why does CA ranges so stingy with long range lanes?

[cmichini]

I been to a few out of state ranges and its pretty much a flat land out to 1200 yards. Pay 10 bucks and you shoot all day at any distance you want.

Here in CA I been a member of a few clubs but all of them require you to either be an elite class of members or be in a long range shooting club to use the range. So, why the restirction? I know Sac Valley even has requirements to shoot 300 yards where as Oroville you got access out close to 600 meters...and its free. So why all the rules??

Maybe they want to be sure you're not a retard and likely to send rounds off property? If they have any neighbors nearby that can be hit by poor shots, I don't blame them for being particular about who shoots long range on their property.

I RSO at a private club, and even with the qualification protocols we put members through to use certain facilities you'd be amazed at the asshattery that abounds.

We have had a certain mongoloid send a cannonball (yes a 3 lb. F-ing cannonball) off our property, dig a furrow in a yard and blast a section of fence. So, I can relate to ranges wanting to be sure of who's sending rounds downrange on their property.

[AlienHobo]

Land is more expensive in California.

[mif_slim]

True, i get the idiot part, however i also dont see free ranges closin down due to idiots. For the most part, ranges that are regularly cleaned (not blm in the boonies) i havent seen idiots. Even places like Slypark i dont see idiots shooting randomly. There are idiots who leaves trash though.

However, the question still stands. CA has more idiots than any other states to regulate that much?

[keenkeen]

Maybe they want to be sure you're not a retard...

We have had a certain mongoloid send a cannonball...

"Hey man, I've got a little brother who's retarded! Don't use that word in derogatory fashion."

[Merc1138]

True, i get the idiot part, however i also dont see free ranges closin down due to idiots. For the most part, ranges that are regularly cleaned (not blm in the boonies) i havent seen idiots. Even places like Slypark i dont see idiots shooting randomly. There are idiots who leaves trash though.

However, the question still stands. CA has more idiots than any other states to regulate that much?

CA having more idiots than other states? Percentage, probably not. Population? Yes.

You have to remember that as mentioned, land you can actually do any damned thing with in CA is at a premium. On top of that there are people who will look for any excuse to get a range shut down. Once you factor in that the people who setup ranges have invested their own time/money/resources into it in one way or another, it becomes very obvious why they have absolutely zero tolerance for shenanigans. One person's idea of a 1000 yard range might be some huge steel gongs, another person's idea of a range might include target pits. Even at shorter distances people unable to keep shots on large target backers end up taking out target stands resulting in one or even multiple lanes down(depending on how the stands are setup), with space at a premium no one wants to risk that so Joe Schmoe can take home a 300 yard target that looks like a shotgun patterning board. Even worse, what happens when some clown lobs a round at a ridiculous angle "on accident" like it was artillery and hits some farmer's cow a mile away?

Ranges keep it regulated because no one wants to lose it.

[L84CABO]

Why don't you come to coalinga?

Whoa, dude! This is a family channel! Don't be talking about coalingus here!

[essjay]

I'd be psyched if Metcalf would extend their 200-yard range hours. Thursday afternoons and one Sunday morning per month isn't exactly convenient.

[mycrstuff]

I don't know how the Northern California and central valley ranges are like but in Southern California all of the ranges back into a mountain. All shots from 200 -600 yd are up hill. It puts a limit on how far you can shoot and how many spots are for the longer distances only.

I did visit a nice flat 600 yd range in Southern California about 10 years ago. The CMP western matches were at the Wilcox Range at Camp Pendleton. I wasn't a shooter just a spectator. Man I wish I could have used that range. It is actually (was) the nicest range I had ever been too. It burned down a couple years ago and I don't know if it was rebuilt. Bummer!

[waveslayer]

I been to a few out of state ranges and its pretty much a flat land out to 1200 yards. Pay 10 bucks and you shoot all day at any distance you want.

Here in CA I been a member of a few clubs but all of them require you to either be an elite class of members or be in a long range shooting club to use the range. So, why the restirction? I know Sac Valley even has requirements to shoot 300 yards where as Oroville you got access out close to 600 meters...and its free. So why all the rules??

Because fire issues, unless you go to BLM land like Barstow. Fire service is a pain and shut them down all the time. And it's CA most the ranges here suck

My wife thinks I have only 3 guns

[Lonestargrizzly]

That sounds awesome.

[Jimi Jah]

Land is more expensive in California.

Plus we have the worst enviromental regulations in the world. Add huge legal hassles and fees. Land use permits, all sorts of roadblocks. I'm amazed there are still outdoor ranges left in California.

Once the rest of the San Francisco cabal takes over Excremento, those days may be numbered here too.

[smoothy8500]

I did visit a nice flat 600 yd range in Southern California about 10 years ago. The CMP western matches were at the Wilcox Range at Camp Pendleton. I wasn't a shooter just a spectator. Man I wish I could have used that range. It is actually (was) the nicest range I had ever been too. It burned down a couple years ago and I don't know if it was rebuilt. Bummer!

Still around and active:

https://www.smgunclub.org/

You don't "have" to be a member, just sign up to shoot the matches.

[JDay]

I been to a few out of state ranges and its pretty much a flat land out to 1200 yards. Pay 10 bucks and you shoot all day at any distance you want.

Here in CA I been a member of a few clubs but all of them require you to either be an elite class of members or be in a long range shooting club to use the range. So, why the restirction? I know Sac Valley even has requirements to shoot 300 yards where as Oroville you got access out close to 600 meters...and its free. So why all the rules??

There's usually other properties behind the berm. That's the case at Sacramento Valley. You have to qualify so that they know you're not going to shoot over the berm. The neighbors wouldn't be too happy if their house or livestock were to get hit.

[JDay]

Thats no bad. The one i was at was about 220 per year. However, i was thinking of more for rec use vs needing to be in a club to use the 1000y lanes.

Anyone can use the 1000 yard range at Sacramento Valley if they show up on club practice days.

[mif_slim]

^I know, but certian day of the week kond of sucks.. especially when free on other days than club practice day.