Mike1234567
member
^^^ Move out of the city? 
Overpriced Ammo at the Local Gun Range
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RetiredUSNChief
Member
^^^ Move out of the city?
Silly advice.
Then I'll have added movie expenses driving back INTO the city with the family!
Think, man!
callenlee
Member
Indoor range near me does not allow steel cased or cast lead ammo. They let us pick up our brass as long as it's behind the line. I went a couple of times before joining a private outdoor range that was leaps and bounds cheaper, allows me to shoot what I want whenever I want, and offers other advantages over the indoor range.
Lucky Derby
Member
I worked at a range back in the mid 90's. We did allow customers to take their own brass with them, as long as it was behind the firing line, for obvious safety reasons. Most shooters chose not to do this. We sold ammo too. It was about $1 or $2 (depending on caliber) more than if you had bought it elsewhere but it was more convient, and we had no problem if you brought your own ammo.
We did not allow steel or aluminum cased ammo on the range. Here is why: We sold the brass to a commercial reloader. At the end of the day we would sweep the casings up and put it in buckets. Every few weeks the reloader would come by, weigh the casings and pay us per pound for the unsorted casings. The price per pound was significantly less if we didn't prohibit steel and aluminum casings. So much so, that if we didn't, our range fees would have had to go up. As far as allowing someone to shoot the prohibited ammo if they picked it up. A trusted customer shooting a revolver we would let slide. We knew he/she could get it all. With an auto, no dice. No matter how well meaning, one or two casings would get missed. This happens to many times and the money we get from the reloader goes down, and the customers range fees go up. Then how happy are the customers?
We did not allow steel or aluminum cased ammo on the range. Here is why: We sold the brass to a commercial reloader. At the end of the day we would sweep the casings up and put it in buckets. Every few weeks the reloader would come by, weigh the casings and pay us per pound for the unsorted casings. The price per pound was significantly less if we didn't prohibit steel and aluminum casings. So much so, that if we didn't, our range fees would have had to go up. As far as allowing someone to shoot the prohibited ammo if they picked it up. A trusted customer shooting a revolver we would let slide. We knew he/she could get it all. With an auto, no dice. No matter how well meaning, one or two casings would get missed. This happens to many times and the money we get from the reloader goes down, and the customers range fees go up. Then how happy are the customers?
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The owner of the range I use allows any type of ammo from any type of gun. He allows shooting at night and has lights rigged up for that purpose. He expects people to pick up their casings but doesn't get too upset about it. He has a guy with a reloading operation that he gives the brass he picks up which helps that old guy make a few extra bucks and stay in business. In return he gets to chat up a real old timer and listen to a whole lot of BS some of which may actually be true.
Did I mention that my range is about 50 yards from my door and the owner is me?
There is a new outdoor range that is located about 20 miles from my house and is closer to town so a few of my friends are giving it a shot. For the ones that live in town it is much more convenient to drive 10 miles one way than come out to the farm if all they want to do is sight in a rifle or fire a couple of mags of 9mm. How much is convenience worth? That is a totally personal question and everyone is different. Many ranges(like any other type of business) don't last long so they got something wrong in their ciphering.
Did I mention that my range is about 50 yards from my door and the owner is me?
There is a new outdoor range that is located about 20 miles from my house and is closer to town so a few of my friends are giving it a shot. For the ones that live in town it is much more convenient to drive 10 miles one way than come out to the farm if all they want to do is sight in a rifle or fire a couple of mags of 9mm. How much is convenience worth? That is a totally personal question and everyone is different. Many ranges(like any other type of business) don't last long so they got something wrong in their ciphering.
1911 guy
Member
When I read these threads, I am reminded of how lucky I am. I live less than 40 minutes from a range that is open 8 hours a day, you can shoot anything up to and including .50 BMG, bring your own targets (they provide cardboard and wire frame to hang) and ammo. Cost is 27 dollars a year. Or five bucks a day if you don't want the year ticket.
Downside: no amenities, just a porta-john. Outdoor so they close January and February. Very cold months here in N.E. Ohio.
Downside: no amenities, just a porta-john. Outdoor so they close January and February. Very cold months here in N.E. Ohio.
At the current range I frequent, when I first started going there did not allow steel/aluminum cased ammo. They swept the brass up and had it in a few 5 gallon buckets free to take. Now several years later shooting steel/aluminium cases ammo is allowed, yet they now sell the brass. So I think the not allowing you to shoot steel/aluminum so they can resell is bunk. It's probably just to catch people off guard so you buy their ammo.
Queen_of_Thunder
member
The thing is a cheap magnet on a stick from Harbor Freeight takes care of the mixing of brass and steel cased ammo plus steel cased ammo also has value. Now the practice of saying my brass cased ammo upon ejection belongs to the range is a nogo in my book. Any range that has that kind of policy will never get my business.
We once drove an hour to an indoor range with a hundred rounds of typical box store ammo. We weren't allowed to use it even though the range sold identical ammo on the shelf, which we would have been allowed to use at twice the price. They were not interested in examining my ammo to verify that it was unaltered factory loads. I called it BS and explained that we never would have driven 60 miles each way to shoot at an indoor range if the ammo restrictions been posted. None of us had the money to buy overpriced range ammo. We even had to split the cost of gas to get there.
We don't go there and we tell everyone else not to as well.
We don't go there and we tell everyone else not to as well.
Mike1234567
member
Movie expenses... like replacing your DVDs w/ BR? OUTA the city... OUTA OUTA OUTA!!Silly advice.
Then I'll have added movie expenses driving back INTO the city with the family!
Think, man!
Mike1234567
member
You're my kind of girl!!... I mean if "queen" means "girl"... otherwise we could be good buddies.
Deaf Smith
Member
Now yes ranges to charge alot for ammo but...
These ranges pay the salary of several staff personnel.
They are not Wal-Mart and don't carry anything but gun stuff.
So they live off whatever is charged for guns, ammo, range fees, and anything else they sell.
Also steel case ammo is not reloaded thus they have to pick or use magnets to get the steel cases out of the range brass before either processing them or selling the brass as scrap. That takes time and time cost money.
Ranges also charge the prices knowing you would have to drive a distance and buy ammo (and thus time and money for gas would factor into the price of the ammo.)
Now as for range rules. If the range has a website, find it and see what their rules are. If not found, call them FIRST before visiting.
Now in Big D, most ranges are micky-mouse. That is they have lots of rules and it is not fun shooting there except to help a new-be shooter learn the ropes.
That is just the way it is.
Deaf
Valkman
Member
I got lucky the other day as I went to a range I'd never been to before. This great kid helps me and asks me what kind of ammo I brought so I said Win. White Box. He said where did you buy it? and I said "huh" and he pointed to the sign that said "All ammo used in the range must be bought here." He looked and even though they don't sell my ammo I said "Oh yea I did get it here!"
He let me go shoot, and even provided 2 loaded 1911 mags when I found I'd left mine at home. Great guy.
He let me go shoot, and even provided 2 loaded 1911 mags when I found I'd left mine at home. Great guy.
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
When you reached the point of thinking you deserved and expected special treatment over the rest of the general public is the point at which your attitude negated deserving of the gift of special treatment many establishments do offer to people who served in the military or who are law enforcement. You are not entitled to special treatment. So don't be insulted when it isn't given to you.
sig228
Member
The new range by me has metal grates on the floors. Brass falls right through into a collection pit. I don't even get a chance to collect then if I was a reloader, which I am not.
loose noose
Member
Thank God, I live where I don't have to go to a regulated range. The Mojave Desert is where I set up my own targets and shoot whatever ammo I happen to prefer, and because I'm a reloader I can pickup my brass as well as anyone else who happens to leave it behind.
Mike1234567
member
At the risk of being severely beaten... I was involved with the military (civil service) for nearly a quarter century. What I observed, from the lowest levels all the way to the top, is an atmosphere of them "deserving special rewards" due to their service... because they're more deserving... in a different class... and we who did not serve, or could not serve, deserve less. I'm sorry to state that there's an attitude that is "trained into" our soldiers and marines. At command level, those "rewards" can make those in-the-know and who take full advantage... quite wealthy... just for doing their jobs. And often... they cook the books to make their ideas and actions "appear to be" far better than they are.
There, I said it. Beat me to a pulp.
EDIT: Got side-tracked for a few minutes. To add: I'm not saying we shouldn't offer some perks nor that they aren't deserved. I'm saying there's an atmosphere of abuse in the "system" that is widely accepted and "taught".
There, I said it. Beat me to a pulp.
EDIT: Got side-tracked for a few minutes. To add: I'm not saying we shouldn't offer some perks nor that they aren't deserved. I'm saying there's an atmosphere of abuse in the "system" that is widely accepted and "taught".
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RetiredUSNChief
Member
Arkansas Paul
Member
And that is why on the 8th day, God created revolvers.
Mike1234567
member
To be fair, it's human nature and is evident in all systems.
Yeah, ya' got me there, Chief. But for me, wanting to hold our soldiers to a higher standard, it's still a hard pill to swallow.
deadeye dick
Member
Like Loose Noose said, I also live in the woods on2 acres of land with 100 acres of woods behind me. I shoot off of my deck. If I want to shoot trap I have a county range (free) 5 miles from home. Paying for use of the range and not being able to pick up your own brass is BS
35 Whelen
Member
They're not gouging, it's called capitalism. If folks wouldn't buy it, they'd lower their prices. Besides, it's like buying fishing tackle. Where do you think it will be cheaper; at WalMart or at the bait shop that sits on the edge of the lake 30 miles from town?
So, it's really simple...if you don't like the way they conduct business, don't go there. That too, is part of capitalism and what makes our country work.
35W
Deaf Smith
Member
If you can, carry a drop cloth to put over the metal gates.
Either that or an umbrella.
Deaf
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