Toughest Range To Shoot

[dannyjbiggs]

I know this topic is and will be purely subjective to your area, but what range gives you fits and hands your butt to you on a Silver platter?

I'll start off...

Pinetree Rifle Club in Johnstown NY is a BEAST at 200. Quite simply just a bear to compete in due to the prevalent mirage. Kicks my ass every single time. When you shoot there, don't expect a free ride.

The second most difficult range to shoot at, in my opinion would be Lincoln County Rifle Club in Damariscotta Maine. It's a real widow maker...

So...let's hear the horror stories about that great day that went south with no explanation. No rhyme or reason...just couldn't get a handle on it.

I have not had the opportunity to compete at the ranges in the South, but would like to hear about the "real killers".

All of 'em!

Dan Biggs

 

[Downhill]

When it was open- Ft Wolters in Mineral Wells Texas. Was a Beautiful 1000 yard range until 9/11. Government slowly restricted it out of use. Used to shoot Service Rifle and Palma there. Don't ever remember a wind flag laying down or two flags showing the same effect. Had to watch flags and the spotters on other targets, it was tough. Oh, and the occasional rattlesnake in the target pits kept you on your toes down there too.

 

[Bamban]

When it was open- Ft Wolters in Mineral Wells Texas. Was a Beautiful 1000 yard range until 9/11. Government slowly restricted it out of use. Used to shoot Service Rifle and Palma there. Don't ever remember a wind flag laying down or two flags showing the same effect. Had to watch flags and the spotters on other targets, it was tough. Oh, and the occasional rattlesnake in the target pits kept you on your toes down there too.

Thank you for reminding me about the best range in the state, George Tubb Range. Had a lot of fun memories there with friends, this being one.

 

[338 Mollett]

Danny you knew something the rest of us didn't. Good shooting !

 

[nbkky71]

I always found the range at Ft Gordon (Augusta, GA) tough to shoot. Sun is coming up and is in your face while you're shooting standing. Targets are dark until the afternoon when the sun is behind you. Dropped many-a-point standing at that range.

Probably the toughest crowd was at Riverbend Gun Club. Those boys are some hard-holders and you needed to bring your A++ game.

 

[dogdude]

Umm, give Williamsport a try

 

[bugman]

I know this topic is and will be purely subjective to your area, but what range gives you fits and hands your butt to you on a Silver platter?

I'll start off...

Pinetree Rifle Club in Johnstown NY is a BEAST at 200. Quite simply just a bear to compete in due to the prevalent mirage. Kicks my ass every single time. When you shoot there, don't expect a free ride.

The second most difficult range to shoot at, in my opinion would be Lincoln County Rifle Club in Damariscotta Maine. It's a real widow maker...

So...let's hear the horror stories about that great day that went south with no explanation. No rhyme or reason...just couldn't get a handle on it.

I have not had the opportunity to compete at the ranges in the South, but would like to hear about the "real killers".

Lately, it seems like whichever one I am at.

 

[Terry]

White Horse Range in WV at 1,000 yards.

 

[Liven The Dream]

Greetings,
I will put WA States own Rattlesnake Mountain Shooting Facility 1000yd Range against any other in the USA. Where a clean is not getting a miss...
John

John,
is 100% Right.
The Snake does Bite . The winner is the Guy with No Misses at 1000 .

 

[Bob L.]

Lately, it seems like whichever one I am at.

And I thought it was just me.

 

[clowdis]

Every range I’ve been to the guys there say their range is the most difficult.

I couldn't agree more! I have had the privilege of shooting at a lot of ranges in the US as well as abroad and of all of them I'd say that Rattlesnake in Washington state can be real tough when the wind blows (I've seen it at 35 mph). Another one has to be Trentham in New Zealand. It made fools of a lot of International shooters in 2019. Any range can be tough if you can't keep up with the wind. Even at Butner where the wind doesn't blow too hard it will switch in about half a second and cause you to shoot 8's and 9's. You have to keep up with the wind or you'll never score well at any range.

 

[skiutah02]

I've shot enough places in the US and Canada to know that there are not too many "easy" 1000 yd ranges, and each range seems to have its own devilish character and challenge to overcome. It's why I love shooting new places and it helps me to get better. I know that Trentham is very nasty by reputation and so is Rattlesnake, but I have not shot at either. I really want to try Rattlesnake and Coalinga for comparison to my home range. My home 1000yd range in ND is the day-in-day out worst I've shot at. A clean in FTR has never been shot there and an Open clean has only happened 6 times (all in the last 4 years). The record score in TR is either 764 for 80 shots or 961 for 100 shots. I've dropped 70 points in 60 shots and still won by more than 30 on one memorably horrible day.

 

[J F Johannes]

If you want try your luck at Rattlesnake, October 16-18. Here’s the latest program. Hope everyone planning to attend knows it has been moved out a week.

Jim

 

[dannyjbiggs]

I've shot enough places in the US and Canada to know that there are not too many "easy" 1000 yd ranges, and each range seems to have its own devilish character and challenge to overcome. It's why I love shooting new places and it helps me to get better. I know that Trentham is very nasty by reputation and so is Rattlesnake, but I have not shot at either. I really want to try Rattlesnake and Coalinga for comparison to my home range. My home 1000yd range in ND is the day-in-day out worst I've shot at. A clean in FTR has never been shot there and an Open clean has only happened 6 times (all in the last 4 years). The record score in TR is either 764 for 80 shots or 961 for 100 shots. I've dropped 70 points in 60 shots and still won by more than 30 on one memorably horrible day.

Come shoot Oak Ridge, TN, sometime...not easy, per se...but rather tricky; but you can raise and lower the cantilever targets with a simple eyelash movement.

Dan

 

[Baka]

I’ve shot on Skiutah’s range maybe 1/2 dozen times. All I can say is you better have a sense of humor or you’ll quit shooting!

 

[dunraven]

Haven't shot many, but Whitehorse in West VA left me shaking my head.

 

[FAF1947]

Thank you for reminding me about the best range in the state, George Tubb Range. Had a lot of fun memories there with friends, this being one.
View attachment 1205868

Good picture of you & Keith. Recognize the shooter next to you but can't remember his name. Got my last leg points at what I think was the the last state service rifle match there in 2006.
Frank

 

[Uthink Uknow]

You guys are mentioning 1000 yard and all but to my way of thinking, it’s a combination of a range, conditions, and competition. Try air rifle at 50 yards or meters and you’ll be left scratching your head. The same is true of 100, 200, 300 yard matches as the targets are smaller than 1000 yard targets and every miss can be a dream breaker. The cereal bowl at WWCCA creates swirls that the most seasoned of shooters have trouble with.

 

[Cochran]

Blair Atholl, Scotland

 

[Devin Wiggett]

Rattlesnake gets my vote, full windage on the gun and hold on the target next to you, it's a range where you say thank God it's an eight.