Range Safety Distance Calculator

Minimum range backstop height and distance from firing line.

Muzzle velocity (fps)

Bullet weight (grains)

Firing line to target (yds)

Max elevation angle (deg)

Lateral safety angle (deg)

Tab to move between fields

Maximum range (yds)

36,551

SDZ depth (yds)40,206

Backstop height (ft)32.2

Berm depth (ft)13.6

Lateral buffer (yds)27

Total SDZ width (yds)54

Muzzle energy (ft-lbs)2,611

How to Use This Calculator

Enter the Muzzle Velocity in fps and Bullet Weight in grains for the highest-powered firearm.
Set Firing Line to Target distance and Maximum Elevation Angle for safety planning.
Enter Lateral Safety Angle in degrees from centerline.
Review Maximum Range, SDZ Depth, required Backstop Height and Berm Depth.
Use Total SDZ Width and Lateral Buffer to lay out the physical range boundaries.

How the result changes with Muzzle velocity (fps)

Muzzle velocity (fps): Maximum muzzle velocity of firearms used on the range.
Bullet weight (grains): Heaviest bullet weight expected on the range.
Firing line to target (yds): Distance from the firing line to the target berm.
Max elevation angle (deg): Maximum upward angle a round could travel (accounts for negligent discharge).
Lateral safety angle (deg): Angle from centerline for lateral Surface Danger Zone.

Maximum range (yds): Estimated maximum distance the projectile could travel.
SDZ depth (yds): Surface Danger Zone depth behind the target line.
Backstop height (ft): Minimum backstop/berm height at the target line.
Berm depth (ft): Recommended depth of the backstop berm.
Lateral buffer (yds): Required clear distance on each side of the firing line.
Total SDZ width (yds): Total Surface Danger Zone width.
Muzzle energy (ft-lbs): Kinetic energy at the muzzle for reference.

Identify Input Parameters
4 parameters
Muzzle velocity (fps) = 2800, Bullet weight (grains) = 150, Firing line to target (yds) = 100, Max elevation angle (deg) = 5 = 5 input(s) provided
Calculate Maximum range
Maximum range = maxRangeFt / 3
36551 = 36551
Calculate SDZ depth
SDZ depth = maxRangeYds * 1.1
40206 = 40206
Calculate Backstop height
32.2 = 32.2