Anyone been to the Blacksburg VA shooting range

[chbrow10]

Hi,

I am going to rent a cabin near Blacksburg, VA this summer and saw that there is a public shooting range in the national forest near there. Here's the link;

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/easterndivide/recreation/shooting_ranges/index.shtml

Has anyone been there? What are the distances? What does it look like? Are there shooting benches or is it just a dirt stretch with a berm? Any calibers excluded?

Thanks in advance,

Chris

 

[disneyd]

I shoot there fairly often.

The range runs out to 100 yards, but nothing is marked. There are small ridges at about the 25 and 50 yard lines. If you want to be serious about distance you'll want to bring something to measure with or be able to pace it off yourself. Bring a target stand, preferably a heavy one. People use cardboard boxes but they'll blow around at times.

There are several (six or eight) nice benches with adjustable seating and they recently concreted the bench area. The bench area is also covered.

There is no range officer. As with any unsupervised range, be sure you get everyone involved when calling the range hot or cold. There are usually a couple groups of people there at any given time, but I've never had any trouble with anyone.

I'm not aware of any caliber restrictions. I don't think they like people shooting shotguns (pellets) on the rifle range side though.

It's open from dawn 'till dusk.

It's a very nice range. Try to drop a few bucks in the donation box when you leave. I also try to haul off some trash (besides mine) when I leave. Lots of people leave their crap out on the range

 

[Navy_Guns]

It's been a couple years, but...

When I was there, they used to have plywood target frames that could be put out at 50, 75, 100 yards. Also, off to the right side of the range was an un-covered area without target frames for pistol shooters. Don't forget, there is a separate area set up for shooting skeet/clays that is below the main rifle range.

 

[chbrow10]

Thanks folks. Is it fairly easy to find?

 

[Tribal]

Take US-460 north of Blacksburg and make a right into the Jefferson National Forest a mile or two up the road. It's marked, but not a huge entrance. After a little ways there's a sign to your left for the shooting area. The shotgun range is at the bottom and the pistol/rifle range is up top. If you're handicapped there are a few spots up at the very top, too.

The range itself is fine. You can shoot pretty much whatever (other than shotguns), up to and including .50 BMG. It's usually a mix of locals and college kids, and I never saw anything that would concern me when I went. People tend to keep to themselves, although not in an unfriendly way. It's more for basic practice like spinners, hitting cans, and set up clays than for sighting-in or competition-level shooting.

You're not supposed to use trash (soda cans, etc.) as targets, but as long as you clean it up no one minds. Bringing your own target stands is a good idea. Going on the weekend is usually pretty busy, and the shotgun range seems to be in perpetual use almost whenever you'd use it.

 

[disneyd]

Google map pic:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=...639,-80.462193&spn=0.002902,0.005021&t=h&z=18

 

[swift535]

as others have said, only thing to keep in mind beforehand is that setting up targets might be difficult. usually, there are a few boxes nearby that you can tape some paper to, but might want to be prepared in case not.

isn't usually a lot of conversation between shooters, but people have always been friendly when I've spoke to them. few older gentlemen that go there to pick up casings that are pretty fun to talk to if you enjoy that.

disney - how often / how long have you been going out there? when the weather's nice, I usually end up out there about 2x a month, and shoot about a brick of ammo through my 10/22 each time. been going for a few years, chances are I've seen you out there.

 

[novaDAK]

I go there a few times every year when I visit friends and family at VT. I always enjoy shooting there every time