Need a place to shoot, I'm in Happy Valley.

**x503Codyx** · 06-26-2010, 06:25 PM

I am new to shooting, but always clean up my own junk. Anyone know of some good places near me, maybe Clackamas County?

**toobigtofail** · 06-26-2010, 06:35 PM

I guess you mean free shooting? you could go to the rock quarry near estacada. Or you could go to Salmonberry road off of 26. Both probably take about an hour to get to.

**toobigtofail** · 06-26-2010, 06:38 PM

If someone knows of a place to freely shoot that is closer than these two places, I would sure like to know about it! (I'm pretty near Happy Valley in Portland)

**x503Codyx** · 06-26-2010, 07:09 PM

Yeah, sorry about not specifying. I will be shooting a 30.06 and I find that the ranges near aren't really long enough for what I'm looking for, especially if I'm going to pay to shoot. Thanks for the help though big.

**toobigtofail** · 06-26-2010, 07:16 PM

Some of the fancier ranges have long distance shooting. I think pretty much all of them don't allow casual visitors, though. So everyone who doesn't wanna pony up a few hundred (or more) bucks is pretty much SOL.

**x503Codyx** · 06-26-2010, 07:19 PM

I don't really need anything fancy, just testing out the new rifle. Where's the place in Estacada?

**toobigtofail** · 06-26-2010, 07:25 PM

This is the "Memaloose Rd Quarry" or something. Check it out: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=45.134...ed=0CAgQ8gEwAA

There is a thread on it in the "outdoor shooting places" subforum. I went there the other day. I liked its size, but the road leading to it is pretty dangerous -- lots of turns and single lane most of the way. I think I'll stick with the Salmonberry road area for shooting.

**KTM530XCW** · 06-26-2010, 07:53 PM

It's a bit of a drive, but Clark Rifle up in The 'Couve is open to the public every Sunday. It's $15 entry, but they have ranges up to 300 yards (should be good for your .06).

**BigNickShooting** · 06-26-2010, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by x503Codyx

Yeah, sorry about not specifying. I will be shooting a 30.06 and I find that the ranges near aren't really long enough for what I'm looking for, especially if I'm going to pay to shoot. Thanks for the help though big.

Tri County in Sherwood has a 600 yds range ... 100, 200, 300 and 600 yds

**BigNickShooting** · 06-26-2010, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by toobigtofail

Some of the fancier ranges have long distance shooting. I think pretty much all of them don't allow casual visitors, though. So everyone who doesn't wanna pony up a few hundred (or more) bucks is pretty much SOL.

Tri County is only $129/year

**toobigtofail** · 06-26-2010, 08:52 PM

New members pay a one-time initiation fee of $175. Annual dues are $120. Associate member (spouse) annual dues are $35. Payment may be made with cash, check or money order; no credit cards. Dues are pro-rated, starting in October. Therefore, a new member joining June-September would pay $295 ($175 initiation plus $120 dues).

**Phonelesscord** · 06-26-2010, 09:13 PM

Douglas Ridge Gun Club isn't too far out of HV, and they will have the long ranges you require.

Far from free though. If you want free, prepare for a 45minute-hour drive and a max of 100 yards.

**drew** · 06-26-2010, 10:07 PM

Yeah, I don't know of anything where you can get a longer distance closeby for free.

Makes me wax nostalgic for where I grew up in Eastern Oregon. 15 minute drive to a a place where you shoot a few hundred yards for free.

**Phonelesscord** · 06-26-2010, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by drew

Yeah, I don't know of anything where you can get a longer distance closeby for free.

Makes me wax nostalgic for where I grew up in Eastern Oregon. 15 minute drive to a a place where you shoot a few hundred yards for free.

The consequences of the suburban lifestyle

**x503Codyx** · 06-26-2010, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by Phonelesscord

The consequences of the suburban lifestyle

One of many I'm sure.

**x503Codyx** · 06-27-2010, 07:07 PM

Found a nice little place, thanks for all the suggestions guys!

**toobigtofail** · 06-27-2010, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by x503Codyx

Found a nice little place, thanks for all the suggestions guys!

What place, if I may ask?

**Gunner3456** · 06-28-2010, 02:08 PM

I don't see the value of 300 yds. 100 yds yes, 600 yds, yes.

With all of my "high speed" center fires, particularly my .270 Win, if I sight them dead-on at 25 yards, they will be about a case-length high at 100 yards. Maybe a little more at 200 yds. Pretty close to back on target at 300 yds. Maybe 8" or so low at 400 yds. After that, it depends on the gun. All of those striking points out to 400 yards are "kill zone" shots.

Now, if I want to shoot farther, I need a range finder and some experimenting to find out what my drop is with the particular gun. Here at the house I have a 100 yd range, but obviously I can move closer for handgun, etc. I sight every high speed center fire dead-on at 25 yds.

$.02

**Jamie6.5** · 06-28-2010, 02:38 PM

If long range is truly your goal, you need to look into the effect of yaw and pitch of a bullet's flight path.
Berger's Bryan Litz has a dynamic graph of of a 7mm bullet's path from the muzzle to 200 yds.
In it you can see that the yaw induced variation doesn't even get below 1 degree until the bullet has crossed 120yds. It has really settled down by the time it reaches 180yds.

It makes us all wonder how many great loads were abandoned because they wouldn't shoot bug hole groups at 100yds.
You can watch here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KH9SCbCBHaY

It also shows us how POI vs POA changes in that first 200 yds.
For the average hunter it may not be a factor, but for those that think they can "step it out" beyond 300yds, because they have dialed in elevation at 100yds, it needs to be considered.
Something to be aware of and think about during load workup.