Hello Folks,
I am wondering what the preference of the members are as far as Rifle Ranges in the GTA vicinity are concerned. I would prefer at least a 250m range if at all possible.
Could you please post:
1. The Range and location
Sharon Gun Club - Harold Rd. & Kennedy Road east of the 404 and Green Lane.
2. Your experience with them
I've been a member for about 4 years now. You have to buy a share in the club which runs around $1,000. Club dues are around $400 per year +/-. It's a relaxed, easy going atmosphere where you can enjoy a day of shooting without someone up your butt every few minutes. The people and helpful and friendly. Every Saturday morning, a guy cooks breakfast in the club house. There have been a lot of improvements over the time I've been a member. I really enjoy the club.
3. The types of ranges (indoor/outdoor, pistol only etc)
Lets see......range 1 is pistol (black badge only - IPSC & IDPA), range 2 is pistol, range 3 is a 100 yard rifle range, range 4 is a 200-300 yard rifle range, range 5 is dedicated .22lr only and range six is the practical rifle and practical shotgun range - black badge only - police use it during the week. There's also a cowboy action range, trap range and an archery range.
4. Disadvantages (service specific - must buy ammo at range etc, no hand loads, weapons limitations)
Some people scoff at the the cost and having to buy a share of the club. Some complain about the work parties as well - but hey, it helps reduce the operating costs and keeps membership costs down. Experienced shooters don't like the mandatory probation, qualifications and observation periods. ie you need to qualify to use handguns, range 4 (iron sights or scope only) or range 6 for practical rifle or shotgun - similar to IPSC or IDPA, but your using long-guns instead of holstered pistols.
5. Notable advantages/benefits (free wifi or something?)
No wifi, but it's a pretty solid club. It's structured well for the new shooter and offers sufficient training and mandatory qualifications, probation and observations to ensure the new shooters are both proficient and safe.
6. Other considerations or advice
Clean up your mess when you're done - LOL!
Word on the street is Silverdale - it's the most economical. If you want to get into some serious long distance shooting, you can join ORA and use the 1,000 m range at base Borden.
www.canadiangunnutz.com offers a wealth of information about anything to do with target shooting, collecting, hunting, ammuntion and firearms.
BTW, Target Sports doesn't rent guns. You pay for the time and instruction only. The use of the guns is part of the package. Ammo is expensive - the .223 and .308 is special frangible ammo which disintegrates to dust when it impacts the metal backstop. The regular ball ammo would damage the backstop now that the clam shell is gone.
