Opening Day of Arizona’s Cowtown Long Range Shooting Club - 4-Oct

[Mike S]

Had a chance to check this out this morning and was impressed. If I wanted to regularly shoot at long range steel without a long range drive, this would be ideal.

[lancetkenyon]

I was there for about 3.5 hours, and shot a total of 8 rounds.....

 

But, I had a blast calling shots for others, and helping dial them in. I was really just there to check my hunting rifle for my deer hunt coming up this month. And I am happy to say I am good to go.

 

It is pretty primitive up there, which is fine by me. There were also a couple different ranges, with plenty of steel targets to choose from. One range has targets from 100 yds. about 1100. The west ranges have targets from 200 at one platform, and start at 315 yards at the other. These are covered platforms and are pretty nice. Not a lot of room for multiple shooters, maybe 3 at a time per platform, 4 if you squeeze in. I shot at the range that started at 315, and counted steel at: 315, 317, 360, 400, 420, 460, 565, 568, 600, 646, 717, 818, and 989. There were others scattered in there that I did not range as no one on the platform was shooting at them. I made my cold bore shot at 565 and drilled it. Backed off and spotted for others for about 30 minutes. Next shot was at 646, and had another 1st round hit. Repeat the spacing and had 1st round hits at 717 and 818. Then tried my hand at the 989 target, and had a 2nd round hit on that one. Then took a couple quick shots at 460 to confirm mid range dope. I will say my rifle is on for deer season.

 

I had a good time meeting and spotting for some new people. I heard they are planning awning for the east range, which has targets out to 1100+ yards. That would be a great call, as it was still pretty warm in the sun today and only mid 90s.

 

The place is also fairly laid back and with it being a membership type place, I do not see the local yahoos like are so prevalent at Ben Avery frequenting the facilities. Even with no range master at my station, there was never any lack of safety. People there knew gun safety, and...wait for it....common courtesy! Again, not a common thing at Ben Avery. Also, no need to go down range on the long range canyons. So no 30 minute breaks in the middle of shooting. Shoot at will. There looks like there will be facilities for sighting in if needed, and there were numerous 50 yard ranges, and I think a 100 yard range as well. But they were not in use today.

 

I talked with Bill Poole, and he was talking about having numerous days open per month, and hopes to have a schedule out as early as a week or two. Once that comes up, I will seriously think about joining. It is only 25 minutes from my house, I don't have to lug my own steel, and switching from 400 to 1000 yards is as easy as a 20° rifle swing, rather than walking 600 yards and finding a clear shooting lane.

 

A few things I would really love to see.

 

Shade for the east range, and hopefully extending the shooting area.

Maybe adding additional shooting platforms at the west range.

I think it would be cool to get some additional steel targets like animal silhouettes for us hunters. Maybe as a donation rather than an annual fee?

 

The east range

 

 

Target rich environment

 

One of the covered west range platforms

 

 

 

 

 

[Mike S]

Yeah, the east range was pretty warm at 11:00 or so when I started shooting but I 'm sure those holes and rebar were for the shade structure you mention.

[Bill Poole]

Thanks for the great report Lance !

 

Landlord says they'll have that shaded platform on east range in 2 weeks, I'd predict a bit longer but it will be built. It will be about 30' x 10'

 

I'm waiting on a calender from the landlord and feedback to see who can volunteer as RO then we'll announce the schedule of october and thru 2014.

 

Thanks to everyone who came out.

 

Poole

[lancetkenyon]

Any update on proposed schedule? I am feeling the need to ring some steel.