mpmarty
Member
How about the Sheldon rifle and pistol club northwest of Olympia?
Western Wa places to shoot.
- Thread starter snewbie
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I don't own any rifles yet, so my criterion are a little different, but so far I've been to the afforementioned Wades and Champion, and also the Renton Fish and Game Club- they're pretty good, have a trap & skeet range and do IDPA/IPSC too, plus an archery range, as well as handgun and rifle. Outdoors, so weather dependent perhaps... but a nice enough place the times I've been there.
http://www.rfgc.org/
http://www.rfgc.org/
rwc
Member
There was a thread on this over on glocktalk a year or so ago. You should be able to dig it up with a little scrounging.
You poor folks over on the west side.
Take a weekend trip to the TriCities, come out to Rattlesnake, shoot your .50 BMG
(or whatever floats your boat) at 1000 yards and anywhere in between. No round limits,
and as long as you're not obnoxious and clean up after yourself we don't really care
if you blow through a magazine every now and again. I believe bump-firing is a no-no, though.
Membership is not required but appreciated. Range fees are $5/day; memberships
are $35/year (as of last year anyway). We don't get the rain you do, either, so no
tromping through the mud to go check your target. Easy to get to from I82. It's a bit of
a haul for Seattle folks (~4hrs) but if you really want to air out your gun, this is a great
place to do it.
http://tcsa.info/picpage.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYJL8jjxgK4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HVbCM4lqvE
jm
Take a weekend trip to the TriCities, come out to Rattlesnake, shoot your .50 BMG
(or whatever floats your boat) at 1000 yards and anywhere in between. No round limits,
and as long as you're not obnoxious and clean up after yourself we don't really care
if you blow through a magazine every now and again. I believe bump-firing is a no-no, though.
Membership is not required but appreciated. Range fees are $5/day; memberships
are $35/year (as of last year anyway). We don't get the rain you do, either, so no
tromping through the mud to go check your target. Easy to get to from I82. It's a bit of
a haul for Seattle folks (~4hrs) but if you really want to air out your gun, this is a great
place to do it.
http://tcsa.info/picpage.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYJL8jjxgK4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HVbCM4lqvE
jm
busy_squirrel
Member
I was there Sat. the 17th.
Looks like ARFCOM guys will be at the place east of Granite on Apr 7.
http://maps.yahoo.com/index.php#mvt=h&trf=0&lon=-121.832022&lat=48.076215&mag=1
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Anything along the I-90 corridor?
Anything along the I-90 corridor? The place West of Oly is at least 1 1/2 hours South of me and the place East of Granite Falls is 1 3/4 hours North.
Seems like most of the roads South of I-90 on the West side of the pass are heavily posted no shooting (although if you get far enough up some of the poorer roads, you are unlikely to see anyone). What about the East slope? Anything that way?
Anything along the I-90 corridor? The place West of Oly is at least 1 1/2 hours South of me and the place East of Granite Falls is 1 3/4 hours North.
Seems like most of the roads South of I-90 on the West side of the pass are heavily posted no shooting (although if you get far enough up some of the poorer roads, you are unlikely to see anyone). What about the East slope? Anything that way?
Dave Workman
Member
acdodd:
Self-defense is not "technically illegal" in King County. It's not illegal anywhere in the state. Geez, read the statutes... or better yet, get a copy of my book WASHINGTON STATE GUN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
In King County, there's the Snoqualmie Valley Rifle Club down the hill from Snoqualmie Falls. There are other places for recreational shooting, though I'd avoid the kind of gravel pits in some of the earlier photos because of ricochet potential.
The King County S.O. is pretty gun friendly, provided somebody doesn't act like an idiot or a jerk.
Self-defense is not "technically illegal" in King County. It's not illegal anywhere in the state. Geez, read the statutes... or better yet, get a copy of my book WASHINGTON STATE GUN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
In King County, there's the Snoqualmie Valley Rifle Club down the hill from Snoqualmie Falls. There are other places for recreational shooting, though I'd avoid the kind of gravel pits in some of the earlier photos because of ricochet potential.
The King County S.O. is pretty gun friendly, provided somebody doesn't act like an idiot or a jerk.
busy_squirrel
Member
Ricochets aren't that bad.
I remember less than 10 ricochets outta the tens of thousands of rounds we've shot in that one pit alone...The one I posted a yahoo map to and the pic of the gal w/ a red jacket. She's shooting a washing machine if I remember correctly.
Seriously, some pits are bigger than they look. For handguns at those ranges, it's pretty much non-existant odds. Rifles have some, yes, but they are neglible. 170 yds to the back wall, ricochet and come back 170 yds to hit me? Statistically, that's not bad odds.
Not perfect odds by any means, but I wish my odds of avoiding an auto accident were that good. That said, noone HAS to shoot there if they don't want to.
Essayons:
I remember less than 10 ricochets outta the tens of thousands of rounds we've shot in that one pit alone...The one I posted a yahoo map to and the pic of the gal w/ a red jacket. She's shooting a washing machine if I remember correctly.
Seriously, some pits are bigger than they look. For handguns at those ranges, it's pretty much non-existant odds. Rifles have some, yes, but they are neglible. 170 yds to the back wall, ricochet and come back 170 yds to hit me? Statistically, that's not bad odds.
Not perfect odds by any means, but I wish my odds of avoiding an auto accident were that good. That said, noone HAS to shoot there if they don't want to.
Essayons:
testar77
Member
If you don't mind a drive
If you are in Seattle, then it is only 1 1/2- 2 hrs North, and we do not have magazine limits, and the membership is very reasonable. We have just about any discipline you could want to shoot(and we don't have a liberal problem). If you would like to just try it out, shoot me a pm and I will go with you, as it is a private club, and if you like it you can go from there.
Here is the link:
http://www.custersportsmensclub.com/
Good luck
If you are in Seattle, then it is only 1 1/2- 2 hrs North, and we do not have magazine limits, and the membership is very reasonable. We have just about any discipline you could want to shoot(and we don't have a liberal problem). If you would like to just try it out, shoot me a pm and I will go with you, as it is a private club, and if you like it you can go from there.
Here is the link:
http://www.custersportsmensclub.com/
Good luck
Dysfunctional Individual
Member
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2006
- Messages
- 80
The early exits off I-90 past North Bend are fine. It's usually legal, provided you find spots at least 50 ft. away from roads (including forest dirt roads), and do not shoot over or across a road. I often drive or walk a few miles to find good secluded spots, of which there are plenty.
Sun195
Member
Forest Service land is checker-boarded by private lands, so you have to be (somewhat) careful where you shoot when you get up into the hills. We got asked to leave by a Weyerhaeuser guy once. Didn't make me happy, but it's their property, so...
Frankly, given the shape that most informal shooting areas are left in (i.e. shot-up garbage all over the place), it's a wonder there's anywhere left to shoot out in the woods. We're not doing ourselves any favors.
Frankly, given the shape that most informal shooting areas are left in (i.e. shot-up garbage all over the place), it's a wonder there's anywhere left to shoot out in the woods. We're not doing ourselves any favors.
Mumbles_45
Member
+1 to Kitsap Rifle and Revolver Club. I used to go there because it was the only range I knew of that would let me shoot controlled pairs, and shoot at stuff other than paper. Since then I've found a few non-ranges to shoot at and I'm too lazy to drive all the way out there and have let my membership expire. When I do go to a range these days it is usually for grouping/zeroing purposes and I go to the Tacoma Sportsmans Club, even though they are more restrictive.
There's one up by/in Silverdale that I'll never go back to. I think it was called the Poulsbo Sportsmans range or club or something along those lines. My friend and I went there because we had driven all the way out to the KRRC having forgotten that there was an IPSC match going on that day, and didn't want to go all the way back to Ft. Lewis without doing any shooting. The rules were fairly restrictive (not the worst though). The main problem was we were harrassed constantly by the RSO. I did get to hear one of the funniest things I've ever heard at a range there though. A father and son showed up to shoot a .22 rifle, I don't remember what kind, and the son began to set his gear on the table next to my friend who was shooting his WASR-10. The father immediately started moving the gear to a different table and said "don't sit next to him, he's got an Uzi." The same guy later stopped by my table and asked a bunch of questions about my 10/22 that I thought would have been obvious just from watching it shoot (so you don't have to work the bolt after each shot? Huh, I didn't know you could do that). I was polite and answered all his questions, as he seemed genuinely curious, and they appeard to be new shooters and I didn't want to turn them away, but "he's got an Uzi" was quite the inside joke for a while.
There's one up by/in Silverdale that I'll never go back to. I think it was called the Poulsbo Sportsmans range or club or something along those lines. My friend and I went there because we had driven all the way out to the KRRC having forgotten that there was an IPSC match going on that day, and didn't want to go all the way back to Ft. Lewis without doing any shooting. The rules were fairly restrictive (not the worst though). The main problem was we were harrassed constantly by the RSO. I did get to hear one of the funniest things I've ever heard at a range there though. A father and son showed up to shoot a .22 rifle, I don't remember what kind, and the son began to set his gear on the table next to my friend who was shooting his WASR-10. The father immediately started moving the gear to a different table and said "don't sit next to him, he's got an Uzi." The same guy later stopped by my table and asked a bunch of questions about my 10/22 that I thought would have been obvious just from watching it shoot (so you don't have to work the bolt after each shot? Huh, I didn't know you could do that). I was polite and answered all his questions, as he seemed genuinely curious, and they appeard to be new shooters and I didn't want to turn them away, but "he's got an Uzi" was quite the inside joke for a while.
Mumbles_45
Member
I like the shape that most informal shooting areas are in. All the shot up garbage reminds me of...well, informal shooting areas. But I understand your point, and I'm sure most people do not consider all the shot up garbage a pleasant sight. So no, we're not doing ourselves any favors.
busy_squirrel
Member
I know I've left my share of messes.
But I too, enjoy the informal areas. I like it best when i don't bring anything to shoot but there's still a few left over things to shoot at.
Ponygirl: We were shooting 1lb. bottles of propane. Same positive reinforcement as reactive targets, but maybe a little more fun.
entreus
Member
That's why when I go to an informal shooting area, I always bring a garbage bag or three along. I usually pack out more than I bring. Want to keep those sites available.
I just don't like the people that dump appliances. That's probably why the private companies have made most of their areas unavailable.
That's not to say if there was a place that wanted to let you bring old tube tv sets and shoot them I'd be apposed. Lots of little booms.
I just don't like the people that dump appliances. That's probably why the private companies have made most of their areas unavailable.
That's not to say if there was a place that wanted to let you bring old tube tv sets and shoot them I'd be apposed. Lots of little booms.
Powderman
Member
Y'all left out one place....
Black Diamond Gun Club, just a bit down the road from Cascade on Hwy 169, coming back toward Enumclaw.
It's a members only club, but guests are welcome if they come with a member--only up to two guests per member, that is!
Or, if anyone wants, we can get the WHOLE range and clubhouse for a day, for a nominal fee. Heck, if a bunch of people show up, and we all chip in, that's downright cheap--and there are grills for BBQ, too!
We don't give a rip if you load 5 rounds or 500 in your magazine. Shoot one round per hour, minute, or second, it's all right--just make sure all of your rounds hit the backstop.
Memberships costs about $220 for the first year, including initiation fees and NRA membership--it's a 100% NRA club--and $75 per year thereafter.
NRA certified RSO's are on the range at any time it's open, too. But, like I said, the range facilities CAN be rented out.
To the original poster--and anyone else interested--PM me if you want to come out. I'll do my best to get together with you.
Black Diamond Gun Club, just a bit down the road from Cascade on Hwy 169, coming back toward Enumclaw.
It's a members only club, but guests are welcome if they come with a member--only up to two guests per member, that is!
Or, if anyone wants, we can get the WHOLE range and clubhouse for a day, for a nominal fee. Heck, if a bunch of people show up, and we all chip in, that's downright cheap--and there are grills for BBQ, too!
We don't give a rip if you load 5 rounds or 500 in your magazine. Shoot one round per hour, minute, or second, it's all right--just make sure all of your rounds hit the backstop.
Memberships costs about $220 for the first year, including initiation fees and NRA membership--it's a 100% NRA club--and $75 per year thereafter.
NRA certified RSO's are on the range at any time it's open, too. But, like I said, the range facilities CAN be rented out.
To the original poster--and anyone else interested--PM me if you want to come out. I'll do my best to get together with you.
I found this thread about a month ago and since then I have gone to the Granite Falls location and the place west of McCleary, both locations had “No Shooting” signs posted.
The location near Granite Falls had a sign posted (as soon as I turned on Mt. Pilchuck road) that I interpreted to mean shooting was allowed provided:
1. You are not within a 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, or occupied area.
2. Not shooting across a National Forest System road or body of water, or any place whereby any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result.
I thought everything was fine until I reached the turnoff for the gravel pit and I saw sign number two. “No Shooting. This area is closed to discharging of firearms per 36 CFR 261.10(d)(l). USDA Forest Service Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest Law Enforcement and Investigation.”
At first I was hoping this was a sign posted by an anti-gun person in an attempt to keep shooters away. Then a woman in a forestry truck saw me reading the sign and informed me that shooting was not allowed at this gravel pit anymore. After picking up some empty ammo boxes and trash I decided to stop by the Darrington ranger station. I was informed by two rangers that shooting was not allowed anywhere in the Darrington district of the Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest because it was considered “occupied” (the entire forest). The female Ranger was more than helpful in giving me the contact information of the people in charge while the male Ranger seemed disgusted that I was even asking about shooting. The male ranger left and a few minutes later a sheriff walks in. I had a very nice talk with the sheriff about gun ranges in the area and how difficult it was to find informal shooting areas in western WA. He at least seemed sympathetic.
I am in the process of contacting Peter Forbes (Darrington District Ranger) about his decision to classify the entire Darrington district as “occupied”, but in the mean time I am still on the hunt for a place to shoot.
The place west of McCleary looked like private property owned by a logging company. It had a gate blocking the road and a “no shooting” sign. Not sure if I even have a right to complain about that one (but it did look like a very nice place to shoot).
Does anyone have updated information on any of the other places posted in this thread? I am willing to do a 2-3 hour drive (each way) to a location that I know I will be able to shoot at once I get there. I will keep trying places mentioned in this thread but this approach is getting expensive (gas) and the disappointment of packing up my stuff, driving for several hours, then returning home with all of my ammo (and some trash) is starting to get to me.
Are there types of land open to shooting other than national forests?
I know the end solution is to buy my own land but that is not an option at this point in my life.
Any pointers or location updates would be appreciated.
The location near Granite Falls had a sign posted (as soon as I turned on Mt. Pilchuck road) that I interpreted to mean shooting was allowed provided:
1. You are not within a 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, or occupied area.
2. Not shooting across a National Forest System road or body of water, or any place whereby any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result.
I thought everything was fine until I reached the turnoff for the gravel pit and I saw sign number two. “No Shooting. This area is closed to discharging of firearms per 36 CFR 261.10(d)(l). USDA Forest Service Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest Law Enforcement and Investigation.”
At first I was hoping this was a sign posted by an anti-gun person in an attempt to keep shooters away. Then a woman in a forestry truck saw me reading the sign and informed me that shooting was not allowed at this gravel pit anymore. After picking up some empty ammo boxes and trash I decided to stop by the Darrington ranger station. I was informed by two rangers that shooting was not allowed anywhere in the Darrington district of the Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest because it was considered “occupied” (the entire forest). The female Ranger was more than helpful in giving me the contact information of the people in charge while the male Ranger seemed disgusted that I was even asking about shooting. The male ranger left and a few minutes later a sheriff walks in. I had a very nice talk with the sheriff about gun ranges in the area and how difficult it was to find informal shooting areas in western WA. He at least seemed sympathetic.
I am in the process of contacting Peter Forbes (Darrington District Ranger) about his decision to classify the entire Darrington district as “occupied”, but in the mean time I am still on the hunt for a place to shoot.
The place west of McCleary looked like private property owned by a logging company. It had a gate blocking the road and a “no shooting” sign. Not sure if I even have a right to complain about that one (but it did look like a very nice place to shoot).
Does anyone have updated information on any of the other places posted in this thread? I am willing to do a 2-3 hour drive (each way) to a location that I know I will be able to shoot at once I get there. I will keep trying places mentioned in this thread but this approach is getting expensive (gas) and the disappointment of packing up my stuff, driving for several hours, then returning home with all of my ammo (and some trash) is starting to get to me.
Are there types of land open to shooting other than national forests?
I know the end solution is to buy my own land but that is not an option at this point in my life.
Any pointers or location updates would be appreciated.
Langenator
Member
Another place ya'll have forgotten: Range 15/Sportsman's Range at Fort Lewis.
It's on post, but it's outside the main cantonment area, so you don't need to go through any gates.
Just take I-5 to SR-512. Get off at SR-7, head south. At the split, take SR-507 and continue south. Finally, turn right and head west on East Gate Rd. The range will be on the right. If you get to the C-5 mock-up and the guarded gate, you've gone too far.
Rifles out to 300 yards, pistols to 35.
Open Saturdays and Sundays, plus Friday afternoons from like May-Sep or some such. Does sometimes close during deer season, because they open the impact area for hunting on weekends if no units book ranges.
It's on post, but it's outside the main cantonment area, so you don't need to go through any gates.
Just take I-5 to SR-512. Get off at SR-7, head south. At the split, take SR-507 and continue south. Finally, turn right and head west on East Gate Rd. The range will be on the right. If you get to the C-5 mock-up and the guarded gate, you've gone too far.
Rifles out to 300 yards, pistols to 35.
Open Saturdays and Sundays, plus Friday afternoons from like May-Sep or some such. Does sometimes close during deer season, because they open the impact area for hunting on weekends if no units book ranges.
Mortech
Member
The McCleary area is closed due to some logging going on with possible sale of land for housing development , just check out all the building going on around the west side of town 
. I ran into the same thing here in the Kamilche area when Simpson ..er excuse me ... Green Diamond Timber Co sold about 500+ acres to the Squaxin tribe for tribal housing development . Fortunately their still about 2 miles from my place but it sure put a crimp on my 1K yard shooting range . I used to use a very large rock across the draw for my 8MM Mauser and Enfield shooting target but now its just on the edge of the new tribal housing area .
. I ran into the same thing here in the Kamilche area when Simpson ..er excuse me ... Green Diamond Timber Co sold about 500+ acres to the Squaxin tribe for tribal housing development . Fortunately their still about 2 miles from my place but it sure put a crimp on my 1K yard shooting range . I used to use a very large rock across the draw for my 8MM Mauser and Enfield shooting target but now its just on the edge of the new tribal housing area .
Old Dog
Member
Langenator said:
Uh, I mentioned that back on March 17th in Post #12 of this thread. But thanks for the back-up.
theken206
Member
"If you're ok with some travel time, there are plenty of shooting areas to be found in the woods east of Greenwater on Hwy 410. I routinely go up and shoot there. My friends have twice been stopped and checked out by Fish and Wildlife (and told they weren't doing anything wrong, just checking), but that has not happened to me."
I will be doing some shooting out there this weekend. 74 is still closed due to the road having washed out in the winter. but there is still 70, 71, 72, 75 and PLENTY of places to shoot. I havent had a problem finding places to shoot at all, never.
I will be doing some shooting out there this weekend. 74 is still closed due to the road having washed out in the winter. but there is still 70, 71, 72, 75 and PLENTY of places to shoot. I havent had a problem finding places to shoot at all, never.
busy_squirrel
Member
James M - yep, the pit by GF is closed. There are a few small (25 yds) or less where people still shoot out there, but lately, I've been going to Oso area.
Also, the Arlington Indoor range is open again. Search the online yellow pages for ARSTC.
Of course, I'm sure that Black Hills area will still be open for awhile. And I hope to stat using some private property south of Yelm.
I hope to be learning some areas out west towards Aberdeen this month.
There are a few areas outside of Packwood, that I could remember how to get to, but not well enough to give directions.
The guys from AR15.com are pretty secretive about their shooting sites, but they have a fun one "near" Centralia about 4 times a year. As long as you are willing to meet some of them in person first, they'll probably show you.
Also, the Arlington Indoor range is open again. Search the online yellow pages for ARSTC.
Of course, I'm sure that Black Hills area will still be open for awhile. And I hope to stat using some private property south of Yelm.
I hope to be learning some areas out west towards Aberdeen this month.
There are a few areas outside of Packwood, that I could remember how to get to, but not well enough to give directions.
The guys from AR15.com are pretty secretive about their shooting sites, but they have a fun one "near" Centralia about 4 times a year. As long as you are willing to meet some of them in person first, they'll probably show you.
deanf
Member
It's not unConstitutional if it's on private property. I mean, you do know that the Constitution restricts only the actions of government, right?
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