Buckshot Freindly Range in Western NY???

[twofewscrews]

I currently reside about 15 minutes east of Rochester, NY. I'm looking for a range where I can shoot/pattern buckshot. I currently belong to the Williamson Conservation and Sporting Club which I thoroughly enjoy, but buckshot is not allowed there and, as far as I can tell, is not allowed in any of the surrounding ranges. If I wish to pattern/enjoy my shotgun I have to trek either an hour west to the Alabama swamps or an hour south east to a state forest. Alabama is ok for a public range, but it gets crowded as there are only four berms and some people are not as safety oriented as I like. The state forest I use is fine, but dragging targets, ammo, etc. in and out is real chore.

Does anyone know of a buckshot friendly range near me (Rochester, NY)?

 

[Speedo66]

I think @daniel craig is in your area, maybe he'll chime in.

 

[Scooter22]

Our club doesnt "allow" buckshot on the target stands and backer boards because it tears them up quick. But its ok if you bring your own and set it up in front of the berms. I'd ask if you can do that if you haven't. BS isn't anymore dangerous than other projectiles as long as the berm is big enough to catch it. Good luck.

 

[arsterling180]

Our club doesnt "allow" buckshot on the target stands and backer boards because it tears them up quick. But its ok if you bring your own and set it up in front of the berms. I'd ask if you can do that if you haven't. BS isn't anymore dangerous than other projectiles as long as the berm is big enough to catch it. Good luck.

My club is the same way. You can pattern your shotgun but you have to bring your own stand. I think it's a reasonable compromise.

 

[twofewscrews]

Good points. I'll go in next Sunday and ask.

 

[daniel craig]

Alabama Swamps is closed for good now.

DM me and I'll bring you as a guest to the Newark Range.

 

[22250Rem]

A big "thumbs up" for Daniel Craig. But if the Newark Range doesn't work out due to his or your schedules or whatever, then consider being a guest at Rochester Brooks Gun Club south of Rochester, in Rush. I'm retired so my schedule is pretty flexible. A few years ago I even got Daniel Craig in as a guest at Brooks before he had a club of his own to shoot at. Sighted in his Mosin-Nagant and I was checking zero on my 870 slug gun that day.

 

[Harriw]

I'm a member at Ontario Rod and Gun Club in Ontario next door to you, and we can use buckshot on the pistol range there (up to 45 yards). The only concern I've ever heard expressed about it is to be very careful about not setting targets too high on the target backer to make sure all pellets wind up in the berm. Otherwise it's fine.

I don't use buckshot (or even shotguns) there very often, but when I do I tend to keep my target close in to avoid hitting the target stand. The stands are just made from 2x2's and old plastic real-estate yard signs, and it's not the end of the world if the wood frame takes a round. Nobody will be upset as long as it's not done intentionally. That said, common courtesy dictates that we do everything in our power to avoid that.

I live in Penfield (also about 15 minutes east of Rochester), and would be happy to bring you to Ontario as a guest sometime ifnyou're interested.

 

[Harriw]

Just wanted to add - I like the idea of bringing your own target, but Ontario has strict rules about using only the club's target backers. While it works against you in this case, the way the rule is written I believe it's to prevent people from bringing trash to shoot at and leaving it behind (or bringing and using un-safe targets, incorrectly-mounted steel plates, etc.
).

Edit to add: I met up with "Daniel Craig" a while back as well for a local primer trade. I can confirm he's "good people," and might also be able to help you out.

 

[daniel craig]

A big "thumbs up" for Daniel Craig. But if the Newark Range doesn't work out due to his or your schedules or whatever, then consider being a guest at Rochester Brooks Gun Club south of Rochester, in Rush. I'm retired so my schedule is pretty flexible. A few years ago I even got Daniel Craig in as a guest at Brooks before he had a club of his own to shoot at. Sighted in his Mosin-Nagant and I was checking zero on my 870 slug gun that day.

One of my forest memories mate

 

[daniel craig]

Just wanted to add - I like the idea of bringing your own target, but Ontario has strict rules about using only the club's target backers. While it works against you in this case, the way the rule is written I believe it's to prevent people from bringing trash to shoot at and leaving it behind (or bringing and using un-safe targets, incorrectly-mounted steel plates, etc.
).

Edit to add: I met up with "Daniel Craig" a while back as well for a local primer trade. I can confirm he's "good people," and might also be able to help you out.

Thanks dude! You're welcome to come shoot too!

 

[Harriw]

Thanks dude! You're welcome to come shoot too!

D'oh! Hey there. Sorry, I didn't notice that was you above - I didn't think you'd found the thread yet.

At any rate twofewscrews, my offer still stands but you'll be in good hands with D.C. too.

 

[daniel craig]

D'oh! Hey there. Sorry, I didn't notice that was you above - I didn't think you'd found the thread yet.

At any rate twofewscrews, my offer still stands but you'll be in good hands with D.C. too.

No worries mate! The offer still stands.

 

[twofewscrews]

Alabama Swamps is closed for good now.
DM me and I'll bring you as a guest to the Newark Range.

Its too bad that the Alabama swamps and other WMAs are closed for target shooting but I guess it makes sense. Pouring lead into WMAs probably isn't good for the local wildlife or those that eat it. Thanks for the invite, your too kind, but I must decline. My schedule is a such that I never know when I'll have time to go shoot and I wouldn't want to impose upon you at the last minute.

I'm a member at Ontario Rod and Gun Club in Ontario next door to you, and we can use buckshot on the pistol range there (up to 45 yards). The only concern I've ever heard expressed about it is to be very careful about not setting targets too high on the target backer to make sure all pellets wind up in the berm. Otherwise it's fine.

I don't use buckshot (or even shotguns) there very often, but when I do I tend to keep my target close in to avoid hitting the target stand. The stands are just made from 2x2's and old plastic real-estate yard signs, and it's not the end of the world if the wood frame takes a round. Nobody will be upset as long as it's not done intentionally. That said, common courtesy dictates that we do everything in our power to avoid that.

I live in Penfield (also about 15 minutes east of Rochester), and would be happy to bring you to Ontario as a guest sometime ifnyou're interested.

I also reside in Penfeild. Small world. I was considering joining the Ontario Rod and Gun Club and now I will be joining for sure.
Thanks for the invite, your too kind, but I must decline. My schedule is a such that I never know when I'll have time to go shoot and I wouldn't want to impose upon you at the last minute.

A big "thumbs up" for Daniel Craig. But if the Newark Range doesn't work out due to his or your schedules or whatever, then consider being a guest at Rochester Brooks Gun Club south of Rochester, in Rush. I'm retired so my schedule is pretty flexible. A few years ago I even got Daniel Craig in as a guest at Brooks before he had a club of his own to shoot at. Sighted in his Mosin-Nagant and I was checking zero on my 870 slug gun that day.

Rochester Brooks Gun Club looks like a great club. Those facilities look amazing. Thank you for the invite, your too kind, but I must decline. My schedule is a such that I never know when I'll have time to go shoot and I wouldn't want to impose upon you at the last minute.

Thanks you for all of the kind and informative replies. The High Road really is an amazing community.

 

[22250Rem]

Rochester Brooks Gun Club looks like a great club. Those facilities look amazing.

. If you ever decided to investigate Brooks their web site is: www.rbgunclub.com and from the home page there's a drop down menu under the "about" and in there is something called "Club Drone Tour" which is an aerial view from a drone which is flown all over each section of the club and gives a great view of everything complete with a musical sound track. IIRC the whole place is at least 400 acres and I know of at least one member from Penfield. Although Ontario Rod & Gun is a nice spot also but I don't recall what they have for a rifle range.

 

[Harriw]

Ontario has a rifle range with 3 covered bench positions, as well as multiple provisions for shooting prone in front of and next to the bench rests (obviously the benches are not used when the forward prone positions are in use). Target berms are at 50, 100, and 200 yards (I've heard it said that the 200 is actually more like 220 yards, but I don't really know for sure which it is).

There's also a wide, covered pistol range called the "Eagle Range" that's enclosed by berms on 3 sides. Max distance is 45 yards. Its also fine to use rifles and shotguns on that range.

There's also 2 trap fields, but no skeet unfortunately (skeet is my preferred shotgun game), and no sporting clays either.

There's a small archery range over in the woods as well.

Finally, in the back there's a separate training range, and 2 more additional pistol bays that are usually closed. The training range is used for classes and training (shocking, I know). It's also used for competitions and events though. Most of the time for those events the rifle range is closed as well. This allows the training range, back end of the rifle range, and the 2 additional rear pistol bays to all be setup as separate, independent competition stages. It's certainly not Rochester Brooks, but it's a very pleasant place to shoot a wide variety of disciplines, and is very affordable.

I did think long and hard about Williamson before joining at Ontario because I really do enjoy skeet... but ultimately decided I didn't want to have to drive that far every time I wanted to go plinking. I have no regrets at all about choosing Ontario, but may expand a bit when the kids are grown and I have more free time for such things.