Rifle ranges near Philadelphia?

[ClosetCaseNerd]

I am looking for a rifle range near (or even within, fat chance I'm sure) Philadelphia. I am looking for 100 yards minimum.

Suggestions appreciated!

[dgg9]

Do a search for other threads like this -- I think it's been hashed out.

I've been looking for a while, ansd while there are rifle ranges nearby, the problem is that near-city gun ranges have city (aka, ANTI-GUN) policies, such as -- incredibly -- "no CCW on premises" and are therefore completely unacceptable to me.

The closest ranges, Holmesburg and Delaware County Field & Stream, fit into that category -- the "anti-gun range." In addition, Holmesburg has a fatuous "only one rd in the rifle at a time" rule.

So now you have to move your radius out to outer ring suburbs:

http://www.ftrpa.com/ -- nice place, but their "only 5 rds in a mag at once" rule was a deal breaker for me. They were a nice facility, though, in other ways, and were cool with CCW. If you can deal with the country club rules, it might work. For me personally, country club rules are annoying, but not offensive. Anti-gun rules, however, require me to not support that business. YMMV.

http://www.lrgc.org/ -- haven't been there yet.

http://www.bcfg.org/ -- nice place; I was a member for while back when I worked up there, but now it's too inaccessible to be a practical choice for me. But I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, on merit.

http://www.sccsfa.org/ -- haven't been, but have heard good things about.

http://www.wicenshootingrange.com/ -- haven't been, but they sound reasonable, too. They're good with no-hassle one-day passes, so it might be a good expedition to make. I like that idea, since many ranges have a clique-ish feel and they make it a hassle to join -- you have to find some pre-existing member to vouch for you, you have to go to one of their clubhouse meetings (usually on a weeknight) -- the whole tiresome lodge-initiation ritual. I kind of like the one-day, no-fuss, a la carte deal.

[thirtyonebravo]

there's the rod and gun club off the 422 oaks exit (egypt road) too, just past valley forge. hadn't been there in a while, but the 100 yard range was being built at the time, probably done by now.

http://www.lowerprovidencerodandgunclub.com

http://www.lowerprovidencerodandgunc...ifle/index.htm

[danp]

Wicen's would be my suggestion, it's a great, no hassle range.

100 yard rifle range, 10 yard pistol range, and skeet shooting.

You pay $10, you shoot all day. You can bring your own guns, your own ammo, your own targets (they have targets there for $1/ea however).

Only rules are no super rapid fire.

[dgg9]

there's the rod and gun club off the 422 oaks exit (egypt road) too, just past valley forge. hadn't been there in a while, but the 100 yard range was being built at the time, probably done by now.

http://www.lowerprovidencerodandgunclub.com

http://www.lowerprovidencerodandgunc...ifle/index.htm

It sounds interesting, but you can only CCW there if you're a "qualified Action/Holster" member, i.e., have taken their courses, which are expensive and have a long waiting time (the last I heard). Since they won't accept literally any other class as a qualification, it seems to me they're just looking to sell course tuition.

Btw, you do run into that sort of amusingly self-important range-provincialism a fair amount, where this little range in Podunk makes you take THEIR classes only; nothing else is an acceptable pre-req.

[FRISteve]

While not in Philly, also look at Easton Fish and Game (http://www.efga.net/). They have a 100 yard rifle range, an indoor/outdoor (you're indoors, the targets are outdoors) plinking range and an open range (30 yards deep or so) - first come, first serve, unless there is a match going on.

Membership is $40 a year. You get the combo to the gate.

[GeorgeF]

Easton Fish and Game looks good! Steel gongs get my attention. I'll have to look into that. Thanks!

[Bullseye]

I've shot at Falls Township and Holmesburg. Both clubs are membership based, so you either have to join or get a member to take you as a guest. Both are nice, full service facilities. What one is missing, the other has. Holmesburg has skeet and trap, a 100yd rifle range, 25 and 50yd outdoor pistol, 50ft indoor range. Falls has just trap, rifle goes out to 200yds as I remember, 25yd indoor range, a plinking range, and outdoor pistol too. Holmesburg is in NE Philly just off of State road, and Falls is on Lower Morrisville road just off of Route 13 in Morrisville. Both clubs are pretty active and well worth visiting. If you're looking to join, Falls is a little more expensive and has work hours to boot. They both are very active with junior programs and various different kinds of competitive shooting. Falls' phone number is (215) 295-6565. Holmesburg has web site http://www.holmesburgfishandgame.com You should check out both clubs, I'm sure either would suit your needs.

[dgg9]

Holmesburg has web site http://www.holmesburgfishandgame.com You should check out both clubs, I'm sure either would suit your needs.

Unless your needs are:

1. CCW, and
2. Rifle practice where you have more than one round in the rifle at once

..in which case Holmesburg will not suit your needs.

[Bullseye]

You can load more than one round at a time on the rifle range - you just have to get permission to do so from the range officer. I was at Holmesburg one time when a guy asked for permission to shoot full auto (he had the required federal license) and was alowed to do so. I know there are signs up that say single round load only, but if you get permission and it don't bother the other shooters any, they let let you multiple load. I think Falls is the same way, but I'm less sure about that range.
As far as CCW goes, you're right - both clubs have a no CCW rule, but if you CCW correctly, who's to know? Don't let that stop you from shooting.