Shooting facility preferences?

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Howland937

Howland937

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South central Ohio
I've never shot in any type organized competition. In fact, I've never shot at an actual range. All of the shooting I've done in my lifetime (except hunting) has been on family owned property, my back yard for .22s, or occasionally at someone else's backyard range. I can shoot on the family owned property anytime I want, but it's getting to be a pain because the weeds are high. We typically take turns mowing, but someone missed their turn. For a month now.
So I'm trying to decide if I enjoy the access I have to shoot in the weeds whenever I want, or would it be better to join a range, pay membership and let them worry about maintenance.
Weeds wouldn't be a big deal, but dang...pretty sure I got poison ivy trying to find my brass.
 
Howland937 said:
So I'm trying to decide if I enjoy the access I have to shoot in the weeds whenever I want, or would it be better to join a range, pay membership and let them worry about maintenance.
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I don't think it's an "either/or" choice, is it? I mean, you could still enjoy the access you have to shooting on your family's property when the weeds aren't too high, and shoot at a genuine, pay-to-shoot range when the weeds are too high, couldn't you?:)
Almost two-thirds of the state of Idaho is public land, I can shoot safely and legally off our rear deck, there's a county gravel pit where we usually shoot just two miles south of here, there's a real (and free) public shooting range about 10 miles south of here, and lately we have been driving about 5 miles over to a friend's ranch to shoot ground squirrels. Would I trade all of that for shooting at a pay-to-shoot place that doesn't have weeds? I wouldn't bet on it.o_O
However, I do have a couple of free passes to a genuine pay-to-shoot indoor range about 30 miles north of here. I'll probably use them one of these days - like next winter when it's cold and the county gravel pit is full of snow. And who knows - maybe someday when it's real cold and/or wet out and I want to go shooting, I'll pay to shoot at an indoor range.
It's my money - just like your money is yours. Spend it how you like. I just don't see how shooting on your family's property or paying to shoot at a genuine shooting range is an "either-or" thing in your case. The way I see it, you can do both.:)
 
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X a million to shooting on your own property.

I'm fortunate enough to be able to do so as well, and do so regularly.

Only ranges I frequent are for competition and if you're considering that I would say go for it. Generally speaking comp shooters are inherently safer to be around than your average range rats. Plus comps are fun and a way to meet new folks and learn/push yourself.


But absolutely dont give up or take your "home range" for granted.
 
When I was very young I couldn't drive to go anywhere to shoot. It was only when my father wanted to go. Then, when I could drive I was too poor to shoot much.

Once I could shoot a bit there was an old gravel pit I frequented. Then the owners leased out all that land to deer hunters and they put up gates.

That left me going to a local municipal range. Then the city closed that range. The second municipal range in the area to close BTW.

That left the state Game & Fish Commision range. Didn't like that range and their rules.

I'm now a member of one of two local outdoor ranges with my own gate key and go to an indoor range when needed if too hot, wet, or cold.
 
If I had access to family property, or my own property, I would be the one mowing the weeds down every week. That is how blessed you are to be able to shoot there.

I pay a little too much for the range I am a member of but it is very worth it since membership is very limited so you are only ever there with a few other people.and there are no ROs. You get that for the cost of mowing.....except there is probably usually no one else there. Pure heaven.
 
I love shooting outdoors but with the encroaching development of new home subdivisions, most of my outdoor locations are no more. Shooting indoors does have it advantages, especially in inclement weather and of course in the winter time!
 
I like the club where I shoot. I can fire anything from handguns in bays at provided steel or at steel targets over 800 yards, with numerous barricades and other props. If I had land where I could build my own private range, I would.
 
We used to have targets out to 500 yards, but the neighboring farm was sold in lots and developed. Now limited to about 150 yards because that's the only direction safely useable. I'm mostly just bitter because no matter what contraptions I try, I end up spending more time looking for my brass than I do shooting.
I did however find a handful of 10mm brass under the bench. So either a neighbor is coming over uninvited or a family member is a closet 10mm fan.
 
Howland937 said:
I do when it's my turn. There are 8 family members that co-own equally. Property my grandma and grandpa lived on until they died. I suppose I could go with the short view...just mow around the shooting benches and a 6' swath for a shooting lane.
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Sure I get that. It’s one of the reasons I will never get into a joint ownership with a sibling. But we don’t have family land or legacy to worry about.

I hate losing brass so I’d just mow it and then create a tally on how many mowings the offender has missed. Then a conversation would be had. I don’t tolerate people not pulling their weight well.

But that’s just an opinion and what I’d do with my family. Your family may be very different.
 
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In my case an organized range is my only option for firearms shooting. As mentioned Indoor ranges are a perk. In New England it’s nice having access to a heated 24/7 indoor gallery range with trolley target holders for handguns or 22’s.
My club also has a covered 100 yard line with shooting benches and a 25 yard pistol line with counter. An attached spacious warming house, wood stove heated/ air conditioned serves as a member hang out. The club house is a hunting lodge type building with full kitchen and facilities. Available to members for functions free of charge. A stocked trout pond and archery range also are provided also, and 35 acres offer plenty of room for functions such as steak fry’s and pig roasts. An annual public field day and raffleIs a fund raiser and a public sighting in day is offered in the fall. The local PD uses the range several times a year for training and qualifying and the club fields and hosts youth, rifle and pistol teams. Member ship is limited and there is a waiting list. Members may bring guest family or friends. Friends as guest are limited but generous.
A member run club is more than a place to shoot. This type of club is common in Rhode Island.
 
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You're very fortunate to have property to shoot outdoors. I miss the days I lived in rural Iowa when I could shoot outdoors in many places. If I was you I'd mow/shoot on your land in good weather and pay the hourly range rate or membership in the winter.
 
I would love to have a safe place to shoot on my own property. The club range has some advantages also. I think a place to shoot 22 lr and handguns at home and a gun club for 100 yards and more for rifles. The gun range or club range also gives you an opportunity to shoot with others or talk with other that share your same interest.
 
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I own my own "backyard" range with a 30 yard pistol range with gravel and tgt berms with swingers that go out to 760 yards.

Over the years I've accumulated about 45 AR500 steel plates, barricades, target stands, IDPA swingers, and even a people powered mover. I set up some pretty elaborate IDPA and 3gun stages for practice sessions and basically shoot whenever I want to. Last night for instance, in between chores, I went through a couple hundred rounds through my PCC running drills getting ready for a match next Tuesday.

Buuuuuut,

This also means that I'm the rangemaster, landscaper, and maintenance guy. All of which takes time (and money).

So you've got to decide what's right for you and how much the convenience of having your own range is worth VS the work/cost it will take. IF you only shoot a couple times a month for a couple hundred rounds, then odds are "the juice isn't worth the squeeze". IF your like me and shoot a few times a week and practice skills you can't on your average public or even private range, then the "value" of access to your own range increases.

Like anything it comes down to a cost-benefit analysis.
 
earlthegoat2 said:
If I had access to family property, or my own property, I would be the one mowing the weeds down every week. That is how blessed you are to be able to shoot there.

I pay a little too much for the range I am a member of but it is very worth it since membership is very limited so you are only ever there with a few other people.and there are no ROs. You get that for the cost of mowing.....except there is probably usually no one else there. Pure heaven.
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For sure if I had access to family property I'd be keeping it mowed. That's such a small price to pay.

I belong to a private range much like you described except the price is quite reasonable at $35/year. It's big, never crowded and I have the gate code and can use it anytime I want. I felt kind of guilty and wanted to do my part to help out. One day when I was there one of the club officers was mowing. I asked if I could volunteer to help, and offered to bring my own equipment. He informed me that he didn't need any help, but thanked me for the offer.

This place has no indoor shooting but has multiple outdoor ranges, two of which are under roof and one of those is closed in on three sides so even in the winter it's usually not too hard to get a range day in unless the weather is really bad. I do indeed feel blessed to have such a facility handy.
 
bannockburn said:
I love shooting outdoors but with the encroaching development of new home subdivisions, most of my outdoor locations are no more. Shooting indoors does have it advantages, especially in inclement weather and of course in the winter time!
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My gosh, what most of us would not give to have our own range. I belong to three indoor ranges and a club where which is Outdoor. I will choose outdoor shooting any time. Inclement Weather is my friend. I check the weather reports all the time, most especially in winter. A nice cold day, or rain or snow is ideal. Why, because I will have the range all to my self and all day. And when shooting a rifle, it is real. Life when hunting is not all clear days of bliss.
 
.308 Norma said:
I can shoot safely and legally off our rear deck, there's a county gravel pit where we usually shoot just two miles south of here, there's a real (and free) public shooting range about 10 miles south of here, and lately we have been driving about 5 miles over to a friend's ranch to shoot ground squirrels.
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And I am jealous! That's awesome.

I have a 300 yard private club 10 minutes away, but I would love to be able to go walk in the hills instead. . .

Ernie Bass said:
Inclement Weather is my friend. I check the weather reports all the time, most especially in winter. A nice cold day, or rain or snow is ideal.
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I guess I'm not the only one who shoots in the rain or cold on purpose. It helps to be a Yankee in the South. . . the natives think 40F is cold.
 
edwardware said:
guess I'm not the only one who shoots in the rain or cold on purpose. It helps to be a Yankee in the South. . . the natives think 40F is cold.
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I only shoot if the temp is 15 or above. I actually enjoy shooting in winter as finding brass in dead grass is easier. After reading posts about people who don't have private access, I guess I won't whine about the tall grass (chest high now)...I'll just make a few lanes, spend about $100 on some gravel and not worry if the rest ever gets mowed again. Be better for the bunnies and handful of pheasants anyway.
 
I'm in the rural west where there is a lot of public land open to shooting. The cost of ammo is the only real limit I have on shooting. It's not quite as easy as shooting on my own property. I have to load the 4x4 with everything I want and drive about 5 miles.

I won't go anywhere else except for organized classes/schools. I don't like the risk of being around other people shooting and handling guns. I certainly don't like the air quality at indoor ranges and the noise is awful. I've been to four schools in four different states and they were all at outdoor ranges - not bad, but too costly to do more than once or twice a year. I shot once at an indoor range just to use some rentals. It wasn't pleasant at all. If I was really stuck in an urban area like NYC where I couldn't easily drive away, I would look to join a private club.

You make mowing sound like a big job. What equipment do you have to mow? It seems like with what you'd pay for range fees you could buy a PTO flail mower. I can't imagine some weeds would take longer than 30 minutes to knock down with that.
 
Howland937 said:
I only shoot if the temp is 15 or above. I actually enjoy shooting in winter as finding brass in dead grass is easier. After reading posts about people who don't have private access, I guess I won't whine about the tall grass (chest high now)...I'll just make a few lanes, spend about $100 on some gravel and not worry if the rest ever gets mowed again. Be better for the bunnies and handful of pheasants anyway.
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Sounds like a plan...and IF you get help it will be a bonus.
 
labnoti said:
You make mowing sound like a big job. What equipment do you have to mow?
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The area we agreed to keep mowed amounts to about 7 acres. Obviously I don't need all of it to shoot on. We still use my grandpa's old Ford 2000 tractor and a 6ft bushhog. When it's knee high it takes about 3 1/2 hours. Tall as it is now, it'll be all day. In contrast, my yard is little over an acre and I'd rather get beat with a stick than mow and trim ;)
 
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