Tired of Punching Paper in New Jersey

[NeverAgain26]

I have been shooting for a few years now and have a variety of handguns, long guns and a shotgun.

I know I can always improve my target skills, but I'm getting bored of just punching holes in paper. It's getting too easy to enjoy.

I would love to see the effect of what I am sending down range on something more demonstrative. I want to see the bullet make more than a hole in paper. I would also love to engage various targets at different distances and angles and speeds.

All the ranges where I am a member have rules (for good reason) that do not enable me to post anything other than a paper target at fixed distances straight down the line.

I've seen posts here where some of you shoot computer monitors, wrecks in junk yards and other fun stuff where you can see the target react with more than a hole.

I don't have time for IDPA or IPSC as I travel a lot and when I am home, I need to spend time with my family.

Are there any places in NJ, PA or NY where I could set up targets of my choosing and just blast away?

Yes, I know Iraq has just what I am looking for but I am a bit old for that .

If anyone has a place they can recommend I would be grateful. I just got an AR10A4 and it is so much fun. I know it can be a lot more fun, I just don't know where.

NA26

 

[Bridger]

You are in Northern New Jersey? My home is about 20 miles from Port Jervis, and only a few minutes from my home is some state land called Hickock access or something along those lines. It's open for hunters mostly, but there is a small berm in those roughly 1000 acres that you can just plink, that's where I go.

 

[Ryan1021]

Yeah, I wish I had a place to go and shoot things other than paper. I live in Southwest Ohio though. Although my Uncle has a 75 acre farm, I might have to talk to him.

 

[NeverAgain26]

Port Jervis, NY is about 1 1/2 hours from where I live, but it would be worth it. Do you know how I can find out more info on that place (hours, access, etc?). I could make it there on a Sunday or some weekday when I could play hookey.

The other thing I have to figure out is whether I would be permitted to transport a rifle there as it's in N.Y. and I am a NJ resident. I know I could transport across state lines if I were hunting (or moving there for awhile) but for plinking? I wonder.

Bridger, thanks.

NA26

 

[buy guns]

ive always thought it would be fun to shoot a pinata. candy and guns at the same time, what more could you ask for?

 

[JimC]

NA26,

I'm located in NW Jersey. I belong to the Central Jersey Rifle & Pistol Club in Jackson.

CJR&P Club

We have 6 "pits" with a maximum distance of 75 yds. You can shoot handgun, RF rifle, shotgun (b'shot and slugs) but no CF rifle in the "pits".

There is a 25 position 200 meter range and well as a 25 position 300 yard high power range.

Check out the web site. It may be a little distant for you to travel but I think it offers what your looking for.

It's not open to the publice but membership is always open.

 

[newman32]

Same deal here. I'm pretty sure you can not legally shoot in NY if you are not a NY resident. I was inquiring about getting some training from someone who lives in NYC, and he said that legally, I can not even handle a pistol (let alone shoot one) in NY unless I had a permit. I went to a gunshop just over the border from where I live in NJ and the guy told me he was not alowed to let me even handle the pistol without a permit.

And I thought Jersey was bad!

All of the ranges near me are very strict in what they allow, even Cherry Ridge is "target-only". No "rapid-fire", no holster draw unless you are LEO, etc. I might check out the club in Jackson (that's a ride for me). I have also heard there are some public ranges in PA, but I have never been to one and I don't know what is allowed. I'm interested in doing more than punching holes too!

 

[JimC]

I understand that there is a nice, public range in the Easton, PA area.
Sorry, that's all the info I have on it.

 

[Wedge]

If you come shooting in New York LEAVE YOUR HANDGUNS HOME!

I don't want to read about some THR member getting arrested on trumped up weapons charges.

Long arms are fine in this state. Just don't bring your handguns to NY!!!

Nothing beats shooting jugs of water IMHO. I love shooting on private property. Tomorrow a 21" computer monitor will meet its maker.

 

[sturmruger]

I was in the same boat

I feel your pain Never Again I was in the same slump a few months ago. I wanted something to change I needed to get out and shoot something that was fun, or challenging. My club just joined the US Practical Shooting Association. We now have a monthly match on Sunday afternoons, and I shoot at a weekly shoot on Thursday evenings.

I have had more fun the last month then I have had in a long, long time. I have invested about $100 in equipment, but most of the stuff I already had. If you would like more information you can try googling IPSC, USPSA, or even IDPA. IPSC and IDPA are really pretty much the same. For a comparison check this link. There are tons of other competitive opportunities available to you especially since you are on the East coast.

If competitions aren't your thing I would recommend heading out to the boonies with a truck full of TVs, Computers, and toys from Goodwill.

 

[twoblink]

Any outdoor ranges near ya?

I love the "piiink!" of the steel plates. Even better are the reactive targets.

If you are stuck indoors, then try a tennis ball on a string. The pet store has them. They are excellent. Each tennis ball is good for about 50 shots..

 

[Dbl0Kevin]

New Jersey is horrible when it comes to shooting ranges. There are more down south where I'm at, but they are mostly overpriced and don't offer too much. The range I used to belong to recently upped it's membership to $150 a year and also forbid anyone from bringing guests. Sorry but i'm not forkin out 150 bucks and then not even be able to take anybody shooting with me. They did have a plinking range at 50 yards with some hanging metal targets but I still can't justify spending that kinda money for it.

 

[Highland Ranger]

Let me know how you make out . . . . I was actually considering buying some land in America (PA) for this purpose . . . . I live near Cherry Ridge and other than the fact that we live in a PC State, I don't understand why it's paper only.

As for rapid firing again, political concern, not a saftey concern. In fact for an SD weapon, just the opposite is true. You need to learn how to use it rapidly.

once again, sigh.

 

[Tankcommander]

NJ Ranges

NeverAgain,

How far are you from Fort Dix. The Rod and Gun Club on post (Range 14) is open to the public. Membership is $50.00 a year and $3.00 an hour. They have a 200 meter rifle range and 25 meter pistol plus skeet and trap. There are some limitations on targets. No bowling pins or glass. I also don't think the monitor would go over well but I shoot at plastic bottles, cans, old toys, model kits, as well as paper. You have to police up after your self as well. If you are military or retired military its $25.00 a year. I was in the NJARNG when I found out about it. The range is run with a safety officer who calls periodic cease fires to service targets.

The club also has additional benefits as well, easier to hunt and fish on post. It's open Wed night 1500 to 2100 (Lights) and weekends 0900 to 1600. I drive about an hour to get there Exit 11 to Exit 7A.


TC

 

[Bridger]

NeverAgain,

If you are an hour and a half from Port Jervis, it would probably be nearly two hours for you to get to that range ,depending how fast you drive

That Central Jersey club sounds good and like it might be closer for you.

If you still want to check it out, look around on the NY State website for info on public lands.

As far as hours, I'd imagine from sunup to sundown, though people camp out in the area too sometimes. The access road is closed in winter usually, and I've hunted in there while it was closed and it would be a hike to the range portion.

But for plinking it is great, though I'd ask that no glass be shot, and anything else should be cleaned up.

Just remember to keep the handguns at home, and good luck with finding a plinking range. It's really a shame how few and far between plinking places seem to be.

 

[Lochaber]

There is also Old Bridge Rifle and Pistol Club, in central NJ. Again a private club but the benefits are great. Nothing like having access to the indoor pistol range 24/7 (unless there is a match). The oudoor range has 6 pistol pits, one shotgun and 2 100 yard rifle ranges. As long as you clean up after yourself no one really minds what you shoot at, with some limits: no explosives, glass, and such.

Shooting at steel is great, you get a nice visiual and audio response. USPSA/IPSC/IDPA/SteelChalenge are all great and they only take as much time as you want to spend on it.

Loch

 

[Wolfy]

NeverAgain

I also am a member at CJR&PC if you are coming from north Jersey get on Turnpike to exit 8 and take 195 East to exit 17 (10 miles from Turnpike) and go Rt537East from there just follow directions from the website.

The policy is you can shoot at anything except glass, masonry or incendiary type targets. The only rule is clean up after you are done shooting it up.

Great range with really nice trap and skeet fields for some real satisfaction.

Lochaber I am thinking of joining Old Bridge just to have access to the indoor range.

 

[RAY WOODROW 3RD]

NeverAgain............

Dude,
You have not made it out to Buckeye and the shoots we have been having for about 3 years now.
I KEEP CONTACTING YOU WHEN WE HAVE THEM!
At our range, we do as we please as long as you clean up after yourself. Holster drawing etc. as you wish. Blow up anything you wish as long as it is not flamable/safety hazard and you take it all with you when you leave.

The catch?
You have to be brought in by a member in good standing(That's me).
This is a hunting club first, shooting range second.
You must have a valid current NJ shotgun license for hunting.
Dues are $250.00 for the year(taxes in Barnegat are a KILLER!)

If anybody is interested, drop me a line.

 

[Ryder]

I was going to suggest State Forest Land. All I need is a small game license here to target shoot anywhere in the woods that hunting is allowed. Unfortunately you live in NJ and after reading that no handguns are allowed here: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ranges.htm I have my doubts that you would be allowed to "run wild" with a gun anywhere in that state.

This link may be helpful to you? http://www.wheretoshoot.org/

 

[NeverAgain26]

Sorry for not responding earlier. I have been busy between work and traveling for business.

I just wanted you all to know that I am appreciative of your suggestions and now I have some homework to do to determine which range is the most practical for me.

Ray, a lot of the shoots were on Saturday and I can't make those shoots as I observe the Jewish Sabbath. There was one or two on Sunday but I was away on business. My business takes me away from home a lot. Keep me on your list and eventually I will make it there.

Thanks, all and I will figure it out and post something once I've been and done.

NA26