Setup for long range shooting ?
 

I’m in the process of getting things organized for my range and would like some info as per size of board to use for setting up at 300 or 400 yard distance. I used to below to a gun club that was set up for only 200 yards and they had a 2x4 frame with a 4’ x 4’ ( approx.) corrugated plastic sheet to staple the targets to. Now, when shooting at 300 or 400 yards, would this do or should I go bigger on the size of board. Any info would be appreciated...:eek:

RE: Setup for long range shooting ?
 

4 x 4 should be plenty big. I use one that's about 2 x3 myself.

RE: Setup for long range shooting ?
 

4x4 will be plenty. 2x2 is enough for any shooter that is good enough to shoot that distance. I like the 4x4 idea though. You can fit more targets on it so you have less walking time to change them. The gun club i go to uses the sheets of foam insulation to staple the targets to. I think they are 6x4.

RE: Setup for long range shooting ?
 

Although I have never target practiced past 200 yards I thought 4’ x 4’ would have been minimum. The reason I say this , is to allow for bullet drop or wind drift. How does one know unless you practice, and to have the bullet miss the board altogether doesn't help at all. I’ll give it a try and see what happens. Thanks guys...

RE: Setup for long range shooting ?
 

What power scope do you use for shooting and how large is the 40” circle at 400 or 500 yards through the scope? Is it still a small dot or good size circle in view with the scope?...

RE: Setup for long range shooting ?
 

If you're shooting good groups at 100 yds and can't hit a 2' x 2' board at 300, then something is drastically wrong, even with a bit of wind. Try it, I think you'll be surprised. Of course, there's absolutely no reason why a 4 x 4backer board wouldn't work,I just find that 2 x 2 is all I need.

RE: Setup for long range shooting ?
 

My local range i ssetup for 400 yards off a bench and also has a 60 yards "running deer" station and a clays area thats is for the public when the skeet and trap range isnt open. When I and the other members went to do the annual spring workday, we replaced the targets backs with 3/8" OSB or plywood. Most people wont be shooting slug guns past 100 yards so if you would like 3/4" to inch plywood works for bigger guns. I personally like 4'x4' backboards to give you the ability of placing up two or more targets at one distance. As for posts to hold the target backings, We sunk 4"x4" treated beams. They will last, but they cost a bit more than non-treated. You may want to make each distance progressivley higher than the previous one if you have level ground so you will be able to see every target. My range set the benches at a raised height by piling sand and fill up to about 5 feet higher than the ground level so you can see all the targets yet not effect trajectory. Generally we decide to make the shorter distances not as heavy duty becaus they mainly are used for handguns, patterning shotguns, and small bore guns like 22's. Use screws if you can so you can replace boards easy once they have been shot up. If you dont want to raise each distance higher than you can stagger them left to right and back to be ble to se them all. I would say you should need two to three bench stations so you and buddies can shoot together. Make it left hand capable if you might have leftys there. Well, if you have questions let me know.

RE: Setup for long range shooting ?
 

There is no need for anything larger then a 2x2 backer at 400 yards unless you are like me and want to put up multiple targets at once. If you think about it if your gunshoots 2in groups at 100 yards thenit will be shooting 8in groups at 400 yards. even with wind your bullt isnt going to drip too far.

RE: Setup for long range shooting ?
 

I like 4x4 they give you more target space.Your first shots will be a test for ya,so give yourself some time to get use to it.I have a 6x18 scope that works for me,just make sure you get target cross hairs.

RE: Setup for long range shooting ?
 

My mother always told me that if I couldn't say something nice not to say anything at all. I will leave it at that.

RE: Setup for long range shooting ?
 

This might have sounded like a useless post for some but I like doing things right the first time and as I mentioned before I have never practiced farther then 200 yards so, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Some members on this board have allot of experience and I figured there was no harm in asking. I will however still set up a 4’ x 4’ board for multiple targets. Thanks guys for ALL the info. Much appreciated...:)

RE: Setup for long range shooting ?
 

Just stick a thumb tack in a 2"x2" board.:D. At Our range they set posts in the ground and screw a 2'x8' piece of plywood so that we can put several targets up when we go down range.

RE: Setup for long range shooting ?
 

As for targets out to and past 300 yards. You are gonna want to go bigger so you can see them clearly enough to pick out the bulls eye. For 100 yards, I like the targets that have grids on them that represent 1 inch per block so you can see how you have to adjust without guessing or walking to the target. aspotting scope is gonna help you at a range. It is a great tool. You dont need a huge one but a mid range one is great.Rifle scopes for long range are different. If you are planning on using the range for sighting hunting rifles, use 3x9-40 or up to a 6x18-50. Bigger objectives are great for low light and field of view. If you are going to be into bench shooting, fixed power scopes like a 24x55 is my favortie objective. It is great at long range. Birchwood Casey makes nice Shoot and See targets that show your hits in yellow, and Caldwell makes the new Orange Peel that shows orange when you hit it. Get what you like and are comfortbale with. You dont need to go expensive, but I have come to love Leupold for every optics I own. The light they give in low light situations is superior. You can take a Leupold against nearly any other scope and you will see what I mean. If you have money and want quality optics that will last forever, Swarovski or Ziess is the way to go, but they are very expensive. Leupold is mid range in price but you cant go wrong with Leupld, Nikon, or Burress. Good luck and straight shootin'!

RE: Setup for long range shooting ?
 

4' x 4' should be just fine

RE: Setup for long range shooting ?
 

At 300 and 400 yards I would use a post it note. JK