Disappointed in Elm Fork

[RottenApple]

Went to Elm Fork with my son today after work to put some lead down range. He was going to shoot my Marlin 60 (.22) and I was going to shoot a Mossberg 100 ATR in .30-06. First, they refused to allow the Marlin on the 100 yrd range. There's nothing on the website about caliber restrictions to certain ranges. Additionally I see very little reason to restrict .22 to 50 yards or less. My son shoots 100 yards w/o any issues all day long. But I agreed to their (unposted) rules anyway. So we went to the 50 yrds.

At the next cease fire, my son and I go down, set our targets, and move them out to the 50 yrd line (they were originally posted at 25). After watching us take them down, move out to 50, and get them put back up, the range officer tells us that we aren't allowed to move those targets. I asked him why he didn't say anything before we moved them and why he placed us on 25 yrds to begin with. His only response was, "You don't need to be coming at me like that, bro". (Incidentally, I never did "come at him". I was walking from the 50 to the 25 to put the targets back when he made the comment.)

So we packed it up, got a refund, and left. Never put a single round downrange. I've only been out to Elm Fork twice before, but now I doubt I'll ever go again.

[Choctaw]

Sorry to hear that. I shoot at Elm Fork more than I like to admit, I've not had any negative experiences myself.

You might try speaking to Scott, he owns the place and is a very good guy.

[Pawpaw]

RottenApple,

Next time go to Top Gun Shooting Club outside of Leonard. It's closer for you anyway and you can shoot all the way out to 500 yards.

[RottenApple]

email srobertson at elmfork.com and tell him what happened; I'd be annoyed if an RO didn't say anything but just sat and watched.

Thanks for the advice, Andy. I probably will do that. I still doubt I'll go back, but at least I can let him know what happened.

[RottenApple]

RottenApple,

Next time go to Top Gun Shooting Club outside of Leonard. It's closer for you anyway and you can shoot all the way out to 500 yards.

Good idea, PawPaw. I plan on checking them out at some point (especially since they have a 500 yrd range). Maybe we can figure some time for you, me, and Will to go out there together. I know it'll be difficult but Will and I love shooting with you.

BTW, did you know that the first photo on the Top Gun homepage has you in it? Your back is to the camera and you're leaning against a post, but I'd recognize those shorts, shirt, and your Browning ball cap anywhere.

[Pawpaw]

RottenApple,

Next time go to Top Gun Shooting Club outside of Leonard. It's closer for you anyway and you can shoot all the way out to 500 yards.

Good idea, PawPaw. I plan on checking them out at some point (especially since they have a 500 yrd range). Maybe we can figure some time for you, me, and Will to go out there together. I know it'll be difficult but Will and I love shooting with you.

BTW, did you know that the first photo on the Top Gun homepage has you in it? Your back is to the camera and you're leaning against a post, but I'd recognize those shorts, shirt, and your Browning ball cap anywhere.

Sorry, but that's not me. The last time I was out there there WEREN'T any posts to lean against!

[rentz]

strange, wonder why they limited those targets to 25yrds. But thats annoying to let you walk all the way to 50yrds in 105+ degree heat only to tell you to move them back.

Never had that kind of experience there, but i usually stick to the pistol and tac-bay

[Richardc]

I agree, every time i have been there they have always been good to me. As a matter of fact they almost always let me use either the steal bay or tac bay and let me do kinda whatever i want.

[v-rog]

I'm pretty sure that they have 4 25-yard lanes set-up for those who are zeroing and the rest of the lanes are the 50-yard ones. I'm surprised that the RO didn't suggest for your son and you to move from the 25-yard land to the 50-yard land after you were done shooting at the 25-yard lane. I'd definitely take AndyC's advise.

[C-dub]

Sorry about your unfortunate experience at EF. I go there every now and then and haven't had any trouble, but I'm pretty easy going. The last time I was there, only a couple weeks ago, the RO asked me what I wanted to shoot before assigning me a slot. I started on a 25 yard slot and then moved to a 50 yard later. They explained the reason they do not allow targets to be moved to me. I think the primary reason was that they wanted to cut down on the "cold range" time. Whatever. They also told me that the targets were not movable, but in light of your report it seems that was not true. They also would not let me shoot anything on the 100 yard range without a 3x+ scope regardless of caliber.

Otherwise, the RO's have always been very helpful with me.

[rentz]

went this afternoon and used the 50yrd range for the first time, the RO's were excellent.
Explained up front about requiring me to use the 25yrd first and then move to 50 once im sighted in, even gave me a hand sighting in the rifles.

you may have just caught a guy on a bad day, or a ro who just wasnt polite to begin with.