there aren't a lot of long range shooting facilities in this area, so I thought i'd point out one that no one around me seemed to know about.
https://www.silasbranch.com/
they're a relatively new range that's not far from me (E. TN) as the crow flies, but took more than an hour of curvy mountain roads for me to get to, since i'm not a crow.
summary is two thumbs up. they have started a great place to shoot and train, with lots of plans. very friendly staff.
The terrain is top of a mountain on the NC / TN border. I think elevation was above 3500'. Heavily wooded with Pisgah Nat Forest around. They definitely are taking advantage of the terrain, with a layout similar to what i've done on my own land, but on a much larger scale. You drive along gravel roads up the mountain and have several shooting stations. Some short range areas, like natural 3gun bays, and then long range stations up near the top, where you shoot across a valley to targets on the far side. The staff shuttles you up and down in enclosed side by sides.
targets visible in this pic range from 450yd to 700yd
The long range mountain shooting is challenging because you have to deal with angles, and midrange wind is hundreds of feet above the ground (guessing 600') so wind can be very tricky, with scant mirage.
Shooting stations are very well done, covered sturdy wooden benches. On the 200 yard facility, they even put brass catching screens between each station (although, all the stations appeared to be oriented to right handers and not particularly lefty friendly, but long range stations had right and left hand bench seats)
Targets on the long range stations are steel gongs hung by straps from a 6x6 frame in small clearings surrounded by trees. they actually labeled them with the size, which is helpful.
I particularly enjoyed their gnome hunting challenge, where they hide a garden gnome somewhere on the mountain every weekend and bragging rights go to whomever finds and shoots him first. I think I spent more time glassing than I did shooting.
And this is the patch you get when you smoke one of them
The seem to be planning to host competitions in the Spring, and they definitely have an awesome venue for that, especially if they do hike and shoot format.
If you're in the area, it's worth a visit.
https://www.silasbranch.com/
they're a relatively new range that's not far from me (E. TN) as the crow flies, but took more than an hour of curvy mountain roads for me to get to, since i'm not a crow.
summary is two thumbs up. they have started a great place to shoot and train, with lots of plans. very friendly staff.
The terrain is top of a mountain on the NC / TN border. I think elevation was above 3500'. Heavily wooded with Pisgah Nat Forest around. They definitely are taking advantage of the terrain, with a layout similar to what i've done on my own land, but on a much larger scale. You drive along gravel roads up the mountain and have several shooting stations. Some short range areas, like natural 3gun bays, and then long range stations up near the top, where you shoot across a valley to targets on the far side. The staff shuttles you up and down in enclosed side by sides.
targets visible in this pic range from 450yd to 700yd
The long range mountain shooting is challenging because you have to deal with angles, and midrange wind is hundreds of feet above the ground (guessing 600') so wind can be very tricky, with scant mirage.
Shooting stations are very well done, covered sturdy wooden benches. On the 200 yard facility, they even put brass catching screens between each station (although, all the stations appeared to be oriented to right handers and not particularly lefty friendly, but long range stations had right and left hand bench seats)
Targets on the long range stations are steel gongs hung by straps from a 6x6 frame in small clearings surrounded by trees. they actually labeled them with the size, which is helpful.
I particularly enjoyed their gnome hunting challenge, where they hide a garden gnome somewhere on the mountain every weekend and bragging rights go to whomever finds and shoots him first. I think I spent more time glassing than I did shooting.
And this is the patch you get when you smoke one of them
The seem to be planning to host competitions in the Spring, and they definitely have an awesome venue for that, especially if they do hike and shoot format.
If you're in the area, it's worth a visit.
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