Sparta is bit far for someone in Elgin........(like about 6-7 hour drive)
I'm a member of the Aurora Sportsmen's Club in Sugar Grove. You can check us out at
www.aurorasc.org. Depending on where you are in Elgin it's ~20 miles down Randall Rd. from you. We're in the process of developing ~850 acres out in Waterman. We' got the berms built for all the rifle/pistol ranges. We'll have 600, 200, 100, 50 25 yard and 50 ft ranges, and come next spring we'll start work on the shotgun sports and archery fields. We currently have 100, 50, and 25 yard rifle/pistol ranges where you can shoot anything up to .50 BMG (but not any full auto). We've also got Archery (target, 3D and Broadhead) Ranges and an indoor air-rifle and archery range. I'll send you a PM with my contact info and if you're interested we can work out a time to get together and shoot/give you the 50 cent tour of the club. LoadedDrum and hsiddall are also members.
There's also St. Charles Sportsmen's Club in Elburn. It's also about ~20 miles from you.
http://www.scsconline.org I'm not a member, but have shot there. Good people there. Guess it depends on what kind of shooting you're looking at doing. They do have ATA registered trap along with all the other Shotgun Sports. No Archery and the rifle/pistol is limited (below is from their Oct newsletter)
Calibers Allowed on Rifle/Pistol Range
The following types and calibers are currently allowed.
Remember, only standard velocity or target loads are allowed.
NO CENTERFIRE RIFLES
NO MAGNUM LOADS OR CALIBERS!
THE NEW .17 CALIBERS ARE NOT ALLOWED!
NO INLINE STYLE MUZZLE LOADING RIFLES
Rifles allowed
Air Rifles
Shotgun slugs
.22 rimfire - standard velocity or target loads
Caplock and Flintlock type black powder rifles and pistols, firing round ball projectiles.
Pistol allowed
.22 rimfire- standard velocity or target loads
Caplock or flintlock type black powder pistols
.25 auto
.32
Air Rifles
.32-20
.380 auto
.38
9mm
.45 Auto
.45 Colt
.40 Smith&Wesson
.44 Smith&Wesson special
.44-40 Winchester
.45 GAP
I've shot at Howell also. Relatively inexpensive compared to ASC and SCSC, but it's basically pistol and rimfire rifle. They have a great Youth Shooting Sports Camp the first weekend of June every year that I volunteer at. The landowner is 95 years old and when he passes on the son plans on shutting down the ranges.
