Hopkinton's Sportsman's Questions

[Johnny J]

Hi all. I'm thinking of joining this club but I have a few questions.

First, anyone know the hours there? I tried calling this morning to see if I could come down today to look around, but no one answered.

Second, what is the deal with the 5 round max? Are exceptions to this rule by the board of directors made regularly?

Thanks,
John

 

[Bob P]

Hi all. I'm thinking of joining this club but I have a few questions.

First, anyone know the hours there? I tried calling this morning to see if I could come down today to look around, but no one answered.

Second, what is the deal with the 5 round max? Are exceptions to this rule by the board of directors made regularly?

Thanks,
John

The hours are 24/7 but it's a club and the officers are all volunteers. Email them or call and set something up, they will get back to you.

The 5 roudn rule is for the indoor range only and is a hold over from the old NRA pistol rules etc. The current pres is working on the board to get that changed. They're also constructing an outdoor pistol pit and my understanding is the 5 round rule will not apply there.

It's a very nice club.

 

[hunter46spring]

If your looking in the area also check out the Southborough Rod & Gun (in Hopkinton as well) also a very nice club with a 24/7 indoor pistol range, outdoor rifle range, Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays, and a trout pond..... That being said Hopkinton Sportsman is a very nice club as well

 

[Johnny J]

If your looking in the area also check out the Southborough Rod & Gun (in Hopkinton as well) also a very nice club with a 24/7 indoor pistol range, outdoor rifle range, Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays, and a trout pond..... That being said Hopkinton Sportsman is a very nice club as well

I was looking there, but I didn't see any mention that they have indoor pistol. That's what 90% of my shooting would be.

 

[hunter46spring]

I dont know why they dont advertise the indoor range. It is a 50 foot, 7 station, ventilated range. All handgun calibers allowed.

 

[Rob Boudrie]

The hours are 24/7 but it's a club and the officers are all volunteers. Email them or call and set something up, they will get back to you.

24/7 means members get their own card key, but the building is vacant most of the day. Calls are returned, plus I PM'ed you the president's phone number. He's retired, so he spends his time showing people around the club and making sure the condensate drain tube from the furnace doesn't freeze up.

I work less than a mile from the club (3 miles by car), so I can arrange to meet you there.

The 5 roudn rule is for the indoor range only and is a hold over from the old NRA pistol rules etc. The current pres is working on the board to get that changed. They're also constructing an outdoor pistol pit and my understanding is the 5 round rule will not apply there.

The pres is a USPSA/IPSC shooter, and working to change this. The club also has issued exemptions to this rule to people who shoot in disciplines that need to fully load.

We actually had the rule gone at one point, but there was an incident where excessive noise (!!!) bothered a function upstairs, so it was changed back to "exemption by request". There are rare occasions (classes, rentals) when the indoor range is closed, but this function had not arranged for some "range closed time", so the rate of fire caused some wailing and gnashing of teeth.

I am confident the club president will be working to change this as he is not in the habit of downloading his 38 super.

The new ranges are not yet done (may have to wait to spring) but, when they are done, new rules will be needed from scratch. I'd wager a green membership that there won't be a 5 round limit on the new pistol ranges.

------

All in all, the BS factor, and "gotcha" approach to range safety, is very low to non-existent at this club. People will speak to any person acting in an unsafe manner, but not in an oppressive or negative manner.

 

[MisterHappy]

another vote for Southborough R&GC.

We're having a New Year's Day Trap shoot at noon - even if you don't shoot Trap, there'll likely be people around that can show you around the place.

That being said, HSA is a nice club, too.

 

[Cabin Fever]

Hi all. I'm thinking of joining this club but I have a few questions.

First, anyone know the hours there? I tried calling this morning to see if I could come down today to look around, but no one answered.

Second, what is the deal with the 5 round max? Are exceptions to this rule by the board of directors made regularly?

Thanks,
John

The fact that they allow NRA high power matches to be held there is a big thumbs up in my opinion.

30+ shooting lanes of AR's, M14's, and M1's cannot be found in too many parts of MA. And they have more than 5 rounds in the rapid stages... so the BOD can't be total tightwads.

 

[01bmf]

Johnny, it seems your questions have been answered here, but I would like to chime in with my $.02. HSA is a great facility that offers just about everything you may want. I have been a member for less than a year and regret that I did not join as soon as I relocated to Hopkinton 4 years ago. Great indoor pistol plus lots of outdoor activities and key card access. I take my kids to fish in the trout pond as much as I shoot. I don't think you would regret it.

 

[Jeff270]

Folks,

I live in the Northboro area and am currently looking for a club after taking several years off from shooting. Im hoping to find a place fairly close that ideally has skeet, sporting clays, archery, and a 200 yd rifle range. Don't care if it has a bar! Appreciate any feedback.

Thanks

 

[Bob]

From Northboro - Looking

Just down the road from you is Hopkinton Sportsmen's Association - www.hsasports.com -
It answers all of your needs/wants. No bar - shooting is name of of the game with archery and fishing (great fishing event for kids and families in spring sponsored by club and Hopkinton PD) thrown in. As stated in other posts, 24/7 indoor pistol, and sometimes even steel plate nights which chance for return on your $3.00 per 8 man relay investment ($4.00 to winner, $3.00 to second). you can pm sooth123@aol for further info.

 

[Rob Boudrie]

skeet, sporting clays, archery, and a 200 yd rifle range

Hopkinton currently has all but the 200 yard range, which is under construction. A few lanes of the 100 yard range have been pushed back and the berm work is in progress. The 200 yard range will be opening in 2010.

 

[ohhai]

I am actually looking for a club as well and Hopkinton caught my eye since it is 5 minutes from work.

I emailed the chairman on the website, i'd like to take a tour if possible. I haven't been to sobo R&GC, either will work.

 

[Bob]

RE HSA

I am actually looking for a club as well and Hopkinton caught my eye since it is 5 minutes from work.

I emailed the chairman on the website, i'd like to take a tour if possible. I haven't been to sobo R&GC, either will work.

I'll respond to your question to the membership chairman - My name is bob and we can readily arrange a tour of the club - HSA is most shooter friendly club and certainly fits your location. SRG may be another consideration.

 

[BradM]

Another person here looking at HSA or SRRC. I emailed about taking a look around this weekend if possible; sounds like a good club.

 

[Rob Boudrie]

Bob (post #14) and I are running an intro class at the club (Hopkinton, www.hsasports.com) this Saturday 9AM-1PM. Since we both don't speak at once, stop by during that time and someone will give you a tour and answer any questions.

 

[MisterHappy]

Another person here looking at HSA or SRRC. I emailed about taking a look around this weekend if possible; sounds like a good club.

Southborough R&GC will be shooting Trap and Skeet on Sunday, from 1-4. There'll be folks there that will be happy to give you a tour.

 

[BradM]

Thanks for both offers. I'll definitely try to check both out on Saturday.

 

[BradM]

Thanks to Rob and Bob from HSA for showing me around. Both friendly and knowledgeable guys.

 

[paulie walnuts]

I was thinking about joining the club as well but don't like the idea of the 5 round limit in the indoor range, but I guess you have to take the good with the bad because how many clubs in mass have an all caliber handgun indoor range for $125 a year?

 

[Rob Boudrie]

The Hopkinton club pres is here at a match with me at AFS , so I asked him about the 5 round rule. He informs me the new rules are in an initial draft form in his computer, and this anachronism will be corrected. The attitude that magazines should not be fully loaded; loaded guns should never be placed in a holster; etc. has not been exhibited be the leadership of that club for many years and the rules are about catch up with this reality.

 

[Descriminator]

I'm looking for a club... Hopkinton sounds swell, considering that im driving to AFS every week to rent a lane... How is the progerss on 200yrd lane, and how many 100yrd lanes are currently open? How hard is it to get approved? Thanks!

 

[BradM]

I got a tour while looking for a club a couple weeks ago. 200 yard range will be open this spring/summer I believe Rob said, and there was lots of room on the 100 yard range. I'm sure a member will let you know about applying but the folks I met were good people so I don't think you'd have a problem.

 

[Rob Boudrie]

1. The 100 yard range has about 45 positions, and is never full except during events.

2. The 200 yard range is almost done. The triumvirate who will the initial three authorized to give the 200 yard qualification shoot have been putting finishing touches on the procedures. 200 yards will require competent shootnig of a test target. There is no qualification shooting for the 100 yard range, and a simple "shoot without scaring the RO" for the indoor range. All of the three are good folks who I am confident want to help people get qualified, not set themselves up as obstacles.

3. I have seen a draft of the indoor range rules that is in near-final form, and there is no reference to a 5 (or any other number) round loading limit.