Where do you shoot?

[n.c.outlaw2024]

I used to enjoy a public outdoor range with my buddies until it became too dangerous. Now I stick to the dry creek or crick beds, empty cow pastures. Nobody and nothing around for miles. Here is a quick and true story to illustrate why I changed venues.
My buddy, Dave, and I liked this one range. The R.O. was a retired sheriff's deputy and very knowledgeable. Most folks knew the rules about cleaning up afterwards, etc. Two new fellas who Dave dubbed "The Yo brothers" pulled up in a junk car blaring hip-hop. one was pasty white and the other more tanned let's say. Now none of us really cared about color, race, etc. We're were just there to have fun safely. Here is a why Dave called them "yo".

WG: Yo, where the targets at?
BG: Right there yo.
WG: Yo, I'm gonna start blasting. You better step aside.
BG: No doubt yo.

Well I think you get the picture. It wasn't until WG pulled out what appeared to be a Desert Eagle 50 AE, turned it sideways "gangsta" stance that the issues started. Nobody likes a show off especially one that is a dangerous idiot. Spent cases flew everywhere and each time dude hit he yelled something like "Click, click, boom..." He ended that with something that rhymes with ditches. Fed up Dave complained and the RO sent the two "Yos" packing. Sorry for the book. Lol.

 

[Doug Casner]

Do they turn a pistol sideways to get a better sight picture? I always wondered about that. Doug

 

[rijndael]

I have a 100Y sight-in range that I can use Oct-Apr. It's a public range if you have a hunting, fishing, or other public land permit. They never check for that.

This past year I've noticed an uptick in methy looking guys that will roll up and park at the edge of the lot, they don't leave the car ... they just watch/wait. I suspect they're just waiting for everyone to go down range so they can snatch and grab from the line.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Some shooters take the fun out of it.

 

[K22]

My experience, albeit limited, with public ranges is that they are risky at best. The shooters are not vetted, and some have no concept of safe gun handling.

At least at the private clubs I belong to all members have to go through a safety orientation, and it is easier to police unsafe shooters since you have to post your membership card. There are also video cameras to aid in rule enforcement. While not perfect, my clubs are significantly safer that public ranges around here.

 

[Doug Casner]

Non shooting punks, Doug

 

[jackieschmidt]

I am VERY fortunate in that I am a long time member of The Tomball Gun Club. The range is a private club limited to just 300 members.
It’s nothing fancy, just a 25 bench 100 and 200 yard line, and a pistol range out to 50 yards.
It’s only 7 miles from my house, with unlimited access from dawn till dusk.

 

[DirtySteve]

Some shooters take the fun out of it.

Those are not shooters. Those were Peckerwoods..

 

[rwj]

Used to shoot at a private club that allowed too many members. Financially sound, but many members had poor gun handling skills and displayed bad attitudes when anyone tried to advise them. Cameras were present on many firing lines, but they apparently were not being monitored/recorded as I’m not aware of any disciplinary actions being taken following gross safety violations being reported to the board.

Joined a new club this year that has far fewer members and those I’ve met to date have all been welcoming, very safe, and very polite. Can’t ask for more!

 

[Starfire1929]

Do they turn a pistol sideways to get a better sight picture? I always wondered about that. Doug

Too bad that they don't turn the weapon 180° to clear the barrel of a squib.

 

[perazziguy]

Do they turn a pistol sideways to get a better sight picture? I always wondered about that. Doug

No, that's how "they" pick it up out of the box....

 

[Rick in Oregon]

The OP's experience is exactly why I do not use public or private ranges. Too many times I've experienced idiots with their AR's or AK's doing 30-round mag dumps, sweeping everyone with muzzles, trash talk and exhibiting zero safety protocols.

Now I head into the outback here for pistol or rifle practice, working up loads or sighting in. I seldom ever see another human, let alone some wacked out meth-head or other to be avoided fool. The only sounds are my own gunfire, and no dipchits to deal with.

But in the posts above, I got a couple of snickers out of the responses.

Nuthin' fancy, but I've got range out past 1,000 yards if I choose to go out that far.

 

[Mcrider55]

Living here in rural SW Arkansas, we don't have a problem with hoodrats. This town was known as a "sundown" town for a great many years It's still very much the same as back then. These redneck boys are serious hunters and shooters.

I have 50 and 100 yards setup on my property and use it multiple times a week. Makes it very handy for trying out new loads.

There is a local public range 8 miles from my house, fairly primitive and very secluded. No signs exist to even say it's there. If the locals don't tell you about it, you'd never know it exists. It has 25 yard, 50 and 100 already measured out and gets used mostly when hunting season comes around.

I enjoy going there because it gets me out of the house and away from the distractions of home like the barking dogs and wife wanting something done!

 

[leakeyjohn]

We have a 300 yard range less than 10 miles from the house. It is available frequently, run by the state is acceptable. In contrast 35 miles away available less frequently is a 1,000 yard facility that works great for two up a shooter plus spotter facility.

 

[bennett ford]

The laws of the Bell Curve say that in any given population you will have 3% unrepentant jerks. A club that has 3000 members has to deal with a lot of jerks

 

[Shawlerbrook]

Also very lucky as I have a 50 & 100 yards range right out my basement door and out to 300 further out back. One of the benefits of living in a town of less than 900 people.

 

[rijndael]

Also very lucky as I have a 50 & 100 yards range right out my basement door and out to 300 further out back. One of the benefits of living in a town of less than 900 people.

Retirement goals ... I'm working on that.

 

[Doug Casner]

I got so pissed off at the post I forgot the question. Ive got a 100 yd. range out my basement door a pistol range out my shed door. Nobody but me to get mad at. They see that crap on tv and the movies and then act it out. Gives responsible shooters a bad name. Doug

 

[Mark W]

My neighbor has a 100 yard range that I can I can use to get on paper pretty much anytime I need, but I can’t do load development there because of the lack of a good bench.

There is a nice state run range that’s about 40 minutes away. There is always a RSO on site and they do a great job of enforcing the rules. The only issue with it is that it is only open from 9am-5pm, which means that I cannot shoot early or late before or after the wind. That’s ok sometimes, but I do like to test loads in no wind conditions at times.

I am also a member at Tusco Rifle Club in Midvale, OH. It’s a great club with several ranges from 50 yards out to 600 yards. Unfortunately, it’s a 1.5 hour drive from my home, so I don’t get to go as often as I would like.

I shoot a lot of air rifle and some rimfire from home, I just don’t have room to shoot center fire on my little 2 acre lot. Someday I hope to have a place where I can shoot from home.

 

[JB10]

I have a real nice range 30 minutes from my house. Real good facility. I choose most of the time to drive hour and a half north of me to a range that is private other than Saturdays and only at the 100 yard section. If im doing a quick sight in ill stay close to home. If i want to enjoy the day i make the drive.