The club I belong to has 20 trap houses and 2 skeet ranges. It has Sporting Clays. It has offset berms from 7 yards to 200 yards to shoot Rifles and Pistols. It also has a stocked 3 acre fishing lake for 70.00 a year. I dress for the weather in the Winter. It also has a really nice Lodge that serves hot meals. They also have Cowboys Shoots. I don't think I could handle paying 3 or 4 hundred dollars just to shoot.
Weird Range Fee
- Thread starter Barr
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Blackbeard
Member
How about a range that charges $1000 per year, but pays you $5 per day to bring your own ammo? Would that beat both of your first two ranges "on principal"?
xjchief
Member
I'd buy ammo from the range I'm a member of if it was competitively priced. They're hawking remanufactured stuff for more than brand new prices.
lonegunman
Member
Keep looking till you find someplace else to shoot. If you do not see a lot of activity there, the locals must be elsewhere.
I pay 100 a year for one club and 40 a year for a second club abd am a member of both.
Indoor ranges typically charge more because they cost more to operate and they seem to attract a less active group of people. Gun rentals and ammo sales are a way to make a few extra bucks.
One guy commented on the range he worked at closing because the customers "nickle and dimed them to death". I don't get it? Did the customers charge for coming out or what?
People stop coming when the range gets to be a PITA. Pick a price and stick with it. I hate the petty pricing schemes some places use, therefore I go elsewhere.
Just a thought, but have you considered buying acreage, shooting in your backyard and commuting to work?
I pay 100 a year for one club and 40 a year for a second club abd am a member of both.
Indoor ranges typically charge more because they cost more to operate and they seem to attract a less active group of people. Gun rentals and ammo sales are a way to make a few extra bucks.
One guy commented on the range he worked at closing because the customers "nickle and dimed them to death". I don't get it? Did the customers charge for coming out or what?
People stop coming when the range gets to be a PITA. Pick a price and stick with it. I hate the petty pricing schemes some places use, therefore I go elsewhere.
Just a thought, but have you considered buying acreage, shooting in your backyard and commuting to work?
Man I am spoiled, I pay $90 a year for the first 4 years then $40 a year there after. It is an outdoor range with a clay range, pistol range and a rifle range with 50yd, 100yd, 200yd, and 300yd berms. it is private and accessable anytime via gate with combination lock. I rarely see anyone out there, i am typically by myself or who ever I take as a guest.
We as members do keep the place up by cutting the grass weed eating and typical clean up stuff. At least once a month i will take a trash bag load it up and take it off.
We as members do keep the place up by cutting the grass weed eating and typical clean up stuff. At least once a month i will take a trash bag load it up and take it off.
Deanimator
Member
1. The OP hasn't said how much the range that charges less gets for THEIR ammo. They could be charging $25/box for Wolf 9mm.
2. If I had to bet, they're selling either ball or hot hollowpoints, which I won't use in my .45 wadgun, and can't even load into the magazines of my Giles .38 Special M1911.
I once went to a range out in Sheffield, Ohio before Camp Perry to confirm zero on my bullseye guns at 25 yards. When I was bringing in my guns they told me I could only shoot jacketed ammunition. They offered to sell me 125gr. JHPs for my Giles .38. I just put my stuff back in the car and left. I was tempted to ask him to load a few into the magazine, but then he would have probably just wrecked a $30-$50 magazine trying...
2. If I had to bet, they're selling either ball or hot hollowpoints, which I won't use in my .45 wadgun, and can't even load into the magazines of my Giles .38 Special M1911.
I once went to a range out in Sheffield, Ohio before Camp Perry to confirm zero on my bullseye guns at 25 yards. When I was bringing in my guns they told me I could only shoot jacketed ammunition. They offered to sell me 125gr. JHPs for my Giles .38. I just put my stuff back in the car and left. I was tempted to ask him to load a few into the magazine, but then he would have probably just wrecked a $30-$50 magazine trying...
Deanimator
Member
I've never [personally] seen an indoor range that long.
The Oak Harbor club near Camp Perry, Ohio (where they hold the National Matches) has a 50 yard indoor range, so they can shoot the full NRA Conventional Pistol course of fire there. It's a very nice range.
The only one I've even heard of that's 100 yards or longer was the Sierra Bullets testing range, which I THINK was 200 yards. I saw it on the History Channel the other night.
jackstinson
Member
Same here.....except I only pay $24 per year for the outdoor range.
Plus I shoot daily with .22 Colibri and Super Colibri in my basement range for free.
Jack
OAKVILLE SHOOTER
Member
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- 352
Nobody ever said that shooting was a cheap hobby.
proud2deviate
Member
Wow. This thread makes me really appreciate free range time (Thanks, Missouri Dept. of Conservation!)
Barr
Member
I have not checked prices for ammo at the "cheaper" indoor range. Over the phone they claimed to be competitive with Walmart, but for some reason that does not fill me with optimism. Why in the world would I shoot 100 .45 ACPs from the store for 28-30 dollars a box when I shoot my own reloads for 8-10 dollars? I just lost $20 if I buy a box of ammo from them. .44 Magnum is even worse. I shoot my .44 for 8-10 dollars but ammo for that from Walmart runs 55-65 dollars.
The outdoor range that is so high to begin with does include skeet, trap, indoor range, 300 yard rifle range, etc. I would much prefer the outdoor range, but that is a bit much for a one time fee. The outdoor range also has a waiting list for their membership due to popularity.
I would ultimately like to to buy my own land and setup a range. Finances prohibit me from doing that at this point. Apartment renter am I. At least they have a few ponds on the property to catch and release fish.
Still debating with myself which one to join.
The outdoor range that is so high to begin with does include skeet, trap, indoor range, 300 yard rifle range, etc. I would much prefer the outdoor range, but that is a bit much for a one time fee. The outdoor range also has a waiting list for their membership due to popularity.
I would ultimately like to to buy my own land and setup a range. Finances prohibit me from doing that at this point. Apartment renter am I. At least they have a few ponds on the property to catch and release fish.
Still debating with myself which one to join.
DWARREN123
Member
Have to pay the bills plus they may think the cost keeps out the riff raff.
Used to be several indoor ranges around me. One was up to $10/visit and the other two were $12/visit. No time restrictions, no annual fees, no memberships, no ammo or supplies purchase requirements. They all had rentals of safety glasses, ear protectors, sales of targets, ammo, guns, etc. Combination gun store/shooting range. All gone now due to way to many gun restrictions, laws, other assorted problems. One place had police continued to monitor who went there and occationally would stop people coming out to see if all guns were properly stored. Now even long distances to a range is becoming difficult.
NavyLCDR
member
I knew someone was going to bring up H & H. I used to shoot there at least twice a week, then transferred away
.Don't forget about free eye and hearing protection. And you cannot use any targets you want....they did not like my full face Sadaam picture, oh well, had to switch it out for Barney the dinosaur
Andras
Member
100yd Outdoor range operated my the state, $20 for the annual range permit.
At least you have the option of bringing your own ammo. A few of the ranges I've been to only allowed their ammo on the range. So no way to try different handloads, or different brands to see what works best. Be happy you have a choice in the matter.
Joe Gunns
Member
Range costs are going to be affected by many factors.
Public (govt) ranges have much lower costs, no rent/mortgage payments, if unsupervised no direct wages, if supervised portion of wage costs may be covered by state civil service rather than individual agency, pays no taxes, any costs not covered by whatever token fee is charged is covered by part of hunting license fees and/or infusions from general fund so actual cost supported by taxes of many who do not use the range.
A club range can have rent/mortgage costs, taxes, but by relying on member volunteers for RO's, maintenance, etc., has relatively low overhead.
Private range hav rent/mortgage payments plus prop taxes, business taxes and fees, prop and liability insurance, probably doesn't have volunteer help so there are employee costs of at least minimum wage plus mandated payments like soc sec, workman's comp, state health program, etc., and there is a relatively small pool of customers who must provide enough income to cover all costs, AND the owner needs to make some money to support himself unless the range is being operated as a break-even benefit for gun store customers.
While some range owners may be looking to scalp the innocent gunnie, price differences are more likely to be reflections of differences in cost of operation. Some guy that has a paid-off building can charge less and still make ends meet. A guy will set up his fee structure to give himself the profit he needs, while not alienating too many potential customers. He may be open to constructive comments on what you find annoying. But the bottom line is, he has got to make a certain amount per transaction to stay in biz.
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Public (govt) ranges have much lower costs, no rent/mortgage payments, if unsupervised no direct wages, if supervised portion of wage costs may be covered by state civil service rather than individual agency, pays no taxes, any costs not covered by whatever token fee is charged is covered by part of hunting license fees and/or infusions from general fund so actual cost supported by taxes of many who do not use the range.
A club range can have rent/mortgage costs, taxes, but by relying on member volunteers for RO's, maintenance, etc., has relatively low overhead.
Private range hav rent/mortgage payments plus prop taxes, business taxes and fees, prop and liability insurance, probably doesn't have volunteer help so there are employee costs of at least minimum wage plus mandated payments like soc sec, workman's comp, state health program, etc., and there is a relatively small pool of customers who must provide enough income to cover all costs, AND the owner needs to make some money to support himself unless the range is being operated as a break-even benefit for gun store customers.
While some range owners may be looking to scalp the innocent gunnie, price differences are more likely to be reflections of differences in cost of operation. Some guy that has a paid-off building can charge less and still make ends meet. A guy will set up his fee structure to give himself the profit he needs, while not alienating too many potential customers. He may be open to constructive comments on what you find annoying. But the bottom line is, he has got to make a certain amount per transaction to stay in biz.
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range I used to go to before the ATF went in after they had a chemical fire for the third time in fifteen years charged 10 bucks for handguns, 12 bucks for long guns. There was no reason for this, as their were no rifle-specific or pistol-specific lanes; they were all 30-yard lanes. Gotta buy all targets, but they're very cheap (30 cents for rifle targets)
starshooter231
Member
Wow that is pricey. I only pay $45 a year, and that covers me, the wife, my kids (under 18), and I can bring my friends with me for FREE. We can shoot whatever guns we feel like, ammo we want, and as long as we want. Of course we don't have an indoor range in our area yet.
The closest indoor range charges non members $9 per 1/2hour,$15perhour, and members pay $200 per year
and get these benefits
•5% discount on all non-sale merchandise except new firearms
•Shoot for FREE on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
•Shoot for half off the hourly rate on any other day
•Receive 6 guest passes - you can bring a friend for FREE
•Receive a Range logo hat
The closest indoor range charges non members $9 per 1/2hour,$15perhour, and members pay $200 per year
and get these benefits
•5% discount on all non-sale merchandise except new firearms
•Shoot for FREE on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
•Shoot for half off the hourly rate on any other day
•Receive 6 guest passes - you can bring a friend for FREE
•Receive a Range logo hat
Most ranges I have known that have required you to buy a box of ammo for cheaper range fee do not include .22lr as applicable.
This thread doesn't need to go in to 3-4 pages, if you don't like the range, don't shoot there!
Their range,their rules. Your wallet, you choose where to spend.
People that came in with specialized target guns and needed specialized ammo for them and tried to nickel and dime us were not out bread and butter customers anyways.
We could live w/o someone who came in and stayed for hours and tied up a shooting bay and spend $10-15 at most to do so. If the space was empty on a slow day it didn' matter but otherwise it didn't help any.
I once basically jacked up the price of annual memberships a lot due to a group of shooters that could make a penny cry. They used to work together and they wouldn't buy anything other than discounted range passes because the old owner considered them good customers.
I finally had enough of their cheapness and constantly trying to bend the rules when they blew up a revolver with hot reloaded ammo.
A "friend" of another friend there sued his friend for the injury that resulted! I think they sent in a sleazy contingincy lawyer to sue us also but he backed off as they signed a liability waiver and he say we were poor.
There was no Bentleys or Rolls Royces in the employee parking lot.
This thread doesn't need to go in to 3-4 pages, if you don't like the range, don't shoot there!
Their range,their rules. Your wallet, you choose where to spend.
People that came in with specialized target guns and needed specialized ammo for them and tried to nickel and dime us were not out bread and butter customers anyways.
We could live w/o someone who came in and stayed for hours and tied up a shooting bay and spend $10-15 at most to do so. If the space was empty on a slow day it didn' matter but otherwise it didn't help any.
I once basically jacked up the price of annual memberships a lot due to a group of shooters that could make a penny cry. They used to work together and they wouldn't buy anything other than discounted range passes because the old owner considered them good customers.
I finally had enough of their cheapness and constantly trying to bend the rules when they blew up a revolver with hot reloaded ammo.
A "friend" of another friend there sued his friend for the injury that resulted! I think they sent in a sleazy contingincy lawyer to sue us also but he backed off as they signed a liability waiver and he say we were poor.
There was no Bentleys or Rolls Royces in the employee parking lot.
RancidSumo
Member
Threads like this make me appreciate good old Wyoming. Free >500 yard ranges every 50 miles or closer. Where I live there is a 500 yard and a 1000 yard range, both within 15 minutes of my house. The 1000 yard range also allows shotguns and there is a trap club 20 minutes away that charges 5 dollars per set with no admission fee or you can buy a membership that covers unlimited sets whenever you want for ~$150.
Grandpa Shooter
Member
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2007
- Messages
- 948
My Lady and I at out favorite free outdoor range!
Definitely something to be said for living in the country! 9 miles from the house and the only "gate fee" is the effort it takes to open and close the gate.
Definitely something to be said for living in the country! 9 miles from the house and the only "gate fee" is the effort it takes to open and close the gate.
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