Ohio shooters: need a rifle range recommendation

Six-Gun

...specifically in the Dayton/Fairborn area. I'm moved in and have to get back in form with my .243 for my antelope hunt this coming August. That said, it seems that I took for granted just how much space and shooting range availability I had out in the Nevada desert for practicing out well beyond 400 yards. Here, I have yet to find a place within reasonable driving distance offering anything more than 250 yards.

Any recommendations would be most helpful. Thanks!

Jermanator

Last year Alpha, JB, and I met outside of Indianapolis, IN to get to a range with some distance. Your best bet is going to be to try and find a private club that may be in your area...
http://wheretoshoot.org/index2.cfm

BigDanS

I cannot recommend them, but Google is your friend...

http://www.miamivalleyshootinggrounds.com/shooting-range-info-i-58.html

BigDanS

Also the Grand American Trap Shoot used to be held in Vandalia, Ohio. ( now it is in Illinois ) There are a number of Trap Ranges in the Dayton Area and there is a Wright Patterson AFB Shooting Club as well.

I would recommend calling a few local shooting clubs. The trap shooters are a friendly bunch and you just might find a new sport.

D

BigDanS

Link to the Wright Patt AFB Rad and Gun Club.

http://www.shootata.com/Shoots,Clubs,StatesZones/tabid/117/clubID/400300/Default.aspx

Six-Gun

BigDanS wrote: »

I cannot recommend them, but Google is your friend...

http://www.miamivalleyshootinggrounds.com/shooting-range-info-i-58.html

I called these guys up last week, but it looks like the farthest they go is 90 yards or so. There is a public range in Spring Valley, but the weekday hours are gonna be tough to make after work (8am-6pm) and I figure the weekends are likely going to be slammed. The base no longer has a rifle range of any kind and does trap/skeep/archery only. I have a membership there, but have yet to use it. A few other places I called I left messages but never got a call back. As alpha suggested, I may end up having to do the Indiana drive to get in the shooting I need. It may be a long drive, but you can't put a price on practice leading up to a hunt.

BigDanS

Another avenue is pest control in farm country. There are a ton of farms as you head towards Cincinnati and as you approach the Ohio River it gets more hilly and less flat. Corn farmers and the like detest ground hogs and they make awesome 200 to 300 yard practice shots. Try advertising on Craigslist for pest control for a low fee, and get some ground hog shots. You will make farmer and potential hunting connections as well. My shooting partner was a real estate agent, and made a number of farm contacts that way. Shot ground hogs in the summer, and deer in the winter. The added benefit is you will get your long range practice in as well.

D

BigDanS

Central Ohio Farmers Co-op
Marion Office
Tom Bostic, CEO
730 Bellefontaine Ave. Marion, Ohio 43302
(740) 383-2158, (800) 258-2213, Fax (740) 382-4581

Six-Gun

BigDanS wrote: »

Another avenue is pest control in farm country. There are a ton of farms as you head towards Cincinnati and as you approach the Ohio River it gets more hilly and less flat. Corn farmers and the like detest ground hogs and they make awesome 200 to 300 yard practice shots. Try advertising on Craigslist for pest control for a low fee, and get some ground hog shots. You will make farmer and potential hunting connections as well. My shooting partner was a real estate agent, and made a number of farm contacts that way. Shot ground hogs in the summer, and deer in the winter. The added benefit is you will get your long range practice in as well.

D

Great idea! :up: I will be making a few calls. I completely forgot how bad the ground hogs can get out this way, as I did see one standing full upright recently.

jbp-ohio

The obvious answer is to buy your own property......

jbohio

Come up. The only public long range ranges in the state are out east, coal country. The one in IN is closer to you, by far.
I have a buddy in Logan who offered me access to a private 1000 yard range.
You too, Jbp.

jbohio

FWIW,the Greene County Fish and Game club looks REALLY nice. Not far, and might be a good place to network with the locals of Big Buck central.
http://www.gcfng.com/index.html

CHIRO1989

cpj wrote: »

There's a place called Joes Shooting Range and Sausage Emporium. Pretty sure his range goes to 500 yards. ;-) he's a good guy, and likes fine beer.

Ole, t-shirt logo:cool2:.

jbohio

CHIRO1989 wrote: »

Ole, t-shirt logo:cool2:.

I'll wear one, if you will!
It needs to have a mule/donkey somewhere in the logo

jbohio

Fine

U T

I'm a member of Richwood Game and Gun Club. $100 per year. 100 yd range with covered benches. outdoor pistol range. 200 and 300 yard range uncovered benches. Clubhouse, clay shooting. Unfortunately it's about 1hr 15min from Fairborn. I live in Columbus and I drive almost an hour to get there, and it's worth it.
http://richwoodgunandgameclub.org/home.html

If you want to meet some time and shoot as a guest and check it out, let me know.

Tom

Six-Gun

That's a nice looking club. Given my present situation, 1 hr 15 min ain't looking too shabby, but jb and I also have some plans to shoot at his place here in the near future. Much obliged!

Jermanator

Six-Gun wrote: »

jb and I also have some plans to shoot at his place here in the near future. Much obliged!

Let me know when that happens. I would love to meet up with both of you.

Jermanator

cpj wrote: »

Hey, maybe I could make that trip as well. We could have a grand ole time getting our butts spanked by Jerm and his Ruger.

.

Six-Gun

Jermanator wrote: »

Let me know when that happens. I would love to meet up with both of you.

No doubt. We're going to finalize the plans here soon. Once we're sure we can make it happen, I'll let you know.