StrykerVet, do I understand correctly that the R15 range is open to non-military? What do you need to do to get in to it?
I'll have to check out Paul Bunyan. I'm not really satisfied with the Tacoma Sportsmen's Club...
RANGE 15 IS OPEN TO NON-MILITARY. I hear this all the time. It is in the law, maybe Constitutional? that all military bases maintaining a range have to make at least one accessible to the public since the base belongs to the people --or whatever, I don't know the law part, that is what I heard. I understand they'd close 'em in a heartbeat if they were allowed to. Also, DO NOT CALL MWR to get info! They'll tell the wrong info, they always confuse the skeet range with R15 and the skeet range is on post and requires registering with the MP's, blah blah. To get in, I think you may need photo ID to sign in at the range. You don't need anything to actually get to the range itself. Just remember to go in the back way, Hwy 7, go towards E. Gate, and have all your weapons unloaded and secured --no loaded mags in the weapons. I even keep my mags unloaded just to be safe until I get there.
NOW. To get to R15 you have to go in the back way. Look for directions to E. Gate. The range will be one or two ranges JUST before the actual checkpoint. If you pass the fake C-130 or get to the gate you just passed it. To get to this road you have to go through base (ain't happening if you are civilian and armed) or go in the back way. Range complexes are not on "post" where the military conducts its business (most aren't). So you go in the back way from Hwy. 7 or Pacific or whatever they call it to the "Y" and there you veer off towards the base. It will look like you are on base but you aren't --not really. You are in a grey area where your weapons all have to be unloaded (even CCW pieces) and if you get pulled over it will be by MP's and they use a different play book. Don't get pulled over. You will pass through one checkpoint, but it won't be manned --this isn't E. Gate. Pass through it. If it is manned, that means training is going on down the street and they may not let you through depending.
When you get to R15, brush up on the safety rules. It isn't as anal as a lot of ranges are, but they expect you to be safe. They keep a short list because you will be more apt to follow it. If you do stupid stuff, they'll call you out on PA too. But civilians are MOST DEFINITELY allowed to use this range. Only real problem with it is that it is closed at certain times and only open Friday through Sunday.
You say you are a member of Tacoma Club. That is really just around the corner from me, but I don't go there either. I think I did a loooong time ago, and my neighbor, he hates it and I've talked to several others that do too. I guess they refuse to fire the ****** that runs the range and he's the reason they are losing all the business. Nobody likes being talked to like trash (and some don't put up with it).
However, to avoid the R15 times and hassles, you can go just a ways further to Paul Bunyan. I really like it. It has some stupid rules (8 rounds in the mag? 8? --just because the range was started in the '40's doesn't mean we have to keep rules steeped in the '40's. Thank God they didn't start it in 1888, it would be BP and muzzle loaders only.) but other than that, no real complaints. Oh, I was told I can't fire fast, but when I talked to they guy in charge of the place and showed him what I could do and told him about my past career, he made an exception. I guess they say most folks have difficulty firing accurately fast at long range, so they have a blanket rule, but if you can prove you are safe and capable of firing 2-3 rds. per second at nailing your 12" plate at 200m, they don't get in the way. Paul Bunyan is real clean, open 365 days, 7am to 10pm, lighted, covered lines, it is pretty nice. For the price, if you go once a month, you'll more than cover your dues (after the first year --there is a one time sign up fee).
Bottom line: Go R15 if you don't go all that often and you only go on weekend mornings. If you shoot more often and/or at odd hours and times, then sign up for Paul Bunyan. Also, it is free to take friends to Paul Bunyan, as many as you can control (so one or two new shooters or several experienced friends) but you are responsible for what they do. R15 charges for each person.
Both ranges allow you to drive down to the end to change targets, but I take a bike to Paul Bunyan.