With the rising popularity of air guns for sport shooting, target practice, and hunting, many enthusiasts are considering building their own indoor ranges. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a serious marksman, an indoor range allows you to practice year-round, regardless of weather or time of day. However, creating a safe, effective, and legal air gun range in your home takes careful planning and adherence to safety principles.
Why indoors?
Air guns, whether powered by spring, gas, or CO₂, can be surprisingly accurate and powerful, especially at close ranges. While outdoor shooting is ideal for longer distances, an indoor range is perfect for shorter target shooting. It offers convenience, privacy, and consistent conditions for training.
An indoor range also enhances safety by reducing the risk of stray projectiles, providing a controlled environment with designated backstops and containment systems. It’s a great option for hobbyists, families, or anyone interested in improving their marksmanship in a safe, repeatable setting. Got insomnia? Shoot all night long in the comfort of your home.
Location
The first decision is where to build your range. Ideal locations include:
A garage or basement
A long hallway or spare room
An insulated shed or outbuilding
Look for a space that’s at least 20 feet long to allow for some good target practice. The area should be quiet, well-ventilated, and secure from unauthorized access, especially children or pets.
Be safe and legal
Before setting up, check local laws and regulations. In many jurisdictions, shooting air guns indoors is legal, but you may need to follow noise or safety ordinances. If you rent, consult your lease and landlord.
Basic safety considerations include:
Backstop: Air guns can cause damage or injury. A proper backstop is essential to stop pellets safely. Use materials like ballistic putty, rubber mats, or a thick steel plate angled downward into a pellet trap.
Walls and flooring: Avoid damage by reinforcing sidewalls and placing rubber mats or carpeting on floors to catch ricochets or dropped pellets.
Eye protection: Always wear safety glasses while shooting, especially in enclosed spaces where ricochets are more likely.
Backstop, trap
A good backstop absorbs energy and stops projectiles safely. For air gun ranges, consider the following:
- Box Trap: A heavy-duty cardboard or wooden box lined with carpet, rubber mulch, or duct seal compound.
- Steel Trap: Commercially available traps made from angled steel that deflect pellets into a collection area.
- DIY Pellet Catcher: Use an old metal mailbox filled with rubber mulch and mount a target face on the front.
Position your backstop at the far end of the shooting lane, with enough height and width to catch missed shots.
Lighting
Proper lighting is essential for target visibility and precision shooting. Use bright LED fixtures to illuminate the target and shooting area. Ensure you avoid glare or deep shadows on the target face.
While air guns don’t produce combustion gases, some CO₂-powered models can release trace amounts of gas. Keep the area ventilated, especially in enclosed rooms, to prevent buildup of gas or lead dust from pellets.
Install Target
Start simple with paper targets pinned or clipped to your backstop. As your setup evolves, consider:
Spinning targets
Knock-down or resetting targets
Electronic scoring systems
Make sure any target system is safe and suitable for the air gun’s power level. For example, avoid steel spinners if shooting high-powered .22 caliber pellets, as they may cause dangerous ricochets.
Firing Line
Create a consistent shooting position. A small table, workbench, or shooting rest provides stability. Mark your firing line clearly and ensure that no one is downrange during shooting.
If multiple people will use the range, create a clear set of rules and safety protocols to avoid accidents.
For more tips on creating your own indoor air rifle range, visit pyramydair.com.
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