Need feedback: am I behind the times?

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EXPLORER

New member
Went to the indoor shooting range today for the first time in years (I do most of my shooting in the mountains). Here's what happened:
1) The owner said "No .454 Casulls or anything crazy like that".
2) I was not allowed to shoot my Winchester FMJ ammo. Why? The owner said that the base of the bullet actually had exposed lead, and to keep airborne lead to a minimum, only TMJ ammo (total metal jacket) was allowed. He said that the base of this ammo did not have lead exposed. Of course, they had TMJ ammo for sale!
3) No rapid fire allowed!

Is this typical of today's indoor ranges? Thanks for your responses.

[This message has been edited by EXPLORER (edited April 08, 2000).]
 
said to say, but I think that is the trend in some places.....places to shoot are getting harder to find, I know in the area I live its an hour drive to go shoot......kinda silly...there is an indoor range but they wouldnt let me shoot fmj's insisted only on lead bullets even though the backstop would have handled them...s0 I wont go there...fubsy.
 
EXPLORER,

My experience mirrors yours when I started back practicing in earnest a few years ago.
I have never cared for the indoor ranges, always seems to be a 'boyhowdy' or a 'greenie' there whenever I would drop by to shoot. These extremes, the ones who know it all, and the ones who obviously and dangerously don't, are difficult to deal with once they're already at the firing line. And they usually bring a friend or two along which only adds to the confusion.
So I applauded the owner of the local range I visit, when he began to restrict the weapons and types of ammo that could be used. I don't blame him.
It's closely monitored. And it'll never turn into one of those 'family centers', with the video arcade, the nursery, coffee shop, and gift shop - all rolled into one. Grrr... :mad:

An outdoor range within reasonable driving distance, may be your best bet. The ones I've been to generally are more understanding when it comes the 'exotics'. Better still, create your own, like my dad and I finally had to do about 5 years ago.
Up where he lives, we were getting tired of either having to 'grin and bear it' or going back home.
Good luck.
And happy shooting... :)

------------------
...defend the 2nd., it protects us all.
No fate but what we make...
 
I've used three different indoor ranges over the past few months, and all banned the 454 Casull, and anything over 2000fps. I assume there is a safety reason, but the blast would also justify the ban to me. After being around a few warm .44 Mag loads fired indoors, I think firing the 454's would probably discourage those around you from staying. The use of lead bullets can be a problem if the range isn't well ventilated. Yesterday I fired 75 rounds of cast bullets indoors, and there was the usual lubricant smoke, but it dissipated immediately. Another range I've used, however, didn't have as efficient a vent system, and firing 50 rounds of cast bullets left a visible residue, and IMHO meant a respirator was needed if you or anyone around you was firing cast bullets.
 
I'd say that your experience is about typical for most commercial indoor ranges. I belong to several private ranges with both indoor and outdoor facilities, and I prefer shooting outdoors in the nice weather.
 
The indoor range I belong to in South Jersey must be a real gem. ALL factory handgun ammo is allowed, even fired from rifles. Shotguns are allowed, 00 buck is fine, but no slugs. They even have two lanes reserved for .223 and 7.62x39. Even though they allow me to bring all the ammo I want, I can buy some brands, like Fiocchi and Geco, cheaper by the box at the range, then mail order full case prices. Now, if my State Government would just stop treating me and all other gun owners as criminals.......
 
This is why I'm happy to have about 60 acres of open "shooting range" around my house. Anything from pellet rifles to 50BMG is "allowed", bigger if you have it!! ;)

I enjoy indoor ranges but there's nothing like shooting outdoors in the fresh air!!


R6, rangemaster. :D
 
Hi, guys,

Ventilation and noise are only part of the problem. many indoor ranges were built when the normal firing was .22 and .38 Special, with sometimes a .45 with lead bullets. The backstop plates are thin and easily dented or of mild steel that is easily cratered. Either can cause a bullet or bullet fragments to come back toward the firing line.

The other extreme is a range I heard about where the owner, who worked in a steel mill, got three-inch face-hardened steel of the type used on Navy cruisers. I understand the range is limited to handguns, but I doubt even .30 ball would do much damage to that stuff.

Jim
 
some ranges are alot more strick on their rules than others. the 2 ranges i shoot at are pretty leanient and nice about these kinda things.
1. i don't own a .454casual so i never asked about it. i have seen people shooting .44mag at the indoor range i shoot at though.
oh they don't allow any rifle cartridge .223 and above or anything but lead slugs in shotguns. This is a rule that you should follow!!! they made this rule because the backstop couldn't handle anything above what that paticular range says. if you shoot a too powerful bullet then it will ricochet back and could really hurt someone.
2. this depends on how the ventalation is in your range. my range will let you shoot anything even lead but i don't know how well it's ventalated. i'm not in there THAT much so i hope i don't have any problems. only TMJ sounds a bit exessive though.
3. Every range i've been to has a list of rules and NO RAPID FIRE!! is always in caps lock with exclamation points. however the ranges i shoot at (1 indoor and 1 outdoor) don't really care. at the outdoor range people rapid fire 30rd mags from AR-15s. at the indoor range i know the guys there so i can do i some but if you do it too much and to fast then they'll tell you to stop.

sounds like your better off in the mountains. its cheaper and you can do what you want.
 
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