r/canadaguns • u/Round-Inflation-7112 • Jul 20 '26

Shooting Who’s down to build a range?

I’m so tired of RSO telling me when i can stand and sit and if i can shoot a 12g at a paper target
Im in ontario, who wants to grab some acres out in parry sound and build a private range with me?

89 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

112 comments sorted by

103

u/The_Pocono Jul 20 '26

If you buy the property, I will bring tools and 2x4

44

u/Plasma_48 Jul 20 '26

I can bring the beer

34

u/bigT689 Jul 20 '26

I’ll bring the extra beer

29

u/Lumindan Jul 20 '26

I'll come drink the beer and provide morale support (read: more beer)

6

u/GrandallFFBE Jul 20 '26

I’ll come drink the provided beer but also help put together the 2x4s

6

u/DuperCheese Jul 21 '26

I’ll bring pizza

4

u/Equivalent-Win4541 Jul 21 '26

Ill bring positivity

14

u/Round-Inflation-7112 Jul 20 '26

sounds like a plan

65

u/Brapika Jul 20 '26

The dream has always been to own 10,000 acres and never have to tolerate another humans bullshit. Starting bid in $50M though.

20

u/Round-Inflation-7112 Jul 20 '26

i feel like 100 is reasonabke

11

u/throwaway11100217 Jul 20 '26

I'd settle for 1,000

7

u/Round-Inflation-7112 Jul 20 '26

nice little house on the property too?

11

u/throwaway11100217 Jul 20 '26

Honestly my dream is a ton of land in the boonies with no building code where I can build my own little camping hut and just use the land for recreation like camping and stuff and let my close friends and family I trust use it too.

Just my own piece of the forest that can stay exactly that way and thats guaranteed to be available when I want to go camping. I'd build myself a shooting range and a disc golf course lol.

6

u/IndependentNinja1465 Jul 20 '26

Best 170 grand i ever spent

2

u/throwaway11100217 Jul 20 '26

Not a bad price at all, how long a drive from your main residence?

11

u/IndependentNinja1465 Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26

Its my home, property is surrounded by crown land and there is 2 creeks and a river that basically block out any sane attempt at accessing the area on three sides

4

u/SwordJabbingAction Jul 20 '26

You can still have a neighbour within 400m in every direction on 100 acres.

2

u/deepbluemeanies Jul 20 '26

That doesn't necessarily matter - there is no province wide legislation on minimum distance to dwellings. Some municipalities have set it to 200m, 400m, while others have no restriction whatsoever (including in the GTHA).

5

u/SwordJabbingAction Jul 20 '26

There are articles online of rural folks following the law while shooting on their own property that end with rcmp showing up because a neighbour reported “full auto” gunfire or some other complaint. The real ideal is to have property large enough that you don’t have any neighbours within earshot.

2

u/deepbluemeanies Jul 20 '26

Gun shots carry so unless you are way, way out and remote it will be heard, and that's okay. Some people will call the cops over anything...in my area it is very hard to discern the exact location (land parcel) of gun shots due to thick brush/forests. The only federal charge is for unsafe discharge which they would have to prove, the Crown isn't going to lay a charge based on what someone thinks they heard emanating from ...somewhere.

But it's good to be cautious; I don't fire anything to big on my property to keep the noise down, but even the sound of a .22 carries. If you own guns/shoot you should have legal defense insurance just in case - it's not expensive and can provide up to 1 million toward legal fees for any firearms offense.

7

u/ablemount Jul 20 '26

If only there was some way to silence the guns....

2

u/cannuckwoodchuck13 Jul 21 '26

100 is smaller than you think. There's 60 acres of farmers field behind my house and you would 100% annoy neighbour's still with the sound of gunfire. 

1

u/Round-Inflation-7112 Jul 21 '26

yeah but 100 acres surrounded by crown land is a lot different than rural farmland

2

u/cannuckwoodchuck13 Jul 21 '26

Thats also a good point. Might be hard to find. 

5

u/boozefiend3000 Jul 20 '26

I wonder if you can even buy 10k acres in Canada? lol. The most I’ve seen for sale is 800 and it was in the middle of nowhere northern Ontario 

7

u/LadyDegenhardt Jul 20 '26

There was one in northern BC that was something absurd like 50 quarter sections - one of the big auction houses like CLHbid had the listing. Whatever it was I calculated out the number of acres and it was bigger than the entire city of Edmonton. There may have also been some leased land included. No clue what it went for.

You'd be surprised how isolated just a quarter section (160 acres) can feel as long as two houses didn't get built right on the property lines.

3

u/boozefiend3000 Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26

Ya, my dad’s friends farm is 120 acres, but his driveway is almost a kilometre long and he’s surrounded by other farmers fields. He’s like 40 minutes from the GTHA but his house seems isolated as fuck lol

3

u/waitwhatnothing Jul 20 '26

Not that it’s been for sale anytime recently but there’s an entire township in cottage country that’s privately owned as one parcel, ~42000 acres. 

It belongs to a club started by wealthy Americans, called the longford reserve limited. 

1

u/boozefiend3000 Jul 20 '26

God damn. Wonder what that would go for?

16

u/SwampyUndies Jul 20 '26

Im at a private club. No rsos. It exists. But years to get in.

5

u/Round-Inflation-7112 Jul 20 '26

details pleaseeeeee i would love to eventually get into service rifle and i cannot practice at commercial ranges

5

u/SwampyUndies Jul 20 '26

Hmm start chat is not an option with you

4

u/Round-Inflation-7112 Jul 20 '26

hmm i can’t seem to start a chat with you eaither lol

3

u/OCTS-Toronto Jul 20 '26

I have a better idea but don't want to post it publicly. Turn on your chat or DM me.

1

u/deepbluemeanies Jul 20 '26

This is one I know of...

https://sharongunclub.com/

3

u/Agonizing-Stroke1812 Jul 20 '26

I am a member here. While it is nice, I would not compare it whatsoever to having an actual private range. Sharon is not really that different from other more popular outdoor ranges, aside from the fact that the general bar for competence seems a bit higher, and they really try to force the "club" aspect of "gun club". Really crappy probation process and guest policy considering the cost too.

1

u/Round-Inflation-7112 Jul 20 '26

don’t i have to buy a share?

2

u/deepbluemeanies Jul 20 '26

Yes. They come available to buy (member selling) from time to time.

1

u/jmz-jmz Jul 20 '26

If this happens to be the one in the Caledon area DM me please

2

u/SwampyUndies Jul 20 '26

Nooope far from there.

1

u/Big-Guitar-1979 Jul 20 '26

How long is the range?

1

u/SwampyUndies Jul 21 '26

100yd at the longest. Its really hard to find longer. I shot 200 a few times at silverdale. Have the rig and want to do 300 but noone has.

1

u/OwnEstablishment5101 Jul 21 '26

let me know more

64

u/Murray3-Dvideos Jul 20 '26

Isn't downtown Toronto a shooting range at around 2am ?

32

u/Enough_Challenge7264 Jul 20 '26

No rifles though.

24

u/SisyphusCoffeeBreak Jul 20 '26

be the change you want to see? (no don't do that)

16

u/yummybunnybear Jul 20 '26

Only range in Canada with dracos

12

u/Ok-Bowler-203 Jul 20 '26

After watching Yellowstone, I dream of having a ranch in the boones and being able to shoot when I want and be away from people.

I’d invite buddies up and after a day of shooting, sit around a fire pit with some drinks with coyotes howling in the background.

5

u/China_bot42069 Jul 20 '26

In AB that Yellowstone life starts at 20 million lol. Benchlands real estate is amazing but expensive 

3

u/Ok-Bowler-203 Jul 20 '26

Didn’t say it was a realistic dream 😅🤣

6

u/China_bot42069 Jul 20 '26

It is a realistic dream. Just make an app you had some peasants over seas code and sell it to the government. Just make sure the runway at springbank is long enough for private jet you’re going to have to order. 

7

u/heavydutydan Jul 20 '26

My guy, I've been dreaming of doing this for years. Buy some land, get an excavator and clear an area, build up a nice backstop for a range. Do some hunting in the fall, camping in the summer, get eaten alive by those lovely Ontario Blackflies, but it would be worth it. Shooting on private land seems to be the only way forwards. The ranges in this province are full of gate-keepers and I've grown tired with communicating with them to try and get membership.

2

u/Round-Inflation-7112 Jul 20 '26

have you ran any numbers?

10

u/[deleted] Jul 20 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

20

u/DimGrows Jul 20 '26

Only like 8 hours north of where he was planning to build lol

2

u/Norwest_Shooter on Jul 20 '26

To be honest I can’t see Shuniah approving that. Their bylaw map isn’t great but it looks either dangerously close to or partially within the no discharge of firearms zone, and there’s nothing stopping them from expanding that.

For slightly more than double you could buy the already built Nolalu range and make it your own?

5

u/Vahuo89 Jul 20 '26

The problem is getting it certified by the horse police and then insurance 

2

u/Round-Inflation-7112 Jul 21 '26

you do not need to certify if it’s private personal use

3

u/Vahuo89 Jul 21 '26

Right but if you are going to be shooting you better check with local bylaws to prevent oopsies

1

u/Round-Inflation-7112 Jul 21 '26

that’s what i’m saying, for example parts for parry sound has no municipal govt, no local bylaws, only need to follow federal laws and discharge is a municipal law

1

u/AntiNakedman Jul 21 '26

Where’s the “private personal use” exemption in the Firearms Act and Regs? Hint - there isn’t one.

2

u/Round-Inflation-7112 Jul 21 '26

firearm discharge is a municipal law, i suggest some research

1

u/AntiNakedman Jul 21 '26

Uhhh licensing and regulation of shooting ranges is federal law….

2

u/Round-Inflation-7112 Jul 21 '26

Private land and a shooting range (which is a business) two seperate things

1

u/AntiNakedman Jul 23 '26

Shooting ranges do not have to be businesses

11

u/NeoNova9 Jul 20 '26

Its called crown land.

10

u/Round-Inflation-7112 Jul 20 '26

can’t fucking build on it

34

u/Old-Selection-1012 Jul 20 '26

Nope. But its wild when you happen to stumble upon a fully built range and you have noooo idea how it got there. Wild.

2

u/China_bot42069 Jul 20 '26

Yup my other hobbies are flying planes and bush camping/quad. You find some weird shit off the beaten path and if your smart other will help you maintain it and keep it hidden 

2

u/No-Today5207 Jul 20 '26

If you dont mind the leg work you just have to carry out the uprights each time and keep it clean so the COs dont come after you. 1×1s are light and cheap enough, and firehose with the highest grade bolts tou can get if you can find a source is the best hangers for steel etc.

1

u/lonegrey Jul 20 '26

You can, you just gotta make sure nobody finds it

3

u/China_bot42069 Jul 20 '26

I wish you were in central AB. I would happily help out and you can use my company discounts for building supplies. 

5

u/Round-Inflation-7112 Jul 20 '26

yk what, i might just move, i visited for a couple months and massive difference in culture

6

u/deepbluemeanies Jul 20 '26

God's country.

4

u/China_bot42069 Jul 20 '26

We have pros and cons. Over all I love it. People shit on us a lot. It’s fine. No one really cares other than the people in the Canada/AB subs. 

3

u/Papi_BigBird Jul 20 '26

If I ever hit it big, I'd just quit my job and open my own range too

2

u/LongRoadNorth Jul 20 '26

Never been told whether I can stand or sit at my range in Ontario...

1

u/Round-Inflation-7112 Jul 21 '26

what range?

1

u/LongRoadNorth Jul 21 '26

Oshawa Clay and target

1

u/Primary_Highlight540 Jul 20 '26

Curious where you normally shoot that the RSO dictates whether you stand or sit?

8

u/Round-Inflation-7112 Jul 20 '26

Silverdale gun club, got sitting benches on the 100m

7

u/deepbluemeanies Jul 20 '26

That's all due to the neighbors trying to shut them down...they're doing all they can to prevent any possibility of any projectile leaving the range. A couple years ago the neighbor (group) was arguing that "bullets were landing on their property". They produced an unfired rifle round as proof - yes, seriously.

3

u/julienjj Jul 21 '26

60% more bullet per bullet.

6

u/Burlakh Jul 20 '26

Sitting benches (only a few standing but for steel), no buckshots and no “rapid” fire aka 1 shot/5s is quite frustrating.
RSO are working hard to limit the amount of fun one have at the range.

2

u/Round-Inflation-7112 Jul 20 '26

i don’t even plan to go rapid fire but i mean i would like to have the ability to improve my speed… i can shoot all targets on point but whats the point if i cant develop speed

3

u/Primary_Highlight540 Jul 20 '26

Ah! Been at the 100 yard range there…You can’t even see the targets while standing due to the wall a few yards from the benches, so I don’t know how you would stand anyway.

1

u/deepbluemeanies Jul 20 '26

I would love this...though it's a hike from Toronto.

1

u/gangstaeckz Jul 20 '26

LTFVG

1

u/Round-Inflation-7112 Jul 20 '26

interesting. tell me more

1

u/No-Today5207 Jul 20 '26

If you email the Ontario CFO you can ask for the range building code/guide and they'll send you a copy of the rules. The worst hangups (if you want it liscened for restricteds) is dealing with the municipality you are in and the insurance issues but it is feasible to pull off.

1

u/boozefiend3000 Jul 20 '26

I’d be down, but i bet it would be an absolute pain in the ass to even get approval to build it 

1

u/Round-Inflation-7112 Jul 21 '26

you don’t need approval in areas with no municipal govt, which is the only place you can openly (assuming safe) fire your guns w no rules

1

u/pyates1 Jul 21 '26

I have actively been watching for empty property and have been working with an agent.

Where are you located? I'm in Peterborough and see numerous 100 acre properties near Marmora come and go regularly.

Definitely would be into a partnership on buying land.

1

u/Round-Inflation-7112 Jul 21 '26

im in the mississauga area, what are the numbers looking like?

1

u/Thegears89 Jul 21 '26

I'm in. Have tools and a mini excavator/ tractor to use

1

u/swift_gilford Jul 21 '26

I wish i was close to Parry Sound because I'd come help this and join as well.

1

u/pyates1 Jul 21 '26

Properties in the Marmora area are going for about $200k for 100 acres.

1

u/Round-Inflation-7112 Jul 21 '26

that’s not bad, considering you can do so much more

1

u/MapleMonica Jul 21 '26

I'd be down to do this in Alberta!

1

u/Round-Inflation-7112 Jul 21 '26

fuck it im moving

1

u/sonichanxiao Jul 25 '26

What kind of shooting the range is going to have?Handgun, trap, long range rifle? You can't do Restricted without CFO approval, don't think they will approve any new range in Ontario anymore. For long range it is difficult to find places with appropriate backstop preferably some mountain would be nice.

1

u/Round-Inflation-7112 Jul 27 '26

100% not a commercial range, would be down to privately split a property with a couple of folks… private proper = not a range = no restrictions but i would not want restricted weapons for obvious reasons

1

u/sonichanxiao Jul 27 '26

If you are just shooting 12ga, I guess you don't really need a private property if you are planning to find a land up to parry sound, you may be able to find crownland nearby for shotgun.

But if you want to shoot rifle, for longer range like 500 or plus, It's going to be a huge investment for the initial "shareholders", I would say 6 figures for each depending on how big the land is and you need to deal with

  • Shareholders and their guests' s safety, basically you are setting up rules and enforce it.
  • Noise if there is neighbour nearby.
  • People transpass.
  • If you plan to build a hut with electricty/water etc. you might need to deal with Conservation.

For people not live around the area, gas and time cost may also need to take into consideration.

0

u/sometimesifeellikean Jul 20 '26

what are your firearm discharge bylaws?

1

u/Round-Inflation-7112 Jul 21 '26

areas with no municipal govt are open to firing using some common sense as long as you follow ACTS/ PROVE and the basic canadian gun laws, obviously standard safety but even on open crown land, nothing stopping you