Shooting ranges in the United States are known to range from a few acres for a small private range to over 100 acres for a larger commercial or public facility.
As such, it is recommended you reach out to your local authorities and also ensure you stay in line with zoning and safety regulations.
If you are looking to build outdoor ranges, don’t underestimate the importance of having the right land size and shape to accommodate the numerous shooting distances as well as target setups.
Take into account the surrounding vegetation and natural barriers to ensure safety and prevent stray bullets. To guarantee success, you will want to obtain the right and suitable land.
Nevertheless, note that the exact cost of land will most often depend on the location, proximity to residential areas, local zoning regulations, safety considerations or even the size of the range.
Factors That Determine the Amount of Land Needed for an Outdoor Shooting Range
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Type of Shooting Range
One of the first things to note is that there are numerous types of shooting range and each one tends to see to the needs of various firearms and activities.
For instance, a pistol range will require less space when compared to a rifle or shotgun range. As such, it is pertinent you take into consideration the intended use of the range.
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Safety Distances and Berms
The right space is required to ensure that you can come up with the appropriate safety distances between shooting lanes and put in place the right bullet containment berms. Keep in mind that these safety measures work to prevent accidents while also ensuring that bullets are safely stopped.
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Zoning and Regulations
Keep in mind that zoning laws and regulations in every city in the United States play a vital role when it comes to determining the allowable or permitted size of a shooting range. Staying in line with all these regulations is important so you can be in line with the laws in your state or country.
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Environmental Impact
There are numerous things that come into play when you are considering the exact size of your outdoor shooting range. Most often you will want to evaluate the environmental impacts your business comes with, and this will include things like noise pollution and lead contamination.
Also note that you might require more land to avoid or to limit these impacts, which will more or less include creating noise barriers or implementing lead reclamation systems.
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Target Systems and Amenities
Take your time to evaluate the sort of target systems you intend to put in place as well as the additional amenities you want to inculcate in your range.
In a good number of situations, this will include things like covered shooting stations as it has a way of affecting the space needed. Don’t also forget that adopting certain features might as well increase the overall land requirements.
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Training Facilities and Courses
For someone who is looking to put together a range that is meant for training, you will need a have adequate space to incorporate things such as classrooms, simulation areas, and other training facilities.
You will also want to take into account other educational aspects that will more or less influence the overall land requirements.
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Future Expansion and Flexibility
When considering the size of land you need; it is important you remember your plans for future growth. Ensure you have enough land for potential expansion or modifications to be certain that the shooting range remains adaptable to evolving needs.
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Terrain and Topography
Take your time to consider the natural features of the land, such as slopes and elevation changes, especially since they have a way of determining the design and construction of the shooting range.
You have to understand that certain topographical characteristics would very well necessitate more extensive grading or earthwork.
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Accessibility
One of the vital things that sets a range apart from others in the same field is accessibility. You have to realize that easy access plays a role in drawing in the right shooters and emergency services.
Don’t forget to take into account the proximity to roads, parking facilities, and emergency exits especially when it comes to understanding the land requirements.
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Community and Public Relations
Be sure you align with the local community to understand the needs of the neighborhood you intend to build your range.
Keep in mind that more than enough space has a way to bolster community-friendly designs, such as landscaping to limit visual impact, further fostering positive relationships with neighbors.