Where to pattern my shotgun (in Sac County)?

[drno4]

I have plenty of handguns, but am relatively new to shotguns; I recently purchased a Mossberg 930 and I have a Remington 870 Police Magnum in 10-day jail.

I would like to pattern them both with some various samples of #4 buckshot I purchased to test out for home defense...but the indoor range to which I belong in Sac County only allows me (understandably) to shoot slugs.

I have blasted off plenty of buckshot at the Sac Valley Shooting Center, but that was at one of their member-only ranges I was on for a shotgun class; I would prefer not to have to take a class every time I shoot buckshot for HD practice...

So...for my CGN friends here in Sac County, what range(s) or location(s) might you know of where I could freely and legally shoot some different loads to test them out and pattern my guns?

Thanks!

[j15w]

If you don't mind a 1.5hr drive and enjoy nature and forestry, go to Sly Park (Jenkinson Lake).

[RNE228]

Sac Valley. To the far right of the shotgun range, just past the last Trap range is a pattern test station. It has a steel plate set up. You run a greased paint roller over it; the shot pattern shows up perfect.

Might call and ask what size shot it will handle; we were patterning #8's for trap and skeet, not big stuff.

Otherwise call Cordova Shooting Center and see.

[drno4]

If you don't mind a 1.5hr drive and enjoy nature and forestry, go to Sly Park (Jenkinson Lake).

Great recommendation -- I am familiar with the area based on old CGN posts I've trolled, and have been out there once to pin on my GPS some nooks and crannies -- and with all the rain (and up there, even snow) we've had recently, I was thinking it might be a boggy and mucky mess this time of year...?

[drno4]

Sac Valley. To the far right of the shotgun range, just past the last Trap range is a pattern test station. It has a steel plate set up. You run a greased paint roller over it; the shot pattern shows up perfect.

Awesome! Did not know they had that out there. I'm not a member at SVSC -- is that something general public plebes like me can still access and use freely?

[Thanatos2203]

Cordova I am almost positive will only let you shoot slugs.

In the past I have shot shotgun at Sac Valley between the public pistol range and the rifle range. They let me have the target stands which were already on their last legs and I shot 00 buck at them from right out front near their office. Just be careful that your pattern doesn't hit the target of the first pistol shooter lane at 50 yards and the person using that lane isnt a [insert calguns inappropriate word here]. I say this from experience.

[j15w]

Great recommendation -- I am familiar with the area based on old CGN posts I've trolled, and have been out there once to pin on my GPS some nooks and crannies -- and with all the rain (and up there, even snow) we've had recently, I was thinking it might be a boggy and mucky mess this time of year...?

Per another member, it's not too bad right now. I will be heading out this weekend and will report back. Good luck on your patterning - I know I had a lot of fun patterning mine!

[drno4]

In the past I have shot shotgun at Sac Valley between the public pistol range and the rifle range. They let me have the target stands which were already on their last legs and I shot 00 buck at them from right out front near their office. Just be careful that your pattern doesn't hit the target of the first pistol shooter lane at 50 yards and the person using that lane isnt a [insert calguns inappropriate word here]. I say this from experience.

Sweet. Sounds like I'll be making a call out to Sac Valley and doing my patterning there, one way or another. Thanks!

[drno4]

Per another member, it's not too bad right now. I will be heading out this weekend and will report back. Good luck on your patterning - I know I had a lot of fun patterning mine!

Thanks my friend! If you think of it, would you kindly PM me or post to this thread your update on the terrain? Be safe and have a great time!

[RNE228]

I think it is open to the public. I would call and ask, and also verify what size shot is allowed.

Awesome! Did not know they had that out there. I'm not a member at SVSC -- is that something general public plebes like me can still access and use freely?

[Newshooter]

Sac Valley Shooting Center per post above

Auburn Trap Club - Auburn - Pattern board on the left side of trap one

Coon Creek Trap and Skeet - Lincoln - Pattern board down by skeet fields

Camanche Hills - Ione - Pattern board by station 6 on blue course

[JagerDog]

Most outdoor rifle/pistol ranges permit buckshot, often in a dedicated bay. Give Lincoln Rod & Gun a shout.

Coon Creek has a pattern board but with a road downrange are likely to restrict to birdshot just as on the trap range.

[JustEd]

I have plenty of handguns, but am relatively new to shotguns; I recently purchased a Mossberg 930 and I have a Remington 870 Police Magnum in 10-day jail.

I would like to pattern them both with some various samples of #4 buckshot I purchased to test out for home defense...but the indoor range to which I belong in Sac County only allows me (understandably) to shoot slugs.

I have blasted off plenty of buckshot at the Sac Valley Shooting Center, but that was at one of their member-only ranges I was on for a shotgun class; I would prefer not to have to take a class every time I shoot buckshot for HD practice...

So...for my CGN friends here in Sac County, what range(s) or location(s) might you know of where I could freely and legally shoot some different loads to test them out and pattern my guns?

Thanks!

I use range 2 at Sac Valley for that.

[RNE228]

Do you use paper target for that? guess you could use larger shot; I'm not sure what they'll let you shoot at the pattern station over next to the Trap range.

I use range 2 at Sac Valley for that.

[drno4]

Thanks for all the tips! I'll be calling around soon to find a suitable spot, from among the ones you all have suggested.