Indoor Range

[Franco]

Looks to be hyper-ventilated when shooting from the trophy room deck. Lol.

Well done sir, and that green grass, damn it looks different than my view, still gorgeous here, but folks are running snow machines and 4-wheelers across the lake presently.

This beats the he’ll out of my plans for shooting a few test rounds tomorrow morning. Leave house at 7am, get to the club and make a fire in one of the shooting houses, escape back to the truck and wait a bit since it’s been 5-12 below each morning this week. Keep doubles and ammo warm in the truck while set up a target, and likely leave vehicle running so I can use headlights to help illuminate target at 55 yards…since sun won’t slip above horizon until after 10am.

Shooting from the driveway in the morning sun with green grass around sounds extremely nice right now.

Thanks Will. Not to rub it in - but I was wearing a T-shirt, and today is supposed to be 81°.

 

[Franco]

Outside, no issue, but if was completely enclosed, you'd need some type of airborne lead mitigation air system. The National Hqs of the NRA in Fairfax VA has that info, but they're focused on commercial ranges.

Thanks for expressing that concern. I did a bit of late-night reading regarding lead mitigation as it applies to gun ranges.

The standards are directed to commercial ranges, I assume because of the references to shooters and employees, and a measurement based on 8 hours of exposure. The numbers relate to large scale operations, but the concentration levels would be proportional.

I could not find a booth to total air volume number, nor did I see a minimum air volume number per booth. There are numbers for rate of exchange and airborne lead particles.

The following is from one of the commercial range ventilation companies:

"Established by NIOSH, the performance intent for firing range ventilation systems shall meet all
the requirements outlined as recommendations and design considerations in HEW publication no.
(NIOSH) 76-130, dated December, 1975, entitled "Lead Exposure Design Considerations for
Indoor Firing Ranges". This design standard prefers an air flow velocity of 75 feet per minute
average on the empty range. This design has consistently provided for the compliance within the
established federal standards for airborne inorganic lead concentration limits.
When properly executed, lead concentrations are consistently maintained below the action level
of 30 micrograms per cubic meter (30ug/m3) in an area where the limit shall not exceed 50
micrograms of lead per cubic meter (50ug/m3) of air over a time weighted average of eight
hours as measured at the respiration zone of the shooters and the range officer when firing from
the firing booths per OSHA 29 CFR. 1910.1025 and 1926.62."

There were several other companies, but they all cite the same reference.

The operative words for me are enclosed, and respiration zone; however, I did find a section describing the actual disbursement of lead and pattern of contamination which was very enlightening. As I understand it in it's most simplistic terms: When you pull the trigger - that sh*t goes everywhere.

I could not locate an ammo specific lead contamination reference, but it obviously will depend on type and volume of shooting. I did find an ad from Federal for plastic coated range ammo - that's going to be another read.

It is very easy to see where a small, enclosed range - like, perhaps a basement, could be very dangerous.

My range is vented, open on one end, and has very limited use. The total air volume is approximately 11,000 cubic feet, the door opening is 200 sq feet, and there are vents; the fan output is over 6,000 CFM. I am no engineer, but I think that will meet the 75 FPM criteria - if not - I'll get a bigger one. Should there be other shooters or visitors, the "respiration zone" is near the open door.

It is unlikely any will be open today, but I do plan to retain the services of a consulting firm to review my range and make any necessary corrections or additions.

Thanks again for bringing this to my attention.

 

[Sabre]

There are no issues with the neighbors, out here gun fire is considered the sound of freedom.


I was at my range with my 22 Voodoo and heard the semi-auto fire, so - like any good, red-blooded, East Texas, American citizen - I went to the safe and got one of my Thompsons.

I would love to be able to go in the backyard and sight in rifles and target practice. Also, having neighbors that aren't trying to cause troubles for you when you do it are a blessing as well.

 

[Franco]

I would love to be able to go in the backyard and sight in rifles and target practice. Also, having neighbors that aren't trying to cause troubles for you when you do it are a blessing as well.

Moving to this area has been such a refreshing change from what was happening in California. People here are genuinely nice, sincere, and polite. There have only two pronouns - sir, and ma'am.
On the road, in a store, at a restaurant, people are courteous - there's no rush to be first in line. Women, old or young are gracious and thankful when you hold a door for them - not the attitude and, "I can get that myself" crap. There's no measuring of political correctness or comparison of virtue signaling.

Our "road" is single-lane, lined with large trees, and transitions to gravel/dirt less than a mile from our place. It is neither a short-cut to anywhere, nor a major access road. We are at the outer edge of our county. Storms will generally cause trees and limbs to fall across the road, and we are low priority for county support.

The neighbor across the road and I both have large tractors with front-end grapples, I also have a mini-excavator equally equipped. After a storm it is not unusual to get a call at any hour of the day or night from a surrounding neighbor reporting the road or a driveway blocked. There's no, "Can you please" or, "If you're not busy or it's not too much trouble". We are neighbors and we look after each other.

 

[Franco]

It surely included archery capability as well?

Steve,
If you come over, feel free to bring your bow and arrows - I'll get some hay bales from the neighbor.

 

[Franco]

Not to second guess you but have you considered what adding all that metal (ceiling and cabinets) is going to do to the noise level?

Think through the tin ceiling plan. I would strongly suggest a noise abatement material instead - walls as well for that matter.

Update on the noise concerns.

As previously stated, large caliber rifles are shot from outside the confines of the room, 5 and 10 yrd pistol fire is within the room, and 15 yds is at the doorway.

The other night, when I opted to shoot my Thompson, I was about 5yds from the front - so 23' from the armor back plates, in order to keep all rounds within the trap. I have separate plywood backers for paper targets which hang from the front of the trap.

Anticipating a high noise level I opted to wear a set of Howard Leight headphones. It was amazing, the result was mild thumping rather than banging.

I still plan to install curtains to conceal the cabinets, but I think the noise issue is resolved.

These headphones come as part of the equipment package included in the courses at FTW. I've never worn them, favoring ear plugs because the headphones seem to cumbersome for an active range.