Extremely preliminary, input requested

[packina45]

A very good friend and I are starting to explore the idea of building a new range/shooting facility in the Hood County (Granbury) area.

The facility we're considering would include the following:

100 yd. rifle range
7, 15, and 25 yd. pistol lines
Two 100 to 150 ft. square "tactical pistol" bays suitable for IDPA, IPSC, Cowboy Action, etc.
"Safe area"
Picnic pavilion with grills and tables
Main building with office, restroom facilities, gun shop and classroom
NRA-certified instructors and Range Safety Officers on staff

A few questions:

1. How many of you in the Metroplex area would travel as far as Granbury to shoot?
2. What would you consider a fair day rate per shooter to be? A fair annual membership price?
3. What are we planning to offer that you like? What are we NOT planning at this point that you feel you need in a shooting range?
4. Do you prefer the "day rate" method, or would you rather be a member with a one-time annual fee?

We're open to any and all input.

[propellerhead]

1. How many of you in the Metroplex area would travel as far as Granbury to shoot? It's a 45 min drive for me and I'm in southwest Fort Worth. I don't know if I'd drive there to shoot unless it was an IDPA match or something. Surely not just my usual range trips.

2. What would you consider a fair day rate per shooter to be? A fair annual membership price? I've seen $6.50 to $13.50 a visit. Anywhere in there I'd consider fair. The range fees are usually not a major factor.

3. What are we planning to offer that you like? What are we NOT planning at this point that you feel you need in a shooting range? Climate control in an indoor range is a big one for me.

4. Do you prefer the "day rate" method, or would you rather be a member with a one-time annual fee? Per visit rate works for me. Because I tend to go a different times, I'm not always going to the same range.

[KD5NRH]

Well, annual-only setups discourage the occasional shooter, so I would have to say something like an annual membership with a $5-10 daily fee for non-members. Extra discounts for members in the shop and at classes are always a nice perk.

For features, I'd love to have a range that close that would rent time on a chronograph, and possibly a Ransom rest. If you did a "semi-sheltered" 25yd range, you could have both permanently mounted in a couple of lanes. This could also allow for some sort of shielding for the chrono to keep it from getting shot.

I'd have to say the square ranges would be a very popular location, and should be set up for close-range tactical rifle and shotgun, as well as pistol. That would mean provisions for various sizes of paper targets in addition to plate racks and pin tables. Popups, popouts, and movers have a lot of potential there too.

Range lighting with controls at the range for night shooting practice. Remember Texas gets dark at 6PM during that occasionally somewhat chilly season, so there's lots of opportunity to do night shooting without keeping the neighborhood awake past 9PM.

A CCTV system would be a plus, since it would allow troublemakers to be found and dealt with individually, as well as potentially cutting liability in the event of an injury. PA and intercom for instant communication at each range in case of injury or damage, and so you can alert shooters of weather or other issues, as well as reminding them of rules if you see a problem via the cameras. If nothing else, being able to identify anyone causing property damage should keep your insurance agent happier.

I'd also like to see some provision for onsite cleaning and maintenance; possibly some sort of bullet-resistant cubicle design, where, for example, a shooter could deal with a situation like a stuck live round without undue risk to bystanders. For cleaning, a table with a slight lip in a well-lighted area somewhat protected from the elements, with a clearing barrel available for weapons that require dryfiring during takedown.

[Venus Pax]

I'm a member of a private range about a mile from my house. Members do everything themselves.
We pick up our own brass.
Volunteers make the target stands & repair them as needed. Some members bring their own.
Members volunteer to do any work needed; tables were built or set up by members.
This works well for us, but I can see where having a range that charges a day-rate to non-members would also be beneficial to the folks that only shoot once or twice a year.

[packina45]

Some good points and ideas from all, thanks!

[gmckinl]

It's probably too far for me (NW Plano). What I would like to see in a nice range like that would be a sporting clays operation and a self-serve (customer provides the targets) clay thrower. A 200 yd rifle range would be nice.

[NcongruNt]

You should build a range near Austin instead. We have a serious shortage of ranges nearby. All we've got is Red's Indoor ranges, and they don't cut the mustard, especially at $13/hr. I have to go all the way to New Braunfels to get any rifle time in.

A $10-$15 daily rate is fair to me. Annually, I don't think I'd pay much over $100, and only if it were to become my regular range.

I like the picnic area idea. That would make it much nicer to go have a day at the range with family or friends. Do make sure that you have good facilities for washing hands/arms/faces near there, so people can clean up and keep heavy metals out of their meals.

I also think the safe room and tactical pistol bays are good ideas.

One thing that I wish were improved at every range I've visited so far: decent stools. It doesn't matter how nice the bench is if you can't sit properly to fire your rifle accurately. Most of the ones in my experience have been cobbled-together 2x4 things or concrete cylinders. A decent adjustable stool would be nice.

I also like the 200yd rifle range suggestion.

[RKirby]

1. How many of you in the Metroplex area would travel as far as Granbury to shoot?

Since I live in the SW part of the DFW area, Granbury would not be too far for me assuming gas prices don't skyrocket out of sight.

Have you considered the Cresson area as an option? It's about half way between Ft. Worth and Granbury...much closer to the DFW area but still close enough to tap the booming Granbury/Glen Rose market.

Being more rural there would be less likelihood of noise complaints from neighbors and lower real estate prices to boot. Land in this area would also be an excellent long term investment IMHO.

[packina45]

Cresson's certainly an option. That's in Hood County, right?

[KD5NRH]

Cresson's certainly an option. That's in Hood County, right?

I don't have a map handy, but it's either Hood or Parker.

One thing to keep in mind, though, is that Granbury has gone annexation crazy in the last couple of years; the eastern city limit is several miles beyond anything you would consider "city" and this isn't reflected on any but the newest maps.

I don't know if they've annexed as much to the north or south yet, but it would be worth checking well ahead of time whether any land you're planning to buy is city or county.

Glen Rose and/or Cleburne could be another consideration; from US377 it's a bit of a trek, but most of the metroplex has quick access to US67.

[RKirby]

Cresson is right on the Hood/Johnson/Parker County lines. I believe that Cresson proper is in Hood County, however.

It's still very much a rural area and has excellent highway access from the DFW area via US 377 and Weatherford and Cleburne by way of Tx 171.

[packina45]

Actually, the Cresson area is looking better and better, I like the idea of being near the 171/377 crossroads.

We're looking at bringing in a large line of reactive steel targets from http://www.actiontarget.com/_law/portable_targets/ on the tactical pistol ranges, and setting up a rotating number of "stages" for people to shoot.

We're also researching what it would take for a sporting clays setup, and planning an archery range as well.

[RKirby]

Actually, the Cresson area is looking better and better, I like the idea of being near the 171/377 crossroads.

We're looking at bringing in a large line of reactive steel targets from http://www.actiontarget.com/_law/portable_targets/ on the tactical pistol ranges, and setting up a rotating number of "stages" for people to shoot.

We're also researching what it would take for a sporting clays setup, and planning an archery range as well.

Sounds great!

I really believe that there is a market for a first class facility in this area like you are planning, especially if it can be kept affordable enough to draw the casual shooter on a tight budget.

I would also think that there almost certainly will be interest from some of the LEO organizations in this area. Lots of close by small and medium size PD's and county SO's that can't afford a full time training facility.

You might also consider a long range rifle range. The closest such range to the western metroplex that I'm aware of is Tac Pro in Gordon, and that's about 60 miles from Ft. Worth. That's another market waiting to be tapped.

Here's hoping that this works out for you.

edited for spelling

[jwp]

Have decent restrooms and keep them clean. That's my wife's biggest complaint about places, and there are ranges we don't shoot precisely because the restrooms aren't fit for a cheap dive in Piedras Negras.

7, 15, and 25 yd. pistol lines

It should be possible without too much expense to make target carriers that are movable so they could be pulled closer/farther, somewhat like an indoor range except on tracks rather than an overhead system. I can think of a couple of pretty cheap and robust ways to do this. That would preclude having to have set distances, and nobody would have to go forward of the line to examine/service targets. The latter is a real pain when places get busy, or you have idiots on the range and no range officer paying close attention.

[fm2]

Have you heard of this range? http://www.usshootingacademy.com/index.html

If you could mirror some or all of their ideas.