TexasCHLforum.com

JackRR wrote:I saw this place about 2 months ago while under construction. I plan to visit and probably join.
One question??
FMJ rifle rounds???? Yes No?? Never saw an answer from previuos posts. I might have missed it.

Jack

Yes

The range fee covers everything except the long range range. However, if you pay for the long range range, you are entitled to shoot everything else. The only thing that would cost extra is trap/skeet, which you would still have to pay per round.

A 4 hour safety class doesn't make the range any safer. It is still up to individuals to put safety into practice, and without RSOs to enforce those safety rules, ARC is just as dangerous as any public range. No matter how you slice it, you are still occupying a range with persons of unknown experience and attitudes towards safety. Further, there are always threads on the forum discussing range violations. Those violations have lead to an extensive list of rules about what you can, and cannot, do on each particular range.

I'm not saying there is a safety problem there, just that it isn't any safer than any other quality range. The suggestion that it is safer because the members take a class, or have a CHL, is misleading at best. In fact, some of the least safe persons I've ever shot with were in my CHL class, despite multiple safety briefings by the instructors.

Please don't misunderstand, I'm not trying to say ARC is a bad or unsafe range. I'm just trying to say that the "safety factor" provided by a range orientation only gives the appearance of safety. Actual safety would require RSOs on the range to enforce safety rules.

O6nop wrote:So, without going there, unless there' something I missed,here's my take:
Cons:
1) It's $6 to $10 per range to shoot in addition to your annual membership dues.
2) Public range - anyone ... anyone... can drop in as they want and shoot.
3) No safety class required.
4) no validation of background check.
.............What's the FMJ rule?

Pros:
1) It does have a skeet/trap range
2) Long distance shooting, up to 1000 yd range.

It sounds like it may have great success, I hope they have great success, but it's not necessarily for everybody. What gets me is that Austin Rifle Club has been looking for land in the Austin area to expand their club facilities and this sounds like it would have been a great place for them to acquire. I wonder why they didn't jump on it?

1) Yes, it's $6 to shoot, but those fees keep the fully staffed range open.
2) True, anyone can drop in, but I don't understand the problem. Anybody can join ARC. The "background check" could be forged easily, and only covers convictions in Texas.
3) The range orientation you get at ARC only provides an appearance of safety, not actual safety. So no real difference. It's still up to individuals at the range to act responsibly.
4) See #2.

The FMJ rule refers to Eagle Peak. They don't allow FMJ rifle ammunition. There are several "reasons" given for the rule, but they are mostly bologna. The most legit "reason" is that neighbors complained about finding rifle ammo in their yards. They require hollow point/soft point/ballistic tipped ammo because "it won't ricochet." I think they do it so they can sell overpriced rifle ammo to a (somewhat) captive customer. The closest place to buy ammo (that I know of) is at least 15-20 minutes away on 1431.

The skeet/trap ranges look very nice. I haven't shot them yet, but they look top notch. I don't shoot long distance so I haven't given that range a look, but I don't know of another 1000 yard range within 1.5 hours drive.

I think (not certain about this) that the land was already owned, and they didn't have to go find it.

slinco wrote:What are they charging to shoot? Do you have to pay for each range you use or is it one price?
Thanks for the report!

It's two different pay scales. One if you buy a membership, one if you don't. For a member ($100 for 1 year) it's $6/day except for rifle over 200(?) yards. Long range rifle is $10, but includes everything else. For non-members, it's $16/day except for long range rifle, and I don't remember how much for the non-member long range.

Overall costs are going to be similar to eagle peak if you shoot a lot.

Just got home from shooting at The Texas Shooting Range. Although they are open, range construction is not quite completed yet. That being said, this place is going to be a great facility. They have 6 pistol "bays," a pistol range for shooting fixed distance, and rifle further down that range. Even a 1000 yard range. Right now they have the office set up in the CHL classroom, but they say construction on the main building and the restaurant will be starting soon. There will also be archery facilities, but I didn't get any info on that.

Couldn't get any photos. Camera battery died last night and I lost the charger when we moved. Still waiting for amazon to deliver the new one.

Outstanding. I drove right past it 2 days ago and didn't even notice. I'm going to drive out and check it out tomorrow.