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Picture of 218 Bee
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Folks,

My apologies for posting this here, but it seemed as good a location as any (and better than most)…

After the last twelve years living in the wilds of southeast Louisiana, the She-Wolf and I are relocating to the Northwest Houston area in January. As our new place is only an acre and the neighbors would likely complain bitterly if I did load development work from off the back porch, it’s time to find a suitable shooting range in the general area of Magnolia (if such a critter even exists).

What are the odds of finding a range with a minimum contingent of crazies? I haven’t shot at a “public” range since ’96 and some of those last experiences were truly memorable, so please tell me that there are well-run ranges visited by knowledgeable shooters on every other corner!

I’ll settle, of course, for one. Any suggestions? Many thanks in advance!

Mark


DRSS

"I always take care to fire into the nearest hillside and, lacking that, into darkness." - the late Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
 
Posts: 616 | Location: Coleman County, Texas | Registered: 05 July 2003Reply With Quote
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218 bee,

I live in NW Houston area, Cypress to be exact. There is an acceptable public range on 290 at Barker Cypress (actually need to exit on Skinner Rd), Hot Wells is its name, been there forever. It is quite close to my home, however I use it only for a quick check now and then, as with most public ranges you are limited to bench rest only. I make the trek down to Bayou Rifles Juliff range, a private club, and most weekdays I have the range(s) to myself, we have a 25 to 50, a 100, a 200 to 300, a 600 and a 1000yds, plus pistol ranges. Can't recall the web address, just google up Bayou Rifles


SIC TRANSIT GLORIA MUNDI
 
Posts: 226 | Location: Texas | Registered: 11 October 2007Reply With Quote
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Picture of ramrod340
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quote:
Hot Wells is its name, been there forever


Only issue I have with them is you can't post your own targets. You can only shoot the ones they have posted and can't retrive them. At least that is the way it was. There is American shooting center but that is just south of I10 and 6


As usual just my $.02
Paul K
 
Posts: 12881 | Location: Mexico, MO | Registered: 02 April 2001Reply With Quote
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Just West of Conroe on FM 2854 is the Gun Emporium with rifle range out to 200 yards. If arrangements are made in advance with them they will let you use shooting sticks and off hand shooting out in front of the benches in the mornings. This range is fairly close to Magnolia. Rodney.



 
Posts: 1049 | Location: Cut-n-Shoot, Texas USA | Registered: 15 January 2006Reply With Quote
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Picture of jeffeosso
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Magnolia?
That's not going to be hard to find someone to shoot with...

there's not any public ranges I know about in magnolia


opinions vary band of bubbas and STC hunting Club

Information on Ammoguide about
the416AR, 458AR, 470AR, 500AR
What is an AR round? Case Drawings 416-458-470AR and 500AR.
476AR,
http://www.weaponsmith.com
 
Posts: 40240 | Location: Conroe, TX | Registered: 01 June 2002Reply With Quote
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Thanks to all for the replies...

I hope I didn't give the wrong impression; I'm not necessarily looking for a public range...I just hadn't considered the probability of "private" clubs and ranges. Honestly, I don't mind paying if it'll keep the loonies at bay! Did that sound anti-social? The wife always did consider me a curmudgeon...

Any strongly held opinions (good or bad) or other observations about particular establishments? Such as knowing that the Gun Emporium will allow offhand shooting (always a plus) or that Hot Wells may require the use of their proprietary targets?

I'm really looking forward to getting the opportunity of shooting with several of the Houston AR crowd, but with the holidays and a January move I expect it'll be February before I get the chance. And by then the practice will be in earnest 'cause April 1st finds us in Zim for a (hopefully) big elephant. Definitely not the place nor time to "whiff" a shot!

Mark


DRSS

"I always take care to fire into the nearest hillside and, lacking that, into darkness." - the late Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
 
Posts: 616 | Location: Coleman County, Texas | Registered: 05 July 2003Reply With Quote
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Mark, pm sent.

Keith


IGNORE YOUR RIGHTS AND THEY'LL GO AWAY!!!
------------------------------------
We Band of Bubbas & STC Hunting Club, The Whomper Club
 
Posts: 4553 | Location: Walker Co.,Texas | Registered: 05 September 2003Reply With Quote
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Got it, HK...

Thanks for the consideration!

Mark


DRSS

"I always take care to fire into the nearest hillside and, lacking that, into darkness." - the late Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
 
Posts: 616 | Location: Coleman County, Texas | Registered: 05 July 2003Reply With Quote
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218,

Here is the link for Bayou Rifles, a long hike from NW, but worth it to me to be able to practice from hunting positions and at various ranges, and without most of the irritations of public ranges.

http://www.bayourifles.org/


SIC TRANSIT GLORIA MUNDI
 
Posts: 226 | Location: Texas | Registered: 11 October 2007Reply With Quote
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Thanks JPenn,

You're right; that's a stroll down there alright. Still (as you say) it might be worth it if it's free of the "irritations"!

Closer would certainly be better, but life's full of these little trade-offs, isn't it?

Mark


DRSS

"I always take care to fire into the nearest hillside and, lacking that, into darkness." - the late Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
 
Posts: 616 | Location: Coleman County, Texas | Registered: 05 July 2003Reply With Quote
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As a member of Bayou Rifles, Inc. I can tell you that it is a great place to shoot. It is worth the drive down 288 past Hiway 6 to shoot at the rifle range. We have a pistol/rimfire range at Eldridge and I-10 just inside the reservoir.


Rusty
We Band of Brothers!
DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member

"I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends."
----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836
"I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841
"for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”
 
Posts: 9797 | Location: Missouri City, Texas | Registered: 21 June 2000Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by ramrod340:
quote:
Hot Wells is its name, been there forever


Only issue I have with them is you can't post your own targets. You can only shoot the ones they have posted and can't retrive them. At least that is the way it was. There is American shooting center but that is just south of I10 and 6


True. When I lived in Tomball I went to Hot Wells to check my zero, but for any serious work I would go down to American Shooters. American Shooters is still my all time favorite range.


____________________________________________

"Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life." Terry Pratchett.
 
Posts: 3541 | Location: Wyoming | Registered: 25 February 2005Reply With Quote
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Rusty & Lhook7,

My thanks to you gentlemen as well for the feedback.

A likely answer seems to be materializing from the mist. Or to be more precise...ANSWERS.

Maybe something like Hot Wells for the casual stuff and a more "professional" outfit like American or Bayou Rifles for, as Lhook7 put it, "serious work".

Time will tell. In the meantime, I've got to get all our gear moved from Louisiana...then it's playtime!

Mark


DRSS

"I always take care to fire into the nearest hillside and, lacking that, into darkness." - the late Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
 
Posts: 616 | Location: Coleman County, Texas | Registered: 05 July 2003Reply With Quote
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When you move to Magnolia, you'll be right in the thick of the Big Bore Bubbas. They'll be calling you "Cuz" in no time at all. I hope to meet you at an AR shoot soon.

Welcome home.


______________________________
"Truth is the daughter of time."
Francis Bacon
 
Posts: 5053 | Location: Muletown | Registered: 07 September 2001Reply With Quote
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Hot Wells will let you use your own targets but they charge a minimal fee for doing it. I can't remember what it is but it's not much.


Never worry about theory as long as the machinery does what it's supposed to do.
 
Posts: 301 | Location: Houston, Texas | Registered: 16 May 2005Reply With Quote
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Mind the company you keep down there. The AR crowd in that territory are widely known to be ruffians, reprobates, and a generally ill tempered motley crew. Eeker


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Posts: 2018 | Location: Colorado | Registered: 20 May 2006Reply With Quote
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When you get back to Houston please drop me a note and I'll be glad to take you to Bayou Rifles as my guest.
rkmojo@aol.com


Rusty
We Band of Brothers!
DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member

"I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends."
----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836
"I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841
"for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”
 
Posts: 9797 | Location: Missouri City, Texas | Registered: 21 June 2000Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Jim Manion:
Mind the company you keep down there. The AR crowd in that territory are widely known to be ruffians, reprobates, and a generally ill tempered motley crew. Eeker



Big Grin And PROUD of it. beer


Semper Fi
WE BAND OF BUBBAS
STC Hunting Club
 
Posts: 1684 | Location: Walker Co,Texas | Registered: 27 August 2004Reply With Quote
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Welcome to Magnolia.


Straight shootin to ya
 
Posts: 531 | Location: Montgomery, Texas | Registered: 11 September 2005Reply With Quote
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Another BR member -- I like it, and it is pretty quiet, at least on weekdays, when I usually go. It's a bit of a trek for me, just from inside the loop, but as long as gas stays cheap...


And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
 
Posts: 863 | Location: Texas | Registered: 25 January 2006Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Jim Manion:
Mind the company you keep down there. The AR crowd in that territory are widely known to be ruffians, reprobates, and a generally ill tempered motley crew. Eeker


Yep, I couldn't agree more and I had a great time shooting with them last January when I was down there.


Frank



"I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money."
- Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953

NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite

 
Posts: 12826 | Location: Kentucky, USA | Registered: 30 December 2002Reply With Quote
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Be glad to have you down this way, any time, Frank!


Rusty
We Band of Brothers!
DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member

"I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends."
----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836
"I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841
"for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”
 
Posts: 9797 | Location: Missouri City, Texas | Registered: 21 June 2000Reply With Quote
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Picture of jeffeosso
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quote:
Originally posted by Jim Manion:
Mind the company you keep down there. The AR crowd in that territory are widely known to be ruffians, reprobates, and a generally ill tempered motley crew. Eeker


ill tempered? aint that going a little too far? foul tempered, from time to time, certainly


opinions vary band of bubbas and STC hunting Club

Information on Ammoguide about
the416AR, 458AR, 470AR, 500AR
What is an AR round? Case Drawings 416-458-470AR and 500AR.
476AR,
http://www.weaponsmith.com
 
Posts: 40240 | Location: Conroe, TX | Registered: 01 June 2002Reply With Quote
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I must admit that the only time I've seen Jeffe out of sorts was when I got in the way of him getting to the Roy's Barbecue! Eeker


Rusty
We Band of Brothers!
DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member

"I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends."
----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836
"I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841
"for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”
 
Posts: 9797 | Location: Missouri City, Texas | Registered: 21 June 2000Reply With Quote
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Picture of 218 Bee
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Good Heavens...thanks for all the responses!

The She-Wolf and I managed to close the deal on the house on Wednesday and I've been off the AR radar since then getting the first wave of gear moved west (just got back to the Louisiana digs a little while ago).

You see, the relocation company policy wonks have, in their infinite wisdom, determined that taxidermy constitutes "bulky, hobby items" and as such are our responsibility to move. Consequently, we've just moved (literally) a 16' Penske truckload of taxidermy from Abita Springs to Magnolia. My butt's draggin'. And why didn't I shoot a collection of duikers and grysbok instead of buffalo, eland and other fat-arsed critters?

Rusty, many thanks for the invite...I'll take you up on it come spring. Crusty and ill-tempered? Hell, I oughta fit right in.

Merry Christmas to all you Houston-area reprobates!

Mark


DRSS

"I always take care to fire into the nearest hillside and, lacking that, into darkness." - the late Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
 
Posts: 616 | Location: Coleman County, Texas | Registered: 05 July 2003Reply With Quote
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welcome to our little world.....


go big or go home ........

DSC-- Life Member
NRA--Life member
DRSS--9.3x74 r Chapuis
 
Posts: 2848 | Location: dividing my time between san angelo and victoria texas.......... USA | Registered: 26 July 2006Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by 218 Bee:
Rusty, many thanks for the invite...I'll take you up on it come spring.
Merry Christmas to all you Houston-area reprobates!

Mark


Get together with Rusty, he'll take care of you first rate! Welcome back to Texas! beer


....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1
DRSS Charter member
"If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982

Hands of Old Elmer Keith

 
Posts: 14634 | Location: TEXAS | Registered: 08 June 2000Reply With Quote
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