NRA of no help !

[Texas Solo]

I have contacted the Range Development division 3 times without a reply.
My club has purchased additional land to build a 1000yd range. We cannot afford electronic targets for 10 - 20 positions. Therefore we want to build pull style target frames. I personally prefer this as it keeps a certain traditional aspect of the sport.
In the planning stage, I have been tasked with creating an estimate of build costs. The problem is I have no plans to work off of.
I've contacted NRA Range Development for assistance but they won't reply. Not even to say they can't help. As an NRA affiliated club, this is disturbing.
Does anyone here have experience in building pull type targets, or know of where I can get some plans?

 

[Larry Koch]

Just wait until they ask for donations.

 

[243winxb]

Google it. No experence.
https://materials.nrahq.org/RangeServicesMaterials/NRARangeSourceBookCurrentEdition/

https://onlinetraining.nra.org/online-courses/nra-range-development-and-operations-course/
NRA Range Development and Operations Online Course $300.

 

[hockeyref]

I can send you pictures of our carriers. They were built probably in the 1960’s and I rebuilt to accommodate full size targets and added leg extensions to them 20 years ago when we rebuilt and extended to 500 yards.

I will see if i can find my copy of the range source binder tonight.

Steve

 

[Doug Beach]

Not arguing against your decision, but I’m not sure that properly built carriers will be cheaper than e-targets.

 

[M-61]

I've contacted NRA Range Development for assistance but they won't reply. Not even to say they can't help. As an NRA affiliated club, this is disturbing.

My experience has been the NRA other than asking for money and successfully generating negative press hasn’t done much for anyone in a very long time.

 

[XTR]

I can’t imagine building pits and carriers is cheaper than e-targets. Open mic systems are probably all in at about $2K per point, $3000 if you buy tablets. $40k probably won’t pay for the dozer work, much less the concrete to build pits.

 

[flatlander]

That's about what I was thinking. The Shot Marker electronic systems are running around $900/point, or were a couple of years ago when the club that I shoot with decided to go with them. Steel & concrete alone would wind up costing more than that per point, if the target frame & carrier were done well enough to be durable & work well. I have to admit that after a couple of decades of shooting XC & LR hi power, I don't miss going to the pits, and my shoulders with tears in the rotator cuffs don't miss pulling & raising the targets either...

 

[Fuj]

I'm about ready to put the NRA on the do not call list.....

 

[FNSafari]

Two ranges here have received multiple range development grants from NRA in the last five years. They have been over the top generous. Why your troubles?

 

[cem]

As you correctly note the days when the NRA was big on range development have long passed. Time was Dave Parsons was paid and tasked by the NRA to do just that but he is long since gone. I no longer have the many handouts freely circulated at the time but they did exist. Maybe one of the current candidates for the NRA Board of Directors will claim a history of range development and may have copies someplace.

I suggest asking any field reps or Friends of the NRA you may know. Further I suggest talking to the more successful/active state associations especially the Illinois State Rifle Association and of course the Civilian Marksmanship Program. Everything you might want once existed and still does someplace. Further afield Four H and Boy Scouts as well as hunter safety programs have had useful resources. Some of the mountain west universities and likely others have outdoor recreation programs.

 

[Downhill]

Be careful and take note of any "Strings" the NRA may attach. As in possible future range usage to benefit the NRA and not so much for the club.

 

[FNSafari]

Be careful and take note of any "Strings" the NRA may attach. As in possible future range usage to benefit the NRA and not so much for the club.

Not seen a bit of that. Just generous support.

 

[Texas Solo]

I can send you pictures of our carriers. They were built probably in the 1960’s and I rebuilt to accommodate full size targets and added leg extensions to them 20 years ago when we rebuilt and extended to 500 yards.

I will see if i can find my copy of the range source binder tonight.

Steve

That would be great. Thank you!

 

[Texas Solo]

Not arguing against your decision, but I’m not sure that properly built carriers will be cheaper than e-targets.

Even the cheap e targets are 5k each.
No way it costs 5k to build one.

 

[Texas Solo]

Two ranges here have received multiple range development grants from NRA in the last five years. They have been over the top generous. Why your troubles?

Maybe because we're private, not public?

 

[FNSafari]

True

 

[Texas Solo]

I can’t imagine building pits and carriers is cheaper than e-targets. Open mic systems are probably all in at about $2K per point, $3000 if you buy tablets. $40k probably won’t pay for the dozer work, much less the concrete to build pits.

We have a dozer at our disposal.

 

[6fatrat]

Shot markers are under $1000 each, and they actually work unlike the competition.
Steve Bair

 

[drop_point]

How are you trying to contact them? An email? Phone calls? Letters?