Why doesn't the Bay Area have a long distance shooting range? Any other options?

[mattmcg]

Hey folks,

I'm a little disappointed that our longest range in the Bay Area is a 200 yard range at Chabot! I'm really wanting to try my hand at 500 and even a 1000 yards but seem relegated to have to travel to Sacramento to enjoy the activity. Do any of you have any alternate suggestions for long range shooting in the Bay Area?

[Stormfeather]

Hey folks,

I'm a little disappointed that our longest range in the Bay Area is a 200 yard range at Chabot! I'm really wanting to try my hand at 500 and even a 1000 yards but seem relegated to have to travel to Sacramento to enjoy the activity. Do any of you have any alternate suggestions for long range shooting in the Bay Area?

go out on a boat? rooftop? golden gate bridge?

[Prc329]

Not sure how far sac valley is from you but look here

http://www.sacvalley.org/SacVal/index.html

[wilit]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=89640

[50 Freak]

Sac Valley is the only 1000 yard range for long ways around here. They are only about 1.5 hours away. But they don't allow 50's.

Metcalf in SJ has a 200 yard range, but it's only open to the public one day a month.

[ar15barrels]

Move to southern california.
We have the desert, the high desert and Pala...

[BigRich]

Probably due to the cost of land in the area and the opposition that will protest and picket anything to do with firearms and (OH NO!) shooting them.

[tankerman]

Petaluma, North Bay Circle S Ranch Range goes to 300 yards

http://www.sonomashooting.org/circles.html

[Omega13device]

Not sure how far sac valley is from you but look here

http://www.sacvalley.org/SacVal/index.html

FYI...based on the info on their site, non-members can shoot on the 300-yd range for $10 per visit, but you have to join the club ($100/year) to use the 1000-yd range.

[Pthfndr]

FYI...based on the info on their site, non-members can shoot on the 300-yd range for $10 per visit, but you have to join the club ($100/year) to use the 1000-yd range.

This is correct. Not only that, but you have to be checked out on the 1K range first also. Just because one is a member does not automatically grant them access to the 1000 yard range. It's for safety reasons, and as someone who does have access to the 1K range and shoots there regularly, I agree with it.

[DigglerD]

It's for safety reasons, and as someone who does have access to the 1K range and shoots there regularly, I agree with it.

Not to thread jack but please explain. Is the range too narrow (compared to the distance) for normal shooters?

[Pthfndr]

Not to thread jack but please explain. Is the range too narrow (compared to the distance) for normal shooters?

Someone just PM'd me asking sort of the same thing. The Sac Valley range is not out in the desert. So I'll just copy/paste my answer to him. (with corrected grammar)

If someone has proof, such as having successfully competed in an event on the 1K range, the office will give them a "300 yard card" to use the public 300 yard range. Otherwise everyone, including members, has to qualify on the 100 yard range. This is only to prove they can keep their rounds in a reasonably small area at a relatively short range.

You might not believe how many target stands have been destroyed and replaced on the 300 yard range because people have no clue how to adjust elevation for longer distances, or are just plain lousy shots.

As far as going from a short range to the 1K, I've seen guys come out to the tactical long range match never having shot past 100 yards, claim they chrono'd their ammo and know the come ups, then proceed to put multiple rounds in the dirt in front of the targets at 600 yards, and over the berm BEHIND the targets at the same distance. It only gets worse when they try to move out to 1000 yards. Often it's because the scope/base combination they are using doesn't have enough elevation adjustment and they try to hold over and we find out their scope has a duplex reticle so they're just aiming somewhere out in space and have no idea why or where. Or they're actually shooting ammo that does not have enough velocity to make it out to 800,900 or 1000 yards.

One also has to keep in mind, rounds that fall short or go subsonic, can send debris in the form of wood, dirt, rocks into the target pit area. If they hit a target frame they do lots of damage, and in the event of a subsonic round can cause the frames to splinter / shatter and shower the target pullers. That's why eye protection is also required in the target pits.

You have to remember that Rancho Murrieta is only 4 miles down range as the crow flies. Not to mention some rather expensive live stock closer in that graze on the hills.

Of course interestingly, if one becomes a member they can then go shoot on the steel silhouette range without having to qualify for the 300 yard public range even though that range goes out to 500 meters and has the same issues.

One of our courses of fire for the tactical long range match, the first stage of fire is from 1000 yards. For that particular COF we do not allow new shooters who have not shot long range previously because of the safety concern.

Prior experience can be a TLR match or practice session, a High Power / Prone / Palma match, a long range BR match, going out with a 1K qualified member, etc.

At the TLR match we've pulled more than few shooters off the line over the years because they were creating an unsafe condition.

I hope that answers your question. If not just ask me to clarify more.

Rob Thomas
Pthfndr

[battleship]

Do they provide golf carts so you can go and get your target.

[NRAhighpowershooter]

Do they provide golf carts so you can go and get your target.

On the 1k range, you drive your vehicle to the pits

[Pthfndr]

Do they provide golf carts so you can go and get your target.

No, but you can drive from the 1K firing line to the pits. There is also a TWO PERSON rule on all non public ranges. On the 1K range that usually means one person is in the pits pulling the target, and the other is on a firing line. 2 way radios are highly recommended for communication.

In the pic below the 1K range is on the far left. The 1K firing line is at the top left, the target pits at the bottom left. At the top right is the shot gun range. Then, from right to left: Action Pistol bays, public 300 yard rifle range, public 100 yard rifle range, public 50 yard pistol range and .22 rimfire (only) steel plinking range, range 2, range 3 & 4 500 meter Steel Silhouette, ranges 5 & 6 used to be a pistol silhouette range but is being moved, Cowboy Town is now behind those ranges (cool little place with buildings), range 7 100 yard, range 8 200 yard. The rectangle between 8 and the 1K range is the "Pole Barn" where the Tactical Long Range and High Power shooters meet to sign in before their matches and BBQ after them.