Using a cargo container as a shooting lane: bad idea?

[LTC-J]

Title states it but for some clarification.

If the back of the cargo container is "lined" correctly and the container is vented, is there a down fall to using a cargo container as a shooting lane?

What would be a good "liner" for the back of the container to catch bullets?

Goal is to make safe range to ensure nothing goes stray. I am looking to push against a hillside and have half "buried" so it blends in a bit better.

It will be for hand guns only up to 45.

I did a search here and didn't see anything. If I'm in the wrong sub forum, let me know and I'll move.

[alfred1222]

Why don't you just set up a target on the hillside and shoot into it...?

[wpage]

Sounds like a creative idea for a container. Ricochets would be a concern. However if you followed standard plans for a indoor type range why not....

[ElvenSoul]

The Security Guard School in San Bernardino has a old semi trailer that is their shooting range.

[Canucky]

Ventilation concerns.

[Formerlyknownas]

I have a buddy that welded two 40 footers end to end as an indoor range in his race shop. He uses it all the time with no issues. Justhave to have the right backdrop in side

[Cokebottle]

Why don't you just set up a target on the hillside and shoot into it...?

Ya, it's not going to be much quieter for your neighbors, it's going to be a LOT louder for you.
Ventilation
Lighting

[user120312]

Yeah, the two container deal, about 100', is a good option. Easy enough to install lighting and an old evap cooler to push air in through a wall and out through typical ceiling vents. Typical backstop collector stuff for the bullets, some target rails so you're not constantly walking back and forth and rigid insulation on the walls for sound deadening. Heck, I recall one property I looked at in Lakeside had two old hicube reefer trailers sitting on it. Insulation already done.

The downside is that huge empty volume will start to look enticing as storage

Buying stuff right and assuming having two hicubes delivered and set, 5-6K would be my budget for such a deal, DIY. Nothing fancy.

If you buy stackables, you can always add a workshop unit on top later. I've seen guys set them on a slab and build a steel building around them and use them for a shop office, then deck the top for storage. Here's an example and sample of the noise dampening, except in reverse, since they test jet engines out in the shop.

Good luck.

[LTC-J]

Why don't you just set up a target on the hillside and shoot into it...?

Ya, it's not going to be much quieter for your neighbors, it's going to be a LOT louder for you.
Ventilation
Lighting

I've already got a shooting neighbor so I'm not hugely worried about the noise.

Main concern/reason for doing this is to ensure no over the hill ricochets. I've been to a range or two that had stuff going over the berm.

Neighbors are not close but I'd prefer to be on the safe side.

The downside is that huge empty volume will start to look enticing as storage

I'm going to have "plenty" of storage coming shortly (~500 square foot plus a 50x35 shop)

[user120312]

I like your discipline

A typical 48' cube might be a little tight though, accounting for shooting table and bullet handling at the far end. All depends on your style.

If you're not concerned with noise and are, or can be, shooting into the cube from outside, that's a different deal. Then it's just a backstop and lighting. Easy peasy.

[Walking Fire]

Google:

cargo container shooting range

http://www.arcada-company.com/?id=mobile

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf5avQV9-hc

http://www.google.ch/patents/US20070130845

[LTC-J]

I like your discipline

A typical 48' cube might be a little tight though, accounting for shooting table and bullet handling at the far end. All depends on your style.

If you're not concerned with noise and are, or can be, shooting into the cube from outside, that's a different deal. Then it's just a backstop and lighting. Easy peasy.

I was thinking of shooting from about 2-5 foot outside the container.

Lighting could be fairly cheap with a series of LED shop lights.

The big question mark for me is a good backstop. The back of the container is going to be up against a hill and one side of the container will be partially mounded against.

[user120312]

Myself I'd probably buy or fab up a target bullet collector (easy to find DIY on the internet) and back that up with a couple floor to ceiling rows of RR ties which are about the right length and generally cheap.

[TKM]

A local manufacturer had a pair of containers on his property.

Closed, no trace of anything interesting. The doors facing each other opened up into a nice range with a healthy distance in between. As suppressors were in use the neighbors were none the wiser.

[jamesob]

I have 5acres and I thought about doing that. My plan was to bury them