Indoor full power full-bore rifle ranges UK

[Blackstuff]

As i'm sure many who've been shooting abroad will be aware, indoor full-power, full-bore rifle ranges are not particularly uncommon, either in Europe or the US.

Is there a specific reason why there aren't any civilian accessible ones in the UK (that i know of anyway) other than the few 'tunnel' ranges dotted about?

I know the Northumbria police indoor training facility can handle .308, solid slug and virtually any 'normal' full-bore calibre. Is it just the cost to build such facilities that is the stumbling block, or is there a range design requirement/building regulation which prevents civvie ranges from being built to take it?

Just curious.

[saddler]

Morton Clays in Livingston

6 lane 100m range.
Only been open a year
(Photos to follow)

[Rockhopper]

We looked at converting an abandoned railway tunnel into a full bore range but the ventilation requirements were un-achievable at a price the club could afford.

We can shoot full bore on our 25 yards range but with a limited mussel velocity. There is also a place in Nottingham that has the same kind of facility.

[nickb834]

I've been mulling over something like this as a side venture - but the costs look prohibitive.

Fag packet maths says - circa 100m lane's x circa 20m width (allowing for storage / office / retail space) is cracking on for 22000 square feet. I'm mixing units because the range distances are quoted metric but commercial property is listed square feet normally.

This size property (warehouse / unit as opposed to office space) commands about 70 grand p/a in rent and this in the wilds of Yorkshire (Gods county!) - it's very hard to make that pay. Even with a hundred members paying 250 quid (not too far off what one of the clubs I'm a member of charges) - that's still a 45 grand shortfall.

I think the way forward is something disused, but that doesn't need much work to it and buy it outright......the holy grail

[Blackstuff]

What about a full-bore bay in a standard 20-25m indoor range? For testing function, sound moderators, muzzle brakes, getting a basic zero?

[dromia]

According to the NSRA who are one of the range certifying "organisations", "there is absolutely no reason at all for anyone to shoot fullbore rifles at 25yrds".

[Rockhopper]

I'd agree with that but the certifying limits for our range allow it up to a maximum muzzle velocity of something like 1450 ft/s I'm not aware that anyone has ever shot on it though!

[HH1]

One of the clubs I shoot at has a 50m full bore indoor range. It is underground so there is no possibility of a bullet exiting the building.

[nickb834]

Please do bear in mind that no single organisation nor person is required in law to certify a range to any legal / published standard whatsoever.

You are only required in law to operate safely and comply with Health & Safety. How you arrive at that is entirely down to you and in most cases your insurer (as your members / club certs / auth being most likely conditioned with an insurance requirement etc).

You may wish to consult the NRA / NSRA / MLAGB or any other body such as the Police / M.O.D - ask them to certify your range - you'll find that none will "certify" as they "don't do that anymore" however the NRA / NSRA will give an "opinion" on the range.

I went through this process at length with the late Mike Jakes of Icon Arms who had constructed a number of ranges for various organisations of the last few years, as my local club was considering altering our range design (backstop specifically).

[nickb834]

According to the NSRA who are one of the range certifying "organisations", "there is absolutely no reason at all for anyone to shoot fullbore rifles at 25yrds".

That's not quite true - the certifying bit - see my previous response.