The joys of an outdoor range

[Kevin]

I'm at the range right now. Traffic was light driving here. The in-laws are home with my wife. The weather is pleasant.

There are only two other people here. They are on the rifle range, I'm over in one of the pistol bays. We have awnings for shade. There is a slight breeze.

I can hear some birds off in the distance. And the occasional car on a highway further out.

All is right with the world.

Except…. The pistol bay has Astro Turf between the shade and the target. It absorbs heat like crazy. I pick up loose brass and it's like molten metal in my hand. In fact I think I got a blister! Yikes!

 

[Kevin]

I'm home now. I usually go to the range on Sunday, and more often than not I have the place to myself, or at most there are two or three other members there.

It's kind of funny to think that shooting is a relaxing, meditative sport.

Except when it's 100 degrees and you have to walk 25 yards in the blazing sun to hang a new target.

 

[contender]

Well, you've been to my range. It's not fancy,,, but it's very serviceable. I was on a skid steer loader some yesterday & today moving some more dirt. A little maintenance,, and a little more expansion.
There are joys to outdoor ranges,, but there are downsides as well.

 

[Hvymax]

I was on mine today. Had the place to myself because my Wife and daughters went out to lunch.

 

[bearskinner]

My range is open 24/7 with easy access. Never crowded, and free BBQ and drink.

 

[Hvymax]

My range is open 24/7 with easy access. Never crowded, and free BBQ and drink.


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Yeah but the Membership and range fees are through the roof!!! I'm paying about $1,400 a month + range setups.

 

[BULL'S-EYE]

All I need do is step a few yards out my back door, and I'm on my own personal private range...Life is good.

 

[Kevin]

Well, you've been to my range. It's not fancy,,, but it's very serviceable. I was on a skid steer loader some yesterday & today moving some more dirt. A little maintenance,, and a little more expansion.
There are joys to outdoor ranges,, but there are downsides as well.

Contender, I think your range is pretty fancy.

But as to maintenance, a few years ago my range go a direct hit from an F5 tornado.

It was in the spring, and a group of us spent a lot of time cleaning it up and rebuilding. I helped with the cleanup, but the rebuilding was a lot of welding, so some other guys did that.

 

[bearskinner]

The only added maintenance is mowing the road up the middle, and repairing S hooks and bolts that break off the chains.
My bench is about 75' from my front door.

 

[bobski]

an old cow pond berm....two poles.....cardboard......folding table.........gun........done!
and i can do it in my pajamas!

 

[Mobuck]

My bench is about 75 yards from back door. There's 25 and 100 yards plus a 1/4 mile that's a bit overgrown due to lack of maintenance. 100 yards up the driveway is a long range steel plate stand (325-400 yards).
The only time I've utilized a public range was 2010 when we worked all summer in Chaffee County Colorado.

 

[Ride1949]

Outdoor range. 10 minutes from home. No fee or dues. (That's my truck in the upper right corner.)

 

[Hvymax]

My picnic table is about 10' from the back door and I have a 25yd target stand. If I go up on the deck I can plink at the Christmas Forest across the ravine.

 

[Fox Mike]

Outdoor range. 10 minutes from home. No fee or dues. (That's my truck in the upper right corner.)

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Must be tough checking behind all those trees for people in case of an errant round.

 

[Hvymax]

Must be tough checking behind all those trees for people in case of an errant round.

Holler Is the Range Clear 3 times before calling it hot. Watch for any strays downrange just in case.

 

[87flht]

My range is open 24/7 with easy access. Never crowded, and free BBQ and drink.


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We need directions

 

[Hvymax]

The hours on mine are whenever the wife isn't around with some exceptions.

 

[Ride1949]

Must be tough checking behind all those trees for people in case of an errant round.

Not a problem. The picture was taken from the top of the very tall ridge above the targets. The truck is parked there for the shade. (The dogs are in the back for their safety and because my old Lab is sensetive to gunfire up close.) If someone is out there (very rarely) they are most likely in a vehicle and have enough sense to avoid someone else who is shooting. What you're talking about must be a Maryland thing. We don't have that problem here.

 

[bearskinner]

We need directions

Keep heading North to about 80 miles from the Canadian border.

 

[RC44Mag]

One word about policing your brass, gloves. I much prefer shooting outdoor ranges weather permitting.