Range Practice is getting outrageous.

[kd7nqb]

I went to the range this week and of course it was a lot of fun but prices for everything are getting outrageous. Here was my bill,

$15 Lane Fee
3-50round boxes of Magtech .40S&W x15.95/box = $47.85
2 Targets at .50each= $1.00

TOTAL- $63.85

I would love to find a place outdoor to shoot that is anywhere within reasonable driving time of Portland but there just does not seem to be a spot. Also I know the ammo prices at my range are high and there use to be a sort of unwritten rule that as long as you ran quality ammo and it was in your guns the RSO didnt care much. I guess they have really gotten cracked down on by the air quality people so they are starting to be more stringent on making sure you use their ammo.

Does this bill seem about average for most indoor ranges?

One thing I noticed that I think might increase my enjoyment is this time I went by myself rather than with somebody else, when I go with a range buddy and we share a lane the 2nd person is only an additional $10 (unless they are a member too then its free) and it makes the whole thing take 2x as long so it seems like a better deal.

 

[Big45]

someone will say r-e-l-o-a-d within the next two posts

 

[TheReeves]

I shoot outdoors, but my ammo bill is usually three times that. Finally started buying boxes here and there, but that still just spaces out the tab instead of hitting me all at once. I guess someone can spit reload at me too.

 

[kd7nqb]

I meant to mention that the range has also now been more picky about turning in your brass back to them. I use to at least justify that at least I could keep my brass for when I start reloading.

 

[Yosemite**Sam]

$15 Lane Fee
3-50round boxes of Magtech .40S&W x15.95/box = $47.85
2 Targets at .50each= $1.00

Being able to protect the family = Priceless

 

[Zedicus]

Magtech .40S&W x15.95/box

Jeez, Sportsmans here has that for $12.59 a box.

argets at .50each

Say What?

For a friggin Paper Target?
I normally see them for 15-25 cents each...

 

[KiltedClaymore]

buy cheap ammo

problem solved.



if you can, try an outdoor range where they can't complain about "air quality".
also buying in bulk helps. especialy the wolf or brown bear. makes great practice ammo.

 

[Zedicus]

buy cheap ammo

problem solved.

A Lot of Indoor Ranges won't allow you to use ammo you purchased elsewhere, or reloaded.
these same ranges also won't allow use of targets you bring with you.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Who pays for targets?

http://www.targetz.com/
http://www.mytargets.com/
http://www.gamecalls.net/free_stuff/52_free_targets.html

Or, if that's too expensive, buy the cheapest paper you can find and make a dot with a sharpie.

This is also why so many of us own .22 pistols.

 

[Blackfork]

150.00 a year family range fee.

In Texas, of course. Our indoor range in town in about the prices you quote. I reload .45 and .223. Make better ammo and it's a little cheaper.

 

[PPGMD]

A Lot of Indoor Ranges won't allow you to use ammo you purchased elsewhere, or reloaded.
these same ranges also won't allow use of targets you bring with you.

That's not the norm that I see, I haven't been to a range yet that requires me to use their ammo, let alone your own targets.

Anyways I pay $165 for 1,000 rounds of 9mm, and about 13 cents each per a target for paper targets, around 40 cents for IPSC cardboard targets.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

$15 Lane Fee
3-50round boxes of Magtech .40S&W x15.95/box = $47.85
2 Targets at .50each= $1.00

1: How much time do you get for that? An hour, some other time limit, or even all day? My own range charges that per hour for non members. Members get unlimited use for $29.95 a month.
2: Now that's pretty outrageous, close to what mine gets for .45. Are you allowed to bring in your own ammo? Mine allows it, save that their ammo must be shot in their rentals.
3: Target prices are roughly the same.

 

[Sam1911]

Holy CRAP that's a lot of money to shoot!

Have you tried locating a Sportsman's Club or Gun Club near by? Sometimes the membership fees and/or initiation fees can be a big chunk at the start, but you'll save far more in the end.

Even when I lived in MD where there weren't many places to shoot I found a club for $250/year. Up in PA, now, I pay $70/year in club dues. I can shoot 8:00 a.m. to dark every day outside and then until like 11:00 every night indoors, too if I wanted, 365 days a year for that $70! And there are precious few restrictions on ammo. I shoot something around 100 rds/week of my .45 ACP reloads which costs me maybe $12.

Look on IDPA's web site or USPSA to find lists of affiliated clubs in your area. If the club is holding those type of pistol competitions regularly then chances are you'll be able to practice useful, practical gun-handling on their ranges.

For the wad of cash you're dumping to shoot, I'd be spending over $3200 a year just on practice time! YIKES!

-Sam

 

[cslinger]

Ahhh the joys of owning high quality .22s.

One of my firearm collection goals over the years has been to gather a collection of .22 long rifle firearms that give me the same joy and types of shooting as my full caliber arms. They are cheap to shoot and give me great pleasure as well as cheaper practice.

A few of my favorites.

 

[TAB]

the indoor range I go to some times is $4 if your a member( $20 a year) and $6 if your not.

 

[gunsmith]

Reno needs an indoor range bad

it's to hot in the summer, to cold in the winter

 

[Floppy_D]

The range fee seems a fair to a little high, the ammo sounds really high, and the targets are about right. For the price of that, see if you can find a local hunt club that will let you shoot, and maybe offer them 75 or 100 a year to do it. I've found a local farmer who lets me shoot does during deer season (he leases to a hunt club for bucks) and anything else, plus recreational shooting, so long as I whack as many coyotes as possible, and bale hay when asked.

 

[Lichter]

$15 Lane Fee
3-50round boxes of Magtech .40S&W x15.95/box = $47.85
2 Targets at .50each= $1.00

That's how it pretty much works out for me as well. $15hr, there's few ranges up here in Wisconsin. I can get .40 reloads at the range/gunshop for $11/100 or Blazer Brass at WalMart

 

[bsf]

I have never paid to use an indoor range, so I cannot relate. That being said, I just recently joined a club and I get free range use now. I cannot imagine dropping $60+ every time I shoot. That almost covers my yearly club fee. You just need to do an exhaustive local search to determine all shooting options, prices, restrictions, and distances. Your per round ammo cost is almost 2x mine, and I use .45acp and do not reload. I agree with others in that you need to find a way to use less expensive ammo. If you can use your own ammo and shoot frequently, do not be afraid to buy it by the thousands. Buying by the box can just kill your wallet. If you stumble upon a good deal, pounce on it. That being said, I do know how much ammo prices have gone up since beginning of ’07.

 

[jrfoxx]

Yup, between increasing range fees (especially at indoor rages ), and the skyrocketing price of ammo, if I didnt reload, and wasnt within about min of a nice old quarry in the national forest to shoot at, I'd have a big collection of guns that just sat collecting dust.Personally, I'd be willing to drive up to 1.5 hours each way to go shooting outdoors for free if I had to, just so I could afford to go shooting more than a couple times a year.Even with reloading and shooting in the forest, I've had to cut down on how often I go, as the price of reloading componants has gone up plenty too. then figure in the cost of gas anymore at $3 a gallon, and its WAY cheaper than using factory ammo and paying for a range, but it still ain't cheap, and I cant go nearly as often as I'd like.

P.S.-kd7nqb, I dont really know the Portland area at all,but looking at some forest service maps, it seems like the 'Columbia river gorge national scenic area' (http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/columbia/) along 84 wouldnt be too far really (just guessing though, as I dont know where you are exactly, or how far it is to the dge of the scenic area).Also, theres MT. Hood national forest (http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/) further alon 84,but that maybe too far to be resonable.Again, I dont know that area at all, but you could give the forestry service station in those areas a call and ask them about shooting.Thats how I found the quarry I go shooting at in the Willamette National Forest.I just called the ranger station in that area and asked them where they would recommend for a good, safe place to shoot.They were very freindly and helpful. Worth a try, assuming it's within a reasonable drive for you.Hope that helps and works out for you.Shooting outdoors with no other people around you to worry about, and where you can shoot however you want, is REALLY nice compared to going to a range where you (usually) cant shoot certain targets, or cant do rapid fire or holster drills, and people muzzle sweeping you, or doing other stupid stuff.I like it WAY better than a range, and I get to do a lot more practical defensive shooting drills, practice drawing and shooting quickly, and such this way.

 

[.38 Special]

There are some indoor ranges in my neck of the woods that don't permit outside ammo or reloads, and that force you to buy their targets as well. I don't go to those ones.

Between the handloads, the annual membership fee (with no additional per-day fees), and the computer-paper targets, I figure $63.85 is about my per-week cost, assuming four or five days a week at the range.

 

[def4pos8]

Yep, prices do rise. Y'all shouldn't become discouraged. My first, real, get-an-actual-paycheck job paid $1.15 per hour -- and I was damned happy to have it.

My other vice (--well, other MAJOR vice--) is operating/maintaining a fifty-year-old light aircraft. Its, all costs included, cost of operation is about $70 per hour. My "sweat equity" is not part of that $70.

I gave my machine a new alternator this year: $900 -- $0 for my install labor, plus $65 to the inspector who approved my install. Next year I'll be privileged to purchase/install a new, federally required, GPS-based, emergency locator/transmitter, parts/install/inspection: $1,200. Spark plugs are $21 each -- and I need 12 (two per cylinder). A remanufactured carburetor is $850 (exchange). The rest of this year's maintenance would either bore you to death or horrify you with its extent and costs. This sort of thing is continuous for a conscientious, careful aviator.

Newer versions of my machine rent at $100 to $125 per hour.

I LIKE shooting. It's one of the less expensive recreational activities.

 

[another okie]

If their prices seem too high, then perhaps that means there is a business opportunity there. In other words, open your own range. What you may find when you check into it is that what they are charging is what it costs to stay in business.

Or, if you find they are in fact getting rich, get in on it.

But I'll bet when you start checking on the cost of real estate, taxes, bullet traps, salaries and insurance you will find they are hardly making any money.

 

[Mazeman]

I guess I don't feel so bad about paying $35 per YEAR at my local outdoor range.

Now ammo... that's another issue.

 

[B yond]

R-E-L-O-A-D