Shooting ranges in Calgary

Marksmen

Marksmen

CGN Regular
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Location
Chilliwack BC
I have been shooting competively since 1996 in the long range F-class game and moved to Calgary in March. joined the APRA and have shot a match the guys, which by the way where great and welcoming. The problem is access to a range for load development. The public range is a joke up at homestead. In my opinion is unsafe. Rosebud has limited their membership to 250, thats right 250 for a city of a million people. I can't understand it, in a sport that is dying they stop taking new members. Their never seems to be anyone their and would think it would be very rare one would have to wait for a bench.:confused:
 
You could try Calgary & District Target Shooter's Association, although their rifle range is only 100 yards.

www.cdtsa.org

Lethbridge also has a very nice range if you don't mind driving for a while to get there.
 
simulate said:
Interesting that a range built by the government on crown land limits memberships. Ask your MLA if that's legal. Sounds like they just want a private range! Shooters abusing shooters-we're our own worst enemy!
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You need to check your facts there Buddy .If you took the time to investigate the APRA leases the property from the Provincal government that is the Homestead range complex .The user groups that comprise the Homestead Range Fauciltiy are Rosebud Sillohoutte Club/Rosebud range, APRA Fullbore,CSRA Service Rifle, Swiss Rifle Club, RCMP use the Homestead Range . Each club has it's own rules regarding membership costs and the number of members that it will allow. As part of our lease agreement we are to provide a range for the public to shoot at IMO is part of the agreement should be revoked as the amount of damage to signage ,Fenceposts and Range Equipment is unbelievable and the incidents of wanton destruction are increasing I guess your statement about " Shooters abusing shooters -we're our own worst enemy " has a poinent application in regards to the public range
 
Marksmen said:
I have been shooting competively since 1996 in the long range F-class game and moved to Calgary in March. joined the APRA and have shot a match the guys, which by the way where great and welcoming. The problem is access to a range for load development.:
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Complain to APRA Fullbore that is the club you belong to it is going to get worse for access to homestead range next year as we the Service rifle club our increasing or matches to 2 weekends a month with the APRA Fullbore matches that currently taking 2 weekends a month that leaves no time for range practice
 
Why can't you develop loads at homestead? I would think it would be the way to go as the distance you are shooting is not available at Rosebud. It will be tougher on weekends at Rosebud next year as we will be hosting another National match. The public range is only unsafe if the people using it who are experienced don't educate the ones who aren't, but it would be nice if we didn't have that monkey on our back.
 
I would like to use Rosebud for load development, during the week would be fine. I only need 300yrds or meters. I like the benches and the tables. I would be able to reload at the range. I think that the range could handle 3000 members. As any club only 10% would really use the range.
 
With a membership at the Homestead range you have the privalage of using an 900m range with access to pistol bays, club house etc. Personally I think you are overlooking the fantastic facility less than an hours drive from Calgary. Try looking up the next closest 900m range. A bit of a drive. Be very thankful for what we have at Homestead rather than ditching it.
 
darb said:
With a membership at the Homestead range you have the privalage of using an 900m range with access to pistol bays, club house etc. Personally I think you are overlooking the fantastic facility less than an hours drive from Calgary. Try looking up the next closest 900m range. A bit of a drive. Be very thankful for what we have at Homestead rather than ditching it.
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Who's ditching it it a great range, is the membership (executive) that needs to upgrade there membership limit to greater (a lot) than 250 members. It has really set me back in my shooting this year. I have to wait now to next year and try to get in before they sell out. I am a member to the APRA and get to shoot at the 900m range but are not allowed to use the rosebud range for some reason. I really don't get it.
 
Marksmen said:
not allowed to use the rosebud range for some reason. I really don't get it.
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Different Club although it is affilated with the APRA it runs entirely seperate from the APRA structure as do all the different clubs that form the APRA
 
Savage said:
Different Club although it is affilated with the APRA it runs entirely seperate from the APRA structure as do all the different clubs that form the APRA
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Souldn't it be better to be all together in one Club and have a bigger voice in anything?
I belong to a club in BC that has Cowboy action, long range, shotgun, pistol, silhouette, small bore. All on 3 ranges, One big club house, with a kitchen and a hall that is rented out to the public. Thousands of members. We have big voice in the comunity.
The whole Homestead thing is really missing out on a great opportunity, A newbe should be able to buy a rifle and join a club and see the shooting disipline that interests him and go with it. Guys our sport is dying a slow and painless death. We need thousands of new people involved. There is a great interest out there in the shooting sports. After a guy jumps through the hoops of getting a PAL and buying the first rig. I think it should be a little down hill for them to get involved in the sport. Not what I have experienced moving to Alberta:confused:
 
There is a match at Homestead this coming weekend, it's 10x600M, a really good place to work up a load IMO.

I also know Rosebud is having a match this coming weekend. You could always pay for the match and shoot groups with them at 100,200 and after the match step out to 300 yds or 500M on the rams. Should work fine for load development! No membership needed to compete in a match, just pay the money.

I know it is not the best answer, but show up there this weekend and at least meet the guys, once they know you, they will most likely sell you a membership, if not, I'm going to visit the sec/treas. after, come along and we will see... and I will be there or up on the Fullbore range this weekend, visiting my old buds.

kds
 
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The memberships are capped. I can't even get one for shooters who compete and help with the matches. That is the way it goes. There is a waiting list and anyone who doesn't renew by a certain date is out and the next guy on the list is in. If we had the funds and had a paid range officer - caretaker then the cap could come off. We have enough trouble as it is keeping posts on the frames. If we had 3000 members it would look like the public range, then no one would want to shoot there.
 
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Marksmen said:
Souldn't it be better to be all together in one Club and have a bigger voice in anything?
I belong to a club in BC that has Cowboy action, long range, shotgun, pistol, silhouette, small bore. All on 3 ranges, One big club house, with a kitchen and a hall that is rented out to the public. Thousands of members. We have big voice in the comunity.
The whole Homestead thing is really missing out on a great opportunity, A newbe should be able to buy a rifle and join a club and see the shooting disipline that interests him and go with it. Guys our sport is dying a slow and painless death. We need thousands of new people involved. There is a great interest out there in the shooting sports. After a guy jumps through the hoops of getting a PAL and buying the first rig. I think it should be a little down hill for them to get involved in the sport. Not what I have experienced moving to Alberta:confused:
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You moved to far south!!! You should have come to Northern Alberta, Our range welcomes everyone. And facilitates all shooters and diciplines, They even let a guy that still shoot's Iron sights be president of the Rifle range.....:p :D but I think he's still working on getting us our 1000 meter range so we put up with him.;) :D And if ya don't like the range facility there's thousands of miles of crown land with premium shooting spots all over. Come North!!
 
You could try Canmore (Kananaskis - but I'm not sure they are accepting new members :( ) or if you are in the North end of town, try out Olds. (I hear they have a great range -low annual dues too!)

I totally agree - the APRA and all of the associated ranges really need to start banding together for the betterment of our shooting sports.
You need to change one attitude at a time, so if you are a member, try running for executive, and try from the inside.
 
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After going through the posts a few times, I am seeing Marksmens point. Here in Calgary the Shootersedge is always full, Homestead (public) range is good at 6:00 in the morning, before the place gets packed, and there is really a very limited area to shoot. There is the crown land out west, but safety is an issue over 300 yds.
Why is membership so limited/selective to some of the privite ranges? As I am getting more into paper punching, I to am finding it hard to hone my skills without a place to "go the distance". Is it possible for Homestead to increase in area to handle more members?
I am with you Marksmen (although not as dedicated of shooter), everyone how handles a gun should be able to shoot in confidence.
 
Rosebud limits its membership because they can it is not my concern as I am not a member of there range.The other user groups that form the APRA DO NOT LIMIT MEMBERSHIPS
 
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