I want to join a club-any more options?

[jerryrigger]

I live in Winchester, MA, and I am looking to join a club. Not new to shooting, but I'm not a member anywhere. I have interest in multiple disciplines and I'm trying to find a single place that fits the bill, but so far to no avail. Right now all I really need is a 24/7 indoor range w/keycard or code or what have you, but I want to be able to shoot long range rifle as well, and in MA that seems to be pretty scarce. I think Harvard sounds like a great place, but I kind of want to be able to shoot rifle at a longer distance than 300 yrds, but it's still probably one of the best, if not the best, in MA. Now, I've heard that Reading Rifle and Revolver has a 600 yard rifle range, which would be awesome, but I've also heard that they have a long waiting list...is this still the case? They are closer to me than Harvard, but I think I would be more than willing to drive to Harvard for what they're offering, so drive time there isn't that much of a concern.

The other option that I am thinking of is potentially joining one club now and another additionally in the future. I like what Harvard offers and have heard nothing but good, so I'm thinking that I might try to join here and then maybe Nashua F&G a little further in the future for their 600 yard rifle range to do longer range stuff. I know Nashua doesn't get rave reviews from what I've read, but perhaps for this purpose it wouldn't be that bad because we're talking bolt action rifle not IDPA or anything like that. In addition, Nashua is cheap enough for me to be able to to afford a secondary membership.

I'm thinking mostly of Harvard despite Mass Rifle and Woburn SC being much closer because of some things I have read here about the two, and having read nothing bad that I can remember about Harvard, and they seem to be very supportive of all kinds of weapons in general having a class 3 range etc.

So, what do you think is my best route? How would you guys compare Harvard, Mass Rifle, and Woburn SC? Is there anywhere else close by enough that has a 500-800 yard rifle range?

Thanks for all your help, and sorry for writing so much!

 

[Geoff C]

I'm in Winchester and goto Mass Rifle. I don't think they could meet your long range needs. Only 200 yd. I'm not sure what your financial situation is but you could try and join in Reading (600yd), see what they say for a wait time and then join Mass Rifle for the meantime.

MRA does have 24/7 Indoor 75 foot range.

 

[Gammon]

I live in Medford and belong to MRA. You can't beat having a 25 yd indoor range that allows centerfire rifle (24/7) and a 200 yd outdoor range only 15 min from the house. I also belong to Harvard for practical pistol shooting in the action shooting pits (about ten) and also the 200/300yd rifle range. I find the combination of these two clubs to be the best solution for my shooting needs.

Another club you might check out is the Pelham F&G. They are about the same distance as Harvard and have action shooting pits, rifle ranges, and and extensive trap and skeet facility, along with bullseye and metallic silhouette ranges.

 

[wolf223]

http://northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=51787

 

[amb]

I don't think Reading has a waiting list right now but the process of joining is by nature a very long one. It's a great club for the outdoor ranges, though.

Mass Rifle has the best indoor range around, with 24/7 access and the ability to shoot almost anything. Kind of a crappy highpower setup, though, and if you an XTC shooter who wants to practice rapids, go someplace else. (Unless you're on the club's rifle team the 100-200 yard range is single-loading only.)

Woburn Sportsmen's is also nice; their highpower range only goes out to 200 yards but it's a much more pleasant setup than Mass Rifle's. If by some chance you're interested in international pistol, it's the place to be.

They all have an elaborate membership process which will take some time to get through. At Woburn, it'll take at least a month--first you meet the board or have a sponsor, then you go to the first membership meeting for your "first reading", then you put in four(?) hours of work for the club, then go to your second meeting to be officially welcomed, and there's a range rules test and some paperwork in there too. At Mass Rifle you might be able to get in quickly; you need to watch an orientation video, take a range rules test, take a marksmanship test (all on one evening) and then meet with the membership committee (which meets monthly near the end of the month). At Reading it also takes months; you need to have your name published in the quarterly newsletter for comments, meet with the membership committee, and go to an orientation.

From Winchester, I'd look really hard at Mass. Rifle; there's a huge amount to be said for having a 24/7 range ten minutes away. I'm in a similar situation and have ended up with both Mass Rifle and Woburn memberships. (Though I've been considering dropping Woburn in favor of Reading for the 600 yard access, but I know lots of good people at both and it's a tough call.) Also note that Nashua has cheap and open-to-the-public practice time on the 600 yard range, which nicely fills in that need.

 

[jerryrigger]

So Nashua's 600 yard range is open to the public? If it is then joining MRA would probably solve all my problems, at least for a few months depending on how much LR rifle I start shooting in the summer. Depending on price maybe I will join Nashua as well. Reading's process seems way overly drawn out as far as I'm concerned-their facilities seem nice but the drive to Nashua isn't so bad that I would not consider it as a viable replacement for Reading because it's so much cheaper and (probably) less of a hassle to get in to.

 

[Prepper]

What's this Nashua range? I didn't know there was a 600 yard range anywhere around here. I'd find that especially useful since I'm looking to learn rifle shooting past 100 yards. (I'm hoping to also join Harvard for its 300 yard range but I'm still going to want to try up to 600 yards sometime.)

 

[jerryrigger]

It's Nashua Fish & Game I think. I'm pretty sure they have a 600 yarder there. I've read some negative stuff about it on here but most of it pertained to action/defensive pistol variations such as IDPA. I like clubs being open to that type of stuff, but my if I can do my pistol stuff somewhere else Nashua might be nice to have just to use for rifle. I've been considering Harvard too but to have two memberships and only get a 300 yard range for rifle is pushing it on my wallet. 300 is good, but if I can get 600 for less money, it might be a better option and give me that much more room for practice/improvement.

 

[beldavius]

I just put my paperwork in to join Reading just before Christmas. I'll let you know when I finally get accepted. My situation is a bit abnormal, though. I have two kids in the junior program and have been helping out there with that. They do ask for a club-member sponsor and three references and then let the other club members weigh in on the decision, so I hear it can be a somewhat lengthy process. Having spent some time there for the junior program, I've got to say I'm really impressed by the club. Not only the facilities (huge 50 ft indoor range, moderate length outdoor range for rifle and pistol, and 200, 300 and 600 yard range as well as trap, skeet and archery), but the people I've come in contact with are real serious shooters and all very friendly. If you can put up with the time issues, I think it's well worth it.

 

[amb]

It's Nashua Fish & Game I think. I'm pretty sure they have a 600 yarder there.

Yup, see http://www.nfga.org/. With my comment about "open to the public", though, if you've got a fixed schedule it may not work for you, since last year at least the open 600 yard practice was 8:30 to 11 on Thursdays. (Of whoever shows up, half shoot for an hour and half pull targets for an hour, then everyone swaps.)

Also, I don't see the practices on this year's schedule. Last year's (with some info about Thursday practice) is here: http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=30997. I'd call them and make sure Thursday morning is still on before making a decision based on it.