Help me find a range

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Help me find a range

Postby DoxaPar on Fri Feb 08, 2013 9:44 am

Hello all,

First off, let me apologize for what is, no doubt, a question that could be addressed with numerous searches and a lot of research on Google reviews, etc.

However, my question isn't entirely about 'what is available' but I'm also wondering 'what would you recommend'.

As a new gun owner and someone who is eager to spend more time at the range I'm looking for a pistol, rifle and shotgun range near the metro area. I've found several but many are "members only" and ~25-30 yards max, etc.

So, I'm hoping someone could provide me with a recommendation on two ranges. I'm near downtown Mpls but am willing to put in a bit of drive time if I can find the right place.

For the winter:
- Something that is indoor and allows rifles => 50 yards

and

For the summer (or maybe these outdoor ranges are open during the winter months too?)
- Something outdoor that allows archery, rifles, pistols and shotguns w/ membership optional.

Thanks very much for any tips and recommendations and I apologize in advance for the ignorant question.
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Re: Help me find a range

Postby tazdevil on Fri Feb 08, 2013 9:53 am

There's a few out near the Monticello area that don't require you to be a member to shoot on (although some may ask for a higher fee for non-members). Try These 3 for starters for outdoor: Wild Marsh Sporting Clays (has pistol and rifle as well, and I believe may have archery, but not sure); Del-tone/Luth range; and Minnetonka Game and Fish (which resides up in Elk River area!).

Indoor: Inrange in Monticello, but call ahead to make reservations, they're at least a week out usually; Bill's North in Circle Pines.


I'm sure there's some I'm missing, but that gives you a start.
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Re: Help me find a range

Postby Holland&Holland on Fri Feb 08, 2013 10:09 am

DoxaPar wrote:Hello all,

First off, let me apologize for what is, no doubt, a question that could be addressed with numerous searches and a lot of research on Google reviews, etc.

However, my question isn't entirely about 'what is available' but I'm also wondering 'what would you recommend'.

As a new gun owner and someone who is eager to spend more time at the range I'm looking for a pistol, rifle and shotgun range near the metro area. I've found several but many are "members only" and ~25-30 yards max, etc.

So, I'm hoping someone could provide me with a recommendation on two ranges. I'm near downtown Mpls but am willing to put in a bit of drive time if I can find the right place.

For the winter:
- Something that is indoor and allows rifles => 50 yards

Get on the waiting list at Oakdale, yes you have to be a member but becoming one is pretty easy.

and

For the summer (or maybe these outdoor ranges are open during the winter months too?)
- Something outdoor that allows archery, rifles, pistols and shotguns w/ membership optional.

Thanks very much for any tips and recommendations and I apologize in advance for the ignorant question.
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Re: Help me find a range

Postby xd ED on Fri Feb 08, 2013 10:21 am

Both BeaverBrook/ East Bethel, and Forest Lake Sportsman's Club are within an hour of dntn Mpls. No waiting lists.
Oakdale Gun Club is 15 mn E of St Paul, but I think the wait list is back up close to 2 yrs, but I could be wrong
LET'S GO BRANDON
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Re: Help me find a range

Postby DoxaPar on Fri Feb 08, 2013 10:21 am

Thanks guys!

I'll check into those options.

I also found http://www.besamn.com as a possible summer option but I don't know much about them.
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Re: Help me find a range

Postby chopper on Fri Feb 08, 2013 11:18 am

Check this one out also http://www.icsclub.org/

In cambridge
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Re: Help me find a range

Postby greenfarmer on Fri Feb 08, 2013 11:52 am

I'm new here as well, first comment actually...

I belong to shady lane sportsmans club. We have pistol, rifle, and shotgun range. Open year round. But, it's a little chilly in the winter. Summer is beautiful for shooting. You can check out the website..... shadylaneclub.com It's just south of Glencoe MN... So not to far away from you. I believe the rifle range is 200 yards, a 100 yard rifle/shotgun/pistol range, and a 50 yard pistol range. Also, they have a conceal and carry class once a month, and there is also gun safety classes there for people of all ages.

As far as indoor, i've shot at Bills in Robbinsdale, and Circle Pines. Both ranges have been great when i was there. My only complaint is... I would like them to expand and build an indoor range closer to me.
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Re: Help me find a range

Postby tt3 on Fri Feb 08, 2013 11:56 am

chopper wrote:Check this one out also http://www.icsclub.org/

In cambridge


I've been a member for a couple years now. When I've gone it's rarely been busy and by "busy" I mean more than two cars... including mine.
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Re: Help me find a range

Postby BigBlue on Fri Feb 08, 2013 1:02 pm

Minnetonka Game and Fish Club ([url]mgfc.org[/url]) is another great club. It is located north of Elk River - don't let the name fool you. They have a great array of ranges and are open year round. Nothing indoor though, and membership is required. I have no idea what the waiting list is like, or if there is one.

BB
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Re: Help me find a range

Postby DoxaPar on Fri Feb 08, 2013 1:03 pm

tt3 wrote:
chopper wrote:Check this one out also http://www.icsclub.org/

In cambridge


I've been a member for a couple years now. When I've gone it's rarely been busy and by "busy" I mean more than two cars... including mine.


Thanks!

Can you tell me a bit it about? There is very little info on the website.

Edit: Nevermind, I found their phone number. I'm gonna give them a call instead.
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Re: Help me find a range

Postby tt3 on Fri Feb 08, 2013 3:24 pm

I don't know if you'll get an answer. Their website has recently been modified and I can't find much on there that I used to. It is a small outdoor range secured by a gated fence. Inside is covered picnic areas, rifle range out to, I don't know, 100yds?, trap houses, pistol range, archery targets as well as a 3d walk through. During the warmer seasons they have a pistol league, trap league, archery league...

I usually go up on a weekend morning and shoot for a couple hours without seeing anyone or maybe one or two other guys. Only once has there been others on the pistol range besides me and those who came with me.
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Re: Help me find a range

Postby chopper on Fri Feb 08, 2013 6:12 pm

covered benches Rifle is out to 140 or 160 yds not sure membership is $75 a year a key fob for the gate is a $30 deposit
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Re: Help me find a range

Postby minnesotatv on Fri Feb 08, 2013 8:04 pm

DoxaPar wrote:Thanks guys!

I'll check into those options.

I also found http://www.besamn.com as a possible summer option but I don't know much about them.



Bald Eagle Sportsmen's Association is a club that's located in Hugo.
Its a private club that's open to the public at certain times.
Follow this link for more info on public shooting hours:

http://www.besamn.com/publichours.php

If you're going to become a member at one of the clubs, there are several within 1 hour drive
of downtown Minneapolis. In addition to those mentioned above, you might want to consider
Monticello. Its about 40 - 45 minutes from Minneapolis - pretty much all freeway. Contact
IDPAShooter (Bob) here on the forum for some more information.
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Re: Help me find a range

Postby Eric Marleau on Fri Feb 08, 2013 9:52 pm

Forest Lake Sportsmen's Club Rifle Range is members only except for Sight In Days in the Fall.
Our Pistol Leagues will start on April 4th and run every Thursday thru Oct.
This is open to the public.
If interested just contact me.

Eric
NRA Certified Chief Range Safety Officer
NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
DNR Certified Firearms Safety Instructor
NRA Life Member
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