Places to shoot... getting worse.

[TechBrute]

You'd think that living in Texas, we'd have a plethora of close, cheap, and good places to shoot. Not so much.

I find myself going to one of a half-dozen ranges depending on the type of shooting I do.

One range is decent for rifle and decent for pistol but doesn't allow shotguns. Another is good for sporting clays, but there's no patterning or "plinking" with the shotty. Yet another is great for pistol, lousy for rifle, and no shotguns. The best one for rifle is the farthest away. Another would be good for rifle but doesn't allow FMJ.

Is anyone lucky enough to have a place to shoot that can satisfy the following criteria:

1) close to home
2) several distances of rifle ranges (with at least 100 yards at the farthest, 200 or farther preferred)
3) shotguns allowed, both sporting and "plinking"
4) good pistol range with multiple distances
5) hosts events (sanctioned or not) periodically
6) all types of weapons allowed (FA included)
7) all types of non-hazardous ammo allowed (FMJ, AP, HP, etc)
8) cheap

What is your favorite range missing?

 

[keyhole]

That kinda lists like ours. You can just about shoot anything you want, but we kinda pull the plug with cannons. Have a couple of guys with 50's, but they don't do a lot of shooting out there with them. Just 19 miles from the house also!

 

[Evil_Ed]

Port Malabar Rifle and Pistol club in Palm Bay, Florida... 600 yard rifle range, 100 yard rifle, bench rest, various pistol, trap & skeet, sporting clays, black powder, plus an action area. Initial fee is a couple of hundred but yearly is only $85 after initial sign up. Web site for the range is here: http://www.portmalabarrpclub.com/

 

[SpookyPistolero]

I just joined a range here in Kentucky and am realizing some of the same problems exist. It's great for pistol, since I can have access to pistol pits where I can practice IDPA type setups. I just read, however, that on the rifle range there is no FMJ, which is all I have or am going to spend the money on for my rifle. There goes that idea...

This may be an ignorant question, but why, if there is an enormous berm, can you not use FMJ? It seems penetration issues dissapear.

-Spooky

 

[reagansquad]

My range is perfect except it is 1.5 hours away. You can even shoot TVs and stuff there.

 

[TechBrute]

This may be an ignorant question, but why, if there is an enormous berm, can you not use FMJ? It seems penetration issues dissapear.

It's not an ignorant person for someone who's never lived in this area. We have the hardest soil that you can imagine. It's not so much penetration issues, as ricochet issues.

 

[waynzwld]

oops, double post.

 

[waynzwld]

couldn't resist...


25, 50, 100, 200 yards pistol, shotgun & rifle. Any ammo

 

[Dave P]

You tell 'em Ed!

Port Malabar Rifle and Pistol club is the place (even better when we move!)

 

[PMDW]

Only range around here is an indoor pistol range.

Pisses me off.

 

[iamkris]

Here in Northern Illinois (northern Chicago suburbs) places to shoot are difficult to say the least. There are actually several places to shoot, but most are indoor and severely restricted...typically just pistol, and are expensive.

I shoot just over the border in WI...45 minutes from my house. It has lots of good points but a few really bad...

1) close to home -- Nope
2) several distances of rifle ranges (with at least 100 yards at the farthest, 200 or farther preferred) -- Yup, up to 200 yards
3) shotguns allowed, both sporting and "plinking" -- on trap, skeet only...only slugs allowed on rifle/pistol range before hunting season
4) good pistol range with multiple distances -- 25 yards only
5) hosts events (sanctioned or not) periodically -- NRA/CMP high power rifle, CAS, action pistol, 3-gun (pistol cal carbines only)
6) all types of weapons allowed (FA included) -- no full auto
7) all types of non-hazardous ammo allowed (FMJ, AP, HP, etc) -- Yup
8) cheap -- Yup, $60/year, $4 per visit

The biggest drawback is firearm loading limits...5 rounds in a handgun, no holstered handguns, 5 rounds in any rimfire, single round in any centerfire rifle...e.g., one at a time.

Next biggest drawback is hours...its all volunteer run so it's Friday afternoon, Saturday/Sunday only.

The membership is 2000+ members...gives you an idea that this is the best thing going around here. http://www.bristolranges.com/First/first.html

This is especially bad for someone (me) who grew up on a farm and had a range similar to waynzwrld above.

 

[jdkelly]

1) close to home :
Range 1-With my windows open I can hear the soft sounds of gunfire off in the distance.
Range 2-Is ten minutes.
Range 3-Is fifteen minutes.

2) several distances of rifle ranges (with at least 100 yards at the farthest, 200 or farther preferred)
Range 1- 100 yards
Range 2- 100 yards
Range 3- 25 yards (indoor range)

3) shotguns allowed, both sporting and "plinking"
Range 1- Shotguns yes, no Sporting Clays or the like
Range 2- Skeet, Trap
Range 3- Shotguns yes, (indoor range)

4) good pistol range with multiple distances -- 25 yards only
Range 1- Pistol to 100 yards
Range 2- Pistol to 100 yards
Range 3- Pistol to 25 yards (indoor range)

5) hosts events (sanctioned or not) periodically
Range 1- Pin and Plate shoots, Turkey shoots (Shotgun)
Range 2- Pin and Plate shoots, Shotgun shoots
Range 3- No Comp. shooting

6) all types of weapons allowed (FA included)
Range 1- Yes
Range 2- Yes
Range 3- Yes

7) all types of non-hazardous ammo allowed (FMJ, AP, HP, etc)
Range 1- Yes
Range 2- Yes
Range 3- Yes (no lead)

8) cheap --
Range 1- $90.00
Range 2- $100.00
Range 3- $195.00 For Profit Range


There are at least two other ranges with 15 minutes of my apartment and several more with in 30 minutes.


Respectfully,

jdkelly

 

[MaterDei]

I live on 9 unrestricted acres that backs up to a 2000 acre cattle ranch on one side and a forest on another. I shoot in my 'back yard'

1) close to home - YUP!
2) several distances of rifle ranges (with at least 100 yards at the farthest, 200 or farther preferred) - Yes
3) shotguns allowed, both sporting and "plinking" - Yes
4) good pistol range with multiple distances - Range is a bit of a formal term but yes
5) hosts events (sanctioned or not) periodically - No
6) all types of weapons allowed (FA included) - FA is allowed, I just don't have any. If anybody wants to shoot at my place let me know. It'll only cost you some ammo
7) all types of non-hazardous ammo allowed (FMJ, AP, HP, etc) - Yes
8) cheap - Over two grand a month!

 

[photo_guy]

There are two ranges I go to in my area; neither fit all of your "dream" criteria.


Local Indoor Range
1) close to home - Yes, about 20min drive
2) several distances of rifle ranges (with at least 100 yards at the farthest, 200 or farther preferred) Yes - 100yds
3) shotguns allowed, both sporting and "plinking" - SG's allowed but slugs only. No plinking.
4) good pistol range with multiple distances - Yes
5) hosts events (sanctioned or not) periodically - Not really
6) all types of weapons allowed (FA included) - FA allowed but only on special nights
7) all types of non-hazardous ammo allowed (FMJ, AP, HP, etc) - Yes
8) cheap - OK, $12/hr


Local outdoor range
1) close to home - OK, about 50min drive
2) several distances of rifle ranges (with at least 100 yards at the farthest, 200 or farther preferred) - Yes
3) shotguns allowed, both sporting and "plinking" - Yes
4) good pistol range with multiple distances - Limited pistol distances
5) hosts events (sanctioned or not) periodically - IPSC, IDPA, and steel matches often
6) all types of weapons allowed (FA included) - I think not. Never asked about FA and never saw any used there.
7) all types of non-hazardous ammo allowed (FMJ, AP, HP, etc) - Yes
8) cheap - Yes, $5 per day for 1 gun + $2 per additional gun

 

[taliv]

i'm a member of ORSA in TN, which meets all the criteria except full-auto.

however, in general, i'm very disappointed by the declining number and quality of ranges

 

[orangeninja]

Techbrute...you whine to much. Anyone ever tell you that before?

You should quit that high paying job, go to the gym a couple of times, take a basic test, go to an 8 month class, then get a shiny little piece of metal that gun range gurus fawn over, THEN you can shoot just about anything you want anywhere you want.

 

[Typhoon]

Los Angeles, People's Republic. 'Nuff said.

 

[Ky Larry]

My brother still lives on our family farm. 226 acres that back up to the Daniel Boone National Forest/Cave Run Lake area. We have measured marker stakes out to 850 yards. Since its private property, we can shoot anything we want. It's 50 minutes from where I live now.

 

[50 Shooter]

Typhoon,
What are you talking about? If your in L.A. there's all kinds of ranges that are close. Angeles Range is right off the 210, they have a 700 yard rifle range, a pistol range on the other side of the the rifle range in case you get tired of shooting your rifle. Go up the road and they have the shotgun range and silhouette club, three private ranges and a air rifle range.

There's also Burro Cyn, Lytle Creek, West End Gun Club, Desert Marksman and a whole bunch of others I could name. Plus all the indoor ranges that are out there, don't fool yourself, there's plenty of areas to shoot in SoCal. Don't forget there's also the desert, the place that I shoot in the desert we set targets out to 2000 yards!

 

[orangeninja]

"air rifle range"


ummmm.......whats an air rifle range? In Texas we call that the back yard.

 

[50 Shooter]

It's for all the people that don't have backyards. With the way they build houses here anymore, you can reach out your window and shake your neighbors hand.

 

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

Yeah, you whine too much, TB...move closer to Gibson's.

...or go to the family farm, like I do.

good to see ya, Alduro.


Regards,
Rabbit.

 

[Typhoon]

Thanks, 50 Shooter. I am aware of the Southern California ranges. Still have to fight traffic to get to them (or the desert). Just being grumpy today...

 

[cfabe]

I can't really complain about the ranges in my area (northeast ohio), this is the one i visity most frequently when I want to do outdoor stuff. There's an indoor pistol range about 20 min from my house.

A&A trap/skeet, parkman ohio
1) close to home - about an hour drive
2) several distances of rifle ranges (with at least 100 yards at the farthest, 200 or farther preferred) - 100yd rifle range, 200yd rifle range, 25yd outdoor pistol, and the trap/skeet area
3) shotguns allowed, both sporting and "plinking" - the rifle ranges are unsupervised, anything goes pretty much
4) good pistol range with multiple distances - if you bring a target stand you set it wherever you please
5) hosts events (sanctioned or not) periodically - they do but I've not participated
6) all types of weapons allowed (FA included) - they say no rapid fire but we bump-fire stuff all the time and nobody bitches
7) all types of non-hazardous ammo allowed (FMJ, AP, HP, etc) - never checked, .50BMG shells on the groudn
8) cheap $7/hr

 

[orangeninja]

Thanks S.A.