New Gun Range possible in Texas with possible 1000 yard targets. Any interest?

[joshb]

I went to a barbecue at a 750 acre ranch, just outside Kerrville. It’s set up as a retreat and vacation ranch. They have about 40 rooms they rent, several houses too and maybe 20 RV spots. Pool, fishing ponds, horses. 60x 120 entertainment building. Even a zip line.
After dinner, I started to have a somewhat serious conversation with the owner and Ranch manager about the possible benefits of building a range on the property. I had mentioned the idea 5 years ago but it went nowhere. I think the fact that I now live here is giving it more traction.
The manager was a little worried about the “demeanor” of our shooting crowd and the possibility of throngs of half drunk, gun toting guests on the property. I described, at length, what bench rest shooters were really about and that seemed to turn the conversation in a positive way.
The culmination of the discussion was that I was put in “charge” of coming up with a plan. I’m supposed to get a topo map of the property from the manager in a few days. I’m supposed to pick a good location on the property and start working on a proposal of costs for “installation”, from site prep to covered benches, parking, lavatories, target locations, etc, etc.
As I begin this endeavor, I thought I’d gauge the interest of members in Texas and nearby States to see who might come. This range could just be a casual affair with a few benches and targets or it could have a twenty bench shooting line with pits at 1000.
Attendance and expected use to justify and offset the costs.
What say you.

 

[jmm03]

Hi Josh, I am not in texas, but in case you did not know, the NSSF and the NRA had programs to assist in establishing new ranges at one time. They may still have them. Good luck on this, long ranges are unfortunately few and far between any more. Jim

 

[mikeinct]

Build one of these ranges 1000 yd benchrest steel & use the first 500 meters for standard silhouette : They Will Come.. About 200 shooters at a time.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Ill be there. No need for pits though if you want a br range. Then theres no moving target upkeep. Get plenty of substantial concrete benches and plenty of covered loading area and you can hold 100,200,600 and 1000yd br all in one spot and itll be a moneymaker- just look at the BRRC in st louis. Best range in the country and always very well attended.

 

[dskogman]

Use etargets if you want NRA highpower events to avoid the cost of pits. If you want lots of locals hang steel plates at various ranges and cover your eyes.

 

[rwj]

I’d be there a couple times a year... 3.5 hour drive so over night accommodations would be desirable...

 

[jr600yd]

Hey, don’t forget the F Classer's

 

[Bamban]

One of the 1000 yard ranges (Best of the West) close to Kerrville was closed for some legal reasons I am not privy to. It was very popular, I know a few people who were regulars there.

People would come if you build it.

 

[pertnear]

I'd definitely be interested in such a range & with nice accommodations.

 

[Rsadams]

Our sport is and has been in trouble lately.... With kids being educated with an anti gun agenda , helping new shooters get started is a big thing to me.... So any new gun range is a positive thing... I work as a RO for a small range but I do see plenty of guys with very nice built rifles that come out , setup and shoot even though we only have 25 , 100 , 200 and 300 yard ranges for rifle but with what I consider nice concrete benches so I would say a nice new long range range would definitely draw people and money.... There's plenty of money around Austin and the Hill country and plenty of shooters....

 

[PhilKeil]

I would be interested as well. If there was a way to push a mile that would be great. I second the e target and steel idea.
Phil

 

[Carter Shinavier]

Most of the guys above reference formatted BR, F-Class and other type matches that I know little about. I do know that it has become very commonplace for people to pay a significant amount of money to learn to shoot long range. This facility could be set up, initially, with porta-poties, and temporary cover to host a shooting school. Whether from a bench, or prone, all of the long ranges that I am familiar with are pretty busy on the weekends. The costs for a day's use range between $25 and $50/day/shooter. You would need very little to get started generating revenue. Some sort of cover over the shooters and dirt burms at various yardages. Some guys like having unknown distance ranges. Nothing say, initially that the targets even have to be at even increments. You could set up burms made with dirt from the area close to the burm, put out a couple of targets, and start shooting. You could be simultaneously working on the other burms at the fixed distances when the range is closed.

 

[Rube Shooter]

A 1000yd range in Kerrville would be great. It's about an hour south of where I hunt, so the trip would be easy to make.

 

[dttheliman]

Ill play as well , its < hour north of me

 

[alleycat]

That would be great to have 1000 yd range with covered benches.

 

[BP1]

I went to a barbecue at a 750 acre ranch, just outside Kerrville. It’s set up as a retreat and vacation ranch. They have about 40 rooms they rent, several houses too and maybe 20 RV spots. Pool, fishing ponds, horses. 60x 120 entertainment building. Even a zip line.
After dinner, I started to have a somewhat serious conversation with the owner and Ranch manager about the possible benefits of building a range on the property. I had mentioned the idea 5 years ago but it went nowhere. I think the fact that I now live here is giving it more traction.
The manager was a little worried about the “demeanor” of our shooting crowd and the possibility of throngs of half drunk, gun toting guests on the property. I described, at length, what bench rest shooters were really about and that seemed to turn the conversation in a positive way.
The culmination of the discussion was that I was put in “charge” of coming up with a plan. I’m supposed to get a topo map of the property from the manager in a few days. I’m supposed to pick a good location on the property and start working on a proposal of costs for “installation”, from site prep to covered benches, parking, lavatories, target locations, etc, etc.
As I begin this endeavor, I thought I’d gauge the interest of members in Texas and nearby States to see who might come. This range could just be a casual affair with a few benches and targets or it could have a twenty bench shooting line with pits at 1000.
Attendance and expected use to justify and offset the costs.
What say you.

Don’t forget the f-class folks there’s a lot of us around here in Texas.

 

[F Class John]

Without being the Debbie downer just make sure you figure out how to get substantial idiot proof insurance and probably be prepared to have some kind of legal council on retainer. Once you consider opening a range up to the public for any reason those are unfortunately the first two things I’d tackle. Waivers and other such items are virtually useless at the end of the day so I wouldn’t fall back on those being your only protection. Without them the rest probably doesn’t matter, even in Texas.

As someone stated above the NRA may be able to help on these topics as well.

 

[Texas10]

There is new range in Burnet County on the east side of Lake Buchanan where you can shoot out to a mile. https://www.rprrange.com/

You may want to consider it's proximity and facilities when planning this new site. Maybe a visit and some casual questions will help your plans.

 

[joshb]

Keep it coming, guys. I’d love to print the responses to show the owner and manager. It would help my cause.
This ranch is already running as an event center and hosts weddings, corporate getaways and religious retreats. Groups stay for weekends or weeks . They’re set up to accommodate groups in single rooms and several houses that can handle families of 8-10 people.
There is a large swimming pool near the Breakfast hall, a game room for the kids, a Pavilion for large parties and a fair sized lake for fishing, etc.
A gun range seemed like a natural addition to the property.
There may be room for two separate ranges. One for short range and one for longer ranges. I have to get a plat and walk the property.

 

[pertnear]

There is new range in Burnet County on the east side of Lake Buchanan where you can shoot out to a mile. https://www.rprrange.com/

You may want to consider it's proximity and facilities when planning this new site. Maybe a visit and some casual questions will help your plans.

Thanks Texas10 - I live 30 min away from this range & I didn't know it existed! I'll have to check it out!