Areas to legally plink with large caliber rifles

[DeusFacticius]

This may seem a bit of an odd question, but I'm having difficulty finding a strong answer.

I own two rifles that shoot 7.62x54R rounds, which produce quite a boom when shooting. I'm relatively new to being a gun-owner in Virginia, so I still don't fully know all the laws and regulations concerning the use and ownership of such rifles in the state and/or county.

What I'm trying to figure out, is if there is any public lands I would be legally allowed to go to and plink with my rifles, without getting into legal trouble. I have no ill-intentions of destroying any property, assuming that leaving bullets in whatever very thick, deep, earthy hill I can find for use as a backstop is not causing any serious issues. Of course there are public/private ranges in my area I have access to, but all of them have one restriction or another I'm not fond of (either too short/small of range, or ridiculously over-priced).

From the research I've done, the local laws seem to only create a black-list of areas where you may not shoot -- but very little, if anything, is stated about where you *can* shoot. This leaves kind of a fuzzy void -- if I'm not shooting in any of the black-listed areas, is it safe to assume I can shoot there legally?

Hunting grounds would ideally be suitable, however it seems like most designated hunting grounds in my area either charge a fee/membership, restrict my type of rifle, and all require a hunting permit/license, which is all somewhat wasteful considering I have no intentions of actually hunting anything.

Does anyone have any advice on where I can go from here? I live near Clifton, where there are acres and acres of wooded areas, which are mostly private property but some areas are designated as public parks.

Thanks in advance for any advice or info

[VBshooter]

Welcome to the board ...I would think that if you get a land owners permission and set up a backstop and stay away from buildings etc: WHatever the local laws may be, you would be able to target shoot, Now days that can be touchy with all the development ,, I know where I grew up we shot in the old sand banks and never got bugged, In fact sometimes the local cops practiced there,, Now if you even think the word Gun,, SOmebody calls the law and the heat is on... Others here will be able to add to this I;m sure

[Moccasin]

VDGIF maintains rifle ranges on some of their hunting areas. They are open to the general public and free to use. The only restrictions I am aware of are that you may not use handguns on the ranges. One of these ranges (C.F. Phelps) is located near Sumerduck, off Route 17 between Falmouth and Opal. There are dates and times that the range is closed so check it out.

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wmas/detail.asp?pid=17

[Hiwaytahell]

7.62x54r....you have my attention???

[zephyp]

I would suggest Quantico Shooting Club but your cartridge is considered "commie" and Soviet ammo is currently prohibited. I have no earthly idea why they do that. I don't know if there is some sort of embargo or it they consider it unsafe. Who knows when it comes to the guvment.

[Hiwaytahell]

I think it is the Steel core thing that they don't want there

[Moccasin]

I think it is the Steel core thing that they don't want there

That's what I was thinking

[zephyp]

Ok, that makes sense. They said it was because of "recent events."

[Moccasin]

Reckon the "recent event" is that they figured out the ammo was steel core? I can't think of anything that has happened which would cause them to ban Soviet ammo, especially since the Soviet Union doesn't exist any more. If the U.S. has a beef with Russia that ban doesn't hold water either, 7.62x54R comes from more than just Russia.

[DeusFacticius]

thank you for the warm welcome

and ironically, I was just recently told I was not allowed to fire my hungarian 7.62x54R ammo at the NRA range in fairfax, because it was steel core and eating away the backstop :-/ luckily though, they were really cool about it, and although they didn't know where to get it, they knew for a fact that they had seen somebody with yellow tipped 7.62x54R ammo that was indeed lead core. with a little bit of googling, i did indeed verify that the hungarians did also make lead core yellow tipped surplus rounds, and already have a 440rd. spam can of it being shipped to my house

on the flipside, steel core is supposed to be better for the environment when shooting outside though, so hopefully I can find some place like I described in my original post that I can use up the remainder of my steel core ammo.

[Hiwaytahell]

Rick, Check this page out...if you haven't already done so.

http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinAmmoID.htm

[goodoleboy]

I've been to the Phelps WMA multiple times, gotta watch their range though because I believe that it's closed for a portion of the year, I believe once spring turkey is over, but don't hold me to that. I usually hunt their and have looked at the range multiple times, hunting is not so good up their due to the amount of people, but the range looked decent. If we can get a group together to go up their I'd be happy to go shoot with some of you folks.

[goodoleboy]

Yup, open September 1 to March 31, and is closed on Mondays during that period.

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wmas/range_rules.pdf

There's the range rules PDF for all interested.

[DeusFacticius]

Rick, Check this page out...if you haven't already done so.

http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinAmmoID.htm

Ah, I recently found this site as well and has so far been very useful! It's saved me several times from buying more steel core surplus ammo being marketed as lead core.

I'm definitely going to check out Phelps when it opens again for the fall. I wouldn't mind going in a group, I think it'd be a great opportunity to meet some fellow enthusiasts and compare arsenals.