Can't find a range that'll let you train and practice your self-protection skills? You might want to consider your own private range. (Photo: David M. Fortier)

Most experts agree: Americans would be better off if they spent less time surfing the web, or stockpiling guns, ammo and gear, and instead got out and trained. Sure, having the latest and greatest carbine or widget is cool, but cool won't help you in a fight.

Unfortunately, with every passing year, it seems harder and harder to find a place to practice your defensive shooting skills. Good ranges have become scarce across the US, and those that are left often frown on defensive training.

Many ranges cater to different shooting disciplines that look down their noses at the practical aspect of firearms training. Some ranges don't allow, or have the facilities for, anything but stationary, single-target shooting.

So what's a person serious about self-protection to do?

The most obvious answers are to look for a different range, try to work with the range you're a member of, or simply do nothing. If the first two don't pan out, and the third's not an option, then you may want to look into building your own range.

For some, this simply won't be an option. That's life. For others though, a self-built range is a very real possibility. I've done it twice, and I can heartily say it's the way to go if you have this option.

What are the pros and cons of having your own range? The answers are obvious.
1. It's never closed. It's always there, ready for your use.
2. You can use it, lay it out and train on it however you like.
3. The only other shooters are those you invite.

However, responsibility comes with developing your own private range.
1. You have to build it, or pay someone to do it.
2. You have to clean and maintain it.
3. You're liable for a stray round fired from your range that causes damage or harm.

If you have a piece of land that's suitable, then a self-built range might be something you want to consider.

Proper planning is the key to a successful range. Here SGM Kenneth Ricker (Ret.), to right, discusses plans for the author's range with a heavy equipment operator. (Photo: David M. Fortier)

Preliminary Research

If you already have suitable land, or are looking at a piece of land, you need to check to verify there are no local ordinances that would prohibit a private range.

Something you must consider is the noise which will be generated and the proximity to any neighbors. It's an unfortunate fact that in many places, one complaining neighbor can shut you down. So you need to look into it, and also have a talk with your neighbors. Explain to them what you're doing and be very polite. Listen to any feedback they have, such as not shooting before 10 a.m. on a Sunday. Better to make friends with your neighbors than to have a problem.

Next you need to look at a current aerial map to locate any houses, roads or buildings in the direction you plan to shoot. You'll want to set the range up to where, if a round does go over the top of your berm, it's still headed in a safe direction. This is especially important if you intend to shoot large-caliber rifles. Keep in mind, a .308 Winchester can travel some 3 miles.

Then there's the question of liability insurance. This is something else you should look into, just in case.

Getting Started

Once you've addressed the above issues, then the fun begins. This is when you need to decide exactly what you want to use your range for. Training with pistol, pistol and carbine, or perhaps rifle

If you only plan to shoot handguns on your range, then you only need 25 to 50 yards of space.

And in reality, most of your drills will be fairly close. If you run it out to 50 yards, then you can also practice with your carbine and shotgun. Keep in mind, in a realistic defensive scenario, you'll most likely be shooting at conversation distances. If you have the space, extending your range out to 100 yards allows you to hone your carbine skills a bit more. A 30-yard range is well suited to carbine and some rifle training.

If you're one of the lucky few and have enough land to stretch out past 300 yards, then you'll be able to hone your rifle skills as well. Keep in mind though, you don't need a Blackwater-type facility to train on. Extended distances and fancy layouts are nice, but not required. A simple 25 or 50 yards will be quite adequate for personal-protection training. Better to have a small 25-yard range you train on regularly with your carry pistol then to simply dream of a fancy 1,000-yard range with electronic popup targets.

Whether you have earth hauled in or pushed up, heavy equipment will be needed. (Photo: David M. Fortier)

Build The Berm, Select Ground-Type

Two common ways to construct a berm are to have earth hauled in, or to push up earth on your property. I've done both and either way works. However, both methods require heavy equipment and a good machine operator. Both methods also require a bit of money. So you'll need to set a budget for how much you can spend on the project, then draw out exactly what you want. Next, call a couple local ground-construction companies, tell them what you want, and ask for a price.

Ideally, you want an earth berm that's 12-plus feet high. When it comes to berms, remember that higher's always better. A 20-foot berm's ideal, but simply not practical or realistic for most.

Also, if you have earth hauled in, make sure there are no rocks in it. Rocks pose a ricochet hazard, so you want to ensure there are none.

Richochets happen though, so you'll want to make your berm in a horseshoe shape. The side berms will catch any richochets off the main berm. In addition, a horseshoe shape allows you to shoot in three directions, rather than one. This greatly enhances your training.

One consideration to keep mind, that varies in importance depending on where you live, is proper drainage. This is especially true with a horseshoe-shape berm constructed from earth pushed up from your property. You need to make sure the land is properly graded to drain. If you don't, a heavy rain could turn it into a pond.

Then, depending upon your terrain, you may have to decide whether or not to plant grass. On the plus side, a grass-covered range is comfortable to flop on during drills. On the negative side, a grass-covered range needs to be mowed.

An option is to bring in crushed stone. On my first private range, in Maine, I simply kept it as grass and mowed it. On my second private range, in Kansas, that wasn't an option. There, I'd brought in heavy equipment and pushed earth up to form the berms. The earth floor was mostly clay, and grass wouldn't grow. It became very muddy after a good rain, so I covered it with small crushed stone.

If you live someplace where you receive a heavy rainfall, berm erosion should be another consideration. Simply planting grass on the berm can solve this problem.

Seek Some Advice

As you can see, proper planning is the key to successful range construction. When I first planned my current range, I sought advice from a friend - Sergeant Major Kenneth Ricker (Ret.).

When it comes to berms, higher is always better. Don't forget proper drainage either.

When it came time to begin actual construction, our machine operator was not only top-notch with heavy equipment, but had also served in the USMC. Between the two of them, the end result exceeded my expectations.

Remember, a wise man seeks out counsel from other wise men.

Final Thoughts

Once the range is actually built, how you use it is up to your imagination. Just keep in mind that no matter how safe you try to make your range, it all comes down to you - the shooter. You can have 20-foot tall berms, but they'll do you no good if you carelessly pound a round over the top. So train, but train safely.

I also suggest having a few like-minded friends to train with. Training with others will help you progress - they'll push you past your normal boundaries. Also, don't forget to invite someone to train with you. Take what you've learned and pass it on.

Notable

> The NRA publishes a resource titled the NRA Range Sourcebook. Although it focuses on commercial ranges, it contains useful information. It's available on CD for $19.95 or in book format for $59.95. For a description, or to order, click here.

The opinions contained in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of TacticalGunFan or its staff.