bchoitz Report post Posted January 25, 2009 For those of you in the Phoenix area, particularly the west valley... The Buckeye Hills Shooting range is finally open, at least on the weekends. Currently they are open on Saturday and Sunday from 8:00AM to 4:30 PM. The Buckeye Hills Shooting Range is owned by Maricopa County Parks and Recreation, and is operated by the Buckeye Sportsman's Club. I went to the range today, arrived about 10:30 AM, and stayed until around 1:45 PM. They have a 200 yard range with 40 lanes, covered shooting benches, and well marked target stands (so you know you are still in the correct lane). During the time I was there they had between 10 and 15 shooting stations occupied. No waiting for your lane, and it was much more relaxed than at Ben Avery. If you live on the west side of town, this is a good alternative to the drive up to Ben Avery. Here is the web link to the range: http://www.buckeyehillsshootingrange.com/ And one to Buckeye Sportsman's Club. http://www.buckeyesportsmanclub.com/ The range is located just West of SR 85 about 10.5 miles south of I-10 on the way to Gila Bend. Follow the signs to Buckeye Hills Recreation Area. Note from the website: If weather appears unstable, please call ahead as we frequently experience range closures because of high winds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rio Report post Posted January 25, 2009 bchoitz, I completely agree with you. Very nice complex, smaller crowds, and just all around a much more enjoyable experience. I was out there today as well, we may have been next to each other, by chance were you the one using a set of vortex bino's on a tripod? I was sighting in a 22-250 next you if you were. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bchoitz Report post Posted January 25, 2009 Yep, that was me. Had a great time. Good luck with the mulies in 39! Bret Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouseforLife Report post Posted January 27, 2009 Not to hijack the thread but I hate Ben Avery. I was there two years ago and will never go back. We were told to stand behind the line. I moved and forgot I had a rag in my hand. I stood behind the line and threw it on the bench. The gentleman yelled at me and then came over to my table and demanded to know why I threw ammunition. I attempted to explain I had tossed a white rag onto the bench. The guy was rude and his behavior was totally uncalled for. I understand the rules and why they have to be so careful. If the gentleman would have come over and politely spoken to me then I would have no issues. Are they planning any longer distances than 200 at Buckey range? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COOSEFAN Report post Posted January 27, 2009 WhooHOoo! That's like 10 minutes from my house, I never knew there was a shooting range there! Beats the heck outta driving over an hour to Ben Avery! Thanks for the heads up Bret! JIM> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted January 27, 2009 WhooHOoo! That's like 10 minutes from my house, I never knew there was a shooting range there! Beats the heck outta driving over an hour to Ben Avery! Thanks for the heads up Bret! JIM> Jim, thats too close for Ghost Buster to shoot! Of course, it is handicapped in your hands. If you like, send it down to me and I will stretch its legs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rio Report post Posted January 27, 2009 Couesforlife, I can relate to your experience at Ben Avery, just seems to depend on whose working as to how you're treated. The process is the same at the Joe Foss complex, but much more relaxed, different set of people operating the lines. I think you'll find it's a much better experience. Some else asked if they'd be extending it beyond 200yrds, I don't believe there is any immediate plans, the range used to go out to 650 yards, no sure why then went with a shorter range, probably had to do with cost. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COOSEFAN Report post Posted January 27, 2009 WhooHOoo! That's like 10 minutes from my house, I never knew there was a shooting range there! Beats the heck outta driving over an hour to Ben Avery! Thanks for the heads up Bret! JIM> Jim, thats too close for Ghost Buster to shoot! Of course, it is handicapped in your hands. If you like, send it down to me and I will stretch its legs. Dude, I have a 1000 yarder right around the corner from this new range where the Ghostbuster stretches it's legs. I'm excited about this new range 'cause it'll be really hot when Ghostbuster II arrives this summer......the ammenities at this range will be nice while sighting in my new baby Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
.270 Report post Posted January 27, 2009 i'll probably never venture to this new range because it's on the wrong side of the valley, but at least they named it after one helluva guy. Joe Foss. if you don't know who he was, you should find out. as far as rangemasters, there usually great guys but i've seen a couple of em get pretty highhanded. i have my spotting scope mounted on an old rifle stock and a guy at the range wanted to look at it while the line was dead. a guy came running down there screaming at us because he thought it was a rifle. we showed him what it was and he left grumblin'. about 30 minutes later another guy picked it up when the line was dead and here he came again. this time he kept screamin'. i told him to shut up and he put his hand on his .45 like he was gonna shoot us. he found out i could yell louder than him. the other rangemaster came down and saw the situation and told him to go to the trailer for awhile. they have a real important job to do and i think they're mostly volunteers, but dang sometimes they go overboard. that's the only time i've ever really felt like one got completely outta hand, but sometimes they sure push the limit and make a lotta folks uncomfortable. all the other guys at usery seem to be pretty nice guys. they plum folks up, but then explain what the deal is. this one ol' buzzard acts like it makes him mad if nobody does anything to make him mad. anyway, glad to see a facility like this is named for a great American war hero and i hope folks use the heck out of it. Lark. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bchoitz Report post Posted January 28, 2009 .270, thanks for the reminder on Joe Foss. I completely agree that this range is named in honor of a very deserving American hero. Jim, I think you will like this range when you are not on the "1000 yarder right around the corner" That range is getting harder and harder to use.. As for the Bad experiences at Ben Avery and other ranges, I can understand why some range masters get uptight. Ben Avery has too many lanes for one range, and a multitude of user types. (Handgunners, Tactical, Large Bore, and small bore). I would much rather see several smaller ranges, split by use type. It always makes me wonder when I go to Ben Avery and see 80 lanes of shooters on the main range and the .22/small bore range is not in use. What a waste. Living in Buckeye for the last 18 years, I'll be happy to support the local range, and I hope I never have to go back to the main range at Ben Avery, however this range is not without it's challenges, which include the County not really wanting to give the operation contract to Buckeye Sportsman's club. If the use does not increase, the future will still be in doubt. Remember this range has sat virtually unused for a year already. It has been open for the last two weekends. Future plans do not call for a longer range than the current 200 Bret Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
