Good rifle range near Austin, TX

[plexreticle]

Personally I don't like Eagle peak or their no FMJ rule. They were rude and expensive the one and only time I went out there.

Red's is ok. Red acts like a jerk so I try not to give him my money.

I don't know what it is with the small to medium sized gun business that the owners are almost always arrogant know it all a**holes.

Hill Country Rifle Range on Hamilton pool road is the best public range by far. The hours are hit and miss and I heard he sold the place recently so call ahead to make sure he's open.

Austin Rifle Club has one of the best private ranges I've seen. No rapid fire though. Good people also.

 

[lmccrock]

I'd just like to go out for some recreation and not bother any one. Does ANYone know of a place not more than an hour out of Austin that I could go? Down desolate dirt roads or anything?

You could do what I did. Buy some unrestricted land (I can hook you up with a great real estate guy in Bastrop). Hire dozer, build berm. Read up on agricultural valuation (sometimes called "ag exemption") so it is not taxed like a homestead.

Lee

 

[watts300]

Man. That really sucks.

A buddy of mine has a land lease, but it's pretty far away. I don't remember the name of the town it's near but he tells me it's about a 2 1/2 hour drive from here (north Austin/Pflugerville area).

He uses it to hunt, mostly with his bow. But he loves his outdoors enough to have others (like me) come with him if ever possible. A drive that far is almost worthy of camping for the night.

I'm reconsidering getting a gun now. :-/ Boo...

You could do what I did. Buy some unrestricted land (I can hook you up with a great real estate guy in Bastrop). Hire dozer, build berm. Read up on agricultural valuation (sometimes called "ag exemption") so it is not taxed like a homestead.

That would be nice, but I don't have a wallet for that kind of purchase.

 

[MudPuppy]

Lack of a good place to shoot is going to kill the way of the gun quicker than the brady crowd ever could. Booo!

I drive hours for a good range. My goal remains to get a little chunk like Lee has done. Lee, pm me some info on that real estate agent. Smithville/bastrop is nice. I want about 30 acres. (well, I "want" about 15k acres...I can probably afford about 30 if i get out of town a bit.)

 

[watts300]

Lack of a good place to shoot is going to kill the way of the gun quicker than the brady crowd ever could. Booo!

I'm not quick to give up. I'm going to try and research a bit more -- all I need is one little spot!

Ordinarily I wouldn't mind driving a bit to get to shoot, but between my work schedule and the the joy of picking up my son everyday from kindergarten, it's tough to work in a commute like that.

 

[alamo]

Personally I don't like Eagle peak or their no FMJ rule. They were rude and expensive the one and only time I went out there.

I wished I had re-reviewed this thread before I went out there yesterday. It was my first visit and I took my M1 Garand and a bunch of suplus ammo. The jokers behind the counter mumbled something about no FMJ being "state law" which is b.s. I had to settle for shooting 100 rounds through my Kel-Tec P-3AT which I just happened to have on me.

So if this Hill Country Rifle Range is indeed closed, what are the next best/closest places to shoot FMJ ?

Is Sanborn Shooters listed on this link still open?

http://www.krtraining.com/FAQs/AustinGunFAQ.HTML

 

[perdurabo93]

I's say your best bet is to drive up to Astro Village in Florence. They allow FMJ and have steel targets, though the last time I was there they didn't have any ranges more than 100 yards (yawn). 512-489-2061/512-966-6118

I just finished bulldozing a new berm for my private range. I haven't spent one thin dime on range fees or had to deal with one idiotic range nazi with their stupid ass rules. If you can afford it, buy your own rural land to shoot on. Its ever so worth it.

 

[alamo]

Astro Village in Florence

Do you mean Stans?

 

[Seafarer12]

I was looking at ARC Talk about a pain to join and their fees are pretty steep. Its a pain to drive but I think I will keep going to Central Texas Rifle and Pistol club, I am already a member there.

 

[alamo]

I think I will keep going to Central Texas Rifle and Pistol club

That's near Waco I gather? Their website doesn't say.

http://www.ctrp-ipsc.org/index.htm

 

[perdurabo93]

Astro Village is NOT Stan's. Its several miles further north on 183 towards Lampasas and on the left. In fact its just past the Willamson county line. Stan's is a pissant little range with way too many rules. Astro Village is only mildly better about what you can and cant do but its probably the best game in town. Give them a call and ask them what their current rules/procedures/prices are.

 

[Seafarer12]

That's near Waco I gather? Their website doesn't say.

http://www.ctrp-ipsc.org/index.htm

Yes its west of Waco in a town called China Spring. It has been around since the 50's. I think it has about 750 members or so. Probably more now. I don't know what happened to the web site. The site you pulled up is for their IPSC matches. Their main site is down. My father inlaw is the President and my mother inlaw got conned into taking over the web site after the guy that use to take care of it died. I think their dues are 45 a year but you also have to have an NRA membership too because that is who they get their insurance through. I haven't had to pay membership in years they have volunteer days to help with range work or their annual sight in. You get a free years membership for a days work. They have a 25 and 50 yard pistol and rimfire, 50, 100, 200 rifle. They also have a few pistol ranges for IPSC matches and such. They just broke ground on a new 50 yard rimfire range for matches. They are pretty active in NRA matches and want to get more sanctioned events out there. . I think they have CMP High Power, Ladies Pistol, IPSC, Juniors programs, IR 50/50, 22 silhouette, NRA Bullseye, Blackpowder programs at the moment. You don't have to be a member to take part in the matches.

 

[plexreticle]

Astro is right across the street from Stan's and has more rules than most military ranges I've been on.

Some of their stupid rules:
-You MUST wear a brimmed cap
- Ear muffs only, no ear plugs.
- If you decide to change lanes you have to go to the club house and let them know.
- You pay a membership and have to sign 2 releases that include, SSN, drivers ID#, and next of kin. They keep a folder with all your personal info in it. It takes about 20 minutes to compile the paperwork.

The handgun range backstop is a pile of old shot up target frames.

They act like they are doing you a favor for allowing you to come shoot on their junk yard looking range.

Went there once. Won't go back.

 

[alamo]

Maybe I'll look into the Austin Rifle Club. I don't shoot rifles very often so it may not be cost efficient depending on what they charge.

 

[waterhouse]

Maybe I'll look into the Austin Rifle Club. I don't shoot rifles very often so it may not be cost efficient depending on what they charge.

I think it is $85 a year now. Don't quote me on that. You can add your wife as an associate member for $10. In my opinion a bargain.

 

[lmccrock]

Is Sanborn Shooters listed on this link still open?

Yes, but it is a private range, not open to the public to walk in. For instance, the site you linked to is from a company who uses the Sanborn range for classes.

I took my M1 Garand

Pretty sure Austin Rifle Club shoots highpower matches. Take the M1 and shoot a match. I think they shoot matches at 200 yds, so know your zero at 200 before you go, if you can.

Lee

 

[alamo]

Thanks for all the info. everyone.

 

[Seafarer12]

I think it is $85 a year now. Don't quote me on that. You can add your wife as an associate member for $10. In my opinion a bargain.

Don't forget the 100 buck up front fee. I guess its worth it if you go shooting a lot but I don't get to go nearly as much as I would like to.
I see getting some land out east of town in my future.