Better outdoor ranges in Kali than NC?

[sidearm]

OK you seasoned North Carolina High Roaders, here's your chance. I just recently moved here from the "occupied territory" of So-Cal and I can't seem to find any decent outdoor ranges. Even in Los Angeles County we had 1200 yrd ranges. I thought for sure North Carolina would have that beat or at least matched! Something like open unmonitored ranges w/ a place to stuff $$ for the honest range user etc. I can't even seem to find a decent place outdoors period! So what's the deal? Is this a nitch? Should I buy some land and open one? Suggestions? Experiences w/ good outdoor ranges here?

Sidearm-

 

[CAP]

sidearm, where are you?

In central NC there is Sir Walter Gun Club, Deep River, Durham Wildlife; it kind of depends on what you want to shoot. In the capital city I usually end up shooting indoors unfortunately.

Unless you own land or know someone who does, it can be tough to find decent places to legally shoot.

Sir Walter has long range matches. There is also a military range near Butner. Also a good place to shoot near Oxford I hear.

Good luck, and welcome to NC.
Glad you were able to escape from occupied territory!.

CAP

 

[ysr_racer]

People bag on So. Cal. but I can think of at least 6 or 8 GREAT outdoor ranges. There's more to life than owning an AR-15.

brad

 

[Majic]

So Cal also has the terrain for long distance shooting. Here on the East Coast our terrain is different so long distance shooting isn't always possible. Alot of counties in NC and Va only allow shotgun hunting because of our terrain. 300 to 500 yard ranges are pretty rare here.

 

[Detritus]

Also a good place to shoot near Oxford I hear.

i believe you refer to "gunrunner's" (or so i am told it was once called) a fairly informal place (when i was last there) on a piece of converted farm land owned by a man named of Frank Glover. When i was a member it was mainly a Pistol range, owing to frank's personal interests (more of a IDPA, IPSC, SASS shooter than a a "rifle guy"), maximum distance was 300yrds. then again unlike Sir Walter Raleigh (again at least at that time) you didn't have to jump through a series oif steps to join, you showed up, looked around, maybe shot a little, at some point Frank would show up (drawn by sound of "a range in use" usually) see the new face(s) intro himself and then give you the run down on membership etc.

bad thing is that after 4 years away i don't have enough recall of detail (exit numbers road name ect) to give directions to the place (those that i COULD give would serve only to get you lost in the woods of Granville county).. but i could get on I-85 and drive there in my sleep!!

Edited to add.....

On the subject of longer range rifle shooting.... in my 10 years of shooting within the state of NC the only range i personally ever visited that were longer than about 3-400 yards were the ones at the various military bases. granted i never visted the more upscale/larger ranges, such as the aforementioned SWRGC. but Majic is right it is VERY hard throughout most of NC to get enough SPACE to make rifle lane longer than about three to four hundred yards.

 

[Billy Sparks]

The place in Oxford is called "The Range" if you surf over to the IDPA webpage and burrow down you will find a link the there webpage and directions.

 

[Jack19]

sidearm, where are you in NC? You've got to remember that NC doesn't have the open space that CA does....just the freedom to own pretty much whatever you want.

 

[Stonewall]

sidearm

You should check out RANGE-1 in Lillington, NC. It's about 35 min from Raleigh and about 20 min from Ft. Bragg. It has out to 100meter rifle as well as pistol and a "shoot house" , etc...( www.range-1.com for more info)

Also:
North State shooting Club (Butner, NC)
http://northstateshootingclub.com/Frames/Frame_Range.htm
Ranges up to 1,000 yds.

Sir Walter Gun Club
P.O. Box 10263
Raleigh, NC 27605-0263
Range is in Creedmore, NC
http://www.sirwaltergunclub.com

GREAT INDOOR RANGE:
Personal Defense & Handgun Safety Center, Inc.
301 Tryon Road
Raleigh, NC 27603
919.779.6880
http://www.pdhsc.com

never been to many of the following but here's the info:

Ant Hill Shooting Range
Hwy 211 at Midway Rd.
Bolivia, NC 28422
910-371-6391


Charlotte Rifle & Pistol Club
P.O. Box 11183
Charlotte, NC 28403
http://www.cr-pc.org

Watauga Gun Club
P.O. Box 2316
Boone, NC 28607
Phone: 828-295-7285

Durham Pistol & Rifle Club
Post Office Box 965
Durham, NC 27702
Phone: 336-567-0981
http://www.dprc.org


Pitt County Wildlife Club
P.O. Box 101
Greenville, NC 27835
Phone: 252-321-4378
www.pittcountywildlifeclub.20fr.com

Dare County Shooting Complex
P.O. Box 2346
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
Phone: 252-441-6512
www.outerbanksgunclub.com

Tuckertown BR Range
Richfield, NC
(704) 933-2885

Rockingham County Gun Club
2111 Scott Rd.
Brown's Summit, NC 27214
(336-621-2513) after 6:00 p.m

Blackwater Training Center
850 Puddin Ridge Road
Moyock, NC 27958
Phone: 252-435-2488

Grandview Firearms Training Center
4681 Yadkinville Rd
Pfafftown, NC 27040
Phone: 336-924-8426

The Gun Exchange Shooting Range
2440 Red Hill Rd
Whiteville, NC 28472
Phone: 910-642-5840


Outback Shooting Range
6019 Simmons Rd.
Ash, NC 28420
910-287-5525
http://home.nccoast.net/outback

Ye Olde Gun Club & Shooting Range
Route 211
Southport, NC
(910) 278 - 3763
http://www.bcinet.net/gunclub

 

[sidearm]

I've been away from the board for a few days and I just wanted to thank everyone who responded. The info was VERY helpful. Cheers!

-------------------------------

Stonewall: thanks for the great post on North Carolina locations—THIS WILL COME IN HANDY FOR ALL IN NC!

Jack 19: Yep! Cornelius (Lake Norman) to be specific. Just bought a home on the lake. (Can we mention fishing on this board? : ) I think I'll look into developing a local range.

Billy Sparks: Thanks for the heads up-

OrvilleYertleson: Yeah the laws are better, now what's holding us back? I understand the hunting distances, and so forth - may not be as far, but we can still have fun can't we!? It'll all be in the advertising. : )

Detritus: Thanks for the insight

ysr_racer: Yes that's true, but I'm trying to guage interest here. Heck in CA you didn't even need to go to a range. Desert trips were great- As far AR's, that complex is not even in question.

CAP: Thanks! I'll have to check those out-

 

[Navy joe]

Well Frank does rifle stuff at the range now, hosting some really great tactical 3 gun that I hope to attend next year. Sir Walter is great, I shoot IPSC there. You won't get a membership, there are full with a list. They also run Bullseye, scattergun games, SASS, and reduced course Highpower. They have one heck of a junior program and run junior smallbore matches for them too.
My IPSC club is Blackwater Practical Shooters, but I haven't figured out how to scam onto their 1200m KD range. I think the two ways are take a precision rifle class or know someone real well. Well worth it to take a class there though, awesome facility.

 

[sidearm]

Thanks for all the replies, I thought I'd let everyone know that I've decided to open up a shooting range here in North Mecklenburg County ( Huntersville, Cornelius, Mooresville). It's hard to believe there isn't even an indoor shooting range that isn't a "club". Closest looks to be down along the SC/NC border (Charlotte Rife & Pistol Club). I'm speaking with the bank this week and I'll have a definate soon. There is no way I'm willing to drive to a club and jump through hoops to shoot my 1911-A1. I'll make one. Wish me luck!

Sidearm-

 

[Majic]

Good luck, but the bank will probably the least of your worries. Have you checked on insurance and the EPA?

 

[sidearm]

Majic: Thanks for the concerns and yes those are valid questions. All will be dealt with. However, If I don't do anything, that's exactly what will happen - Nothing. So should I fold because of insurance and EPA? hardly. I'm not the type. I'll see what it will take and make it happen. I'll send you a guest pass.

sidearm-

 

[10-Ring]

CA might be occupied territory, but the inhabitants seem to be fairly organized. From my neck of the woods, I have access to 3 outdoor & 2 indoor ranges most of which offer some kind of organized competition during the week...at least I can be thankful for somethings

 

[Majic]

Sidearm I understand and really do hope you succeed. I have a 300+ yd range just a few miles from me. Unfortunately it is part of a military base and have been shutdown. We have tried several times to get them to open it back up (we would staff it as we have in the past), but the new commander doesn't want to listen to us. So it just sits there unused. My other options for outdoor ranges means at least a 30 to 45 minute drive.
If you can overcome all your obstacles i'm sure you will have no problem filling the lanes.
I appreciate the pass offer, but since this will be your business I'll gladly pay your fees to help out.