Outdoor range, how to handle sound with neighbors?

[mcubed4130]

I'm thinking of building an outdoor range (for me and my buddies), on private land in Santa Clara County, not in any city limits.

In brief discussions I've had so far - sounds like (hehe) the only problem with be with - sound annoying my neighbors.

Anyone know of a good read, on how to create an area on a property to deaden the sound of gun fire?

My initial thoughts were something silly like... dig a BIG upside-down DOME style hole... i.e. therefore focusing the sound waves up into the sky. As I'm thinking that method may require $250,000+ in bulldozer work...

I'm wondering what else anyone knows about as real options...

Thanks in advance, try not to laugh too hard at my question!

-M3

[luvtolean]

Berms to trap the sound, trees around it to absorb it, and rimfires.

[megavolt121]

Have you been to Scotts Valley's range? They've got a building setup to help with redirecting sound forward and up.

[hitnrun]

Silencers....oh wait.

[Johnny Diablo]

Visit the neighbors. Teach them how to shoot. Give them free ammo to come and shoot. Should be cheaper than contruction I am guessing.

[gimmejr]

If you need help I might volunteer if I could get free range time later. Im guessing you must be in the Gilroy, Morgan Hill, Coyote Valley area, I cant see where else youd be able to build your own range in Santa Clara county.

[grammaton76]

Careful with the neighbors. They're likely to be intractible no matter where you are...

[The Soup Nazi]

I'd be willing to offer myself as slave labor and move dirt if I had access to that range.

[mcubed4130]

And truly since you guys are quickly earning status as my buddies, I'd certainly entertain a "Calguns Club Members only shoot".

But right now - this is just talk.

To answer a couple questions though... My family has owned property in Morgan Hill, CA since the 1950s. Although much of it has been sold off over the years...

So I'm kinda doing the initial brain noodling of how much acreage to buy and/or perhaps build on my families current property.

For example, I'd hate to buy say, another 20 acres down there, and find out that to make the ultimate "don't annoy your neighbors setup" takes... about 25 acres...

-M3

[SirMikeAlot]

Silencers....oh wait.

yeah, yeah, yeah. But seriously, how about some subsonics

Not sure what you could do. maybe some rows of trees and shrubs along with some big piles of dirt all around a big dug out kinda thing. In other words . . . I have no idea. But good luck. If it works out, it would be really COOL. Post pics when completed.

[paradox]

I've seen some setups on the web where they had a row of used tires lined up sidewall to sidewall so they made a tunnel. The tire tunnel was supported by two rails and a simple x-frame so that the center hole lined up with a shooting bench. The tires acted as an external silencer with each sidewall pulling duty as a baffle. They said it works quite well, and logically it seems like such a setup would reduce the muzzle blast quite a bunch. The best part is, worn out tires are free for the taking at your local tire shop (they all have to pay to have them disposed, so if someone tries to charge you for them, go someplace else).

[M. Sage]

Look up local noise ordinances? Most noise ordinances don't allow people to gripe about stuff during daylight hours.

[NeoWeird]

You know, if it's your property, why not build a semi-enclosed range? You'd be surprised how well a single wall would stop sound and the added coverage would help during bad weather as well as keep brush and unwanted objects getting on it (like having to clear a bazillion tumble weeds before you shoot). Set up poles like you were putting a chain link fence, bolt down some plywood to each pole, put up some sound insulation (think here - cardboard boxes and packaging material from local grocery stores, shipping companies, etc). Then another final layer. A couple of light duty angle iron truses with plywood, more sound insulation, and sorrugated aluminum roofing. Voila - a personal semi-indoor range. Leave the back open and just have it bury into the berm.

Yeah it would be a lot of money, but if you're talking about adding a bunch of trees around it you are already pushing the several grand mark and/or waiting 100 years before you can use it in it's intended fashion. At least this way you can shoot right away (probably even cheaper) and shoot when it is raining. And since it's a personal range it doesn't have to be very big.


HEY I JUST HAD A GREAT IDEA!

Go get one of those super sheds that they have on TV. Set it up at the end of your range. Cut out a window and put a table in there with a couple seats, maybe a fridge, etc. You can leave your range in the open, but a good majority of the blast will be caught in the shed and any sound that escapes will HAVE to go down range before being deflected outward which will dampen the noise a lot. Plus it allows you to shoot in the rain also. Maybe add a layer of sound proofing cardboard, etc around it and create a tunnel through the window a couple feet long to help aim the sound better. This will also give you a place to set up a Chronograph if you ever get one.

That sounds like a cheap and dirty solution, plus you can take it with you or sell it if you ever move. You will want to put a hinged door on the window/tunnel that you can lock to keep thieves and critters out.

[M. Sage]

You know, I hadn't thought about that until you posted, but I'm always amazed at how just putting the roof over the public line at Chabot seems to cut down on the volume when you're off the line.

[mcubed4130]

Hmm... so in general - if I work at attempting to deflect or absorb the sound - at or near the firing line... then that should do the trick.

As fate would have it... Actually did recently purchase a Tuff Shed - so when the time comes I may have to try using it.

Any else have any thoughts on the subject?

-M3