Looking to setup a shooting range. Would like to get some ideas along with things like avg distance of current training, target spacing and size. Flip target mechanisms, safety berm height and any other things that seem to be standard.

what are you trying to train

self defense pistol
bullseye pistol
carbine
22lr precision
cowboy action
you went super open ended

8, 10, 25, 50 is standard distances for pistol. You're supposed to be able to hit a paper plate at 8 yards for get certification to get your CCW here. Or used to be the rule.

Beyond that it really depends on what kind of range you want to build, are you building a target shooting range so guys can sight rifles in or are your setting up a range for competitve shooting or perhaps a tactical skill range?

Heres the range plan site for all kinds of things from the Army Corp of Engineers

https://www.hnc.usace.army.mil/Miss...raining-Land-Program/Range-Design-Guide/

I’d like to be setup to do a little of everything.

Thank you!

Here is a versatile small range that a local guy here has. Bays are 25yds deep with 10' high berms. Then he has rifle shooting positions every 50 yards out to 250yrds.

This is similar to a friend of mine, He has lights on all. Shooting at night with lights on the long range targets is surprisingly functional. I think its because there is less distractions and easier to concentrate on the target.

After some test firing, not going to be setting up anything over 50yds.

I hire the neighbor kid to run around holding the target over his head. He really isn't that bright. In the interest of safety, I make him wear a football helmet. The kid needs to get used to wearing one most of the time anyway. He seems to get mad when I refer to him as my "Little Vinke".

lowest cost most useful

a 20 yard wide by 25 yard deep bay
15 foot rear berm and 10 foot side berms minimum remember they settle

you want that 20x25 yard rectangle as flat as possible and sand is ok gravel is nice or tightly mowed grass , how hard you want your brass pickup to be depends how you make your surface.

(if that won't fit your space or cost to much I would narrow it up first could go down to 10 yards wide or angle your sides wider having a narrower rear berm)

then a clear path back to 200 yards for sight in and other target shooting.

200 is a good sight in range that you can really dial stuff in.

less will obviously do as well it just limits your training capacity having side berms lets you work your target transitions

taking a guess some one has clean fill you can get for the hauling and you can rent mini excavator for a day to clean stuff up ?
it obviously depends a bit what you have around you but that setup would do you in most places

some wall sections in 8 foot with snow fence for the "wall board" make your target stands portable I like the 2x4 H with 1x2 uprights they work well you can make one from a single 2x4 stud , use treated they last even longer save old brake rotors and paint them orange or red to set on them for windy days.

a 8 foor 1x2 cut in half lets you run 4 foot as the shoulder targets that is a little low but it keeps your rounds heading down without messing up your practice regulation is 5 foot at the shoulders I will for sake of cheap just staple a little higher than 4 say 4'6" so that the top of the head is at 5 foot

about a dozen portable stands and 5-6 wall sections some with port holes will let you train a lot of things

I use railroad ties at my range. I went 7 ft high and 5 ft deep. Even had a couple of Deputy Sheriff come check it out. I'm on a dead end road and surrounded by city limits and zoning limits. But were town ship zoned so we can shoot. I have shot 1000's of rounds into it over the years and still going strong.

I have a natural hillside to shoot into. I have a 15 yard setup for handguns with targets at 7,10, and 15. For rifles I have targets at 25, 36, 50,100, and 200. Out of respect to the neighbors I limit the amount of center fire rounds I shoot. My closest neighbor says he can’t hear when I shoot handguns, but his dogs can. So to give him peace I try to let him know if I’m shooting anything louder than a .17 more than once

I thought that’s what you called your pee pee….. ?
gets the job done when you can’t…..

You must be thinking of Red Rocket.

Initially, the basics. The outings will most likely be the first exposure to firearms for many in the group.

Whatcha shooting Hobbie, pistols?

The “scary” stuff, want to take that out of the conversation through handling of them.

Gotcha

Have an innocent looking semi shotgun along and explain it works the same way.

That’s the plan. Got a couple firearm enthusiasts providing the arms and couple guys with training providing instruction. We’ll see how it goes.

BTW, incase you’re wonder why I didn’t ask the instructors about a setup, I did. They think I’m Elon and want a state of the art facility. I figured some of you guys had some ideas that are more budget friendly. lol