Ben Avery Shooting Range

[kriller134]

I'm going to be spending Xmas in Peoria and was wondering if this is a good range to go to? I drove by it once and it looked promising. Any tips or advice?

[odysseus]

I haven't been there in many years, but when I did it is a nice facility and a good range. Obviously there are plenty of open space areas in AZ outside of Phx to plink, but as a range this is a fully decent place.

[RandyD]

Ben Avery usually has a line set up for informal target shooting on a daily basis.

As far a plenty of open space, there is open space but a lot of it is not open to shooting. I grew up in Phoenix, and used to be able to take a bike to go shooting as a kid. About 8 years ago, I was visiting Phoenix and wanted to go shooting, it was almost as bad a San Diego County. I even contacted a couple of deputy sheriffs to get a recommendation. I was shocked that most of the open space was not open to shooting.

[russ69]

I'm going to be spending Xmas in Peoria and was wondering if this is a good range to go to? I drove by it once and it looked promising. Any tips or advice?

Yeah, it's a good range:

"The Ben Avery Shooting Facility is a public outdoor shooting range located in northern Phoenix, Arizona. At 1650 acres (668 hectares) it is the largest public operated shooting facility in the United States.[1] It is operated by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) and is identified as one of the Phoenix Points of Pride.[2] The facility is named for Ben Avery, a local outdoors activist."

[hi5]

I've been there several times with my family and always had a great time. I highly recommend it. We are relatively novice skill level. RO's and other shooters have been friendly and helpful.

Tips: Targets may not resemble a human silhouette
Target stands and tape are provided
A vendor sells hot dogs and sodas on weekends not sure about weekdays
Mc Donalds about 3 miles east

[kriller134]

Great thanks for the info. Can't wait to go.

[alpha_romeo_XV]

I've been there a few time for CMP Western Games (held in October). There are several different ranges within the facility e.g. long range high power, rimfire, pistol, etc. and there are adequate amenities to make a for comfortable day at the range. They have night lights on some ranges too.
You will get to see and hear guns that you wouldn't on a public range in Calif. e.g. full auto, burst, suppressed get shot there.

[RandyD]

You will get to see and hear guns that you wouldn't on a public range in Calif. e.g. full auto, burst, suppressed get shot there.

I forgot about that, but will confirm, it is common to hear full auto.

[audiophil2]

I used to go there but I don't like being put on time out for ceasefires.

When you go find a guy with a full auto and tell him you are from California. He will look at you like your grandma just died and offer to let you shoot it.

If you want a more relaxed time in the desert near Ben Avery I offer machine gun demonstrations. PM me for pricing.

[audiophil2]

I forgot about that, but will confirm, it is common to hear full auto.

It's more common to hear full auto in the hills around Ben Avery. There are some guys that take FA to BA but that is usually to sight in.