New 1000 yard shooting range

[Couestracker]

Arizona Game and Fish is building a new 1000 yard rifle range at Ben Avery, sponsored by Berger bullets. Should be a top notch setup! No mention of it on G&F website, do not know when the grand opening will be.

[6ANut]

I believe that range has been open for a year plus they are just getting an upgrade with parking and the building that is sponsored by Berger. They had a huge shoot last year at that same spot so I stopped by and it was quite impressive to see the guns people had.

[rthrbhntng]

It is my understanding that the long range off of Carefree Hwy has been open for many years. The general public does not have access to the range. You must belong to or attend a group shoot at that range. I think one of the groups that has access is Desert Sharpshooters Rifle Club. Bill Poole is the main contact.

[lancetkenyon]

The existing "up to" 1000 yard range has indeed been open for many years. But as stated above, it has not been open to the general public. If G&F will now be opening it up to the masses, that would be awesome if treated and run correctly. I just see an issue with John Q. Public walking down and checking targets, and not getting in the necessary shooting time. The main range is bad enough with 15 minutes of shooting and then 30+ minutes of posting/checking targets. It would be great if you had to shoot a 200 yard test target to qualify to be eligible to use the 1000 yard range. That would weed out 85% of the weekend shooters....and 95% of the guys who go out the weekend before hunting season to sight in their deer rifles....only to call it good when they shoot MOPP (minute of paper plate) at 50 yards.

 

Since Cowtown LR Shooters has gone belly up, it would be a nice alternative.

[rossislider]

The existing "up to" 1000 yard range has indeed been open for many years. But as stated above, it has not been open to the general public. If G&F will now be opening it up to the masses, that would be awesome if treated and run correctly. I just see an issue with John Q. Public walking down and checking targets, and not getting in the necessary shooting time. The main range is bad enough with 15 minutes of shooting and then 30+ minutes of posting/checking targets. It would be great if you had to shoot a 200 yard test target to qualify to be eligible to use the 1000 yard range. That would weed out 85% of the weekend shooters....and 95% of the guys who go out the weekend before hunting season to sight in their deer rifles....only to call it good when they shoot MOPP (minute of paper plate) at 50 yards.

 

Since Cowtown LR Shooters has gone belly up, it would be a nice alternative.

LOL! That is what I build my loads and rifle to shoot MOPP at 50 yards. LOVE IT!

[Couestracker]

I didn't know that there was a 1000 yd range there, I saw the new construction and the big Berger bullets banner and assumed it was a new range. Why can't the GP use it? Pretty sure that G&F operates on "our" money.

[rossislider]

My thoughts on it not being open to the general public would be similar to those mentioned above. It would be a logistics and management nightmare with all the lead lobbing village idiots wanting to try their 22lr on the 1000 yard range. It would make target checking times unmanageable once you allow the "no business being there" crowd on a range like that. Like lancetkenyon said, a general public range that required a qualification shoot seems like a good idea that would eliminate 95% of these people.

[Couestracker]

Like I said, I didn't know this existed, let alone been there. Surely they must have a sophisticated target placement system, I can't imagine people walk 1000 yds to retrieve/place targets. Why not an electronic target image and scoring system? It can't be archaic like the main range.

[MULEPACKHUNTER]

Its set so you can drive to the targets.