personally i like the idea of shooting outside. what say you?
outdoor or indoor range
- Thread starter n.c.outlaw2024
- Start date
yeah. i've never been comfortable when there is more than at least two shooters. dunno why. groups make me nervous and paranoid. lol.
Both, but conditions are the biggest challenge to shooting really accurately and with true precision. But an occasional indoor match would be cool and a good place for testing loads etc. The rf crowd does a fair amount of indoor shooting and it's not as easy as one might expect but still, not what I believe truly separates the men from the boys either.
Indoor. I have a sentimental spot for that ever since shooting on the high school rifle team. We rolled out backstops into the lunch room in the evening. Wow, how things changed over sixty years...
Well, I wish I had a tunnel for load development and sighting in, so indoor for my private range under my castle....
SSL
Gold $$ Contributor
I split the difference - comfy shooting bench inside my gun/reloading room with a rifle barrel extended out the window to my 100-yard backstop. Nice in nasty cold days and pleasant on super hot days with the air conditioning running. Of course that also includes a huge glass of iced tea.
Outdoor - 100% even though you have to contend with wind and mirage. But this is real world shooting which appeals to me. If you never learn how to deal with wind and mirage then you are missing the finer aspects of the sport. Incidentally, I am still learning how to deal with their effects.
I've never shot at an indoor range. I would want to know that the air handlers worked. A nearby indoor range poisoned some of the workers and the clean up was a major hazmat project.
Competing indoor is not usually how a person would imagine. It has its own set of skills. It can be very humbling. I'm speaking of rimfire and I'm not very good at it.
Todd
Todd
6 one way, half a dozen the other way.
I like the indoor 100 yard range because there is no wind. But there is pressure in that the cost is by the hour. And it is an enclosed environment. I wear both plugs and cans, which helps. And the tiny table is impossible to get solid and comfortable with a rifle. Which can still work since I am zeroing similar to how I hunt. I hunt with a tripod and the butt against my shoulder. At an indoor range, I use bipods and my shoulder.
Outside range, you have more time but every 15 minutes or so is cold range for changing or checking targets. And there is some wind. And you do have to walk to the target and back, opposed to an indoor where the target caddy can be run back and forth. Outside ranges have tables specifically built to allow a completely planted position. And, at one of the ranges I have been to, you can shoot prone, if you desire. In fact, at the rifle range, you are not allowed to fire standing with off hand position. There is a business on the other side of the berm and they do not want a guy who only shoots 3 shots a year and has a problem hitting an 8 inch circle at 100 yards sending one over. And you can only use ballistic or hunting rounds, no FMJ. I don't know their rules on monolithic or if a CX is okay. All copper but it expands. CX are designed to create exit holes.
Ideally, I would like what others here have. A suitable range literally out of the back window.
I like the indoor 100 yard range because there is no wind. But there is pressure in that the cost is by the hour. And it is an enclosed environment. I wear both plugs and cans, which helps. And the tiny table is impossible to get solid and comfortable with a rifle. Which can still work since I am zeroing similar to how I hunt. I hunt with a tripod and the butt against my shoulder. At an indoor range, I use bipods and my shoulder.
Outside range, you have more time but every 15 minutes or so is cold range for changing or checking targets. And there is some wind. And you do have to walk to the target and back, opposed to an indoor where the target caddy can be run back and forth. Outside ranges have tables specifically built to allow a completely planted position. And, at one of the ranges I have been to, you can shoot prone, if you desire. In fact, at the rifle range, you are not allowed to fire standing with off hand position. There is a business on the other side of the berm and they do not want a guy who only shoots 3 shots a year and has a problem hitting an 8 inch circle at 100 yards sending one over. And you can only use ballistic or hunting rounds, no FMJ. I don't know their rules on monolithic or if a CX is okay. All copper but it expands. CX are designed to create exit holes.
Ideally, I would like what others here have. A suitable range literally out of the back window.
I loved my 100Y indoor range. Zero mirage. No wind. Ideal for working up a new load and great for shooting in the middle of December. I did my best group shooting there.
Then ... the county bought it for the police and didn't use it because they didn't have the staff. After they closed on the purchase, the board of county supervisors ruled that no new ranges will be approved for 15 years. They salted the earth.
Then ... the county bought it for the police and didn't use it because they didn't have the staff. After they closed on the purchase, the board of county supervisors ruled that no new ranges will be approved for 15 years. They salted the earth.
Last edited:
I think if you have the space and can do it safely then an outdoor range is the way to go. It is a hop, skip, and jump to unincorperated/rural area for me. I find indoor to be too dirty, noisy, and crowded for my liking but works in a pinch. like when one is in the mood to practice target shooting and the weather is being uncooperative.
4xforfun
Gold $$ Contributor
I like testing rimfire ammo here in my shop. 47 yards from muzzle to target. Anything bigger...and LOUDER.....out side. I do a lot of range work out to 1K at night with zero conditions. Just got to find a night with no mirage!! Amazing how much at night...even in the winter!!
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.