New range question

[clowdis]

I would not attend a 800 yard match.

 

[gdbleb]

I know of an eastern club that used to aggressively buy adjacent land to expand and prevent development nearby. I wondered at the time why their initiation fee was so high. Any chance you could approach the downrange neighbor?

 

[Liven The Dream]

I say No!!! Why
I helped and finished a KD Range ( 2,3,5,6,8,9&1000 yards).
It may have been used as it was built for 16 times.
It is now just a basic 1000 yard Range For F/Class.

Now you add some Steel and Fun will begin.
Today more Ringer's than Paper punchers.

 

[CNC-Dude]

Central Alabama Gun Club.
It's in Shorter Alabama. About 12 miles from Montgomery.
Land is still being cleared & all the plans need to be discussed, debated, and made final before actual construction begins. That process should begin as soon as the timber is done being cut. So total time...maybe 1 year.

We have a 1000 yard range in Tennessee, and it has many targets between 100 yards and 1000. But as someone mentioned that the 800 yard range often appears to easy, and of course as F Class John said that any course is better than no course. But even 1000 yards will eventually leave people wanting longer challenges. If you have the property to allow it, clear off enough property to go as far as you can. You don't have to put targets all the way out past 800 or 1000 yards initially, but very soon after opening you will have many people ask, "why didn't you make it longer, especially if you have the property to do so...?"

 

[323]

When building a range I would take what the f class guys thought out of equation if you can’t go to 1k. But I would be asking the PRS group what they thought. I will say up here our 600yd midrange matches have the biggest turnouts we avg 22 shooters for these matches. Our 1k yard matches we have access to 3 ranges our attendance at those matches we avg 13 shooters. So our midrange matches are our money maker. I do know the prs is a big draw at the two ranges they shoot at the club that runs the prs matches they avg 20 shooters for their matches.

 

[rwj]

We have a 1000 yard range in Tennessee, and it has many targets between 100 yards and 1000. But as someone mentioned that the 800 yard range often appears to easy, and of course as F Class John said that any course is better than no course. But even 1000 yards will eventually leave people wanting longer challenges. If you have the property to allow it, clear off enough property to go as far as you can. You don't have to put targets all the way out past 800 or 1000 yards initially, but very soon after opening you will have many people ask, "why didn't you make it longer, especially if you have the property to do so...?"

Money, money, money!

 

[jackieschmidt]

If planning to shoot Precision Rifle, considerations have to be made for the different stations that are involved in those types of Matches.

If the topography of the range makes it impossible to go to 1000, then go to 600, with the Burm at 600. Bullet containment is paramount at any range nowadays.

You are fortunate you can go out to 600. At Tomball, we went through a complete renovation a few years back, and could not even expand to 300. So we built a huge burm, almost 30 ft tall just behind the 200 yard frames.

 

[Longtrain]

To me, that's an issue. Matches become a trigger pulling contest with no serious competition.

Oh, I agree, it’s even worse at mid-range. My Dasher shot a 597-45x and came in 5th place. All the others cleaned it 600 & X’s.
I wonder what the solution is, smaller targets? Less scope magnification? Tighter bullet and caliber restrictions? I’m putting together a 223 FTR rig, as I know that will be a bit more challenging.

 

[Texas Solo]

Oh, I agree, it’s even worse at mid-range. My Dasher shot a 597-45x and came in 5th place. All the others cleaned it 600 & X’s.
I wonder what the solution is, smaller targets? Less scope magnification? Tighter bullet and caliber restrictions? I’m putting together a 223 FTR rig, as I know that will be a bit more challenging.

Yup. I shot a 598-41x at 600 for 3rd place. The solution may be in target size. I don't want to mess with the equipment because then everyone has to spend more money to comply.

 

[Topstrap]

Sometimes yards can't see the forest because of the trees. Eventually skill and technology catches up and things that were challenging and competitive become boring. When I started longrange rimfire matches people laughed when I had racks out to 200 yards and it was challenging. Now there are other matches in the area stretching out to 250, 300 and even 400 yards.

As scores increased it was easy to make or rearrange a few plate racks to keep it challenging and still stay at 197-200 yards. All our local longramge matches are outlaw style steel plate matches which challenge the best with a few harder targets but still let everyone else hit a lot. Might not work for "sanctioned" style matches but when perfect scores start to be the norm then a redo needs to be done or those perfect scorers will eventually get bored and quit or move on.

My range is a small two bench setup in my side yard and last year averaged between 35-45 competitors each month with quite a few driving 2 hrs to compete. With mine even being the shortest longrange rimfire match out of four locally everyone finds it challenging with only one perfect score ever shot but letting everyone feel it's within reach.



Keep a match challenging but not insanely difficult, not overpriced and keeping in fun to come shoot. Shame shooters are so bored with only with 800 yards, Rayners here in Ohio runs a steel plate match with varying distances and varying sized plates with point values based on target size. Let's the shooters choose which plate they wish to shoot with their three shots at each distance.

He starts at 235 and eventually finishes at 1000 yards but he started with only 800 yards as his max. I'll try to find a picture of his distances/sizes/points to share. His matches normally brought 120 plus competitors each month but is down slightly now. Having a match type that is fun and challenging will build a good following.

You get 3 shots at each distance. Up to you how you use them. NO SIGHTERS at any distance, first shot counts. Now he starts on the 1, 2 and 3 stages. 3 squads and they draw on where to start. Your squad may start at the closest or it may start at the farthest first. He used to include the second half and you hoped it wasn't at the 900-1000 stage. 1000 yard cold bore no sighters and only 3 shots. It's really challenging.





Topstrap

 

[Ron Gorski]

Maybe all the people shooting mid range and long range at Reese would come to your facility.

800 yds is the first leg of palma or F class match. 800, 900, 1K. We had the first Fclass Fullbore match in Colorado. Shot all 800 the first day, all 900 2nd and 1000 3rd.

 

[Steve Donlon]

800 yds is the first leg of palma or F class match. 800, 900, 1K. We had the first Fclass palma match in Colorado. Shot all 800 the first day, all 900 2nd and 1000 3rd.

That's better, then maybe 1350 yards to see what happens. I don't get shooting less distance unless it's for lighter calibers. Then there should be a different class. But I don't know the rules but find the closer ranges of not that much interest.

 

[JB10]

I travel about 80 miles to go to the range i like to use, not many people there since its a membership range. It love to jave at least 500 yards there. Its only 300 yards due cost and permits needed to go further. Also part of a mountain would need to be removed. Other 2 local ranges are always flooded with people and can not put a target passed 200 yards.

 

[MikeRu]

Central Alabama Gun Club has finally begun clearing land for a new range. We could go to 800yds.
I'm questioning doing an 800 yard.

Berms are planned at 200, 300 & 600. That will cover F Class midrange & XTC service rifle. But, I think most LONG range shooters would prefer 1000yd over 800yds.
I don't want the expense of adding an 800 distance if it won't be used.

So the question is:
Would you travel to an 800yd match verses a 1000yd match?

AL has plenty of nice flat land in rural areas, seems like a missed opportunity to stop at 800 yds. I lived in BHM for 18 yrs.

 

[Texas Solo]

AL has plenty of nice flat land in rural areas, seems like a missed opportunity to stop at 800 yds. I lived in BHM for 18 yrs.

Yes, but we don't own that land.

 

[danny]

Central Alabama Gun Club has finally begun clearing land for a new range. We could go to 800yds.
I'm questioning doing an 800 yard.

Berms are planned at 200, 300 & 600. That will cover F Class midrange & XTC service rifle. But, I think most LONG range shooters would prefer 1000yd over 800yds.
I don't want the expense of adding an 800 distance if it won't be used.

So the question is:
Would you travel to an 800yd match verses a 1000yd match?

I would go to the longest of the ranges near to me. If it is the 800 you are talking about and everything is 600, yes. If there is a 1000 yd. near me, I would not go to the 800 you mention.

Danny

 

[Fuj]

If it were me......I'd call out the naysayers. Lets get crazy.......Hold a
Tack Driver type event at 800 yards using 600 yard targets. Group and
score......How many benches are available ?? Some of Yinz should be
praising any type of range in this day and age. if the money is available
and no other hassles involved, go for it.

 

[jghoghunter]

If it were me......I'd call out the naysayers. Lets get crazy.......Hold a
Tack Driver type event at 800 yards using 600 yard targets. Group and
score......How many benches are available ?? Some of Yinz should be
praising any type of range in this day and age. if the money is available
and no other hassles involved, go for it.

Fuj its obvious that some of these guys don't get it. Make it as long as you can and people will use it. Match money is a small part of most range income. I don't understand its not this hard. I've been running MCSA for almost 10 years now I have a pretty good handle on this.

 

[BarnDweller]

I belong to the Howell Gun Club here in Michigan. Our longest distance is 500 yards and we have lots of people joining just to use the 500 yard range (our club has all kinds of other ranges also). I just found and joined a 1000 yard range that I have to drive 3 and a half hours to visit. I guess if a person can afford it and loves to shoot they are going to come for 800 or 1000 yards. If you have the room for a 1000 yard why would you want 800 instead? If there money was there I would do both!