod, but I did purchase a Caldwell portable shooting bench on Amazon...$115 shipped here with Prime, but haven't assembled it yet.  I want to see if my groups will tighten, probably me though 

Third pic is a plinking target made out of an old bedframe and weight bench, Rat on the Run targets and spinners.
Fourth pic is the second grill target trap for sighting in, chrony, testing etc.  Have about 12 yards at the most as it is on my back lanai.
Fifth pic...Made some c02 pistol targets out of aluminum plate and old pvc pipe...note to self, don't use old thinwall pvc, schedule 40 may do better, old broomsticks would be ideal.

[ShakySarge]

I really like taking old camera tripods that the mount is broken on and using the foam that PA ships pellets in and making a fully adjustable rest for use wherever. Little trick I learned in LRM training.

[Lt. Dan]

I really like taking old camera tripods that the mount is broken on and using the foam that PA ships pellets in and making a fully adjustable rest for use wherever. Little trick I learned in LRM training.

That's a great idea. I've used a "Y" yoke from a shooting stick on a camera tripod with some success but I like the fact that yours has a greater surface area.  I may try putting something together tomorrow.

[ShakySarge]

I really like taking old camera tripods that the mount is broken on and using the foam that PA ships pellets in and making a fully adjustable rest for use wherever. Little trick I learned in LRM training.

That's a great idea. I've used a "Y" yoke from a shooting stick on a camera tripod with some success but I like the fact that yours has a greater surface area.  I may try putting something together tomorrow.

The added surface area makes a big difference I found. I just fold the foam in half and then tape around it to secure it to a small rectangle of wood that gets mounted to the tripod.

[maraudinglizard]

I use whatever is available in the yard.



Bill, it's fortyshooters shotgun saloon you are thinking of. It's different from the one posted above but the same concept.

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=85193.msg818009#msg818009

[avator]

I use whatever is available in the yard.



Bill, it's fortyshooters shotgun saloon you are thinking of. It's different from the one posted above but the same concept.

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=85193.msg818009#msg818009

That's the guy Kris.... thanks!
I miss his raspy voice videos.... the guy certainly enjoyed himself.

[nced]

My setup is a pretty simple Hunter Class Field Target / squirrel sniping practice setup where I have a couple log back stops on the sides of my property where I can shoot at a few knock down targets and a "target frame" (used campaign wire frame with paper target clipped on). My shooting distance is from 10 yards to at 53 yards max due to the constraints of my "little one acre wood". Of the three Gamo knock down targets two have home made killzone reducers so I have 1 5/8", 3/4" and 3/8" killzones to aim at. My "practice lane" has a few markers for getting a handle on distances to the stationary targets as I change shooting positions.
Old Gamo targets (when the metal was thicker than current offerings) with standard killzone, 3/4" and 3/8" reduced killzone sizes.

Standard KZ......


15 out of 20 shots inside a 3/4" reducer at 50 yards.........


The 3/8" reducer. This target is normally shot from 10 yards to 20 yards so the paddle was getting perforated by concentrated hits from .177 Crosman Premier domes at 12.5-13.5 fpe depending on the tune level of my HW95 or Beeman R9. I ended up "hardening" the paddle behind the killzone with a steel carriage head........




Entrance to my shooting lane.........


Looking "down hill and up hill" about mid way where the "entrance lane" connects.........


Simple distance markers............


Target setup..........


A few years ago I always had a spectator when I started shooting..........


LOL.....there is even a "barrel tweaking tree" when I needed to add snoop or windage to my barrel without needing to go to the house to use a "barrel tweaker" (used to adjust the pont of impact to the point of aim within about an inch at 30 yards after mounting a new optically scope setup. Fine adjustments are then done using the scope turrets.........

[YEMX]

I have a few "dream" shooting set ups...

Yard Ideas:
-  Similar shooting gallery as pictured in OP (I remember that from somewhere too), but it's recessed into the side of a shed.  It's recessed, and the backstop is metal and angled and lined with Duct Seal.  Some of the targets are reactive (spinners or bells), while 1 or 2 targets are motorized (moving).  The electronics would be protected inside the shed, and of course, the rest of the shed can be used for, well...  a shed.  Electronics would be either on or off grid.  A fold down panel can be used to over the shooting gallery, and keep it looking like a normal shed when not in use.

-  Concrete shooting bench with a roof overhead:


I would simply make the bench top a bit bigger so that a larger tank can comfortably sit next to me, in case I were to shoot tethered or for re-fills.  Also, the bench would be concrete.  Thinking about it, I'd add electrical and a very small, lockable storage area behind the shooting position, where I would keep the compressor (or compressor/booster) and any tank(s).  Heck- it may even be solar powered, depending on how remote the set up would be.

Inside the house ideas:
-  If I ever dug out the remainder of my basement (probably never will though),  I'd put in a one lane shooting range, w/a sit down bench/table and a motorized (or hand cranked) target system.  Similar to ones at indoor shooting ranges.  Max range would be 10M. 

-  I typically shoot out a window in my room when I'm pesting.  Though, I've done too good a job in the past, so very little pesting happens at this house.  I had a folding table set up when I first moved in, but it looked horrible and took up too much space.  Before that, I shot off a tripod and a PIG Saddle.  One idea I have, I initially saw on Youtube:


of course, the design would be modified to have a shooting bench top shape, instead of a normal rectangular desktop.  The height would need to change as well.  I'd change the seat design to more of a stool instead of a full chair.  It's got storage, a seat and the top.  Plus, it's movable, should I need to change rooms for whatever reason.  It's also "concealable" when not in use.  At the very least, it won't draw attention to itself and scream "HE SHOOTS OUT THE WINDOW!!" if anyone were to look at it folded up.  I rather like the idea of being as discreet as possible.

-  A mobile shooting platform idea I got from UpNorthAirgunner (I've probably got his name wrong), built from a Harbor Freight extend-a-bed or truck bed extension.  I found a video on youtube of a more refined version:


Very neat idea.  Great for varmint shooting at long range.  Only down side, you have to have enough property to use it.

Sorry for the long post.  But those are all my ideas currently in my head. 

[anti-squirrel]

I use a paint bucket flipped over or a milk crate upside down for a seat.  Otherwise, the steps on the back porch.  Table is  round steel patio table.  No bag, no towels, no nothing.  I shoot freehand 95% of the time, including my Lelya, Leshiy, and Fortitude, none of which have been sighted in a bench using a bag.  Maybe later this summer...

Actually, Sonja and I burned through several tins of pellets shooting freehand over the last couple of weeks.  Though she has an acre, there's no safe shooting lanes.  My old place, despite being a rental in a cul de sac, offered "as far as one can see" shooting with zero risk.

When we eventually buy a house together, we've already decided a minimum of 2 acres, 50-yard shooting lanes, and a covered cookout/shooting area complete with power for lighting, compressor, fridge, and tunes.  Until then, we're quite happy working with what we got.

[JohnnyPDX]

YEMX,
It might be good to have the concrete bench heated . I'm just dreaming about warm weather here and hate a cold posterior. I'm a window shooter too.... gotta remember to open the window first.

Lt. Dan,
I'm a re-purposer and welder so there are soooo many options even with just a low power MIG unit here at home. Just made a spinner using a Toyota truck clutch bearing and it spins nicely but not as many rotations as my cheapo spinners with simple 'bearings'.

I'm following this post, so many great ideas to improve my situation!

[c_m_shooter]

Nothing good comes from shooting from a bench.  I don't have a shooting bench when I get into the woods hunting, and I don't get to use a shooting bench at field target matches.

[avator]

Cliff.... if I were to assume the shooting position in your avatar I would need help getting back up.

[JohnnyPDX]

Agreed except for standing up afterwards and the three things in my pic...
1) a chair
2) coffee
3) dry cigarettes

[YEMX]

Nothing good comes from shooting from a bench.  I don't have a shooting bench when I get into the woods hunting, and I don't get to use a shooting bench at field target matches.

Shooting from a bench is fun.  You can still practice the fundamentals of shooting: sight picture, sight alignment, breathing, trigger squeeze and follow through.  Also, not all of us woods walk while hunting- some of us shoot from a seated position out a window, from a hide, or from the prone for varmint.  Even professional shooters assume the most comfortable/stable position that is available to them when they are able, as terrain and mission dictate.  Also- none of us are saying bench shooting is the be-all end-all.  Of course one would practice in the manner in which they'll be shooting- whether it be woods walking, or field target.   

JohnnyPDX: If I know I'm shooting from a concrete bench in the cold, I'll usually bring a sit pad   

[Lt. Dan]

I shoot my airguns off my patio. From there I have 60 yards straight back to the pines. I have two positions according to where the shade is. Both positions have a dot spray painted on the patio as reference points for the distances to the targets.  I have, starting at 10 yards,  yardage markers sprayed in orange paint every 5 yards out to 60 yards.

My shooting table is just used to hold my pellets and a place to lay the rifle while I drink coffee or change out targets. I shoot with my "converted podium" as my rest.

I have a permanent shooting bench on my firearms range.

Well I guess I'm going to have to eat my words. Today I mounted a bipod on my Browning Leverage like the ones on Airgun Detectives.  So I guess I will be shooting off a table some anyway.

[avator]

I shoot my airguns off my patio. From there I have 60 yards straight back to the pines. I have two positions according to where the shade is. Both positions have a dot spray painted on the patio as reference points for the distances to the targets.  I have, starting at 10 yards,  yardage markers sprayed in orange paint every 5 yards out to 60 yards.

My shooting table is just used to hold my pellets and a place to lay the rifle while I drink coffee or change out targets. I shoot with my "converted podium" as my rest.

I have a permanent shooting bench on my firearms range.

Well I guess I'm going to have to eat my words. Today I mounted a bipod on my Browning Leverage like the ones on Airgun Detectives.  So I guess I will be shooting off a table some anyway.

"She got legs"

[Earl]

I shoot from my den, across the kitchen, down the hall, across the garage = 54 feet.
Ironing board with sandbags for a bench, folding chair to sit on, 22LR bullet catcher to catch pellets.
I shoot in air conditioned comfort, day or night or rain or snow or sunshine or hot or cold.
Life is good.

The cost of this simple range was pretty expensive.
Remodeled master bath $5,000
Remodeled 1/2 bath $2,000
Remodeled kitchen $15,000
Hard wood floors $5,000
Ironing board $25
Sand bags $15
Folding chair $8
22LR bullet catcher $50

[Lt. Dan]

I shoot from my den, across the kitchen, down the hall, across the garage = 54 feet.
Ironing board with sandbags for a bench, folding chair to sit on, 22LR bullet catcher to catch pellets.
I shoot in air conditioned comfort, day or night or rain or snow or sunshine or hot or cold.
Life is good.

The cost of this simple range was pretty expensive.
Remodeled master bath $5,000
Remodeled 1/2 bath $2,000
Remodeled kitchen $15,000
Hard wood floors $5,000
Ironing board $25
Sand bags $15
Folding chair $8
22LR bullet catcher $50

Ironing board?  Ours wobbles something fierce.  You must have a commercial ironing board with 4x4 legs.

[Earl]

I shoot from my den, across the kitchen, down the hall, across the garage = 54 feet.
Ironing board with sandbags for a bench, folding chair to sit on, 22LR bullet catcher to catch pellets.
I shoot in air conditioned comfort, day or night or rain or snow or sunshine or hot or cold.
Life is good.

The cost of this simple range was pretty expensive.
Remodeled master bath $5,000
Remodeled 1/2 bath $2,000
Remodeled kitchen $15,000
Hard wood floors $5,000
Ironing board $25
Sand bags $15
Folding chair $8
22LR bullet catcher $50

Ironing board?  Ours wobbles something fierce.  You must have a commercial ironing board with 4x4 legs.

The ironing board is not as sturdy as a bench rest, but the 25 pounds of sand bags make it pretty steady.
I can shoot 10 shots into a very small ragged hole at 54 feet with my Crosman Challenger.

[Lt. Dan]

I shoot from my den, across the kitchen, down the hall, across the garage = 54 feet.
Ironing board with sandbags for a bench, folding chair to sit on, 22LR bullet catcher to catch pellets.
I shoot in air conditioned comfort, day or night or rain or snow or sunshine or hot or cold.
Life is good.

The cost of this simple range was pretty expensive.
Remodeled master bath $5,000
Remodeled 1/2 bath $2,000
Remodeled kitchen $15,000
Hard wood floors $5,000
Ironing board $25
Sand bags $15
Folding chair $8
22LR bullet catcher $50

Ironing board?  Ours wobbles something fierce.  You must have a commercial ironing board with 4x4 legs.

The ironing board is not as sturdy as a bench rest, but the 25 pounds of sand bags make it pretty steady.
I can shoot 10 shots into a very small ragged hole at 54 feet with my Crosman Challenger.

Duh!  I didn't even think about the sand bags. I envy your air conditioning. 
I have to deal with extreme heat and humidity, cold, wind, rain, bugs, darkness, pollen that you don't have to worry about.  Nice....