1000 Yd F-Class matches in proximity to Orlando, FL?

[CaptainMal]

Captain, has the board decided if they are going to reopen the 1000yd range? I was my understanding they were going to vote on it after hurricane repairs were completed. Has any decision been reached?

No.

It would take some expensive backstop removal to open things back up. The biggest issue as I see it would be the operation of that part of the range. It would again be shot from the main line. That's a long line of benches shooting 50/100 to 300 yards. Some of that would have to be stopped and there's an issue with losing shooters then and money.

Next issue is part of the the original reason it was closed. RSO overseeing the shooters. Shots bouncing off the ground and skipping into the park can easily be stopped. Takes RSO control and qualification. Shots done over the backstop and out over the berms also take RSO control. Malicious shooting, like at flags up top and objects at 1,000 yards take RSO oversight. Then you have to deal with the unpleasant issues of 338 and 50 cal muzzle blasts and noise that drives adjacent shooters away. Again, RSO control could mitigate that.

So? Well there is a shortage of RSO's. Especially true if you want qualified ones. Some are paid but all that would be needed means lots of volunteer RSO's. It is expensive, time-consuming and difficult for RSO's to be there. To expect lots to volunteer is fine. Reality is a gut check. For many, when the thrill wears off that RSO is absent.

I doubt the 1,000 will ever open back up. The 600 is there because it is isolated from the main line, requires qualification to shoot and a single RSO can control all the above problems with no outside distractions.

 

[wboggs]

No.

It would take some expensive backstop removal to open things back up. The biggest issue as I see it would be the operation of that part of the range. It would again be shot from the main line. That's a long line of benches shooting 50/100 to 300 yards. Some of that would have to be stopped and there's an issue with losing shooters then and money.

Next issue is part of the the original reason it was closed. RSO overseeing the shooters. Shots bouncing off the ground and skipping into the park can easily be stopped. Takes RSO control and qualification. Shots done over the backstop and out over the berms also take RSO control. Malicious shooting, like at flags up top and objects at 1,000 yards take RSO oversight. Then you have to deal with the unpleasant issues of 338 and 50 cal muzzle blasts and noise that drives adjacent shooters away. Again, RSO control could mitigate that.

So? Well there is a shortage of RSO's. Especially true if you want qualified ones. Some are paid but all that would be needed means lots of volunteer RSO's. It is expensive, time-consuming and difficult for RSO's to be there. To expect lots to volunteer is fine. Reality is a gut check. For many, when the thrill wears off that RSO is absent.

I doubt the 1,000 will ever open back up. The 600 is there because it is isolated from the main line, requires qualification to shoot and a single RSO can control all the above problems with no outside distractions.

I would take the 600 and be happy. 600 with a swirling wind might be more of a challenge than you think. 600 on a well-run range beats 1000 on a poirly managed one

 

[Cfshooter]

I've been trying to locate 1000 yd ranges that host F-Class matches in or near central/northern FL, let's say from a starting point around Orlando. I found the Arena Training facility in Blakely, GA, which is about about a 5.5 hr drive. Does anyone have a list of 1000 yd ranges that host F-Class matches within about 6-10 hours driving time of Orlando? Thanks for any info you may be able to provide!

Not 1000 but Port Malabar does 600 and always a great group of people.

 

[CaptainMal]

Forgot about Port Malabar.

Multiple shooters from Manatee compete F Class there. Most of us only lie down to go to sleep so F Class is not an option. I fell once and the fire ants helped me get up fast.

Good luck with your quest but Post Malabar is a viable option.

 

[wboggs]

Forgot about Port Malabar.

Multiple shooters from Manatee compete F Class there. Most of us only lie down to go to sleep so F Class is not an option. I fell once and the fire ants helped me get up fast.

Good luck with your quest but Post Malabar is a viable option.

Reminds me of the time I could not get up from the prone position and had to get my 6yo grandson to help me. There is no PRS in my future.

 

[Ned Ludd]

Not 1000 but Port Malabar does 600 and always a great group of people.

Port Malabar was my primary reason for selecting a starting point near Orlando. I'm thinking about relocating to slightly warmer climate than Omaha, NE. I shoot F-TR, so there would have to be range options that host F-Class matches nearby. I also thought Central Florida might be a good option for several reasons in addition to shooting, but I wouldn't want to live right on the coast. It's a hurricane thing. So I was thinking about somewhere in central Florida, within an hour's drive or less from Port Malabar. Unfortunately, it appears as though there are no options at all for shooting at 1000 yd closer than 11-12 hours driving time from that starting point. So, I am considering other options.

Shooting MR matches is fine, I've restricted myself to mostly shooting at 600 yd for the last few years, as the nearest 1000 yd ranges were 7+ hours driving time. However, a venue recently started hosting 1000 yd matches about a 4 hour drive away. I attended my first 1000 yd match there in 7 years last October and I realized I had forgotten how much I enjoyed shooting at 1000 yd. Unfortunately, I've reached a point where I just don't enjoy the cold winters any longer. In fact, I might hate the cold weather even more than I hate driving long distances LOL. I figured if I looked carefully enough, I should be able to find someplace to live that has a little warmer climate, and 1000 yd shooting options within something like a 4-6 hour driving time (or less), and a local shooting range (i.e. within 1 hour drive) that goes out to at least 200-300 yd for load development.

As it turns out, Eastern Tennessee is starting to look pretty good. One could live along the I-75 corridor anywhere between Chattanooga and Knoxville and be within ~ 1.5 hour driving time to at least two 1000 yd venues (Dead Zero and Oak Ridge), possibly even three (I haven't figured out yet whether shooting matches are still held at AEDC/Tullahoma). There are also some small outdoor shooting ranges that go out to maybe 200-300 yd within that area. Further, central/southern FL would be within a single day drive (~10-12 hr) if I absolutely had to do it, as opposed to about 22-24 hours driving time from Omaha. I'm looking into it further at this point, but I think Eastern Tennessee might be the ticket for my needs and wants. Thanks to everyone for their replies.

 

[sdean]

Port Malabar was my primary reason for selecting a starting point near Orlando. I'm thinking about relocating to slightly warmer climate than Omaha, NE. I shoot F-TR, so there would have to be range options that host F-Class matches nearby. I also thought Central Florida might be a good option for several reasons in addition to shooting, but I wouldn't want to live right on the coast. It's a hurricane thing. So I was thinking about somewhere in central Florida, within an hour's drive or less from Port Malabar. Unfortunately, it appears as though there are no options at all for shooting at 1000 yd closer than 11-12 hours driving time from that starting point. So, I am considering other options.

Shooting MR matches is fine, I've restricted myself to mostly shooting at 600 yd for the last few years, as the nearest 1000 yd ranges were 7+ hours driving time. However, a venue recently started hosting 1000 yd matches about a 4 hour drive away. I attended my first 1000 yd match there in 7 years last October and I realized I had forgotten how much I enjoyed shooting at 1000 yd. Unfortunately, I've reached a point where I just don't enjoy the cold winters any longer. In fact, I might hate the cold weather even more than I hate driving long distances LOL. I figured if I looked carefully enough, I should be able to find someplace to live that has a little warmer climate, and 1000 yd shooting options within something like a 4-6 hour driving time (or less), and a local shooting range (i.e. within 1 hour drive) that goes out to at least 200-300 yd for load development.

As it turns out, Eastern Tennessee is starting to look pretty good. One could live along the I-75 corridor anywhere between Chattanooga and Knoxville and be within ~ 1.5 hour driving time to at least two 1000 yd venues (Dead Zero and Oak Ridge), possibly even three (I haven't figured out yet whether shooting matches are still held at AEDC/Tullahoma). There are also some small outdoor shooting ranges that go out to maybe 200-300 yd within that area. Further, central/southern FL would be within a single day drive (~10-12 hr) if I absolutely had to do it, as opposed to about 22-24 hours driving time from Omaha. I'm looking into it further at this point, but I think Eastern Tennessee might be the ticket for my needs and wants. Thanks to everyone for their replies.

Anywhere around I-40 between east of Nashville and Chattanooga will work also. 1000 yard matches also at Camp atterbury 5 hours north of Sparta,TN. They do have matches at Tullahoma. You can burn up a lot of ammo shooting Fclass in TN. I drive up to Oak Ridge or Dead zero couple times every year. Sparta,TN was a hint.

 

[MislMan]

Ned …. check out Volusia County Gun Club (VCGC). They have a 900 yard range if that helps. I live in Orlando and VCGC is about 1 1/2 hour drive for me. VCGC is on the East coast. I am also a member at Port Malabar Rifle and Pistol Club (PMRPC) which is also about 1 1/2 hr from me (also on east coast). A very nice club but limited to 600 yd max.

 

[tvaught]

We are serving the shooting community to the best of our ability. It is hard to work a job then spend the rest of your free time working at a range to have 12-20 shooters show up and then complain about the e-targets when they record the 8 that is on the paper when checked.
Not counting the money or the Fame it is a good feeling to have 75 to 100+ shooters show up and have FUN!!!
Just ask some of the F- Class shooters that have shot this if they had FUN!!
REGAURDS

ERIC

Eric

The F-Class tournament I participated in at Cool Acres was very well run, organized, and it was a great experience all around. Appreciate your hard work and efforts as a MD.

Tim

 

[sdean]

Eric

The F-Class tournament I participated in at Cool Acres was very well run, organized, and it was a great experience all around. Appreciate your hard work and efforts as a MD.

Tim

Same here. I was thinking about making a trip this year until I saw this thread.