How to Set Up an Airgun Range at Home

By Published On: 31 January 2024Categories: Air Gun

Enjoying your favourite air rifle or pistol even more involves building your personal shooting range for practice. Constructing an effective backyard airgun range allows you to  conveniently hone your marksmanship skills on your own property.

With minimal investment in materials and proper planning, you can set up safe target shooting at home and have a blast perfecting your technique. Follow this guide for DIY airgun ranges so friends and family can share memorable target sessions. 

Selecting a Location

Choosing the right location is the first key step when sitting in your personal airgun range. Pick a position safely removed from houses, footpaths or animal areas with a solid backstop to capture all pellets cleanly.

Position targets against gently sloped hillsides or earthen berms to avoid potential pellet escape over a flat backstop. If you lack sufficient downrange space, erect thick steel plates or granulated rubber pellet traps as bulletproof backstops, which prevent pellet escape even in compact areas. Just ensure there is no possible risk of pellets leaving your property.

Building Firing Lines

With safe backstops identified, establish designated firing lines at your desired shooting distances. Mark firing positions and target-to-firing line distances clearly to prevent accidental movement forward of the shooting area.

Shooting sheds and benches

In addition, construct a permanent shooting shed or bench for defending against the elements. Install fixed rifle racks, sandbags and sighting-in rests for solid support. Durable firing lines enable comfortable and consistent practice whatever the weather.

Installing Target Stands

No range succeeds without high quality target stands, securing paper targets at precise heights and distances as desired. Sturdy steel frames with target holders, clamps and adjustments promote consistently placed targets for proper skill development.

Combining static paper targets with fun reactive steel spinners also enhances enjoyment. 

Eye and Ear Protection

Even with lower power airguns, responsible ranges mandate wearing eye protection when shooting or spectating. Ricochets or a burst pellet skirt could still inflict an eye injury, so wear wrapped glasses or side shields every session. Make eye protection mandatory for all visitors to prevent accidents.

Ear muffs also shield the ears from repeated loud noises, which can cause hearing damage over time. Establish a household rule of wearing eye/ear protection at all times around active shooting for complete safety. Developing defensive habits prevents long term health impacts.

Legal Considerations

When installing any domestic shooting range, obey local ordinances regarding noise regulations and lead containment rules. Validate your plans with local authorities and modify your range if required to achieve full compliance. Handled responsibly, most officials happily support safe shooting hobbies.

Shop The Wolfman for Superior Air Rifles

Building your own air rifle range at home truly enhances the pleasures of the sport, allowing regular skill development when convenient. Follow guidelines on safe backstops and firing line establishment, then outfit with proper targetry and safety gear for complete, legal functionality. 

When you are ready to purchase quality airguns for your new range, browse our premium selection available from The Wolfman. You’ll discover high tech PCP and spring powered air rifles that deliver pinpoint accuracy for all shooting applications.

Receive sound guidance from our team in finding the ideal airgun for your needs and budget. We provide reliable delivery and top-tier UK support. Don’t hesitate to contact us for advice on choosing the perfect airgun!

About the Author: The Wolfman Store

After over 30 years experience in the Airgun trade, The Wolfman Store are delighted to announce our new website, enabling us to supply direct to the shooting community for the first time. Combining a vast stock of established favourites with exciting products new to the UK, The Wolfman Store will be striving to provide unparalleled service at the most competitive prices.

Related Products