Precision Rifle range membership question

[benzy2]

It's a fair point. Without seeing a layout I have troubles visioning a range that can shoot to 1400 yards but can't fit a row of benches. Again though, I certainly haven't seen the terrain nor planned layout.

It does sound like a paradise for the 3-gun/practical crowd.

 

[Tempest 455]

so the problem with benches is that benches generally point in a single direction, but at this range you may be able to shoot steel targets at a dozen different berms from a single firing point. those berms may be located in a 120* fan, and the elevation could be as much as 200' above or below the firing point. it's just hard to construct a bench (and certainly a safe row of benches) that flexible. (especially since people who shoot from benches tend to prefer sturdy concrete ones)

it would only be weekend-only for the first 6mo to 1 yr (hopefully).

thanks again

On a scale of 1-10, what is the probability this will happen?

 

[HKGuns]

I pay $330 annually for my range 15 minutes from home. I could pay less with work hours, but my time is more valuable to me.

80+ Acres
Four trap ranges
Four skeet ranges
One 5-Stand range
25 yard Pistol range 15 stations
50 yard rifle range 15 stations
100 yard rifle range 20 stations
200 yard rifle range 25 stations
Black powder rifle/pistol walk through
Archery walk through
Cowboy Action range
Enclosed Air pistol range 10 stations
Full service bar with $2 beers

Open M-Th 10am - 6PM
Friday 10am - Midnight
Saturday/Sunday 10am - 6PM
Saturday 10am - dusk

 

[taliv]

tempest, hard to say. maybe 7 or 8

 

[HOOfan_1]

Yeah weekend only would be absolutely out for me...I hate crowds.

My current range used to close down for matches A LOT...except there was no website, and no published schedule handed out to members. My range is 45 minutes away and my dad and I would often pack up our stuff...waste our time and gas to drive out there and then be told the range was closed for a match. We told them, you won't see our money again until you stop closing down for matches. A lot of other people said the same thing, and they had to build a couple of dedicated ranges for matches or close down due to lack of members.

What you are describing sounds great...other than the price, the weekends only, and the 9 hour travel from me. I am sure you will gain a membership of some hardcore long range guys and not so many casual shooters like myself.

 

[taliv]

good feedback, thanks again

the weekend only thing would hopefully only be for the first 6-10 months. matches would be roughly 4 weekends / year and are already published on my website at least a couple months in advance. travel time i can't help you with other than providing a bunk bed so you can stay for a couple days of shooting.

 

[Tempest 455]

Same as above. Closed for matches are a turn off and one of the reasons I don't join a gun club just 30 min from me, instead I drive and hour to an open range.

 

[Sam1911]

...matches would be roughly 4 weekends / year and are already published on my website at least a couple months in advance...

Closed for matches are a turn off ...

taliv, would it be fair to say that these very special matches would be part of the raison d'etre for the range, and practice for such competitions would be a big part of the draw for shooters to want to join in the first place?

A very symbiotic relationship. I would imagine it would also encompass classes in this kind of shooting as well which, like the matches, would require blocks of time the range would be limited or closed.

 

[taliv]

absolutely Sam. This range is basically designed for people who want to shoot practical long range. nothing against plinking, but this is not a range for plinkers or shooting paper. i'm not in any way trying to suggest this range is for everybody. i really expect a very tiny % of shooters would be interested or able to take advantage of it.

and to put that into some perspective, again, the average match fee is $250-$300 just 2 days of shooting. So the price people pay to shoot a match for 2 days is nearly the same that members will pay to shoot the same exciting courses of fire on all 45+ other weekends of the year combined.

we would also be running classes, but they would not consume the entire facility so members could still shoot

 

[Gtimothy]

Here is a list of what is available at the local range I belong to. Membership is $100/yr and $5.00 fee per visit which includes targets. It's also open to the public so it gets crowded sometimes but they have to pay quite a bit to use the facilities. The biggest drawback is it is only open Thursday-Sunday.

12 yard pistol, 75 yard rifle/pistol,

100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 565 & 1000 yard ranges,

5 stand shotgun, 3 bays of cowboy, 200 yard bench rest rifle and

AREA 51 (police training, run and gun, 3 gun, machine gun,)

With the economy the way it is, that could be a tough sell for me! A range with the amenities you propose would have to compete with my range so you would have to 1.) Be closer than 23 miles, 2.) Be members only, and 3.) Be competitively priced.

 

[Tempest 455]

Any update on this?

 

[taliv]

negotiating for the land... expect another update around mid summer