The 6 Best Long-Range Courses and Public Shooting Facilities

Ok. So, you’ve picked out your rifle, selected the perfect scope for long-range engagements, built or bought the tightest grouping ammunition possible, and have become utterly proficient in making bug holes at 100 yards. While ruling the roost at the short range might feel great, deep down inside, you want to reach out but just don’t know where to get started. Even worse, you fear that your long-range experience might be limited to an expensive training course with no real availability of facilities to hone what you’ve learned afterward. Fret not, as there are more options than ever before, even in unlikely parts of the country. Here are three of our favorite training facilities, followed by a trio of practice ranges that allow for walk-on use.

Training

1. Gunsite – Paulden, AZ

Ask the experts on any topic, and they’ll all agree that total immersion is the best way to learn anything in life. Gunsite’s PR7 course is a full week of training and offers up a Long Range Ph.D. for those willing to devote the time. Students can attend this course without having to attend any prior training, as this stretch allows enough time to cover and fine-tune the basics before delving into deeper topics. Gunsite keeps to its old-school ways and concentrates on building fire solutions without relying on electronics. Using reticles and simplified math, shooters will leave this course with the experience of engaging targets out to 1,000 yards in both a known and unknown distance setting. Immense attention is also spent on becoming a more proficient spotter, making each graduate not only a better shooter but a better teammate too. gunsite.com

2. Renaissance Firearms Instruction – Lewistown, PA

Renaissance Firearms Instruction specializes in new gun owner training and tailors its entry-level courses to those with little to no experience. Their Long Range shooting course is open to any participant who can shoot at least 2 MOA and understands the bare basics of zeroing an optic. From there, they will learn how to read the wind, understand ballistics, spot impacts and misses, and build a dope log from 300 to 1040 yards, all in just one day. Renaissance welcomes the use of hunting rifles in these courses and has helped countless sportsmen prepare for long-range pursuit. Of course, precision chassis rifles are going to be the best bet for this class, and several are available as loaners utterly free of charge. The six-hour shooting session wraps with the practical application of the skills learned in four different challenge courses. Here, students can win prizes such as scopes, electronic ear protection, and more. renaissancefirearmsinstruction.com

3. The Site - Mount Carroll, IL

Ammo is expensive, which is why The Site’s Three-Day Precision Rifle course is geared around making first-round impacts, even on moving targets from 600 yards away. No second-round corrections here; land your shot, or move on, just like in real life. Everything taught in the classroom is immediately validated on the range until every student fully understands the concept and proves it to themselves. This means that students will spend the majority of their time on the firing line, learning how to increase the odds of first-shot success. This success is achieved through practicing in real-world conditions as they learn about wind, ranging, and building their own fire solutions. Additionally, they will spend time developing spotting skills with instructors Lara Spanic and Jim Kauber, which are treated as the more difficult of the two skill sets. Once this material is mastered in comfortable field positions, participants will be challenged to implement them while navigating difficult barriers, preparing them for hunting scenarios or the sport of PRS. thesitetraining.com

Practice

1. NRA Whittington Center – Raton, NM

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What does the NRA do with my money?” The answer (in part) is the creation and maintenance of the Whittington Center. For just $20 a day, you can enjoy more than 33,000 acres of shooting nirvana on 25 different ranges. Two of these are purpose-built for specific long-range disciplines and serve a multitude of precision shooters. Those that enjoy service rifles have the High Power 1000 Yard Rifle Range at their disposal, complete with target backers for even the most prominent paper. Once targets are affixed, shooters have their choice of firing points from 200 to 1,000 yards. Those looking to add a little more noise are welcome to try out the High-Power Rifle Silhouette Range, which features conventional steel animal targets out to 1025 meters. On-site lodging is available for extended stays, as well as annual and family memberships if you wish to become a regular. nrawc.org

2. Ares Training Facility – Leesburg, FL

Gun owners in the state of Florida might only have one hurdle, its flat terrain. The state’s lack of topographical features leaves long-distance amenities far and few between. That is why ranges like those found at Ares Training Facility stand head and shoulders above the rest. There is nothing like reaching out, and these folks put everything in place to make it possible down there. After qualifying at the 400-yard range, shooters may transfer over to the dedicated long-distance range to engage steel out to 860 yards. Ares provides these targets free of charge, but you are also welcome to bring your own. If you choose to stick with the house steel, you’ll get the benefit of using the ShotMarker system, which allows you to see hits directly on your smartphone or tablet. Memberships and day pass prices vary depending on what you are looking to do and accommodate a wide range of budgets. arestrainingfacility.com

3. California Tactical Academy - Piru, CA

The biggest tragedy in the firearms industry is that the nicest shooting country is located in the worst state for gun owners. However, the folks at California Tactical Academy are fighting the good fight for those behind enemy lines by providing one heck of a public range. A vast hillside is well appointed with steel targets ranging from 100 to 1,000 yards. A shaded pavilion keeps shooters protected from the sun, and sturdy benches and stools are available for rock-steady rifle work. If you are traveling from out of state, most bolt-action rifles are legal to bring in; just be sure to check current law as, sadly, things constantly change. A day pass only costs $30 or less, and that gives you access to the other ranges as well. ctala.com

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