Ranges in South East Michigan

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I am looking for a long range rifle range in south east Michigan. I live in Ann Arbor, so anything within say an hour drive would be good. Here's the thing; no clubs. I know I have Washtenaw County Sportsmens Club about 10 minutes away, but I do not have time to go through all the membership, sponsoring, meetings and such. I work full time, go to school full time, and am deploying to Afghanistan soon. So joining a club, unless they feel like just letting me shoot at their range, is pretty much a no-go. Also, I don't shoot from a benchrest. I am in law enforcement and the military, so any long range shooting for me is alomost always going to be from the prone. The Island Lake shooting range in Brighton is mosty a Fudd range and does not allow prone shooting. So that's out too.

Anyone know of any other just pay-to-shoot ranges that have lanes in the 100-500 yard distances, and allow shooting from the prone?

 

[youngda9]

I was going to say Western Wayne County Conservation Assn...but it's a place you have to join. I don't know of anything besedes Island Lake where you can just show up and shoot...places like that are rare.

How about finding some state land, walk out on it, and shoot until your heart's content?

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I wouldn't mind mind joining someplace, it's just that I can't manage all of the requirements that clubs usually mandate. I wouldn't mind paying dues and showing up to clean once and a while. But all the clubs I know have things like sponsorship from a member, mandatory meetings and events, 1yr probation period. I just don't have time for all of that, plus it's hard to get your foot in the door so to speak. It just seems like most clubs are meant for retirement age guys with not much else to do. And for me, working 50 hours a week, taking 14 credit hours in school, Army National Guard drills, and getting deployed this year, I just can't devote that same amount of time to a club that they usually require.

As far as state land goes, I would love to find some place like that closer to where I live. There's one open shooting place in Lapeer MI near Flint that I go to, but that's almost a 2 hour drive, and there isn't enough space for long range shooting. If anyone knows of some open land that's closer to Ann Arbor than Flint, let me know lol

 

[Caliper_Mi]

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-42199_39011-131193--,00.html

The DNR lists ranges by county here. They include both state and private ranges, so some research may be needed.

For myself, I have gone to Ortonville Rec area, Island Lake Park and Pontiac Lake Park, all good places, low cost and closer than Lapeer. There are also lots of indoor ranges for close range pistol practice, but the cost goes up alot for those.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

What is the Ortonville Rec area like? It seems to be one of the only non-club places other that Island Lake. Does Ortonville have and long-range rifle ranges? Like 300-500yd? And also, do they allow shooting from the prone?

 

[andrewstorm]

long range shooting

No ortinville is a 100 yrd range,as is bald mountain, if u like to snipe coyotes,u have plenty of them all over nichigan,and i belive u can hunt them year round with a small game licence,ive seen some michiganders on u tube pick off coyotes a double at 350 yrds,with 7mm mag i belive and on public land,call the mi. d n r theyll know fur shur good luck you are arrogant child,if u mind someones grammar in a relaxed forum,at ease moron

 

[andrewstorm]

For blue eyes

Where is that cofounded lapeer range,or gravel pit,where you can let loose,the d n r gave me directions once and i couldnt find it thanx for any info.

 

[car15bill]

roods lk rd pit i take it you are talking about? i grew up about 1/2 mile south of that range, sort of spoiled me....

get off 69 onto m24 north, drive thru town, hang a right on daley(signs for past tense antiques, out of buisiness bank on corner) go thru 4 way 1 mile down, go 1 more mile to school and go left. go down a mile or so until it turns to dirt, and go over the first hill. go down other side of hill, and on second hill, it will be on the right hand side, about halfway up.

it gets busy on the weekends with all the c&r machine gun guys...if its too busy, go down to the end of the road, at the 90 degree bend with byers road, park on the 2 tracker, and walk back 100 yards to the sand pit/off road track that not as many people know about, and shoot there. its all state land back on byers road, but its dense woods and not very good to shoot at, plus you could potentially be sending rounds towards the range on roods lk rd.

Watch out for the mudholes certain times of the year on byers, it will SWALLOW a normal truck, and they dont do much about it, since its a seasonal road, and all the residents live on the last 1/2 mile over by fish lake rd.

 

[Trebor]

Capitol City Rifle Club in Williamston is $60 a year and they do not require any work hours. They have 25 and 50 yard pistol and 100 yard rifle. There is also a 200 yard military style rifle range with full pits, but that's kind of a pain to set up and use by yourself. (It can be done, but I very, very, rarely bother).

You would have to get a new member orientation before you could shoot there, but they are pretty good about working around your schedule to get the orientation done.

There's also Livingston Gun Club in Brighton. They do require work hours, but I believe you can pay extra dues and avoid the work hours.

 

[notbubba]

http://www.familyshooterscorral.com/

Family Shooters Corral may be a what you're looking for, range is 0 to 300 yards.

You can shoot in any position you want as long as it's safe.

4516 East Bellevue Hwy. Eaton Rapids

 

[youngda9]

I know western wayne county conservation assn allows you to pay extra $ to avoid doing the time they require to help out around the place...I'm sure many places have similar policies. Most all will have some sort of orientation class..that is to be expected.

 

[andrewstorm]

lapeer range info

thanx for the info, u r a lucky one to grow up with all that public land out ur back door,I grew up in the city,and in my early teens spent the summers at bald mountain campground,the parents dumped us on the local ranger,as long as we payed our 2 $ campsite fee we were free to shoot our crossman pellet rifles,and ride our trail 70 s,and fish till the we hours of the night,all summer long,ahh the good old days

 

[bigalexe]

I know you said NO CLUBS but I feel obligated to suggest Blue Water Sportsman's Assoc. in Port Huron. They just finished a 600 yd. rifle range and also have 100 and 200 yd. ranges. The 100 and 200 can't be used at the same time as the 600 though because they are both downrange and the 200yd shooting area is actually on the 600 yd range.

Looking at the application there isn't really any odd rules I see for joining except that in order to shoot +200yds you need permission which i would assume would be granted to an active military personnel.

 

[Hold My Own]

You might want to try Ganger Mountain. I've heard good things about it, but have never actually been myself.

 

[Barbara]

Howell Gun Club isn't that far from you and they go out to 300 yards, but there's some sort of class or something you have to do to use the 300 itself, although you have access to the other ranges at membership.

 

[andrewstorm]

barbie

Invite the man on a visit to your club,recriut new members whenever possible, the safty issue,I think prevents a lot of 1000 yrd ranges from being open to the public,members only,for insurance,and peace of mind that your other shooters arent reckless,50 cal b m g 750 grain carries a long way

 

[andrewstorm]

barbie

Invite the man on a visit to your club,recriut new members whenever possible, the safty issue,I think prevents a lot of 1000 yrd ranges from being open to the public,members only,for insurance,and peace of mind that your other shooters arent reckless,50 cal b m g 750 grain carries a long way