Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

I've had about enough of the indoor shooting ranges. I don't like rules and I dont need a babysitter every time I want to shoot my guns. I stay in Norfolk Virginia. I am not looking for an outdoor range, I'm looking for isolated land. There are hunting areas close to me, there is a WMA that people hunt on and other hunting areas in adjacent cities such as Chesapeake but the information in unclear as to if I can just show up and shoot.

If people are hunting there at certain times of the year then surely I can go shooting there as well? It just seems ridiculous that in order to shoot, we have to be supervised and controlled and subjected to rules and regulations.

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I wish I had the answer to this myself. It seems like you really need private land. I haven't really heard of any public lands where you can just start shooting the place up. I hate going to the range myself and would love to do exactly this.

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on the WMA's there is no shooting except during hunting season, or on established shooting ranges.

No shooting allowed in Virginia's State Forests, unless your target is a game animal during hunting season.

as far as i've been able to find there really isn't any open shooting area anywhere in VA.

Now the National forest shooting ranges are generally non-supervised, and if you are there during a weekday, you can often be alone. Unless you're going to buy your own 100 acres, thats about as good as your are going to get.

Pott's Slope is about 250 miles from you but is an outdoor range with free admission. They have up to 100 yard open area -- you provide your own targets and stands.

7 miles from New Castle, Va and about 8-10 lanes and tables with seats. Bench seating behind the tables.
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/null ... &actid=106

Out of curiosity, which of the rules and regs are you finding oppressive?

The OP may have different feelings, but for me, my two biggest issues are that lack of distance and many ranges don't allow auto/burst fire. I'm okay with pretty much everything else.

Thanks for the replies. As for which rules I do not like, no rapid fire, no shooting watermelons and milk jugs or basically anything besides a paper target, not allowed to draw from holster and shoot, lack if distance, cannot shoot all my guns at the same range.

Basically I just want to practice by myself on my own time or have 1 or 2 family members or friends with me

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I have used this range several times and it is very nice. We usually use it in late May and early June while we are camping nearby.
Usually, we have the place to ourselves, but have 3-4 other people there at the same time. Very friendly people in the area and have not had any problems with other shooters. They know gun safety and are very cooperative.
I would think that there are other ranges like this in Virginia since this is National Forest operated.
I have seen people shooting ARs, AKs, M1s, shotguns, handguns.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsint ... ting+Range

I've been to Chickahominy WMA range several times and enjoyed shooting without someone looking over me, the ranger comes by once in a while but not often. The rules state only paper targets, but I have seen others shooting watermelons, bowling pins and such there. No one complained. They don't allow pistols there tho, and range is limited to 100 yrds.

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wma/chickahominy/


C2 shooting range has also been enjoyable to shoot at. They have ranges up to 300 yrds and you can shoot pistols there as well. They have people making sure all is safe but didn't see anyone giving anyone problems while I was there. It costs $15 hr.
http://www.c2shootingcenter.com/

Private land by far the best solution imo. If you live in a metro area that may be difficult as far as convenience but, could still be the best option. Land in rural areas is still a LOT cheaper than most of your metro areas.

I live pretty close to multiple ranges. 1 is a county owned, & 1 National Forest range, as well as a few hunting club ranges. However, I prefer no fees, & no other people so..... I built my own.






Relatively inexpensive. I spent about $300 but, know it's certainly possible to do what I've done for little to no cost. I wanted to give it a "happy" feel for family members who are rookies, & or inexperienced shooters. Although, reality is... not many of those in my family, or circles.



My range is 50yds from edge of table to target line. Feels great, & everybody that has sent rounds down range loves it. I have added another table at a just a few yards for pistols. It's convenient, was relatively inexpensive, & it's open 24/7

^^^^^^^That is awesome. Nice range. I would love to have something like that.

I love that range... I hope to have some land and something like that when I grow up!

One idea for a more open outdoor shooting experience is look on VRBO.(vacation rentals by owner) You might be able to find a hunting cabin with land that you can rent for a weekend and have permission to shoot with lots of land to use.

Great job on your range Viper....Very nice !!! Carol and I built our Cabin and Range in '13 and have to say , having your own Private Range is the only way to go.

Snakester wrote:Great job on your range Viper....Very nice !!! Carol and I built our Cabin and Range in '13 and have to say , having your own Private Range is the only way to go.

Thanks man..! I built mine in spring '15. Definitely dig it. Easy access, very effective, & everyone who has used it, really liked it too. I've been able to get a couple first time shooters to send some rounds down range, & they really had a good time.

Couldn't agree more..... it's the only way to go...!! I feel for the people that have to go to public ranges, & deal with all the people, & restrictions that come with that.

Best thing is looks like you can recover the bullets - important to those like me that turn old bullets into new bullets ! What's behind the ties ? Rubber/etc.?

shootergdv wrote:Best thing is looks like you can recover the bullets - important to those like me that turn old bullets into new bullets ! What's behind the ties ? Rubber/etc.?

Sand/dirt.

I thought I'd update this thread with some interesting news for VA folks. I heard about this site on the radio the other and checked it out today. Just got off the phone with one of owners and the site was just launched in Sept so they are constantly updating things, but there are a couple of places listed specifically mentioning target shooting and I was told there will be a more thorough update by next week on target shooting.

There is a 9.99/mth membership fee to be able to make reservations but many of the spots are free to reserve from the landowner. And if you find a location cloe to you they can call and check with the landowner about target shooting before you sign up for a membership.

This seems like a great idea.


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