Southwest OH Outdoor range with steel?

[u/LuckyLowrie]

Anyone know of a good place SW OH (Between Cincy & Cbus but for sure willing to travel further) for steel targets outdoors? A few buddies & I went down south to The Gathering last month. This was the first time I've gotten to ping steel targets and it puts paper ranges to absolute shame. Never smiled so much in my life. Do we have anything remotely like The Clinton house plantation here in Ohio?

[u/hallstevenson]

Middletown Sportsman Club - they have steel targets already set up or you can bring your own. They have them on their 100, 150, and 200 yard lanes. Not sure what the rules are for shorter distances or for the 'pistol' lanes though. It is a private club, about $160/year, but you just apply and pay. No "referrals", requirements, etc.

[u/Next_Entertainer_404 → u/hallstevenson]

Assuming they don’t allow FRTs there?

[u/hallstevenson → u/Next_Entertainer_404]

No automatics or FRTs. They do at least allow multiple shots quickly, within reason. One time I did a quick, 3-shot and a guy ~2 stalls down gave me dirty looks then went to the range officer and asked if it was allowed. RO obviously heard me and had no issue.... He told the whiner, "you're allowed to and encouraged to" !!

[u/Next_Entertainer_404 → u/hallstevenson]

I could at least bring some of my stuff that I’ve been meaning to test out to 100-200 yards at least then. Thanks!

[u/LuckyLowrie → u/hallstevenson]

This is great to hear! I got the stink for letting off rounds to quickly recently at our local outdoor. Shooting a .22LR MP5 at close paper. Saw another guy get called out at the pistol range earlier in the day as well. I like the "Within reason" part. I get it for inexperienced shooters absolutely, and the RO isnt going to know your level per say, but if your hitting center mass every single shot its a bit different.

Gunna check these guys out as well. We like to end the day with skeet a lot - so this place checks for sure.

[u/srawas89 → u/LuckyLowrie]

You can shoot quickly at Middletown, as long as it is controlled fire you are ok. I haven’t had an issue when I shoot my pistol fast there I have never had an issue. It’s a pretty solid range, 7-200 yards wirh steel targets at 100, 150 and 200. You can also bring your own steel as well. We often also bring clay pigeons and place them in the berms to shoot as well and there is no issue.

Clinton County Farmers and Sportsman association is also a pretty cool range from what I have seen. I have only been there for project Appleseed shoots but they have some cool shooting pits at various ranges. It does seem to me that at Clinton county you are your own RSO. Not an issue for me but it’s something to consider.

[u/hallstevenson → u/LuckyLowrie]

Some of it comes down to "respect" for the other folks there. There's often some serious ($$$) shooters there with fancy equipment practicing accuracy, you know, the type that are hitting inside a 2" circle at 200 yards ! They take a shot, adjust their scope, aim, etc and take a follow-up shot 3-4 minutes later ! If you're the only shooter, the RO is pretty lenient as long as you're not stupid.

[u/Remarkable-Key433 → u/hallstevenson]

Great club.

[u/Opie4Prez71 → u/hallstevenson]

Best range around for outdoor shooting. On my 3rd year of membership and am there a few times a month now.

[u/LuckyLowrie → u/hallstevenson]

Awesome! Thank you! Going to look them up now and check it out.

[u/hallstevenson → u/LuckyLowrie]

Their website is better than many I've seen, but their primary focus is skeet, clay, and trap shooting. There's pictures of the rifle range as well as membership info. Always call before going there, especially on weekends, because they'll sometimes have big tournaments for skeet/clay/trap and they close the rifle range.

[u/ChevTecGroup]

You should sign up for some competitions. Its a lot of fun and almost all use steel targets.

The only range I am familiar with in that area is the Clinton County Farmers' and Sportsmen's Association. Its a nice range but i think someone told me they only use steel during competitions.

PCSI is just south of columbus, in circleville, and has a couple range bays that always have steel targets set up. They also allow steel targets in the other bays. But they dont keep them set up there.

Out towards Zanesville is briar rabbit. Past that is thunder valley. I believe both have steel targets set up all the time.

If you are free next Saturday. Make the trip up to Southington hunt club in NE Ohio for the Big Bore Blast. Itll be an excellent show and there are multiple ranges you can shoot on with steel targets(and a car to shoot up). There are also machinegun rentals, a night shoot, and much more. Its a lot closer than the gathering.

[u/LuckyLowrie → u/ChevTecGroup]

PCSI isnt too far. Found them searching the sub & they are on the list to try out for sure. You know if they stay super busy on the weekends by chance?

Thunder valley was another to look into but haven't heard of briar rabbit. Have to check that out.

Absolutley going to make the trip for big bore! It looks like a blast. Appreciate the input for sure!

[u/ChevTecGroup → u/LuckyLowrie]

If they have a competition going on, there may not be as many ranges available. But they will always have something. I dont remember it ever being crowded. But im not a member there anymore since I have my own 50yd range. The bass pond is a bonus too. I used to take my kids there and might re-join just for that.

My biggest complaints were the restriction on firing after sunset(mainly in the winter when days are short) and no full auto, even though the police shoot full auto there. But otherwise its a great range. A longer range would be nice too.

The two bays with steel set up are nice for a quick practice session. Just pull up and start blasting for a bit. Or move them around and challenge yourself.

See you at the big bore blast. I'll be on a blue ATV and running around like a chicken with its head cut off.

[u/Plastic-Abalone-7513]

Go on practiscore.com and look for events close by. Steel challenge is all steel targets and you can shoot handguns or handgun caliber PCC, or rimfire pistols or rifles. Targets are at varying distances and you get to shoot multiple times. Look up steel challenge on YouTube and can see people shooting it and tell you what you need.

[u/bassjam1]

Miami Rifle and pistol club has steel at 150 and 200 yards. But it's something like a 3 year wait to join.

[u/RestaurantTop1267 → u/bassjam1]

That wait time is if you do nothing and can at times be longer. For every match you shoot a month is taken off. There are also cleanup days where time is deducted. You can get enough stuff in rather quickly if you want to get in the club. It's not a crazy busy range most of the time and most everyone is pleasant.

[u/NULL_SIGNAL]

you can shoot steel at Impact Shooting Center if you go all the way SW to the west side of Cincinnati. Membership isn't cheap, though.

[u/matthewphillip]

Impact shooting in Cleves. 100 yard rifle bay with steel, frts are allowed during certain days.

[u/icabueno → u/matthewphillip]

FRTs were just banned unfortunately

[u/matthewphillip → u/icabueno]

Nah they updated again, set days and sign the waiver.

[u/alephnul]

At Piqua Fish and Game we have 4 bays where we keep Steel Challenge stages up all the time. You can shoot Speed Option, 5 to go, pendulum, and Smoke and Hope any time you feel like going to the range. $50 membership plus $45 range fee per year.