Public shooting ranges

[Calum]

'afternoon,

I belong to two local shooting clubs, so the folks at the ranges have to be members. I'm not sure whether that fits the description of public or private, since experience varies greatly...

I prefer times that nobody is there, but if someone else is, I'll generally get comments when I pull out the black powder - whether long or short. Revolvers I'm a bit more hesitant to let someone else try them out, but I'll usually offer with the long guns. Probably about 50% of the time it's taken up.

And while yes, I'm there to shoot, but socializing is common and natural. Not everyone has to change their target each time the range goes cold for it. And most folks are curious about what other folks are shooting.

Calum

 

[Kansas Jake]

I shoot at a local public range that is in the local state park. It always has a NRA Range Safety Officer and has 3 ranges( 50 & 100m, 25 & 50m, and pistol range. The RSO's are no nonsense and will not hesitate to remove unsafe shooters. I also volunteer as a RSO at this range.

On days when I am not volunteering, I will shoot there and usually shoot my muzzleloaders. I'm usually the only one shooting traditional rifles, but we do have regulars who come and shoot BP revolvers. Close to the muzzleloading deer season there are a number shooter who show up with unmentionables.

I enjoy introducing people to the traditional rifles and letting them shoot if they want to.

 

[Vaino]

Haven't heard of a public shooting range nearby, so joined a private gun club many years ago. Formerly just had the guys over and shot down my driveway....a big hill in back was a safety feature, but the guys really didn't need it. Then a house was built in line w/ my driveway and that's when I joined a club.

Don't know if unmanned public shooting ranges would suit me....informality could be trouble.

Of course, our club w/ 400 members is quite formal which doesn't lend itself to peace of mind...other members present sometimes aren't too diplomatic when reprimanding the occasional shooter who isn't as familiar w/ the rules. This is evident in that the membership turnover is 15% a year.

There's 3 ranges and if a member is going to post targets at any one of them, red lights and sirens have to be turned on at all 3 locations. Very confusing for new members and so is the verbal abuse if it's not done right.

So...at times, a shooter must do a lot of waiting, especially if there's a lot of new arrivals who are impatient to post targets.

But...seeing safety is of prime importance, Don't know how it could be done differently. Also the fairly large membership "needs" rules and formality.

This club is composed mainly of CF shooters and a total of 5 members shoot BP and the other members aren't interested in the least.....Fred

 

[ZUG]

When I lived in NJ I belonged to two big private ranges and also belong to ATA which shoots at a lot of open clubs. When I moved to CA I joined a private muzzle club and shoot at two open shooting ranges also still belong & shoot ATA trap. I find that most people at the open ranges enjoy talking about guns when not shooting or changing targets that's the nature of being sociable. When shooting black powder guns I have people gathering to see what's going on and most accept the offer to "give it a try" - they always leave with a BIG smile on there face :grin: . Guns & shooting "draw" people like a magnet - good or bad:v .

 

[Ray-Vigo]

I shoot mostly at a private club, but where muzzleloader time is open to non-members. It is really nice having a morning or two where just muzzleloaders are present.

I do shoot vintage revolvers indoors at a public range in the winter. It isn't bad, but I do see more problem people shooting there.

With public ranges, some are better than others for safety.

 

[nhmoose]

There are no State owned public ranges in NH only private clubs and private pay to shoot

The F&G has never spent a dime of the money from the Pittsman/Robison tax on firearms, ammo, archery etc., on the shooter who have paid the majority of the tax. Only spent on salaries it seems for CO and biologists for the hunting guys..

 

[azmntman]

The F&G has never spent a dime of the money from the Pittsman/Robison tax on firearms, ammo, archery etc., on the shooter who have paid the majority of the tax. Only spent on salaries it seems for CO and biologists for the hunting guys.. :shocked2: SHOCKING! :shake:

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I belong to a local, private range, as the public ranges tend to be at a pretty good distance. Plus the private range is open during the weekdays as each shooter can be the RO.

Some of the private ranges are "open to the public", but most of those are indoors and the ability to clear smoke is the main reason they aren't allowing BP.

The major problem with the public ranges that I've seen is that they don't seem to have consistent procedures, even from one RO to the next.

One range I visited the RO wanted me closest to him..., that was in part he explained because he was curious and wanted to watch the "antique" shoot. Anther RO on the same range at a later time wanted me as far away as possible from him. At a totally different range the RO said "no problem" when I showed up with my flintlock, then got upset because I wasn't pointing my muzzle down range, when loading, and got very irate when I asked him how he proposed a muzzle loading rifle should be loaded...., perhaps he wanted me to stand in front of the firing line when loading? :shocked2:

Even at the private range I've had guys think they are "in charge" simply because they arrived first, or had the loudest voice, or the most expensive rifle :youcrazy: . (Everybody licensed to use the range is an RO AND the rules are well published. If it ain't in the rules, it ain't a safety violation.) So I've had interesting discussions with fellows who wanted me to go elsewhere until they were done due to the amount of smoke that my rifle made, although I was at the far end of the line AND the smoke was blowing away from the rest of the shooters. "It might suddenly drift in a different direction".... :shake: .....

Which is why regardless of the possibility of "interest", I normally go during week days when I can be alone.

LD

 

[coloradoclyde]

Remember what happened to Mike Belivue at his range..... :shake:

 

[coloradoclyde]

I belonged to a range years ago.....it was separated into three categories...muzzleloaders, shotguns, and pistols....The shotgun guys were such selfish divas that they eventually drove the other two groups away with their attitudes.....

 

[Obi-Wan Cannoli]

The shotgun guys were such selfish divas that they eventually drove the other two groups away with their attitudes.....

What do you mean specifically by selfish divas?

 

[excess650]

Due to the prevalence of morons on the public ranges, I gave that up many years ago. I've belonged to a number of different private ranges and currently just a single, local club with 25, 50, 100, 200, and 300 yard backstops. There are a number of us "hardcore" flintlock shooters, and it certainly raises eyebrows when we're shooting gongs offhand at 100 yards. :grin: Most of the modern rifle shooters won't even attempt it. :haha:

 

[nhmoose]

The F&G has never spent a dime of the money from the Pittsman/Robison tax on firearms, ammo, archery etc., on the shooter who have paid the majority of the tax. Only spent on salaries it seems for CO and biologists for the hunting guys.. :shocked2: SHOCKING! :shake:

40+ years ago when I lived in the Commie state of MA even they had public owned ranges at most public game management areas. NH has not even tried.

 

[AZbpBurner]

Remember what happened to Mike Belivue at his range..... :shake:

So, WHAT happened?

 

[coloradoclyde]

Best to ask him yourself...or let the water gently pass under the bridge........

 

[Eric Krewson]

Talk about attitude. I was in a large private shooting club in Sheffield Al, great place to shoot unless some of the "the commies are about to attack at anytime" crowd were shooting. These guys were always " black firearms tactical", no smiles, no cutting up, no having a good time, no comradery and no interest in my BP stuff.

I don't find these types of folk at the public range, everyone is friendly.

 

[SgtErv]

I hear that on preferring being alone. Loading a flinter is a process that requires a lot of attention to detail. Another method I've found is going really, really early in the morning. good way to start the day anyway haha

 

[Donny]

Remember what happened to Mike Belivue at his range..... :shake:

what ?

 

[Billnpatti]

I don't remember the details but, if I remember correctly, his membership was temporarily cancelled. I think it had something to do with his filming of his guns and shooting stories that he posts on You Tube. I am pretty sure that his membership was later reinstated.

That's as I remember the story but my rememberer is a bit faulty now a days so it would be best to contact him for the full and correct story.

 

[Katahdin]

Me and few like minded,gather in one of the Gravel Pits around and shoot,