Maggie’s Higher altitude shooting locations in AZ?

[Small Axe]

Wasn't sure where to post this, this seems like a safe place. If a moderator feels there is a more appropriate place please move the thread.

I'm new-ish to long range. I live in the metro Phoenix area. I have a couple pretty good places to shoot in the winter down in the desert, but over the last few weeks I've been getting killed by super heavy mirage. Plus it's just physically uncomfortable to be in the low desert this time of year. I was hoping someone could share some shooting locations at higher elevations so I can continue enjoying the sport through the summer.

I prefer what I would call field shooting, meaning just someplace I can set my own target and set up a firing position somewhere with a line of sight as opposed to an organized range. I'm looking for places with shooting distances from 500 m - 1,300 m at altitudes above 5,000 ft (above 6,500 ft would be better). I'm limited by only having a 2wd work truck (yeah it sucks) to get to locations. I am willing to push what would normally be considered good judgment a little in where I'll drive a 2wd if necessary. I'll go almost anywhere in the state, but obviously the less drive time from Phoenix the better. Thanks so much for any help you can provide!

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Yes, and in three years so far, I haven't found them. I have a lot of distractions, mostly medical; but winds in this area can be troublesome, too. I preach that shooting in the winds is beneficial; but there's a limit, and we're right up against that one locally.

Originally, I thought like you. But all that 'clear' land ain't. Grazing, crop circles, private land of many stripes and colors.

...And bitchy complainers about noise and NIMBY. Some of Arizona ain't much like Arizona anymore; blame the infiltrating Californicators.

The Ben Avery Range complex is your best bet (mine too, actually, but the distance for me makes it an overnight expedition), but doesn't have my own local 'High Lonesome' altitude of about 4300ft.

I'd like to go higher, but my Heart Failure and COPD have nixed that option. About 7,000ft is my absolute practical limit.

I'm past the sunset of my LR phase anyway. At 73, not up to the task much anymore. Prone is a physical impossibility.

I won't knock it, and if I find anything you might be able to use, I'll post it here on The 'Hide.

There are some decent LR-wish clubs in your area, but I'm not sure about their altitudes. Go to AZGO (Arizona Gun Owners, I post as JarheadAZ). I keep the politics on this site, and do some technical posts on there.

I live in SE Cochise County in a small ghost town (no sh*t) called Pearce (it's where the Tombstone Miners went after the mines flooded). I'm in a subdivision called Sunsites. Not expensive, no mobile homes allowed in town; not fully populated by any means. It's 50mi N of Douglas (and Mexico) on 191S, 17mi S of I-10, about 60mi E of Tucson.

I shoot at Douglas, a retired Army Guard base with a typical USGI 300 meter range setup. Well maintained and run by the Douglas R&P Club

Works for me, but I recognize it's not what you asked about; sorry, all I've got for now.

Greg

 

[Mooncake]

Mirage might not get better with altitude, since more of the sun's energy is reaching the ground through thinner atmosphere. The range I've set up in the BLM by my house is at just under 8000ft in sage desert and the mirage is rockin' by 10AM. If I want a clear picture at high power at targets over 1000yds I get up real early or wait for cloud cover.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

I once got to shoot at NRA Whittington Center (2002), at about your altitude, pre-heart-condition (2004/2005).

The differences in drop and drift were very significant from my then local near-sea level altitude (Finger Lakes, NY).

Greg