Setting up a shooting range

[shogan]

Since shooting at my concrete retaining wall is not an option because neighbors now live next door. How would you set up a shooting range and what would you do to make sure bolts are not lost in the grass.

[Multidigits]

Shogan, My archery target is always inside my garage. It has lights on the it and any loose arrows will damage something I own, not someone elses. And loosing arrows in the grass doesn't happen when your not shooting on grass.

[shogan]

Unfortunately my garage does not allow me that luxury since it higher than the yard where I would have to stand.

That was the really nice thing about the concrete retainer wall on the back patio.

I just fear that one accidentdental discharge is to risky.

I guess I could use the back patio and just go check to make sure neighbors aren't home when shooting.

What would be the maxim distance a bolt could travel if shot at an angle in the air. Because then I have to start considering the next house as well.

I could put up a higher barrier on top of the retaining wall but It all just sounds too risky.

Another option would be to shoot at targets with my childs play house as a back stop but I would really need to put good arrow catching in front of it because if I puncture the playhouse I would be in deep dew.

[nwebb]

believe it or not if shooting some what upwards it could travel as far as 1000 feet. It all really boils down to how high you would be shooting. I have a block target that I shoot at, and I can not shoot any closer then 30 yards or I will ruin my fletching. At thirty yards the bolts still go to the edge of my fletching. I shoot a Hortons legand SL not the best but I like it.

[Xtreme]

Shogan, for those wanting to shoot an arrow/bolt in limited space please consider two factors.

a. safety of course...make sure any accidental discharge will only impact some thing you own and can live without......no, not your wife and kids:D

b. Most multi layered targets or those "stuffed" with cloth will stop xbow bolts. To add a challenge to your practice sessions at close ranges you need only to scale down your target. For instance if you have been shooting at a quarter size spot at twenty yards a nickell size spot at ten is about the same.

If you want to get better at range estimation purchase a quality range finder and walk through your neighborhood and get your wife or some one to pick out objects for you to guess the range and then range them to see how you did.

Once you learn the art of range estimation x the trajectory of your bow you will see remarkable results in the improvement of your shooting skills.

You must learn to think and judge in terms of "increments" I suggest finding twenty yards and then mentally/visually "counting increments in five yds." for further ranges.

I expect to see you claim the IBO world title in the xbow class within two years :D

[shogan]

Yes I've decided the range will have to go down to the back of my yard that towards the neighbors pasture.

Now if I can just keep the danged, 8 horses, 2 lamas, and 30 goats on that 12 acres away from the area behind my yard. But anyways I'll have 200 feet of me shooting down hill and I'll put up a big back stop up.

Might even follow the back stop with two big rolls of hay.

[shogan]

One other option is an inside range.

I'm a little weary of this with a bow due to easy fly offs could make big messes.

I do it with my air rifle but thats a small hole potential and an easy stop (metal trap infront of wood back stop). No mistakes yet.

Total distance is 19 yards but by the time we take off target and sighting areas 17.5 yards.

This is a lived in area so any potential arrow stops would have to be absolute stopping, easily moved/removed, and not messy.

Any thoughts

[Multidigits]

I've shot inside before. The drawback is distance available. It should work for you with a good target that will stop you bolt at those short ranges.

[Willie]

I'm a little weary of this with a bow due to easy fly offs could make big messes.


Where do you get that from?

If you are talking about accidental discharges I have never seen that with a crossbow but have witnessed numerous ones when a vertical bow release shooter hit his trigger during the draw.

With the crossbow don't even click the safety off until you are on target..

[Multidigits]

True......and most of those early shots take out the ceiling lights or a few ceiling tiles. With any luck, you can cover up the mess before your wife knows about it? :D

[Willie]

I've shot inside before. The drawback is distance available. It should work for you with a good target that will stop you bolt at those short ranges.

This is the one I use.

The Crossbow King. You can buy it direct here.

http://www.archerytargets.com/CompoundKing.aspx

[shogan]

I guess the vertical bow is what I was referring to because I did have a couple fly offs. Mostly due to release failure I think but also bow was not full draw so didnt go very far but none the less.

However I have seen careening if the arrow catches the side of a target. Thus big target is the key