Need Help Building Budget-Friendly Shooting Range + Filming Setup for YouTube
Posted by sanstoan1@reddit | Firearms | View on Reddit | 3 comments
Hey everyone,
I’m planning to build a basic outdoor shooting range on my 44-acre farm in Illinois, which includes open fields and wooded areas. I have a budget of around $500 and want recommendations on the best materials to get started safely and effectively.
I shoot .22, 5.56, .44, and 9mm, so I’m considering options like:
- Steel targets (AR500 plates, gongs, spinners)
- Backstop materials (eyebrow berms, recycled rubber, pallets, wood)
- Target stands (DIY vs. pre-made)
- Safety setups (bullet catchers, side berms, warning signage)
Also, I’m launching a YouTube channel that will feature:
- Gun reviews and range setup content
- Drone and iPhone footage of target shooting and farm life
- Creative shots — from flyovers to close‑ups on farm equipment
If anyone has experience with:
- Cost-effective target systems or DIY builds
- Materials sourcing in Illinois (e.g., metal shops, aggregate suppliers, classified ads)
- State or local regulations for building a backyard range
- Tips on combining drone footage with gun-related videos safely and legally
—I’d really appreciate the advice. I want this to be safe, durable, and fun to film. Thanks in advance! 🎯
400HPMustang@reddit
$500 might get you a front end loader full of enough dirt to start your backstop
sanstoan1@reddit (OP)
might go up then 1500 might be better for what i want. ty
400HPMustang@reddit
I know in IL it’s legal with enough space and I know you have to be a certain distance from the road and from any other property but it’s specific by county. You should ask in /r/ilguns, I’d bet more than a few people there live in rural IL and shoot on their own land.
I’d bet 44 acres is more than far enough away from everything but those guys can tell you.
Still, call landscaping centers and see what they’ll charge you to dump trucks of dirt where you want your backstop. Look up action shooting sports bays for measurements. You’ll want a berm on 3 sides.
Worry about everything else after you get that sorted.