Where to shoot Socal High Desert

[gas_man_2k]

Hi-

Looking for a High Desert location that is reasonable to shoot- centerfire and handgun. Prefer accessible by non-4WD truck; not a "billy goat trail".

Thanks

Gasser

[50 Shooter]

Where are you coming from? How far are you willing to drive?

If you want to shoot at a private range there's always Desert Marksman, www.dmrpc.org you'll need to join. It's up the 14 just before Palmdale and then a few miles up Angeles Hwy.

[big jon]

shooting anyone?

Where do you live i may be able to help.

[jester]

So, desert marksman range is member only? And is what, past the defunct kentucky shooting area?
I looked at tha map.There is a guard shack out there now?

[m2hbvic]

You can try A Place To Shoot shooting range which is north of the Saugus/Valencia area but south of the Palmdale area, on San Francisquito Canyon Road. They're in the phone book. Usually they're not very busy on weekdays and so the rangemaster usually is at the front office and comes up on his ATV to clear the range every 20 minutes or so if there's only a few people shooting at the rifle range. If it's only you, or you and another person using the rifle range, then he'll pretty much leave you alone and just drive up to check on you once in awhile and make sure you're okay and then drive back to the front office.

Also, farther north, you can try the shooting range up near Tehachapi. I think it's off of the 58 at the Sand Canyon exit, just past the CHP truck weigh station if you're heading northbound on the 58 towards Tehachapi. Never been to this range but I heard that it was okay.
Vic

[50 Shooter]

Jester,
There is no guard shack, I think the guard sits in his car until someone drives up. There is only someone there on the weekends, during the week you just let yourself in. Members are given the combo to the lock on the gate and yes, it's where Kentucky use to be. Just follow the road in until you find the range, it's a little further in then Kentucky was.

The road could be better but I have driven my Honda in there, just slow down for the rough spots.

[Scotto]

how bout ol hodge road

[gas_man_2k]

Loc

I'm by Ontario. Thanks to all who replied on and off list. From what I hear, the best thing to do is look for BLM land, not private property or State land, North of I-40. Apparently all land south of I-40 is shotgun only per SB County ordinance. Hodge Road was mentioned, but there seems to be an infestation of ATV'ers, who might not like being used as a backstop. There is some open space out by Palm Springs too.

Specifically, I'm looking for a place to try some plinking with friends who are new to firearms. We'll fill helium balloons with flour, shoot at clay pigeons, shaken up Coke cans and the like, then break for Burgers n beverages. Looking for a bit more relaxed environment than a formal range.

Thanks again

Gas

[glen avon]

why are you looking at the high desert? better shooting east.

[Wiggawam]

I'm looking for a place to shoot outside of LA or such. Long range centerfire.

[nosewitdot]

people also say theres a place in banning, but i can't seem to find it via search...can anybody enlighten me where it is direction wise? thanks!

[50 Shooter]

For those of you looking for a place to shoot and are willing to drive, here's where I use to shoot.

Take the 15 North to the 40 East, get off at the Yermo/Dagget exit and go right. At the " T " intersection (which is about 100 ft) go left and follow the road, it turns into a dirt road in about a mile or so. The road is good enough to drive a car in (most places) and you can just pick a place. We use to drive way back in (truck preferred) but there are places closer to the Hwy to shoot. Just pick a place and park off the main road so that other vehicles can get around you and yes, we always saw other people out there.

Here's my word(s) of advice, whatever you pack in, pack out! Don't shoot glass as there's cattle roaming out there in some places and if a Ranger sees you doing it you're busted. Like I said, clean up after yourselves, this includes plastic shotgun hulls and brass. The Ranger that I spoke to out there before didn't have a problem with people shooting out there. What she did have a problem with was people shooting glass and leaving trash.

Another no no is alcohol, if you plan on camping out there save it for the night after the shooting is done. We all know that the two don't mix and it's a bust if you're caught mixing the two.

[Jeff Rambo]

About how far of a drive would that be from L.A.?

[50 Shooter]

About 2+ hours depending on how fast you drive.

[glen avon]

make sure that's not in the shotgun-only zone....