I live on Florida's Treasure Coast and the nearest range with the longest yardage is 100 miles away for 600yds and I have to qualify at 300yds with a specific rig for 2moa before being approved for one of their (16) 600yd shooting stations....is there anything better available?
- Thread starter JINKSTER
- Start date
Yea...been to most of those and many are indoor pistol ranges...others are outdoor rifle but the longest are only 200yds...I have to drive 100 miles to Manatee Gun & Archery to get 600yds and there's like nowhere to get 1K yards.
Sounds like its time to move, or at least time to start seriously considering it
You can have a lot of fun with a vudoo .22 or a .223 at those distances. At least you could keep your wind reading sharp and get trigger time. I built up a 16" barrel precision AR just for times when I couldn't get lots of distance. Anymore, I tell people getting into long range to throw a scope on their AR or build an upper just to try it without spending a bunch. Ammo is way cheaper too.
How do you get involved... One of 2 ways... Buy enough property to build your own private long range, or get in your car and drive.
And honestly, I've met your average shooter... Most folks have trouble enough shooting good groups at 100 yards. Qualification/certification is a good thing for access to extended ranges...Otherwise, people who can't hit shit start shooting the target frames, and damaging range property or being unsafe, and that's not a good thing. I'm very close with the folks that own/run my local range I shoot at. I hear their complaints, and see it first-hand when I'm up there. I've seen the steel gong frames shot-up, the retards shooting AP rounds at steel gongs, the target frames shot to hell and back, and needing to be replaced every month, etc...
nn8734: I have an elderly mother along with 2 out of 3 daughters who all own their own homes in the area...my wife ain't going nowhere especially away from our grandchildren.
My reason for this post was to see if there may be anyone who knows of any hidden gems (range wise) in the state of Florida...I'm an aerospace machinist who has a couple coworkers who are looking as well...one wants to exercise his AI 338 Lapua and the other his 50 Barret and we're willing to drive...even the 100 miles for 600yds if need be and the 338 Lapua guy does every couple months so if anyone knows of a range that the net doesn't?...we're all ears.
Yes...I get the qualification thing...it's just that I wish it was for more than 600yds 100 miles away.How do you get involved... One of 2 ways... Buy enough property to build your own private long range, or get in your car and drive.
And honestly, I've met your average shooter... Most folks have trouble enough shooting good groups at 100 yards. Qualification/certification is a good thing for access to extended ranges...Otherwise, people who can't hit shit start shooting the target frames, and damaging range property or being unsafe, and that's not a good thing. I'm very close with the folks that own/run my local range I shoot at. I hear their complaints, and see it first-hand when I'm up there. I've seen the steel gong frames shot-up, the retards shooting AP rounds at steel gongs, the target frames shot to hell and back, and needing to be replaced every month, etc...
My reason for this post was to see if there may be anyone who knows of any hidden gems (range wise) in the state of Florida...I'm an aerospace machinist who has a couple coworkers who are looking as well...one wants to exercise his AI 338 Lapua and the other his 50 Barret and we're willing to drive...even the 100 miles for 600yds if need be and the 338 Lapua guy does every couple months so if anyone knows of a range that the net doesn't?...we're all ears.
There are limits in life. Can't win them all. This is a small deal overall in the big picture.
You live in Florida.
In California you can't even buy ammo online.
You are only an hour away from the Golf Ball & the Magic Kingdom.
You have Ron DeSantis as your governor.
Not shooting long distance isn't a huge deal in life.
Consider focusing on short range accuracy, different emphasis using much of the same equipment.
You live in Florida.
In California you can't even buy ammo online.
You are only an hour away from the Golf Ball & the Magic Kingdom.
You have Ron DeSantis as your governor.
Not shooting long distance isn't a huge deal in life.
Consider focusing on short range accuracy, different emphasis using much of the same equipment.
Well thanks folks...sorry to have troubled y'all but one of my buds actually found a place that offers "Remote Rates" for Precision Rifle that has 500/1000/2000yd ranges...Cost: $340 per year (5 entries per year) ($90 per entry after the 5th)
It's 150mi/2 1/2 hour drive but I guess we can just get a room and make a weekend of it when we go.
It's 150mi/2 1/2 hour drive but I guess we can just get a room and make a weekend of it when we go.
Well thanks folks...sorry to have troubled y'all but one of my buds actually found a place that offers "Remote Rates" for Precision Rifle that has 500/1000/2000yd ranges...Cost: $340 per year (5 entries per year) ($90 per entry after the 5th)
It's 150mi/2 1/2 hour drive but I guess we can just get a room and make a weekend of it when we go.
JTAC?
I live less than 20 minutes from there.
Ask them about setting up the cameras for the mile and 2k.
Ok, now that you made me look up freaking treasure coast, next time post the damn county you live in, we don't all work for the tourism board. https://www.volusiacountygunclub.com/ LR, Okeechobee has a 600 yard range. https://www.precisionrifleseries.com/c/29/south-florida-precision-rifle-association/ SW FL in Immokalee
Are you talking about Manatee? Names would really be helpful if you actually want help cuz mostly it looks like you want to bitch. What blue state are you from?
Well thanks folks...sorry to have troubled y'all but one of my buds actually found a place that offers "Remote Rates" for Precision Rifle that has 500/1000/2000yd ranges...Cost: $340 per year (5 entries per year) ($90 per entry after the 5th)
It's 150mi/2 1/2 hour drive but I guess we can just get a room and make a weekend of it when we go.
Then you'll be disappointed again if you're talking about JTAC as thus far excluding this month, they're not open on Sundays.
YES! JTac! looks like the place Rox!
Shoot 22lr or 300blk subsonic.
That will get you really good fundamentals trigger, npa and wind reading fundamentals.
In you handload you’ll learn a lot about how to make a consistent load with single digit SD.
If you can hit a 2moa plate at 400 yards with subsonic 300blk (or a 2 moa plate with 22lr at 300 yards) then shooting a 6.5 creed or similar at 1000 is the easiest thing.
That will get you really good fundamentals trigger, npa and wind reading fundamentals.
In you handload you’ll learn a lot about how to make a consistent load with single digit SD.
If you can hit a 2moa plate at 400 yards with subsonic 300blk (or a 2 moa plate with 22lr at 300 yards) then shooting a 6.5 creed or similar at 1000 is the easiest thing.
I always laugh when folks say 600 isn't a challenge. Meanwhile they struggle to hit the 5" steel at that range. Or it takes them 3-5 tries at the 300 on a 5".
These post are a recurring theme on this site. Mostly east of Mississippi River.
The thought that comes to mind is if there is no where to shoot that far why do you want to? Seems to be no need.
As someone else said, a 22 Lr is a lot of fun at 200. I can shoot to 2000 yards but actually prefer shooting a rimfire at 200.
The thought that comes to mind is if there is no where to shoot that far why do you want to? Seems to be no need.
As someone else said, a 22 Lr is a lot of fun at 200. I can shoot to 2000 yards but actually prefer shooting a rimfire at 200.
I was going to mention JTAC and let you know that it’s totally worth it. I drove two hours to go there (about 100 miles) and visit with a few good friends that I’ve met there. Just make sure that if you call and talk to them, mention that you want to know if they have cameras at 1 mile and 2000 yards. Tell them that it’s important. Because it is.Well thanks folks...sorry to have troubled y'all but one of my buds actually found a place that offers "Remote Rates" for Precision Rifle that has 500/1000/2000yd ranges...Cost: $340 per year (5 entries per year) ($90 per entry after the 5th)
It's 150mi/2 1/2 hour drive but I guess we can just get a room and make a weekend of it when we go.
As to all the naysayers that don’t care about long distance shooting or belittle those who might, I run NRL22 matches here and have plenty of fun doing so. There are always stages to 200 and 320 yards. It is very much fun, but it is not at all the same, so don’t blow smoke up my butt and tell me it’s the same as a good bourbon.
There's nowhere to kill elk, antelope, mule deer and bighorn sheep down here either.
That doesn't mean we shouldn't want to.
You might not have beaches or salt water to fish and dive in. We're not gonna belittle you for wanting to visit and partake.
I might want to go trout fishing. You might want to go gator hunting.
Why do people travel to places that are different from their homes?
Don't tell us what we should like or want to experience.
To each his own...
NRA/CMP etc shoots at .223 @ 600 and its long enough...
I did not tell. I ask.
Long range shooting is not a vacation. Not a one time event. It’s a lifetime of building knowledge and a perishable skill. If not done on a regular basis very little skill is going to result. Personally I would not fight it or I would move.
I live in an area where scuba diving and downhill skying are not practical. If either was my passion I would move.
To each his own. I simply ask.
If it’s a once in a while thing maybe consider making a weekend trip to a professional class where you will be able to get a lot out of a short period of time.
I will also vote 22lr. I just got my first nice 22 and it has been so much fun. I agree it’s not the same as a bigger center fire but much better than nothing as well as cheaper. And sounds like you would be able to get a lot more use out of it.
Other option is public land??? Not sure what your options are down in Florida but something to try and look into.
I will also vote 22lr. I just got my first nice 22 and it has been so much fun. I agree it’s not the same as a bigger center fire but much better than nothing as well as cheaper. And sounds like you would be able to get a lot more use out of it.
Other option is public land??? Not sure what your options are down in Florida but something to try and look into.
You can shoot way past 1k at The Ranch Gun Club and they allow you to buy a punch card instead of a membership. They're located in Immokalee, FL which is still a drive but worth it IMO.
Where is that?
I likely know as much about where that is as you know where the Miami valley is in Ohio
Do you seriously fucking see that as a plus?
Of all the dumb things I've read here over the years...............you win
I thought the same thing too.
I live less than an hour from that shithole too.
If, for some reason, I need to get over to the east coast, (not likely) I completely avoid the I-4 corridor.
Of all the driving complaints that I've read about here on the Hide, I-4 magnifies all of them.
Imagine every kind of bad driver you can, and then mix it with 30% tourists that have no idea where they are or how to drive in the first place.
Disney is also more proof that people will travel to do something they like instead of moving to an area for occasional use.
I suppose it's like butt fucking. Doing it occasionally, you buy a couple of ounces of butt stuffin lube.
Using @RTH1800 logic, you should just buy the company, or at least a couple of 55 gallon drums...
Forgive me man. I'm about two sips into my coffee and I just couldn't resist.
Anyway, about JTAC, @JINKSTER when you and your buddies get a chance to come down, give me a shout and I can help you out on some quirks of the range.
Lash is correct on the cameras. The conditions need to be near perfect to shoot the mile and 2k without them. Call ahead and have them set it up for you
True enough. Service rifles (M1, M14, M16), even with 4.5X scopes are a challenge when you're shooting standing, sitting, and prone against 1.5 MOA X-rings. Service and highpower rifle will challenge you at wind-reading and the ability to shoot without zeroing or confirming shots before shooting for score.
Port Malabar goes to 600. There's another active 600-yard range near Eglin AB in the panhandle.
This "Ranch Gun Club" punch card thing actually sounds like a good deal...we'll be checking into that as well...Thanks!
And for the record?...I'm a right wing conservative Christian registered Independent but consider myself a Theocrat who votes Republican across the board who was once a former Cub Scout, Boy Scout and US Marine and while I never said 600yds is easy?...I did shoot a 248 score at Parris Island where 10 of the 50 shots were prone from 500yds using iron sights on a rattletrap M16...There...that should clear things up and thanks to all who contributed range info here...I thank you very much!
Thank you very much Mike!
Truth be told?...The best rifle I have at the moment is a 20" Barreled FN PBR 308 w/ a FFP 5-25 MOA Ret scope that I did trigger work on to get it down to 2 1/2lbs and can hold well below MOA with 175smk out to 200 (so far) but have been considering the purchase of a more substantial rifle for LRP but wanted to make sure there were ranges available to stretch its legs before purchasing a new Bergara or X-Bolt Max LR and despite the glowing performance of the 6.5CM?...I'm not a fan of the reports of short barrel life and in reality would prefer to go 300WM...(since I'm receiving so many opinions here I figured I'd throw that out there as well! LOL) Perfect rifle for 600-yard (prone) mid-range competition.
Here's some Port Malabar info:
High-Power Orientation
Date:
Repeats every month on January, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, November, December on the fourth Sunday 1000 times .
Sunday, May 29, 2022 - 7:30am
Sunday, June 26, 2022 - 7:30am
Sunday, July 24, 2022 - 7:30am
Sunday, August 28, 2022 - 7:30am
Sunday, September 25, 2022 - 7:30am
Sunday, November 27, 2022 - 7:30am
Sunday, December 25, 2022 - 7:30am
Sunday, January 22, 2023 - 7:30am
Sunday, March 26, 2023 - 7:30am
Sunday, April 23, 2023 - 7:30am
There is a $10 range fee, which goes to the club. If you do not have the cash or check, you will be asked to come back to the next orientation.
The squadding begins at 7:30 AM. We may be able to work in late arrivals. We try very hard to be finished by 12.
First relay will have 30 minutes of 200-yard slow fire block time. You may use this time to shoot standing, sitting, or prone loading and firing one shot at a time. You may use more than one rifle. Then we will have some rapid-fire practice for those that wish. Swap relays and repeat. Second, we will shoot 30 minutes of block time for prone slow fire from the 600-yard line. Swap relays and repeat 600-yard drill.
================
High-Power F-Class
Submitted by Tom Kehoe (General) on Sun, 10/04/2015 - 7:41amF-Class is the fastest growing High Power Rifle Category that we have seen in a long time. Our High Power Prone matches are now predominantly F-Class! There seems to be a misnomer at the club that one must qualify before shooting at the High Power Range. That is not true. Anyone can shoot when a Range Officer is present. So let’s look at how to do that.
Okay, okay but what is F-Class? F-Class is named for Canadian rifle competitor George Farquharson. Farquharson shot in Fullbore Rifle Competition for many years. Fullbore is similar to Palma in that it is shot prone with a sling, a .308 caliber rifle, iron sights, and 155 grain bullets. Farquharson recognized that shooters whose eyesight and physical ability were impaired, or not as sharp as they used to be, had a hard time continuing to compete. There needed to be a way for them to compete alongside prone competitors. He deemed that the use of an optic (scope) and a rest would be the answer. Farquharson proposed his idea to the Canadian NRA and they not only adopted it but also named it after him. F-Class quickly spread to England, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Africa, and finally to the United States. The USA has had an International F-Class team even though the NRA only just recognized F-Class a few short years ago in their Highpower Rifle program rules.
F-Class is not prone Bench Rest shooting. Rail guns and mechanical means of returning a rifle to zero are prohibited. Bench rest wind flags stuck all over the range are not allowed.
There are two categories under the NRA rules, F/TR and Open. The F/TR is named for “Target Rifle” and must be in .223 or .308 Caliber. The weight limit for the rifle is 18.15 pounds. A bipod must be attached to the rifle and must be included in the weight. This weight must also include the scope.
F-Class Open is a rifle no larger than .35 caliber. The rifle maybe shot from a rest. The forend shall not exceed 3 inches in width and the total weight, including a scope, cannot exceed 22 pounds.
Some common rules to both classes are that no portion of the pistol grip or butt may rest directly on the ground. In F-Class, the rifle must be fired in the prone position from the shoulder of competitor using the rifle. A sling may be used in conjunction with the rest to control the rifle. Rear rests can be in the form of sand bags or a gloved hand. Mechanical rear supports are prohibited. The complete list of rules can be found at
www.nrahq.org/compete/RuleBooks/HPR/hpr-index.pdf
You will then need to click on Chapter 22, F-Class rules.
The only bad news is that F-Class shoots on a target with smaller scoring rings. That means at 600 yards the X ring is only 3 inches, the size of the spotter!!! PMRPC has F-Class targets available for 300, 500, and 600 Yards.
We invite any shooters that are interested in High Power to give the sport a try via F-Class.
For more information please contact our current Rifle director at [email protected].
How far are your from Altus
But how many years working in concrete and how many bow kills?This "Ranch Gun Club" punch card thing actually sounds like a good deal...we'll be checking into that as well...Thanks!
And for the record?...I'm a right wing conservative Christian registered Independent but consider myself a Theocrat who votes Republican across the board who was once a former Cub Scout, Boy Scout and US Marine and while I never said 600yds is easy?...I did shoot a 248 score at Parris Island where 10 of the 50 shots were prone from 500yds using iron sights on a rattletrap M16...There...that should clear things up and thanks to all who contributed range info here...I thank you very much!
Ok, your the official SH BF’ing expert!
Once a former Marine? Umm…This "Ranch Gun Club" punch card thing actually sounds like a good deal...we'll be checking into that as well...Thanks!
And for the record?...I'm a right wing conservative Christian registered Independent but consider myself a Theocrat who votes Republican across the board who was once a former Cub Scout, Boy Scout and US Marine and while I never said 600yds is easy?...I did shoot a 248 score at Parris Island where 10 of the 50 shots were prone from 500yds using iron sights on a rattletrap M16...There...that should clear things up and thanks to all who contributed range info here...I thank you very much!
Just curious if you expect to get more barrel life from the 300WM than from a 6.5 Creedmoor?Thank you very much Mike!
Fwiw, Mike and a couple others make regular hits out to a mile with their 6.5 manbuns. I’m not saying that WinMag isn’t fun too, since I also have a .388 LM that I shoot, but you use twice as much powder and the projectiles are double the cost too.
Food for thought.
Thank you very much Mike!
I've taken my 20" 308 out to 1200 quite a few times. I even used those dreaded 168 Sierra MKs.
I'm still trying to figure out why they didn't fall out of the sky at 800yds.
Dan was pretty successful on the 2k with it a couple of weeks ago.
Of course Rick had a little bit better success with the NM.
Yeah, in California pretty much everyone has to drive over 100 miles to shoot....
Fact
Altus, OK or Altus Research Ctr in Lake Worth, FL?
Notice I didn't say "Ex"...I prefix my service with "Former" out of respect for those who are still actively serving...which I no longer am.
LOL...I get it and yes..my much younger coworker shoots a Ruger Precision in 6.5CM and yes...they are a ballistic wonderment and he busts my chops about being a hardheaded old school 308 fanboy...but to answer your question?...yes...I am of the belief that 300WM would have longer barrel life...not much..but yea...longer...and it can do more than punch paper when it gets there...am I wrong?
I will not say that you are wrong, since caliber choice, like so many other things, is a personal choice and far be it for me to tell you what is ‘better’ for you. As to barrel life, that is also a variable that varies depending upon a number of things, such as projectile choice, powder choice, load, barrel and shot string duration/timing.
But you did ask, and when you ask for opinions, you’re likely to get them. Good, bad and ugly.
But you did ask, and when you ask for opinions, you’re likely to get them. Good, bad and ugly.
I shot a borrowed 6.5 x 284 at Camp Perry as a pick-up shooter on one of the 4-man 1,000-yard teams. The Army shooters called the 6.5 x 284 "The Fag Mag" because it would shoot groups just as tight, without beating you up, as the 300. Barrel life is about the same.
I shot an "8" on one round because I put my finger on the very light Anschutz trigger and it went off. I turned around and told our coach, "Man, I didn't mean to send that." He told me, "Don't worry. Let's see where it hit."
Glad it came up in the black, but it could have been REAL ugly. As it was, I shot a 198 and out-scored the guy I borrowed the rifle from.
Conversely, I scored a young Air Force first lieutenant shooting a McMillan-stocked 300. He shot really well through about round ten, but I could see it was beating him up. Around round 12 his groups started opening, and he may have started to develop a flinch. By round 20 I think he was just grateful he was done. He could shoot, but the 300 was thumping him hard.
I shot an "8" on one round because I put my finger on the very light Anschutz trigger and it went off. I turned around and told our coach, "Man, I didn't mean to send that." He told me, "Don't worry. Let's see where it hit."
Glad it came up in the black, but it could have been REAL ugly. As it was, I shot a 198 and out-scored the guy I borrowed the rifle from.
Conversely, I scored a young Air Force first lieutenant shooting a McMillan-stocked 300. He shot really well through about round ten, but I could see it was beating him up. Around round 12 his groups started opening, and he may have started to develop a flinch. By round 20 I think he was just grateful he was done. He could shoot, but the 300 was thumping him hard.
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Actually Lash?...you asked...
and I honestly don't know one way or the other all I do know is I listened to the younger coworker who gushed over the superior BC and abilities of the 6.5 CM (as he owns one) and I researched it only to find he's correct of how the CM outperforms a number of old school chamberings including the 300WM and how the 6.5CM was like the first chambering to be able to do "The Mile" while staying flat enough to live within the reaches of certain elevation turrets but then I read how the expected lifespan of the avg 6.5CM barrel is about 2K shots and then?...I read (into) how a member here sent his Christenson 6.5CM in for an extraction/ejection issue IIRC?...and was all happy they returned it with a newly installed barrel as well because the rifle no longer met their accuracy promise/warranty...after approximately 600rds...<THAT...caught my attention but then again?...I once had a discussion with a nam sniper (circa '78) where I was buying a M77 Ruger from the PX and asked if I should go with 7RM or 300WM and his answer was something along the lines of..."The 7RM will shoot a touch flatter because of lighter bullets but you'll get more throat erosion but with either one?...You'll probably be able to notice a degradation of accuracy after the first thousand rounds"
So I don't know...but because of that along with local ranges being distance challenged?...I've remained a 308 loyalist
7RM’s normally lasted me 800 rds when loaded to safe Max charges
Here's a photo of Port Malabar's 600-yard range. The latest from their website says they now have electronic targets -- no more requirement for pit-pullers or walk-and-paste.
I liked this range because it could be frosty in the morning, and in the low 80s in the afternoon. Really helped to build your temperature data.
HIGH-POWER 600-YARD RANGE
• Self-policed, hot/cold flag system
• Orientation and extensive qualification required for unsupervised use
• Casual & competitions held weekly
• Shooters must agree on the firing line used
• Scheduled events with RO do not require Orientation
• Scheduled orientation monthly
• Monthly discipline club matches held each weekend
• It is the only certified NRA mid-distance range in Florida
• Covered, prone firing line at 600-yards
• Elevated positions at 200-, 300-, 500 yards, and 200-, 300 meters.
• Electronic target system hits can be observed via wi-fi webpage
I liked this range because it could be frosty in the morning, and in the low 80s in the afternoon. Really helped to build your temperature data.
HIGH-POWER 600-YARD RANGE
• Self-policed, hot/cold flag system
• Orientation and extensive qualification required for unsupervised use
• Casual & competitions held weekly
• Shooters must agree on the firing line used
• Scheduled events with RO do not require Orientation
• Scheduled orientation monthly
• Monthly discipline club matches held each weekend
• It is the only certified NRA mid-distance range in Florida
• Covered, prone firing line at 600-yards
• Elevated positions at 200-, 300-, 500 yards, and 200-, 300 meters.
• Electronic target system hits can be observed via wi-fi webpage
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Looks like I need to buy a "Prone Mat"!
I'm not sure what Christensen Accuracy Guarantee is...heck I'll look it up....wow...looks like "Sub MOA".
I really want a PRS centerfire rifle. ...but realistically, there's only a few places to shoot the thing here outside DC.
So I went rimfire. Shooting a few inch steel target at 200yds is indeed something of a challenge with a .22. It's more of a challenge off a swinging mesh net or out of a steel cage and an even bigger challenge to make X hits in 90sec
M
