Shotgun friendly ranges in Merced area central valley

[1badman]

I have a 20" barrel pump I would like to shoot for first time. Never shot a shotgun before. Also for practice here and there. I have heard of rooster ranch but don't know if they have a range or just clay and trap. Don't know if they would allow a 20" barrel for that. Also I'm looking for open to public. I have a few but must be a member. Los Banos or Merced area.

[regalado1]

Rooster Ranch as you already mentioned.

You can also check out http://safetyfirstshooting.org/
My wife and I are both members. If you look at the calendar of events you'll see the proposed schedule of TRAP shooting and other events open to the public.

This Saturday they are running a few training events:

NRA’s First Steps Shotgun ($20). Trap range, 9 am to Noon - This program gives you the opportunity to receive formal training and certification in a particular firearm and establishes a solid base for continued skill development.

Also:
NRA's First Steps Pistol ($20). Bay 2 9 to 12 Noon - This program gives you the opportunity to receive formal training and certification in a particular firearm and establishes a solid base for continued skill development.

And:
Open Shooting / General Marksmanship Clinic – Bay 1, 9am to 3 pm - This is an open clinic to improve your marksmanship skills, or just plink, chronograph your loads, or just check out your new loads performance. We will have instructors, Safety Officers and subject matter experts on hand, to give you some help if needed. We may have to limit time on the firing line to 30 minute sessions if we get a large participation though. First come first served. Hearing and Eye Protection is required and may be available on the range (you are encouraged to have your own). All firearms must be cased or in a holster or rug prior to entering the range.

And also:
Defensive Handgun Skill Development Clinic – Bay 3, 9 am to Noon and repeated 1 pm to 3 pm - New or experienced shooters who want to improve their shooting skills and learn basic techniques which, when practiced, will improve their handgun skills. Equipment Required: Your Concealed Carry gun, belt holster, magazines (or speedloaders), cover garment, hearing protection, eye protection, and 100 or more rounds of ammunition. Topics Covered: Improving basic defensive marksmanship/accuracy at both short and long distances, Multiple types of draws from holster, Improving Shooting methods: strong-hand, weak-hand, low ready, Reloads: Slide-lock, tactical, Clearing jams and malfunctions, Movement while shooting: forward, backward, left/right, Positions: standing, kneeling, prone, Barricades: walls, low cover, barrels, doors, Multiple Targets: Tactical priority, tactical sequence, Snatching gun: loaded and unload from table, drawer, and briefcase, Mental Discipline and record keeping, Speed improvement, and Practice recommendations. Specifics skills will be class dependent. Not everything will be covered in the 2 hours.

[1badman]

Will rooster range allow 20" barrel for trap or do they have a shooting range. Also are the safety first events open to public.

[Czsp-01-9mm]

I live in dos palos, Los banos area, it your looking just to gets some lead down range there's always Blm land, tumey hills, that's where I go,

[regalado1]

I can't think of any reason Rooster Ranch would have any issue with your shotgun.
I would say all the stuff at safetyfirst this Saturday is open to public. They run the trap range about once a month, its on the calendar and open to public. $4 a round of 25. Women and kids shoot for free. I believe they are doing the next trap event on the 21st. We just shot day and night trap last weekend. Night trap is alot of fun...
Since you said "first time" I would recommend you go down on Saturday and take the NRA first steps shotgun class. Get some good tips and techniques from certified instructors.

[1badman]

Thanks. I can't make this Saturday but do they offer that shotgun class often?

[JohnCriswell]

Regalado1, can a person just show up a little before an event, or do you have to sign up first?

[sanjosebmx]

regalado1, can we pattern our HD shotguns at Safety First? Like target shooting?

[regalado1]

@1badman Yes, they do these classes pretty often. The website given is usually up to date. Paul does a good job of keeping it up to date.
@John. Usually the classes open to public are show up, pay and have a good time. Some of them do want you to "sign up" so they know if how many people so they have enough Instructors or Range Safety Officers to staff the event. Your best bet would be to contact the range and ask ahead of time.
You can pattern shotguns there in Bay 3 only. There is 1 target stand there that is used to pattern. Its wider than the other target stands.

The range does a ton of training. Safety is big there. A lot women and kids events. Some women only events. Most of the events, women and kids shoot for free.